If it fits in my daily calories...

FitLink

Not sure why this bothers me

I think this is the most important part of what you said. You really need to figure out why this bothers you, because it shouldn't.

Nicely said!

I'm bothered by people who have a lot of concern about what other people eat. They say it's because they "care" but it doesn't feel like "caring."

auroranflash

I think it sets a bad example for those starting out. It is one thing to make that decision once you've gotten a hold of what you are doing with your weight loss. But for those who haven't found that happy medium, it gives them the wrong impression. Do what you need to do but I don't think it needs to be bragged about.

I think it's incredibly freeing to know that you can still eat foods you crave and lose the weight you want. So many of my coworkers and friends think you have to eat cabbage soup for a week and stress your heart out on diet pills to lose weight. What if I opened my mouth and told them that I can eat anything I want.... not exercise, even.... and still lose weight?

I could, but they wouldn't believe me, so I have to wait until they ask me.

weathergirl320

just a side note, MFP markets itself as a free calorie counter diet and exercise journal. so thats what the majority of people use this site for. so the majority of people will count calories and use the calories in calories out diet technique. that is what the site is designed for. whether or not you follow that is your choice, but remember what site you are using. if you want to find people with the same diet interests as you, there are tons of groups on here, or im sure the is a new site tailored to your diet. or you can stay here, but dont be shocked when you see people just counting calories, because thats what this site was designed for. its like going into a vegans house and saying "i dont understand why you just dont eat a steak! i mean come one whats wrong with you??? just eat steak!" of course if you do this you will get some serious backlash. i personally agree with your diet philosophy, because i dont think a calorie is a calorie, but i also understand this is a calorie counter website and thats what most people here are doing.

roodledoodle

It's pretty much a proven fact that a 'diet' is only a short term thing that people can't stick to because it's unrealistic. MFP is aimed at helping people change their life long habits - i.e it's enjoyable enough to do for the rest of our lives. If we all just ate turkey, salad and veg how long do you really think it would last? 2 days maybe. I'm not talking about competing body builders, I'm talking about us everyday average people.

I 100% believe that everything in moderation is the key, you don't feel deprived and doesn't feel like a punishment. If you know that you can still have a choccy biscuit with your tea mid morning and it fits in with all your allowances then why not? Why torture yourself for absolutely no reason? A bit of everything is good for you!

Bmontgomery613

I think it sets a bad example for those starting out. It is one thing to make that decision once you've gotten a hold of what you are doing with your weight loss. But for those who haven't found that happy medium, it gives them the wrong impression. Do what you need to do but I don't think it needs to be bragged about.

Perhaps this is the difference between 'dieting' and 'changing your lifestyle'. Frankly, I'm not giving up chocolate or cheeseburgers or pizza. Will I do things to make them more healthy, of course. Part of the reason I've been so successful (and imo, the 25lbs I've lost since the beginning of February is pretty darn successful) is because I'm not 'dieting'. This is a journey for a lot of us and journeys have slip-ups and they have cheeseburgers and chocolate. For me, it's learning how a healthier lifestyle (by MY standards, not yours) can fit into my life. It's learning the substitutions I can make so that I can still eat the foods that I love. And frankly, I do brag about it! I'm losing weight while still eating the foods I love...how flippin awesome is that!?! For some, that's motivational. And, it's up to them, not you to determine what they eat and what they consider 'appropriate' foods. Don't treat the newbies like idiots who can't figure out how to eat. We were all newbies once and we all figured it out on our own.

Ok, I'm going to step down from my soapbox now. But, I do hope you figure out why you are so bothered by what others eat so that it doesn't affect your own progress. Best of luck to you.

tkb1985

Hey, I don't see how pizza is unhealthy. We make ours homemade with turkey and lots of veggies and low fat mozzarella and either whole grain or wheat crust. It's a weekly weekend meal.

