Macro's Talk - Do you need to count them??

Someone recently asked me "what is all this talk I hear about macros? should I be concerned with my current macros if i am trying to lose weight?" 

Now.. again, I have no certificate (yet) this is strictly based on self taught education and my personal opinion. 

So first, what are macros?
The term macros means large, thus macronutrients are nutrients that our bodies need in large amounts. Proteins, carbs, and fats are all macros that we cannot live without. We must consume these chemical compounds every day in very large amounts in order to stay alive and healthy. They provide the building blocks we need for growth metabolism, and body function. They also provide us with energy. 

So, in contrast, micronutrients are vitamins and minerals classified as micro's because the body's daily requirement for these nutrients are small. 

Now.. the details.. 
When weight loss diets are objectively studied, it appears that regardless of macronutrient composition, if calories are reduced, then weight loss occurs. Again, macros are proteins, carbs, and fats, things that perform essential functions within our body related to overall health, energy, production, and fitness performance. 

Therefore, no matter the composition of the diet (amount of macros you are consuming) portion sizes of foods consumed have an effect on calorie consumption and thus weight management. Portions are key! 

A small reduction in the size of portions eaten at each mean or snack can produce a calorie deficit for weight loss.. This deficit can occur even without any change in the types of foods eaten. 

Now, your probably asking yourself, (as some really do have this problem) what if I want to gain weight!? of course, most of the general population is not trying to gain fat, they are trying to gain some muscle. Simple, you increase your calories so they exceed calorie expenditure for weight/muscle gain. PLEASE NOTE: the body does not necessarily make more muscle solely because extra calories are consumed, the extra calories must be combined with the stimulus for muscle growth (aka exercise) Even then, the body will only use what it needs to recover and adapt. The goal here is to provide enough calories to cover the bodies needs to create new muscle tissue without exceeding calorie requirements! :) 

Lets recap.. your fitness and diet goals are what is going to determine your outlook on macronutrients and if they need to be monitored by you or a healthcare physician. However, creating your diet around accurate portions for your bodies needs will greatly effect your weight loss and weight gain goals. 

*some information noted from Practical Applications in Sports Nutrition, Second Edition in addition to the world wide web. :)