Anyone lose their weight eating clean

titotito48

I am trying to incorporate tasty meals not plain. I have looked on line and gotten quite a few recipes that were really good. Today is day 6 eating clean (non processed foods). My stomach has already gone down 2 inches. Yay! I had lost 10 pounds in the first 2 weeks doing this in the past but my meals were pretty plain then so I didn't stick with it. Anyone else have success with this? Oh, and 6 pounds so far this time. I know it will slow way down after my body gets used to this.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

It won't slow down because your body gets used to it. It slows down because you have lost the water weight and expelled the extra matter from where you eating more.

It will now slow down to reflect the deficit amount you are eating at.
If you eat 250 calories less a day you will lose 1lb a week.
What foods you eat has little to no baring on it.

titotito48

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

It won't slow down because your body gets used to it. It slows down because you have lost the water weight and expelled the extra matter from where you eating more.

It will now slow down to reflect the deficit amount you are eating at.
If you eat 250 calories less a day you will lose 1lb a week.
What foods you eat has little to no baring on it.

titotito48

Thanks. I am glad to hear that.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

It won't slow down because your body gets used to it. It slows down because you have lost the water weight and expelled the extra matter from where you eating more.

It will now slow down to reflect the deficit amount you are eating at.
If you eat 250 calories less a day you will lose 1lb a week.
What foods you eat has little to no baring on it.

titotito48 wrote: »

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

It won't slow down because your body gets used to it. It slows down because you have lost the water weight and expelled the extra matter from where you eating more.

It will now slow down to reflect the deficit amount you are eating at.
If you eat 250 calories less a day you will lose 1lb a week.
What foods you eat has little to no baring on it.

DaddieCat

Not trying to be flippant, but it's always good to start these types of questions by giving your personal definition of what "eating clean" means. Since there is no "official" or actual definition for "eating clean" everyone seems to have a different definition. You can do a forum search and come up with a whole bunch of different answers and different definitions.

If you have a definition that you are using, it's best to start there so people can understand what you mean.

That said, weight loss is all about the calories and (barring some medical issue that needs to be considered) not about the types of food that you eat. Nutrition is a different story, but for weight loss purposes it does not really matter what you eat, only how much.

No matter what you are eating, do you weigh and accurately log your food intake?

titotito48

By clean eating, I was referring to eating non processed foods. I do weigh and measure my foods accurately. And I am still counting calories. I guess I AM considering that it would be better for me health wise.

DaddieCat

Odds are, eating mostly non-processed foods will allow for a much easier time hitting nutrition goals while keeping things like sodium under control. It will also, potentially, allow for you to eat a larger quantity of food for fewer calories as most processed food is highly caloric where "natural" (quotes used again because there is no actual definition in the food industry for the word natural) foods like produce tend to be minimal on the calories and high in nutrition depending on how they are cooked/prepared. The food itself will most likely be more nutrient dense... bu that does not mean that were you to stop weighing and logging accurately it will help with weight loss (if that is your goal).

riffraff2112

Nice start. 'Eating clean', does mean different things to different people so you will be asked for clarification. You did mention 'non-processed' but there are other definitions depending on the type of diet people choose..limiting or avoiding certain sugars, fats. carbs.
Some people mean it to be they never eat anything that isn't a 'whole' food...but even that can be taken to so many levels its pretty confusing.

I do my best to eat mostly cooked meals, many veggies and fruits, try to balance my macros (carb,protein, fat) and definitely do not worry too much about how 'clean' it is. I would say if you are the type of person that habitually jumps in and out, and don't stick to a diet...avoid trying to eat clean. Just eat less, count accurately and eat consistently. You already mentioned how bland it was, plain and boring doesn't sound like fun to me. I eat 'junk' or 'empty' calories everyday and am very happy with my progress and maintenance.

You can certainly find meal plans, and swap recipes with people BUT it will take a lot of effort and it has to be something you plan on doing forever. Otherwise it will all mean nothing when you stop and gain it all back.

good lucl

Dnarules

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

It won't slow down because your body gets used to it. It slows down because you have lost the water weight and expelled the extra matter from where you eating more.

It will now slow down to reflect the deficit amount you are eating at.
If you eat 250 calories less a day you will lose 1lb a week.
What foods you eat has little to no baring on it.

