34lbs lost eating anything i wanted

Oishii

I agree with the OP with one caveat: eating whatever you like when over-restricting can seriously deprive you of essential nutrients.

Let me explain. If you are losing on 1800kcal+ of whatever you like, you may well be getting all you need. If, like I was, you are eating way too little of whatever you like, you risk deficiencies, in my case, iron. Young women should keep calcium in mind too, as the stores you build early in life are what sustain you in old age, apparently.

Seesawboomerang

I eat what I like too. Fortunately for my overall health, I like some quality foods as well as junk :drinker:

BlackPup

KUDOS!!

I won't say you're wrong,cause fact is that it worked for you.

but don't forget that you are both young and male - so what works for you doesn't always work for, say, 50-something post menopausal women such as myself...

and the truth is that you are correct - calories calories calories. but look at it this way (the way it looks from where i'm sitting): if my total calories for the day comes to 1800 (just throwing a random number), for ME to "waste" calories on eating "whatever i want" vs. "making the most of every calorie" would be a waste. which to me is the difference between eating *a* slice of pizza or eating 3. so that isn't to say that i sometimes DO indulge and buy ice cream or falafel etc. but honestly? even when i buy ice cream, i'll get a smaller cone, or buy a creamsicle etc - still having what i want and actually NOT feeling deprived. I feel actually great when i make a choice that is both healthy for me and staying within the limits.

Love this post!

I didn't gain all the weight eating only lettuce.
I gained it eating whatever I wanted. One fast food meal puts me over my daily calorie limit. Sure I could eat it but I'd have to starve the rest of the day. Not fun.

Young men can get away with a lot of abuse with food, alcohol etc. but things change in the 40s and 50s.

When I'm not exercising I'm the same but if I get a walk and a ride in then I can manage some take away or junk food.
I'm in my 30's.

jhloves2knit

bump for more careful reading - lots of good opinions and info.

rosemaryhon

Deprivation really sucks!

Yup

But isn't your mention of "portion control" deprivation as well?

Th3stral

I wish that were effective for me - I have insulin resistance. I think people should find what their body works best on.

Oh I feel your pain! A fellow IR person here too!

EvgeniZyntx

KUDOS!!

I won't say you're wrong,cause fact is that it worked for you.

but don't forget that you are both young and male - so what works for you doesn't always work for, say, 50-something post menopausal women such as myself...

and the truth is that you are correct - calories calories calories. but look at it this way (the way it looks from where i'm sitting): if my total calories for the day comes to 1800 (just throwing a random number), for ME to "waste" calories on eating "whatever i want" vs. "making the most of every calorie" would be a waste. which to me is the difference between eating *a* slice of pizza or eating 3. so that isn't to say that i sometimes DO indulge and buy ice cream or falafel etc. but honestly? even when i buy ice cream, i'll get a smaller cone, or buy a creamsicle etc - still having what i want and actually NOT feeling deprived. I feel actually great when i make a choice that is both healthy for me and staying within the limits.

Love this post!

I didn't gain all the weight eating only lettuce.
I gained it eating whatever I wanted. One fast food meal puts me over my daily calorie limit. Sure I could eat it but I'd have to starve the rest of the day. Not fun.

Young men can get away with a lot of abuse with food, alcohol etc. but things change in the 40s and 50s.

Sounds like you have a very small calorie limit. I eat plenty of fast food and it barely makes a dent. I had popeyes a few days ago plus two other meals and my nightly ice cream and cookie, and was still at goal. Had panda express yesterday still had 1200+ calories to burn when done.

And there are plenty of people, male and female, who are 40+ and eat in the same manner as the OP and look amazing. Just saying.

It's about LBM and activity - male or female, young or old - the two most important factors in evaluating your daily needs are LBM and activity.

Meet Ernestine... older (75 year old grandma), female, active and great LBM.

she eats a 9-eggwhite omelet plus a baked potato and a chicken breast for breakfast. Then she eats this same identical mighty meal again three short hours later. This sleek elder eats twenty-seven egg whites each and every day; along with three pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breast and a small mountain of steamed vegetables

Point is --- she eats A LOT OF CALORIES because that is what her training and activity level and LBM need.

