Does anyone eat whatever they want just within calories?

nickiw68

Yep, I eat what I want but try to stay within my calorie allowance. I do try and watch a bit what I eat, but if I fancy something fattening, then I have it.....!!! I use my exercise to burn off the weight!

If I continue to exercise then to a certain degree I can still eat what I want

fbmandy55

Yep. I eat better but I do not deny myself things I crave. If I did I would fail. That is the key to happy success!!!!

dalgal26

Yes:flowerforyou:

Sabresgal63

I think if you do what is easiest and makes most sense to you, you will in the long run start to make more healthy choices (and then again, maybe not). I know alot of people who cannot stomach vege's or fruit and they lose weight just fine.

angieleighbyrd

Not everyday. But I also don't crave crap everyday. If I do have a craving for something though and I know I'm gonna have calories left, I eat it. It's usually a Hershey bar.

SPNLuver83

I don't think it's really that OK to be honest. Yes, you can lose weight this way, BUT you are not properly nourishing your body, and MFP is not only about losing weight but about being healthy. There are so many ways you are putting your health at risk by just eating whatever you want, assuming its the same kind of foods that got you overweight in the first place....

That being said, I am all for eating that yummy delicious junk food. Just in moderation. You really should start trying to teach yourself more healthful ways of eating, and in a short amount of time the better foods will actually start tasting better, and your body will start feeling better. For example, start by switching all your white breads to wheat and whole grain... Instead of whole milk go for skim. Instead of fruit juices eat real fruit.

Try the website skinnytaste.com. Healthy meals that absolutely taste delicious. For real. Even my kids love everything I make from there!!

april522

I do this. I do make healthier choices when counting calories, so I'm not hungry all the time, but I do make quite a few recipes that might not be quite so healthy for you. I compensate by fixing those on days I work out hard and burn mega calories.

GaidenJade

I am not an expert and I am still new here. However, for me, I am trying to balance my life. I do choose healthier options when I can. Though once in a while I will have something naughty, as long as it fits in my cals. However, my ultimate goal is to continue to change my bad eating habits. It isn't ALL about losing weight for me, but allowing me to maintain a healthy weight and be strong. I can't stand being weak, or lazy.

If you need to eat your normal food at first, then yes, stay within your cals. But I would suggest start to incorporate healthier choices as you go. Find fruits to replace empty sugars and cals. Instead of a candy bar, pick grapes, or strawberries. Whatever you like. This isn't about over night. This is about your LIFE. If I had to change right away, i would never be able to make it, which is why I have failed so many times before. Because I always heard. "NO! You can't have that."

Well this is what I say. I will do it MY way. And I'll get there..... and so will you. :flowerforyou:

HMVOL7409

So I wonder for those who continue to eat unhealthy choices; as long as it is under their calorie goal will have continued success not only here but in keeping that weight off for life? I'm sorry but if you don't make some sort of change in the type of food you eat; you are setting yourself up for failure later.

^Well said!

^^I agree

This report shows why it's important to make better food choices

http://kool1017.com/america-is-the-fattest-nation-in-the-world-and-getting-fatter/

So wrong on many levels.

Care to elaborate more than just 5 words?

Technically you can eat whatever you want, under your calories, and lose weight. But is that your goal...i would say only party, the goal is to lose weight and be healthier. If you eat carrots every day, and nothing but carrots, you'd lose weight, but wouldn't be healthy. And it sets you up for failure in the future, as you really have not gained any self control over the food you eat.

For me, nothing is off-limits, if I want beer and burgers, i'll eat them, chocolate, bread, etc.. The overused term is "moderation", and when I say moderation, I don't mean one beer, one burger and half the fries every day, or a couple times a week....i may have a burger once a month...if that.

That is exactly what I meant. My follow up later in the thread was that this was geared to those that choose to eat "junk" and not making any slight changes in their diet. Yes you will lose weight in a deficit, but for me this is about life; not swimsuit season or wearing a dress for a wedding. If you don't change some of your eating habits and choices and learn the value of moderation you will have issues keeping the weight off for a longer time. I guess it needs to be spelled out more clear to some.

