1800 calories in candy/ice cream - Why not?

Holly_Roman_Empire

I disagree. It's arguments, spirited and at times mean arguments, on these very boards that opened my mind and made me switch my stance. These discussions aren't just for people following iifym, they're also for lurkers who don't realize that losing weight doesn't have to be an exercise in self punishment and obsession. People set in their ways who respond to these thread won't change and the arguments are generally not for them, it's for the people who don't post.

And it works. I'm proof of that, dozens of people on my FL are proof of that, every person who has every PM'd me asking if I really eat ice cream nightly is proof.

I was one of these too. Notice I've been a member since 2010. Only recently when I started lurking the forums and meeting people that lost weight on IIFIYM did I realize I could do it too. I can eat things this time around losing weight that I would never have dreamt of being able to eat before.

Cindyinpg

If you're honestly asking, I feel that persons who are put in a position where they have to defend their stance are less likely to drop it or listen to alternative reason, as a matter of course. If you are trying to inspire persons who are doing what you feel is the wrong (or more difficult/less sensible/less scientifically sound) thing, luring them into an argument will most likely make them feel that YOU think they are stupid. This is not a good start in inspiring those people. Not at all.

A thread like this will only be useful for those who are already on the IIFYM road to success, and want confirmation that they are doing the right thing. If that's the purpose then fine. But I think that could have been accomplished in a different way.

(I'm personally invested because I believe IIFYM is best. I see people engaging in extreme weight-loss choices that I feel will hurt them later down the road and discourage them from investing in their health. I think that threads like these are likely to be a turn-off to those people, especially if they feel that they are being attacked for no reason. Downside for me because I want everyone to be as healthy and HAPPY* as possible.)

ETA: Ice cream and stolen candy make everyone who is a reasonable human happy and I honestly believe that people should be able to eat them as long as it works, no matter how fat or slim you are.

Personally, when I was a lurker here, I found this type of thread the most helpful. There has been no attacks or defensiveness, just discussion. A casual reader, especially one suffering with unneccessary diet restrictions, may be inspired to look into IIFYM further.

LiftAllThePizzas

Agreed. A lot of the FRs I get are because I have "pizza" in my username and promote moderation and eating all the things you like.

bcattoes

See, I can kind of get irritation at people who insist that you must "eat clean" to be successful at health and life, and persons who eat processed foods of any form are going to die painful deaths from stupidity and chocolate cake. I get it, it's annoying...rage on.

I don't understand needlessly looking for an argument. That's what this is. Why? Isn't eating copious amounts of ice cream and stealing candy from children enough of a win already?

Remember, you're talking about individuals that can amuse themselves with endless gifs of kittens.

There are hundreds of members reading these threads who see these successful people who have NOT deprived themselves and it gives them hope and assures them that diet flexibility is a strategy that works. That is more than enough reason, in and of itself.

Perosnally, I wouldn't see inspiration as a good reason to needlessly look or argument.

And yet here you are, needlessly looking for an argument.

No, just stating my personal preference. You can argue it if you want, I suppose, but since I control it, what would be the point?

BrendaLee

With 3300 calories to play with, I would be ashamed of you if you didn't eat candy and ice cream.

Achrya

Agreed. A lot of the FRs I get are because I have "pizza" in my username and promote moderation and eating all the things you like.

Basically this. People don't send me FR's because of my sparkling personality (I mean, I imagine I come off as pretty mean and awful.) but because I'm honest and happily tell people that I honestly see no point in silly restriction, that I eat all the foods, that I go over my goal sometimes, that I'm basically lazy and don't work out excessively to 'earn' my higher calorie goal.


And maybe occasionally because of my personality. But I worry about those people.

paleojoe

See, I can kind of get irritation at people who insist that you must "eat clean" to be successful at health and life, and persons who eat processed foods of any form are going to die painful deaths from stupidity and chocolate cake. I get it, it's annoying...rage on.

I don't understand needlessly looking for an argument. That's what this is. Why? Isn't eating copious amounts of ice cream and stealing candy from children enough of a win already?

Remember, you're talking about individuals that can amuse themselves with endless gifs of kittens.

