does the "eating anything you want in moderation" really wor

sedelagarza

Ive heard a lot of people say that you can eat whatever you want as long as its in moderation and still lose weight, is this true? If so what is "moderation"?

LuckyLeprechaun

moderation means you are eating portion sizes which cause your calorie goals to be met.

The actual number you're aiming at is different based on your personal stats, and your goal.

CMmrsfloyd

Moderation basically means eating only the amount you can still fit into your calorie goal for the day. Like instead of eating half a pizza you might just have 1 slice plus a side salad for lunch if that's all you can fit into your calories. Moderation means you don't have to give up pizza completely, you just have to watch how much and how often you eat it. Also it's easier to fit in the occasional 'treat' if you try to make healthier/lighter choices during most of the day.

scott091501

Doesn't work for me. Personally I had to switch my mindset to food being fuel for whatever it is I'm doing. If it tastes good then that's a bonus.

LabRat529

Pretty much, yes, it works.

I've lost weight by counting calories without worrying obsessively about where those calories come from. And moderation for me means two slices of pizza instead of a whole pizza, two cookies instead of five, one slice of pie instead of two, one glass of milk instead of four, a cup of granola instead of a cup and a half... and so forth.

erikjacki

Sure! However, it is hard enough trying to figure out the balance of "moderation" when you are working on maintaining. I think it is way harder when you are working to lose. Though I still have a bite there and a nibble here (AND log it into mfp). My idea of moderation has changed drastically since I have began this journey. :happy:

SueInAz

"In moderation" would be "within your calorie goals and not an excessive amount or every day." You can certainly eat 1200 calories of junk each day and lose weight. Of course, you won't be happy, you won't be healthy, and you'll probably be hungry all of the time. I think for most of us, "in moderation" means that I can have the cookie I'm really craving if I have the calories for it. It also means that I'm going to have one, maybe two, and not the whole bag and I'm not going to eat them every day.

Acg67

Ive heard a lot of people say that you can eat whatever you want as long as its in moderation and still lose weight, is this true? If so what is "moderation"?

It's true, and moderation would prob entail you eating foods and fitting them into your daily calorie allotment

CannibalisticVegetarian

Eating something based on the serving size listed on the back of the package perhaps. I tend to make up my own serving sizes sometimes when it comes to things I like.. I'm guessing this, 'eating in moderation' saves you from kidding yourself and going overboard. As for whether or not it works.. well. I think that depends on the person and trigger food. It does help me with the whole weight loss thing overall, considering that at one time I associated dieting with ignoring my favorite foods and taking on a lifestyle of salad eating. Eating in moderation let me have my cake and eat it too.. well just a slice.

lizard053

It can, but only if you are REALLY good at listening to the cues your body gives you. Eating slowly and mindfully, you can eat just what you need and stop when your body tells you. I'm not so good at any of it, so I count calories!

melsinct

I lost all of my weight eating in moderation. There are no taboo foods or food groups in my world. I eat 2 slices of pizza for dinner, not 4. I weigh out one ounce of aged cheddar for a snack, not mindlessly slicing off of a hunk of cheese. I split desserts or other fatty foods with other people so I can still have *some* just not a ton.

It works for me!

hypergirl3

it does work! wheni got mono, i didnt eat very much, in an odd way mono taught me to eat things in smaller portions. (the right size of food) and now i eat smaller poritons an dive lost 14 pounds so far because of it! i would say go for it! :DDD

LorinaLynn

Moderation to me means "fits my calories and macros."

I do eat half a pizza, but only on days when I'll be within my calorie goals and getting enough protein.

_GlaDOS_

Yes, you can eat whatever you want, as long as it fits into your daily calorie goal. You should still lose weight if you do this. Is this the definition of "moderation"? Maybe. I actually really hate that term. I think that eating "junk" works for some and not for others (whether it fits into your daily calorie goal or not). I honestly think it sets some people up for success and others for failure later on. I think, for some people, limiting certain foods actually helps them in the long-term.

2012asv

I lost all of my weight eating in moderation. There are no taboo foods or food groups in my world. I eat 2 slices of pizza for dinner, not 4. I weigh out one ounce of aged cheddar for a snack, not mindlessly slicing off of a hunk of cheese. I split desserts or other fatty foods with other people so I can still have *some* just not a ton.

It works for me!

This is exactly what i've began doing! And i dont feel deprived of anything NOR do i consider myself "dieting"
its great

auditorz

I believe instead of just a daily caloric goal you first need to look at a daily macronutrient goal. Your body needs so many grams of protein and grams of fat at a minimum. If you don't hit minimum fat requirements and minimum protein requirements your body won’t retain muscle and you may lower your basic metabolic rate. Then tomorrow you will have to eat even less calories just to maintain the same weight.

But, as long as you hit daily protein and fat requirements, yes the remaining calories are discretionary. If you want to eat only cake or only skittles for your remaining 800 discretionary calories you will have the same body composition as if you eat 800 calories of wholesome foods.

