Just count calories... really?
MireyGal76
Posts: 7,334 Member
in Chit-Chat
"Eat all the addictive processed crap you want, just count calories"
I read this statement in one of the other threads, and it was intended as a slur to those who follow this mantra.
I just wanted to say WHY that mantra works for me.
I LOVE donuts, fancy coffees, ranch dressing, pizza, ice cream, cookies, and ooooooh DORITOS... pretty much most of the foods that are labeled "bad", I have a soft spot for.
When I decided I wanted a six pack, my friend told me I'd never be able to get one because I'd have to eat "clean" - cut out ALL of those things that I love. I wrote it off and said, "well, I guess I'll never get a six pack then".
When I found MFP, I was introduced to calorie counting. I'd heard about it before, but I had NO IDEA where to start... protein? fat? carbs? sodium? :sad: It confused the HELL out of me.
I committed to counting calories and staying within my target range... which at the time was around 1800 calories per day.
I quickly found that while I love those processed and sweet foods, they sucked my calorie limit for the day by noon!
So... I began to adjust... I naturally started cutting back, because I was determined to stay within my calories, and I love to eat. I hate feeling hungry. A 500 calorie donut satisfies my emotions temporarily, but 8 ounces of chicken breast does that soooo much more.
I allow myself treats. I eat so called "bad" food - daily - but I also make SMARTER choices... and those smarter choices helped me get to where I am now, without trying to live a life that I would hate and I know would cause me to binge.
I count calories. I love to eat. I do not eat "clean" but I am certainly eating CLEANER... because it helps me feel fuller longer. I allow treats. I live and enjoy life. And it works FOR ME.
Do what works for you.
I read this statement in one of the other threads, and it was intended as a slur to those who follow this mantra.
I just wanted to say WHY that mantra works for me.
I LOVE donuts, fancy coffees, ranch dressing, pizza, ice cream, cookies, and ooooooh DORITOS... pretty much most of the foods that are labeled "bad", I have a soft spot for.
When I decided I wanted a six pack, my friend told me I'd never be able to get one because I'd have to eat "clean" - cut out ALL of those things that I love. I wrote it off and said, "well, I guess I'll never get a six pack then".
When I found MFP, I was introduced to calorie counting. I'd heard about it before, but I had NO IDEA where to start... protein? fat? carbs? sodium? :sad: It confused the HELL out of me.
I committed to counting calories and staying within my target range... which at the time was around 1800 calories per day.
I quickly found that while I love those processed and sweet foods, they sucked my calorie limit for the day by noon!
So... I began to adjust... I naturally started cutting back, because I was determined to stay within my calories, and I love to eat. I hate feeling hungry. A 500 calorie donut satisfies my emotions temporarily, but 8 ounces of chicken breast does that soooo much more.
I allow myself treats. I eat so called "bad" food - daily - but I also make SMARTER choices... and those smarter choices helped me get to where I am now, without trying to live a life that I would hate and I know would cause me to binge.
I count calories. I love to eat. I do not eat "clean" but I am certainly eating CLEANER... because it helps me feel fuller longer. I allow treats. I live and enjoy life. And it works FOR ME.
Do what works for you.
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Replies
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:drinker:
And this... is the definition of IIFYM!!!0 -
I believe you because you look great! I allow treats too! As long as they dont compose most of my cal intakes I dont think a diet that is too restrictive can bring about the effects that I'm wanting to see in myself 0
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:flowerforyou:0
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Yup!0
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this go 'round i'm eating a candy bar or something everyday. i'm a little more lose in my macros but i make sure i get my protein and stay within 100 cals of my goal.
rather then dreaming about candy bars, i'm getting a little board of them lol.
I had pizza with my niece and nephews last night. budgeted for it at the start of the day. that meant i couldn't have any food or alcohol at the office christmass party. The one was more important to me then the other. But just because one is open to eatting pretty much any food, doesn't mean they don't have to deny themselves in some ways.
The only thing i don't like about it is all the 'fake' crap in foods that come out of a wrapper. when i was basically just eating meat fruit and nuts i was getting a lot less of that. probably i'm still getting little enough of it that it would not impact my health0 -
I count calories. I love to eat. I do not eat "clean" but I am certainly eating CLEANER... because it helps me feel fuller longer. I allow treats. I live and enjoy life. And it works FOR ME.
Do what works for you.
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I do me. Don't really need to get high and mighty about how others eat, don't eat, or should eat. Calorie rich, calorie light, calorie dense, calorie free, whatevah.0
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Fabulous, and you have figured out an enduring lifestyle! 0
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I do me. Don't really need to get high and mighty about how others eat, don't eat, or should eat. Calorie rich, calorie light, calorie dense, calorie free, whatevah.
EXACTLY!0 -
this go 'round i'm eating a candy bar or something everyday. i'm a little more lose in my macros but i make sure i get my protein and stay within 100 cals of my goal.
rather then dreaming about candy bars, i'm getting a little board of them lol.
I had pizza with my niece and nephews last night. budgeted for it at the start of the day. that meant i couldn't have any food or alcohol at the office christmass party. The one was more important to me then the other. But just because one is open to eatting pretty much any food, doesn't mean they don't have to deny themselves in some ways.
The only thing i don't like about it is all the 'fake' crap in foods that come out of a wrapper. when i was basically just eating meat fruit and nuts i was getting a lot less of that. probably i'm still getting little enough of it that it would not impact my health
The line that really stands out for me is this:rather then dreaming about candy bars, i'm getting a little board of them lol.