There are hundreds of members reading these threads who see these successful people who have NOT deprived themselves and it gives them hope and assures them that diet flexibility is a strategy that works. That is more than enough reason, in and of itself.

Perosnally, I wouldn't see inspiration as a good reason to needlessly look or argument.

If you have a good argument and his ticker proves he does, why not?

If you're honestly asking, I feel that persons who are put in a position where they have to defend their stance are less likely to drop it or listen to alternative reason, as a matter of course. If you are trying to inspire persons who are doing what you feel is the wrong (or more difficult/less sensible/less scientifically sound) thing, luring them into an argument will most likely make them feel that YOU think they are stupid. This is not a good start in inspiring those people. Not at all.

A thread like this will only be useful for those who are already on the IIFYM road to success, and want confirmation that they are doing the right thing. If that's the purpose then fine. But I think that could have been accomplished in a different way.

(I'm personally invested because I believe IIFYM is best. I see people engaging in extreme weight-loss choices that I feel will hurt them later down the road and discourage them from investing in their health. I think that threads like these are likely to be a turn-off to those people, especially if they feel that they are being attacked for no reason. Downside for me because I want everyone to be as healthy and HAPPY* as possible.)

ETA: Ice cream and stolen candy make everyone who is a reasonable human happy and I honestly believe that people should be able to eat them as long as it works, no matter how fat or slim you are.

The real target of these arguments, IMO, is not the clean eaters or "sugar is bad" fools.

It's the dozens of other people reading who are on the fence, or just don't even know enough to have an opinion.

Catchy thread titles that pull them in and the subsequent arguments are how a lot of these people learn and choose or alter their paths.

For example, read this PM I received last week:

You dont know me but I wanted to say thank you for helping me along on my weight loss journey. Even though we have never interacted, besides my trainer, you were probably the next most important person to help me out.

I had just found MFP in April of this year. I was adjusting to eating more food based on what MFP was telling me but my mind was having a hard time with dieting and eating more food. I also was finding it hard to determine my activity level and thus know what my calorie burn was.

In the beginning of May you posted (or I had just seen it then) a thread talking about how you had lost weight by eating what you wanted and having the fitbit help you figure out your cal expenditure along with exercise. I immediately noticed this thread and am so happy that you posted it. I did a bit of research but mainly got in the car and drove straight to Best Buy. I picked up the One and have not looked back since.

I started MFP at 196 lbs and when I got the One I was 193.
Its been 5.5 months with the One and I am 164.5. I have about 10-15 lbs to reach my goal and expect to have this in the bag in less than 3 months.

Just like you, I have done this by eating fast food, ice cream, cookies and other yummy foods that I enjoy. I do work out hard with my trainer and on my own but I know that I would not have gotten this far if I did not get to enjoy the foods I love while losing weight. I also know that without the fitbit, I would never know how much I can or cannot eat in a day. I wear it everyday and everywhere I go. If it breaks, i will get another because it works that well.

Even though people sometimes give you crap for promoting your plan here on MFP, dont stop. It helped me and I am sure it will help others as well. The more people hear from people like you (and eventually me), the more they will realize you dont have to suffer to lose weight. And the type of food you eat is not as important as eating food period.

So, thank you so much for posting your story and doing it when I needed to see it most. Without you, I dont know where I would be in this journey.

Dude that's awesome!

Side not... I lost my fit bit a month ago... SUCKS!!! Getting a new one asap. I had the ONE, was thinking of the flex? Which one do you have?

jonnythan

Dude that's awesome!

Side not... I lost my fit bit a month ago... SUCKS!!! Getting a new one asap. I had the ONE, was thinking of the flex? Which one do you have?

The One. I think the wrist is a poor place to attempt to measure body movement.

jofjltncb6

Dude that's awesome!

Side not... I lost my fit bit a month ago... SUCKS!!! Getting a new one asap. I had the ONE, was thinking of the flex? Which one do you have?