Jen_ie

This is pretty much what I did. Between January and October last year I lost 84lb by mostly eating healthy, sticking to my calorie goal as much as possible, but certainly not depriving myself of things I wanted. I had chocolate almost every day but in a small amount so I never had to crave it. I had fast food every other weekend but made up for any extra calories by adding some exercise. It really worked for me for the 10 months but then things happened and I lost my focus. I've slowly gained about 10lb over the last 9 months just by not paying as much attention as I should so it's time for me to start again. I still have about 56lb to lose. I haven't given myself a time frame for this because things happen that set you back. Weddings, holidays etc. But I need to see the scales moving in the right direction again and this is what worked for me.

Carmella9

Great news, however your insides are probably screaming for help!
Its about being thin and HEALTHY

carlywifeybrown

Love your post! I couldn't agree more, I love food and enjoy eating so I always eat the things I enjoy just in moderation - portion size was my biggest thing and it did take me a long while to settle into eating 'normal' as apposed to gigantic portion sizes but now I don't even have to weigh foods as I know by eye what I should be having now.

I've lost 24lbs by following the same methodology as you - eat what you enjoy or get bored and quit!

bigballin2013

Late night for me but I thought I'd touch on a few points you've made with your reply's. I've read every single one.

1st. Thank you for the kind words about my post and for understanding where I'm coming from as the author of it.

2nd. About the "it's harder for an older female" thing. Great point and point taken. I would like to offer this advice to those of you who feel like you are doing everything right and still can't lose weight because of your age. (let alone enjoy some junk food now and then)

This can work for you (of coarse I'm speaking in general terms, not knowing each of you individually) I do believe some people have kept calories at a certain point (say 1200-1500 a day) for so long now that their body has adapted to this calorie range. Not really "starvation mode" which i don't believe in anyway, just adaptation.

Try this. Eat more for a while. How much? Well if your stuck at a certain weight and swear you're eating fewer calories than you feel you're burning....just eat a lil more. Maybe 400-600 more calories a day. Sounds like a lot but it's enough to give your body some extra food to ignite your metabolism again. You might see some "scale weight" at first that will disappear along with the extra weight you haven't been able to lose. This process could take weeks or even months, but who cares? As long as you start moving in the right direction. I've seen this work many times. Just a thought...

3rd. for the "what about getting enough nutrients" posters. Another great point! It should go without saying that you need to take care of yourself by making food choices that will supply you with ample calories, protein, fats and carbs to get through the day feeling strong. I personally think people should stop "obsessing" about nutrition though. There is just too much info out there to know whats right or wrong. (especially when everything you read about nutrition contradicts everything else you read) Ever see a kid literally grow up eating mac and cheese and hot dogs everyday? I have. They somehow grow into healthy young adults. I'm not saying eat only mac and cheese but I am saying that your body has an amazing way of soaking up the nutrients it needs from just about any reasonable diet.

Thanks again for all your valid points!

red0801

Congrats to you.

bigballin2013

Great news, however your insides are probably screaming for help!
Its about being thin and HEALTHY

So true. Did you miss the part of my post where I said I also eat healthy food? I'm also very active.
If something happens and I keel over....it's genetic and not my diet:) congrats on your success.

beekay70

cycleflow.....this is not me today. i keep this pic close as a reminder of what i need to get back to.

According to a Google image search, this isn't you at all, unless you are a porn star named Zeb Atlas.

Turnaround2012

Great Post. It is great to read posts by people who are not afraid to Eat!

I eat anything I want now. I just watch how much I eat and exercise a lot!

bigballin2013

cycleflow.....this is not me today. i keep this pic close as a reminder of what i need to get back to.

to beekay70: This is a well known pic. It inspires me. It's also a running joke between me and some friends. That's why I chose it. I made a quick reply to someone (in the midst of many other replies I was posting) to explain that this is not me, but merely inspiration.
I've added the words "this pic is not me" to my profile...just for you.

skinnymalinkyscot

cycleflow.....this is not me today. i keep this pic close as a reminder of what i need to get back to.

According to a Google image search, this isn't you at all, unless you are a porn star named Zeb Atlas.

BUSTED!! lmfao

bigballin2013

BUSTED!! lmfao

oh yes Skinnymalinkyscot's....im in deep:)

mollbllm

"a reminder of what i need to get back to"

Have you ever looked like that so as to return back to it?

FindingMyself24

Not true. I have made "bad" decisions with my diet these last 4 weeks - a calorie is a calorie mentality - and gained 5 lbs. in 4 weeks. Calories in calories out is not all that is about. Sorry.

That's me too!!...even if i stay in my calorie range i wont lose weight....its can be frustrating!!