It's 500 less per day for 1 pound (3500 calories less per week).

titotito48

Then less salt IS probably why I've dropped 6 pounds in 6 days. That makes sense. Ok, so once the excess sodium is flushed out, then I should resume to calorie in/calorie out weight loss even if I continue eating "clean". I get it.

DaddieCat

titotito48 wrote: »

Then less salt IS probably why I've dropped 6 pounds in 6 days. That makes sense. Ok, so once the excess sodium is flushed out, then I should resume to calorie in/calorie out weight loss even if I continue eating "clean". I get it.

Bear in mind that your body actually does need sodium to function, especially if you exercise often or sweat often. Sodium helps hold onto water and keep you hydrated, that's why they add it to things like gatoraid or other fitness drinks.

Also keep in mind that it's normal and natural for your body weight to fluctuate over the day or even day to day as exercise will make your body hold onto water for the repair process. A little fluctuation is nothing to be concerned over as tracking your loss trends over a longer period of time such as a week or more will be a more accurate indicator of your loss. I can easily fluctuate 7 to 10 lbs in a day depending on time of day, what I've eaten, sodium intake, how much I've worked out, etc.

If you worry about CICO, log accurately, and pay attention to your weight loss trends you'll achieve your goals. I don't know what you have your mfp settings configured to, but one thing to bear in mind is that, as you get closer to your goal you should lower how aggressive the goal is, for example 2lbs a week to 1 or .5 as it will be a far slower loss as you near your goal. As you get close to your goal, you want to be more concerned about losing lean mass as opposed to fat. The best way to preserve lean mass is to eat a reasonable amount of protein throughout the day and do some kind of resistance training... any kind will work, whether it's lifting, bodyweight, fitness classes, dvds, whatever works for you and that you enjoy.

titotito48

Thank you BecomingBane. I will definitely take all of this into consideration.

cwolfman13

titotito48 wrote: »

I am trying to incorporate tasty meals not plain. I have looked on line and gotten quite a few recipes that were really good. Today is day 6 eating clean (non processed foods). My stomach has already gone down 2 inches. Yay! I had lost 10 pounds in the first 2 weeks doing this in the past but my meals were pretty plain then so I didn't stick with it. Anyone else have success with this? Oh, and 6 pounds so far this time. I know it will slow way down after my body gets used to this.

I suppose it would depend on your definition of "clean"...I eat what many would consider to be pretty "clean"...but that doesn't mean my food is boring and bland. I eat mostly whole foods and/or minimally processed foods and prepare meals using primarily scratch, whole ingredients...i know my way around the kitchen pretty well and make a lot of awesomeness.

keep in mind that eating "clean" doesn't mean squat if your taking in too many calories. weight management is about energy balance...consume more energy than your body requires then that surplus of energy is stored as body fat for later use...basically your backup generator. when you consume less energy than your body requires, that backup generator kicks on and you burn fat to make up for that deficiency.

i find weight management easier eating this way as i don't log or otherwise keep a diary and have more or less been maintaining for over 2.5 years this way save for a deliberate bulk last winter...for which I was still eating "clean"...you can still gain weight eating "clean".

WinoGelato

titotito48 wrote: »

By clean eating, I was referring to eating non processed foods. I do weigh and measure my foods accurately. And I am still counting calories. I guess I AM considering that it would be better for me health wise.

Even within that qualifying statement "non processed foods" there are widely different definitions. Greek yogurt, steel cut oats, baby carrots... All processed but all widely accepted as "healthy". I'm not trying to start the semantics debate, just pointing out to OP that there are still lots of interpretations.

To me "clean eating" implies that you are cutting things out. I prefer, rather than doing that, to try to add more nutrient dense foods into my diet, even if they go through processing before they land on my grocers shelf or in my belly! I've lost 30 lbs, and I cook more than I did before starting this, I eat more vegetables, I get more protein, but I'm not concerned when I eat a doughnut like I did for breakfast this morning...