I don't consider pizza unhealthy, but a lot of people seem to think that while bread, tomato sauce, cheese, some vegetables and a meat might be ok, once you put them together and call it a pizza, it's demon-food. :laugh:

But for me, pizza is my cheap and lazy meal, and is typically a frozen rising crust DiGiorno or Frechetta (can't really beat $5 for two people, without a pile of dirty dishes) ... so not really a health-conscious choice. But my typical dinners are around 700-1000 calories anyway, so half a pizza fits in that range perfectly. The sodium is the only "bad" thing about it, and since I have good blood pressure, don't wig out over a pound or two weight fluctuation, drink about 96oz a day and sweat like a fiend when I exercise, sodium doesn't scare me.

If you weren't a woman, married and thousands of miles away, I'd ask you to marry me! Pizza has always been my 'crave' and I'm not giving it up for the world! I just eat like you do, reasonably, in moderation and not every night!

I seem to share the majority view on this... I'd never have been able to last with this change if I'd given up everything I love, and because I've allowed myself treats, the ocasional day off counting, and haven't outlawed any type of food (Whilst keeping in my calories, fat, sat fat, sodium and sugar 85% of the time) I've managed to stick to my new lifestyle with ease.

My opinion - being healthy should be hard or unpleasant.

fitnhealthykaren

I have a 90/10 rule, for myself and kids. 90% is clean wholesome foods, 10% is for indulgences. With that said that is what I prefer. As for others they have to do what they prefer. I'm willing to bet most people on this site are making way better choices and are healthier for it than before starting their journey. I know even though I'm not perfect (and no one is) but I know I'm extremely healthier than I was 4 years ago.

I agree with this quote 100% - well said!!

SafireBleu

Not sure why this bothers me but it every time I read someone posting something about how that 400 calorie Double Cheeseburger or Bucket of fried food fits into my daily calories, so I'm going to eat it!!. It is one thing if it's a special occasion but if this is a daily or weekly occurrence, you are only lying to yourself and making it that much harder to get to that goal you've been reaching for. Calories aren't the enemy, it is what those calories are made up with that count.

I burn between 500 to 1000 calories a day when I work out and I do that 5 days a week. If on one of those days every few weeks I want a burger and fries because I'm craving it. I'll eat it. If I feel like taking 200 calories one day from the average 750 I burned to eat a piece of milk chocolate I will. I don't do it everyday but I workout, a lot, so I can have those things. I also have a low calorie breakfast and usually fish and a ton of veggies for lunch and snack on fruit throughout the day. So if I feel like eating it I will. If I feel like bragging about it I will because I busted my *kitten* to earn the right to eat it. No one looks at just one meal and says, "Oh wow she had a burger for lunch. She must eat that way all day every day. Let me go on the burger and fries diet she's on." People like you, who worry sooooo much and are sooooo bothered by what I eat are the reason my food diary is closed.

Margentine

Sl1ghtly

Not sure why this bothers me but it every time I read someone posting something about how that 400 calorie Double Cheeseburger or Bucket of fried food fits into my daily calories, so I'm going to eat it!!. It is one thing if it's a special occasion but if this is a daily or weekly occurrence, you are only lying to yourself and making it that much harder to get to that goal you've been reaching for. Calories aren't the enemy, it is what those calories are made up with that count.

This is something you should be talking about with your therapist. Obviously its an issue that is controlling you, get help soon.

Best wishes.

NU2U

It bothers me when I hear people bit¢h and complain about what OTHER people choose to eat.

I for one, will have a stuffed pizza pretzel whenever I please...and couldn't care less what others think about it.

My food..my body..my WL journey..........notice the usage of the word "MY"

ErnieM88

I've seen these threads enough that I've come to the following conclusion.

Clean eating 100% of the time makes you such a miserable human being that the only way to feel joy is to look down at others.

100% agree with you!