Now I prefer to get all of my calories from whole foods since they make you healthier, provide nutrients, fiber, potassium, vitamins, and very little sodium. But in terms of body composition eating whole foods or junk food of the same calories is irrelevant.

However if I was trying to lose weight I’d watch carbs, they are digested quickly so you get hungry again right away, whereas a burger or even fatty bacon (!) provide a more filling meal calorie per calorie. I think it would take a ton of will power to hit a low calorie target for the day eating a lot of sugary junk foods.

neekz0r

It works for some people, will it work for you?

Maybe. Can you practice self-restraint and not over-eat? Can you accurately measure the portion size you should have? Remember, in the US we have outrageously sized portions.


http://dietandobesity.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/portion-sizes.png

Lizzy_Sunflower

works for me.

tangal88

Moderation to me means "fits my calories and macros."

I do eat half a pizza, but only on days when I'll be within my calorie goals and getting enough protein.

Same as above for me. Lost 60 pounds this way, also have had great lean muscle improvement, conditioning and tightening.

I have adjusted my Macro ranges to differ from the MFP default.

Melysa1988

Consider giving up soda/ sugery drinks first. It may startle you to learn that heroine, morphine and sugar all stimulate the same receptors in your brain. Once you giving up soda for a month then challege your self to give up something else.

littlelily613

Yes it does work for weight loss---how ever if you want to be HEALTHY you should keep the "anything you want" (if what you want is junk food) in moderation as well. I try to limit myself to one treat a day. It can be anything at all: coffee (because I LOAD it with sugar--5 packs....), hot chocolate, real chocolate, chips, granola bars, low protein-low fibre cereal (I don't count high protein/fibre as a treat but as a good food), or anything else that I am craving that day. Everything else I try to make it be healthy so that I can be sure my body is being nourished rather than just being fed.

erickirb

Moderation to me means "fits my calories and macros."

^ I like the way you put it

but for weight loss as long as it fits your calorie goal. If you can make it fit your macros, even better.

skylark94

It worked for me, but that's not to say it will work for everyone else.

New_Atti2ude

Well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eating something based on the serving size listed on the back of the package perhaps. I tend to make up my own serving sizes sometimes when it comes to things I like.. I'm guessing this, 'eating in moderation' saves you from kidding yourself and going overboard. As for whether or not it works.. well. I think that depends on the person and trigger food. It does help me with the whole weight loss thing overall, considering that at one time I associated dieting with ignoring my favorite foods and taking on a lifestyle of salad eating. Eating in moderation let me have my cake and eat it too.. well just a slice.

ASiters

It may work and you may continue to lose weight but that does NOT mean you will be healthy if that is what you are going for...

sjebert

It does work, I haven't change what I eat, just how I eat. Portion control I think is the most important thing to learn,

Huffdogg

IIFYM= If It Fits Your Macros.

As long as whatever crap you eat gives you a proper balance of proteins, fats, and carbs, you can still be healthy.

BAMFMeredith

Absolutely it works. Every time I tried cutting things out of my diet in the past, I failed, because I missed those things, and would binge and go back to my old eating habits. Think of it as when you tell a child he can't play with a certain toy. The child might not have even been thinking about that toy, but as soon as you say "no that is off limits" well of course, they want to play with it more.

Once I told myself that eating what I like to eat is OK but just to make sure I stay within my calorie limits and balance my meals, then I stopped worrying about it...and I've lost about 11 lbs since changing that mentality. I still go out to eat with my friends, I still have pizza if I want some, but instead of stuffing my face, I eat a couple slices, and make sure I've worked out that day. It's all about balance.

Having said that, some people have a harder time than others with moderation and controlling your portions. If you find it particularly difficult to have the self control to eat these things in moderation, your experience will be different. I just pay attention to my calorie intake, and eat what I'd like to eat while staying within my limits.

Strobins05

Eating something based on the serving size listed on the back of the package perhaps. I tend to make up my own serving sizes sometimes when it comes to things I like.. I'm guessing this, 'eating in moderation' saves you from kidding yourself and going overboard. As for whether or not it works.. well. I think that depends on the person and trigger food. It does help me with the whole weight loss thing overall, considering that at one time I associated dieting with ignoring my favorite foods and taking on a lifestyle of salad eating. Eating in moderation let me have my cake and eat it too.. well just a slice.

^^ Ditto! It works for me, I have lost and still eat what I want just not as often as I would like OR as much as I want! : )

JeSuisPrest

So far it's working just fine for me. If it fits into my calorie goal and I want it, I eat it.

sobriquet84

I've learned that the definition of "moderation" varies GREATLY.

Some people think "moderation" is one serving a day. Some think its one serving a week.

If I let myself have anything I want but stick to just one serving size of this and just one serving size of that a day while still keeping within my calorie limit, then no, that does not work for me. I don't lose weight if I eat crap, regardless if I stay under my TDEE in calories.

I give myself ONE DAY a week where I can eat whatever I want, and stay at or under 2,000 calories for that day. That's what moderation means to me, that's what works for me.