Unknown

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elisa123gal

I'll jump in and say.. when I eat whole foods…and snack on cut of raw vegetables..it seems I lose more than when I eat the same calories in a frozen diet meals and processed snacks. I am also not as hungry as when I eat processed food. I think it is smart to cook tasty meals made with fresh whole foods.. a plain diet will bore you and you'll end up going off your plan. I like skinnytaste.com for recipes..check that out. Good luck on your journey!

charmmeth

I try never to eat any processed or prepared foods (except the occasional spinach pizza), cook from fresh, without salt... But I have been doing that for years and it took mfp for me to get my portion sizes sorted so that I was not gaining weight. Now down from nealry 90 kg (198 lb) which was on the bring of obese, to ca. 72 kg (ca, 160 lb) which for me is BMI ca. 22 and seem to have cracked it. I have learned to be really careful of how much gluten (especially bread and pasta) I eat: I now eat my carbs via muesli, potatoes, rice, coucous as well as pasta. So it is not only about what you eat, but how much and how your body reacts to different sorts of foods.

titotito48

elisa123gal wrote: »

I'll jump in and say.. when I eat whole foods…and snack on cut of raw vegetables..it seems I lose more than when I eat the same calories in a frozen diet meals and processed snacks. I am also not as hungry as when I eat processed food. I think it is smart to cook tasty meals made with fresh whole foods.. a plain diet will bore you and you'll end up going off your plan. I like skinnytaste.com for recipes..check that out. Good luck on your journey!

I have had the same experience. I feel more satisfied and I just FEEL better. I also seem to sleep better. And my bloating has gone down especially in my stomach which is the last place that I lose. Thanks for the recipe website. I will check that out.

ChampCrucial

I have in the past. I would advise you to look into spices. I have a spice mixture that really serves as an allspice. I put my favorite blend in a container and put it on whatever I eat. In addition, simple things like cream of mushroom or cream of chicken add some flavor. Pairing a little bit with a spice goes a long way. I hope this helps. I eventually want to get some flavor god seasonings. Heard they were the business!

briannadunn

I have lost a lot of weight in the past with clean eating. Great way to lose lots of weight without starving yourself.

mhollencamp102012

How about just a WAY TO GO!!!!! I am a firm believer in non-processed/slightly processed food....but I am also a firm believer on the calories in/ calories out theory (doesn't mean I'm right lol) but I figure if you're going to put in the effort to losing weight..may as well go big and eat healthier food!! I am by no way a fanatic...nor do I believe anyone should NEVER eat "junk food" moderation is good.... I prefer to drink my greens rather than eat them....but that's just me. Keep up the good work and dedication..... I've made some really good food with out adding "junk" to it....I've also made some really BAD food lol

squeeeyk

I follow an 80/20 clean eating habit. I'm three weeks in and I love it. I lost approximately 5 pounds the first week, but I've hovered around the same weight for two weeks now, despite an active deficit. However, I feel better, more energized, and healthy. It's also resetting my palate, for lack of a better word. Things I used to love, junk food, isn't that great when I attempt to eat it, even though my brain isn't on board and still craves what it remembers the food to be like. The other things are far too salty or sweet. I'm finding I appreciate the subtle flavors of the foods I eat without the addition of many spices or condiments. It's a weird transition for me, but I'm digging it.

ndj1979

titotito48 wrote: »

By clean eating, I was referring to eating non processed foods. I do weigh and measure my foods accurately. And I am still counting calories. I guess I AM considering that it would be better for me health wise.

what do you define as "processed"? Technically, everything is processed.

To answer your question, clean eating is necessary for nothing. I don't eat clean, and I eat processed food, and on my last cut I drop 10 pounds no problem.

what you should be focused on is getting adequate nutrition, hitting macros, and then fill in your day with whatever foods you like and make sure you maintain your deficit.

There is nothing wrong with eating ice cream, cookies, bagels, etc, and they can be part of an overall healthy diet.

ndj1979

briannadunn wrote: »

I have lost a lot of weight in the past with clean eating. Great way to lose lots of weight without starving yourself.

clean eating is not what led to the weight loss….

ndj1979

elisa123gal wrote: »

I'll jump in and say.. when I eat whole foods…and snack on cut of raw vegetables..it seems I lose more than when I eat the same calories in a frozen diet meals and processed snacks. I am also not as hungry as when I eat processed food. I think it is smart to cook tasty meals made with fresh whole foods.. a plain diet will bore you and you'll end up going off your plan. I like skinnytaste.com for recipes..check that out. Good luck on your journey!

if you have two people with the same 500 calorie deficit and one eats cleaned and one does not they will lose the same amount of weight. The only difference would be some water retention from eating higher sodium foods.

but a 500 calorie deficit is a 500 calorie deficit regardless of eating clean or not.

msf74

Without meaning to sound glib it may be your success has come from learning to cook a little better using fresh, whole food ingredients than rely on pre packaged stuff (which tends to be higher in calories, less nutrients and less volume per serving.)