Heaven71

Please point me to said 400 calorie double cheeseburger. Thanks

THIS!!! I might actually eat one once a month if that were at all possible.

maab_connor

On the other hand, there are some people who take the statement "it's not good to eat cheeseburgers every day" to mean "CLEAN EATING ALL DAY EVERY DAY FOREVER"

Well we're just so very scared we'll be accused of cutting corners...

cutting corners is bad. so say we all.

secretlobster

I wanna be in you

chevy88grl

No where did I say I ate "clean" or that I drank diet coke wtf?. Maybe my idea of healthy and getting fit isn't the same as yours. If you're having a "cheat" day more days than you are not, its not a cheat day.. it's part of your diet. For me, a cheat meal is an exception to the rule, not the rule. I have found my balance. My point was a fast food cheeseburger isn't the best option to meet your caloric goals for the day! Now if you're used to eating Four Cheeseburgers and your cutting it down to two, then that is great and it's a step in the right direction.

This is not the sentiment you expressed in the beginning. You're getting defensive because the conversation isn't going the direction you want it to go. In the beginning, you expressed the sentiment that we should NOT adopt the "if it fits in my daily calories..." mentality. I understood you to be saying that we should NOT eat cheeseburgers or cakes or cookies even if we can fit them into our calorie budget.

Now, I actually agree with the comment you made above. Yes, if you're cheating more days than not, you're not going to lose weight because a cheat day is almost always going to bring you above maintenance with your calorie count... but that's not how you started your tread. You weren't talking about balance, you were talking about abstaining from foods you considered 'unhealthy' even if you could eat those foods while practicing calorie restriction.

If you're staying within your calories but still indulging in some of the things you really love - how is it "cheating"? To me, "cheating" gives the impression you are doing something wrong when in reality - eating a cheeseburger from McDonald's or some cookies isn't doing anything "wrong". There is no right nor wrong to losing weight.

rml_16

Te expression on his face is the funniest part of this photo.

Nikki_42

Please point me to said 400 calorie double cheeseburger. Thanks

McDonalds Mcdouble ($1) no pickle, no bun....less than 400 cal. Even a qtr pounder w/ cheese no bun...they put it on a bed of lettuce. That's my twice a month indulgence!

That is information I didn't need to know, lol. Now it's on my list...maybe. Haven't been to McD's in months.

honeydiva

I totally agree...somethimes I crave a big juicy burger but know that I will not get healthy eating that, even if it's in my caloric intake. When you cheat yourself like that, you will never reach your goal. I used to do the same thing with soda, knowing that I had to give them up all together, denial is your own worse enemy...

Elizabeth_C34

Today is Cheeseburger Tuesday folks. Chillax: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/549723-cheeseburger-tuesday

Just a friendly reminder. Cheeseburger Tuesday is ON!!

rml_16

I don't consider pizza unhealthy, but a lot of people seem to think that while bread, tomato sauce, cheese, some vegetables and a meat might be ok, once you put them together and call it a pizza, it's demon-food. :laugh:

But for me, pizza is my cheap and lazy meal, and is typically a frozen rising crust DiGiorno or Frechetta (can't really beat $5 for two people, without a pile of dirty dishes) ... so not really a health-conscious choice. But my typical dinners are around 700-1000 calories anyway, so half a pizza fits in that range perfectly. The sodium is the only "bad" thing about it, and since I have good blood pressure, don't wig out over a pound or two weight fluctuation, drink about 96oz a day and sweat like a fiend when I exercise, sodium doesn't scare me.

My problem with pizza (from a restaurant/pizza place) is that I have no control. Put a small, medium or large in front of me and I WILL eat every bite. So I only have once every few months.

But if it's something you can enjoy in moderation, you absolutely should! I don't have the same problem with my homemade pizzas, thankfully. A pita, some olive oil, goat cheese, garlic, onion and tomato broiled in the toaster oven is divine.

galegetsthin

I have been fat a very long time. I have "dieted" many many many many times. I wouldn't let myself have those things that I like. No matter the REASON for me liking them, I like them. Since I did not allow room for them, I would get 10 lbs into it and get hangry and quit. I was still fat. This time, I am doing it differently. I am learning how to have my cake and eat it too. My labs have gone from "bad" to perfect. I am the smallest I have been since middle school. You know what I dont like? Kale. So, I dont eat it. I like burgers. I like fries. I like cupcakes. I had a cupcake last night. I made them with my daughter. She and I both really enjoyed them. Try and tell me I cant have a cupcake, I may just have to make a really really big one and proceed to bury a person in it.