Don't get the Flex...get the Force. It does everything your One used to do, but in bracelet form.

paleojoe

My diary is open and I'm open to reasonable information and arguments. Can someone explain to me why I shouldn't have eaten the candy & ice cream I ate last night? I was within my calorie goal (3300), my macros were good (not quite spot on), & hit all micro needs through the function of the rest of my diet. Why, again, shouldn't I have eaten my son's Halloween candy? Besides the stealing from a three year old .

(I actually got tired of candy and switched to ice cream at the end.)

So as not to continue my tangent I offer this...
If your macros and micros have been met, you are still under maintenance and you have no medical conditions with particular dietary restrictions, there is no reason you should not... enjoy! Now next year when your son is 4... he might put up a fight

Carnivor0us

My diary is open and I'm open to reasonable information and arguments. Can someone explain to me why I shouldn't have eaten the candy & ice cream I ate last night? I was within my calorie goal (3300), my macros were good (not quite spot on), & hit all micro needs through the function of the rest of my diet. Why, again, shouldn't I have eaten my son's Halloween candy? Besides the stealing from a three year old .

(I actually got tired of candy and switched to ice cream at the end.)

No reason why you can't. You're fit and healthy. It wouldn't work for me, but we're not talking about me.

paleojoe

You're not going to get much nutrition from it. You may lose weight by eating under your calorie goal (if that's what you're going for) but the junk food won't necessarily make you healthy.

*edit for clarity*

Though a 158lbs lost...dayam. :flowerforyou:

Wait.... So, all the nutrition that was in his broccoli and chicken and mixed veggies and all that other stuff doesn't count because ice cream?

Interesting.

Ah, but I didn't say that. He asked why he shouldn't have eaten 1800 cals in candy/ice cream. I suggested a reason why he shouldn't have.

He got more than enough "nutrition" from the meat and vegetables he ate the rest of the day. All of his micro/macronutrient needs were met - and even exceeded. Why would he then need to continue to seek foods to meet requirements that have been more than met?

He wanted a reason/explanation for doing/not doing so. I gave him a reason for not doing so.

But your reason is not relevant to the OP...

Swiftdogs

I'm just jealous of having 1800 calories to play with! That's a full day's maintenance calories for me. But I thoroughly enjoyed my Hershey bar and wine (not together).

bcattoes

I'm just jealous of having 1800 calories to play with! That's a full day's maintenance calories for me. But I thoroughly enjoyed my Hershey bar and wine (not together).

Yeah, that is about my feeling as well. And truth be told, if I couldn't have any, I'd be much more jealous of your chocolate and wine (though I'd want them together), than his ice cream and candy.

In reality, I think I might have trouble consuming 1800 more calories per day every day. But it might be fun every once in a while.

littlepinkhearts

i don't see a problem.....i've done it with pie and ice cream, nothing else for the whole day...fricking AWESOME!!!! then next day, back at it :drinker:

tigersword

I agree with what people say, eat what you want, you're an adult and can make your own choices. I don't think sugar is good for you because it can diminish your immune system and give you cavities in your teeth. I also don't think drinking cola is a great choice. If you didn't eat stuff like that every day you'd have even more gorgeous skin and might find your energy levels feel different. I think sugar is a drug and is addictive I know I've been addicted to it in the past.

That said I really think it's up to you what you eat and how healthy you want to be. I feel like at my age I need to be more careful about what I eat plus I had serious health consequences from eating too much sugar a few years ago. I know that when I eat less processed foods and don't drink soda I feel better.

But yeah, have fun, eat what you want, it's really ok so don't let anyone tell you that you are being super wrong.

Well, you can think all the things you want, that doesn't make any of them true.

magerum

WakkoW

You ask "Why Not?" I ask "Why?"

Not everyone feels deprived by not eating ice cream or candy every day.

If someone needs that scoop of ice cream daily to keep them on track, I have no reason to tell them not to eat it. My favorites would be chocolate, wine and cheese. But I don't eat/drink that everyday and I don't feel deprived at all for making that choice. But, unfortunately, I get the impression from the IFYM's folks that I must be depriving myself if I'm not partaking in sugary sweets every day.

MagicalLeopleurodon

Why not?

Because you didnt give me any

3foldchord

Because you may be up owing your dentist lots of money.

Floss.