Why does my body comp change so much with step counts, even on the same macros?
I'm a 42-year-old mom of three who juggles running marathons and life, so I know the struggle of trying to find balance in nutrition and activity. I've been tracking my macros closely for the past eight weeks, aiming for those perfect protein targets and nutrient timing around my runs. But here's the kicker: on some weeks, I'm hitting about 5,000 steps a day, while on others, I'm at 12,000. Despite the macros being the same, my body composition is showing some pretty noticeable differences!
I'm honestly baffled. When I'm hitting those higher step counts, I see more muscle definition and a slight drop in body fat, but on the lower step count weeks, I feel like I lose a bit of that tone. Is it just the movement that's making that much difference? Or is there more at play with nutrient timing and the overall quality of what I'm eating? I try to stay consistent with meal prep and avoid too many takeout nights, but I wonder if I'm missing something important. Any insights or experiences you all have with this? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how activity levels can impact body comp, especially while keeping macros constant.