That's the same for me... if I deny myself something, all of a sudden it starts to get larger than life. That treat which I can't have suddenly becomes that which I must have. If it's not off limits... I don't care as much.
It's a weird behavior for me, but I recognize it and work with it. 0 -
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Exactly.
I quickly found that while I love those processed and sweet foods, they sucked my calorie limit for the day by noon!0 -
:drinker:
And this... is the definition of IIFYM!!!
PREACH0 -
EXACTLY! Cals in/cals out! Its what helped me break through a plateau and still continuing to lose! I enjoy all the foods I love, just in moderation now!0
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This could have been written by me (except that I don't have a six pack and probably never will lol). I agree whole heartedly with you. If I didn't allow myself "bad foods" then I would be more likely to binge on them at some point. I know this to be true from past experience. I'm glad you posted this. 0
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Great post! I agree 10x 0
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The point
Exactly.
I quickly found that while I love those processed and sweet foods, they sucked my calorie limit for the day by noon!
Your tinfoil wrapped head0 -
And it doesn't work for me... so?
I love how I eat and if WHAT I eat matters to me and I want to share my experience with other people who are struggling with the "just calories" approach like I did for 20 years (and destroyed my health doing it) why does that have to be continually ridiculed?
I don't care what you eat. However, when someone has a question or a health problem that I have experience with my view is no less valid than the IIFYM crowd. Yet, I'm treated like a piece of *kitten*.0 -
That is my general goal. I want to go down to my goal weight of 140lbs or so and then bulk up a bit. I don't want to get rid of all my 'bad' foods because really, you don't need to... just portion control. Eat less. Keep it at one unhealthy snack a day or so! That's how i've lost what i've lost so far Some day i hope to have a fabulous bod like you!
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How in the heck do you get tin foil from a single word!?!?!? Lol haters are going to hate.
The point
Exactly.
I quickly found that while I love those processed and sweet foods, they sucked my calorie limit for the day by noon!
Your tinfoil wrapped head0 -
The old adage 'everything in moderation' springs to mind. Life is too short to be beating yourself up/ fighting your cravings over our food intake. Get your 5 a day sure, but if you fancy the odd cake - go for it! Just allow for it in your calorie intake. It's not rocket science. I hardly think when we're on our deathbeds our thoughts will be 'I should have ate more/less cake' - don't sweat the small stuff. Love. Live. Give.0
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I think people waste a lot of time worrying about macros.0
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And it doesn't work for me... so?
I love how I eat and if WHAT I eat matters to me and I want to share my experience with other people who are struggling with the "just calories" approach like I did for 20 years (and destroyed my health doing it) why does that have to be continually ridiculed?
I don't care what you eat. However, when someone has a question or a health problem that I have experience with my view is no less valid than the IIFYM crowd. Yet, I'm treated like a piece of *kitten*.
First of all, I am sorry if feel you are you are being treated like a piece of *kitten*.
You need to do what works for you.
I am not ridiculing you at all - this post did not put down any other view point.
All it did was explain why I choose it.
I hope you find what works for you.. and if you have, then congratulations! :flowerforyou:0 -
Oh yeah!!! That is why I can stick to this - just plan, and the more active I am .....the more I can eat! I just need to drink more water and eat less sodium ...causing me to fluctuate! I will just keep counting........... hoping to lose this weight quickly!!!!!!!!!!!0
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Unless the cake brings you to your deathbed early.The old adage 'everything in moderation' springs to mind. Life is too short to be beating yourself up/ fighting your cravings over our food intake. Get your 5 a day sure, but if you fancy the odd cake - go for it! Just allow for it in your calorie intake. It's not rocket science. I hardly think when we're on our deathbeds our thoughts will be 'I should have ate more/less cake' - don't sweat the small stuff. Love. Live. Give.0 -
I know personally I like eating clean. I feel better. Of course I have my cheat days....or weeks....but overall junk food just doesn't appeal to me anymore. I also go to a butcher that only serves free range, hormone free, antibiotic free products, so that could be why as well.0
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I think people waste a lot of time worrying about macros.Unless the cake brings you to your deathbed early.
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I have found that now, because I budget my "bad" food, I take time to enjoy those 200-300 cals. I truly savor the treats instead of binge on them. This method has helped me develop what I feel to be a healthier relationship with what I eat.0
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I know personally I like eating clean. I feel better. Of course I have my cheat days....or weeks....but overall junk food just doesn't appeal to me anymore. I also go to a butcher that only serves free range, hormone free, antibiotic free products, so that could be why as well.
What is sweet (hehe) is that I have found that this method has actually caused me to desire the bad less and the good more... By counting calories and trying to fit more food into my day for the budget I have, I am eating much better than I used to... and the better I eat, the less I crave the other stuff.
It's just the process I took to get where you are now has been one that I can psychologically handle - and most of my issues with eating are mental - emotional eating is a biggie for me.
Congrats!0 -
How in the heck do you get tin foil from a single word!?!?!? Lol haters are going to hate.
The point
Exactly.
I quickly found that while I love those processed and sweet foods, they sucked my calorie limit for the day by noon!
Your tinfoil wrapped head
Sorry, I didn't realize I'm only allowed to judge your paranoia on a thread to thread basis.0
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