ShaSimone

I eat pretty healthily but not necessarily "Clean" or commendably --I eat what I want, within reason, which includes SKY HIGH carbs some days..loads of saturated fat other days (String cheese addiction)...or 1000+ calories of assorted snacks (popcorn, hummus and carrots, cottage cheese, etc)...usually all "healthy" but honestly I think DEPRIVATION is likely to cause more harm than good if excessively strict.

This

Margentine

America's Blue Blood Royalty

Nucky719

But my Dr. says I'm so healthy...I just don't understand

dlyeates

I have learned that the word "cheat" does not apply to anything that I'm doing on my "getting healthy journey". I started counting calories, now I pay more attention to the macros and don't mind going over on fiber and protein (I also watch sodium because we do *gasp* eat out at times). I'm also getting more veggies in my diet and will work on fruit as well.

But this is a lifestyle change and I know I would not be successful if I gave up my favorite foods. Yes, I've learned to remake my faves in a healthier way (turkey tostadas with avocado--2 of them--for around 500 calories, or meatball subs with turkey meatballs for under 500 calories, and Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf made in a muffin pan for under 100 calories per muffin--www.allrecipes.com). And I'm not depriving myself. My hubby even jokes that I "make" him eat this "diet" food and he loves it!!!

If I didn't allow myself a day at McDonalds, or a breakfast at Baker's Square during the week/weekend I would be completely burnt out with working full time out of the home, doing 100% of the grocery shopping, cooking 95% of our meals (thank God it's grilling season), prepping 100% of our meals, dropping off and picking up hubby from train and kids from childcare, and trying to work out 2-4 days a week I would lose my mind!!!!! So I need sustainability, healthy and to see progress. And I'm down more than 32 lbs (I get my scale back on Easter since I gave it up for Lent).

myak623

I think Matt Ogus, who is a professional natural bodybuilder, says it best in his youtube video regarding poptarts. Paraphrasing, "I eat whatever I want. Not as much as I want, but whatever I want."

There is a big difference here. You can enjoy food. You have to make sure you are staying under calorie limits and getting proper macronutrients.

teagin2002

I think a part of becoming a healthier person is developing a healthy relationship with food. You should not be offended by food because it is simply food. If you have that strong of a reaction to any food you are not there yet and still have some work to do. Once we stop having such emotional attachments to our foods we will stop the insentient benging and uncontrollable eating frenzies, that is what I warn from.
Although yes diet is a bigger factor than exercise in the results, every person does have different goals. Take me for instance, in order to reach my goals I chose to to fast 24 following the ESE method one day, eat clean except for a 1/2 cup milk in my morning coffee for 4 days with a caloric deficit, then eat at maintenance leisurely (what ever I feel like) and yes that does include burgers, onion rings, and fries at times for the weekend and focus on not going over my calories. I have a ridged exercise routine that we will not get in to.

My message to the OP is to start working on severing the emotional ties you has with food whether it is extreme or offense.
For me I do use food in socializing, I happen to cook very well and my family enjoys our weekends when they get to have me enjoy the foods they crave with them. I also do enjoy the foods (food is good and I love feeding my body), but I am happier when I enjoy these foods that are labeled here as unhealthy with the ones I love!!!

tsh0ck

I don't know anyone who eats clean 100% of the time. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to eat WELL MOST of the time.

The "omg dont judge otha pplz" comments are coming from people who don't/won't/can't eat healthier. Look at the post "can I eat Burger King for breakfast" - Literally everyone in that thread says "go for it!!".

Sadly, this is not a site for people who want to eat healthier, it's dominated by people who eat 1200 calories worth of junk food who still lose weight.

You're right! Losing weight is stupid! What are we thinking?!

jennifer52484

People asked why it bothers me... after reading through this thread, I have found my answer. It bothers me because its loaded with fat, sodium, cholesterol and who knows what else. If I never ate another burger in my life, I would be okay with that. Everyone is different. My topic was not "EVERYONE MUST FOLLOW WHAT I DO" It was my opinion. and I am pretty darn happy with the turn out.