IIRC is was Leigh Peele who said one of her top "secrets" to weight loss was learning home cooking skills.

There seems to be this weird false dichotomy in the minds of many dieters: bland, boring rabbit "diet" food on one hand or yummy, high calorie, highly processed "sin" food on the other whilst all the while missing the vast expanse of the middle ground.

blackcoffeeandcherrypie

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »

It won't slow down because your body gets used to it. It slows down because you have lost the water weight and expelled the extra matter from where you eating more.

It will now slow down to reflect the deficit amount you are eating at.
If you eat 250 calories less a day you will lose 1lb a week.
What foods you eat has little to no baring on it.

More like every two weeks. It's usually considered that a pound of fat lost = 3500 calorie deficit. At 250 calories a day, that will take 14 days.

queenofpuppies

If your food is too boring flavor wise try using some fresh herbs, a little fresh rosemary can really make some tasty chicken, just chop it up and put in under the skin of your chicken before you bake it, you can remove the skin after if you don't want the extra fat. Also, try nutritional yeast! It tastes like nacho cheese and you can put in on popcorn or salad or just on some toast.

RodaRose

If by "eating clean" and "non-processed" foods, yes. Hubby and I mostly eat at home but we often eat meals that are partly prepared at home and partly outside. For example, he came home for lunch today with a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. The rest of lunch was rice made in our rice cooker and raw sliced yellow squash.

lemurcat12

cwolfman13 wrote: »

titotito48 wrote: »

I am trying to incorporate tasty meals not plain. I have looked on line and gotten quite a few recipes that were really good. Today is day 6 eating clean (non processed foods). My stomach has already gone down 2 inches. Yay! I had lost 10 pounds in the first 2 weeks doing this in the past but my meals were pretty plain then so I didn't stick with it. Anyone else have success with this? Oh, and 6 pounds so far this time. I know it will slow way down after my body gets used to this.

I suppose it would depend on your definition of "clean"...I eat what many would consider to be pretty "clean"...but that doesn't mean my food is boring and bland. I eat mostly whole foods and/or minimally processed foods and prepare meals using primarily scratch, whole ingredients...i know my way around the kitchen pretty well and make a lot of awesomeness.

keep in mind that eating "clean" doesn't mean squat if your taking in too many calories. weight management is about energy balance...consume more energy than your body requires then that surplus of energy is stored as body fat for later use...basically your backup generator. when you consume less energy than your body requires, that backup generator kicks on and you burn fat to make up for that deficiency.

This is true for me too, and I second the advice about calories.

I think of "processed foods" as including lots of things I eat, however -- just today (before dinner) it would include feta cheese, cottage cheese, maybe the pickled daikon I made at home (maybe because I pickled it myself it wouldn't count?) at minimum, and of course those foods aren't especially caloric, and nor is smoked salmon and many other things I could name.

Personally, though, I find concentrating on home cooking, which allows me to make meals that are consistent with my personal tastes and include the amount of vegetables and other foods I want, is the easiest way to control calories without feeling like I am giving anything up. I typically ate lots of home cooked "whole" (or "unprocessed" or "minimally processed") foods before losing weight, however, so I don't think of it as a diet or even a "lifestyle change" and never lose sight of the fact that merely doing this is not enough to guarantee I will not overeat. I have to be conscious of amounts too, and of the specific "whole foods" I choose.

MsJulesRenee

I don't eat "clean" but I try to make homemade meals as much as possible because it is easier to control my portions/calories. I also try to sub anything with a lot of calories with something veggie based like instead of eating two portions of rice to fill me up I mix one serving with frozen veggies to add bulk. As the above stated, the clean eating doesn't make you lose weight faster but you can eat more because most whole foods are not as calorie dense.