JoeGa

I keep to low carb within the calories. Carbs are a diet killer for me....

JesterMFP

Yes and no. I pretty much eat what I want, and fit it into my calories. I haven't completely given up any one food, and I regularly eat things that a lot of people wouldn't consider healthy.

That said, my diet has changed a lot over the past few months, and will continue to change. I meet my calorie goal, but since joining MFP, I'm also much more conscious of getting enough protein, water and fibre. I didn't eat too much in the way of overly processed food anyway, but I am more aware now of how much sodium and sugar I'm consuming. I have made small changes, and I will make more, but like many people, if I'd radically changed my diet overnight, I never would have stuck it out as long as I have. I make better choices now for my health, but there are some days when just fitting into my calorie goal is good enough, and keeps me on track.

10acity

I do, but I do also try to get enough protein and not go way over my carbs.

Last night, for instance, I wanted so bad to have boxed macaroni & cheese (if you've ever had Wegman's boxed macaroni and cheese, you won't think this is gross) but I checked out my diary and while I had *just* enough calories left, I was already too close to my carb limit and needed much more protein, so I made a different choice. Had it worked better with my macros, though, I'd have enjoyed every last bite of mac 'n cheese.

katy84o

Some days I eat whatever I want as long as it fits, but mostly I try to eat more healthy foods. I find that when I eat healthy in my calorie goals I feel better the next day and I lose weight more consistently. If I eat pizza, even if it fits in my calorie goals, I'm always heavier the next day. I know that's probably from the sodium but then it takes a few days to get back down. I'm sure everyone is different, but that's my experience.

jwaitman

I guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve. If your goal is to eat better/healthier, then no you shouldn't be eating what you want, but if your goal is to eat what you want and lose some weight then I don't see a problem with it. I don't deprive myself of things I want. I just try to eat them in moderation. I have a horrible sweet tooth that I need to get under control so I crave sweets after a meal. If I don't eat them, I don't feel full and then I eat more and that defeats the whole purpose.

TaniaW74

I'm doing this as my first step to losing weight and getting healthier and have lost 34lbs so far my next step was to start the gym and become more active which I have just started my third step is to try and clean up my eating a bit and make healthier choices. For me it was better to break it down so it wasn't a major change all at once which knowing myself as I do I would have faltered by now and given up.

Lleldiranne

Within moderation, yes, I eat whatever I want. But I remind myself that I can have a whole lot more of vegetables than of junk. I also found I feel more satisfied when I eat a well-rounded diet. I think it depends on what "whatever you want" is - if you're only eating pizza, cheeseburgers, and donuts, it's not going to work very well. If you mean that you still eat bread, rice, and pasta, or that you haven't gone vegetarian, or that you allow yourself a small serving of chips or ice cream, you'll be fine. And, you'll probably be able to maintain a lot better in the long run.

MoreThanMommie

I know I would probably lose more faster if I didn't do this but I eat whatever I want just stay under my calories is that ok? Does anyone else do this? I feel like if I don't eat what I want I give up early and easier.

When I first started back in Feb. I did. But shortly after I realized I was still hungry all the time because I was eating a lot of processed foods that didn't keep me full. I changed what I was eating, and I like this better. The food is filling, and so yummy. Who knew veggies could taste so good?!

cmurray234

Here is what I do. Part of my food choices are based on nutrition. I try very hard to get 3 or 4 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit every day. I do this for health reasons. I have also discovered that said choices often make very little dent in my calorie consumption.

I also make a concerted effort to eat lean protein sources like fish, chicken and lean pork. I do this because I like these items and because I get a lot of bang for my buck (so to speak) out of them, meaning they fill me up but aren't high in calories. I would not eat them if I didn't enjoy them, though.

The rest of my calories are taken up by foods that I LOVE. If I want a gyro, I have a gyro. To me, it's worth the 500 calories because it's so stinking good. When I want pizza, I eat pizza. I LOVE pizza and it too is worth the 400 calories per slice.

Most importantly, I ignore the advice of well-meaning busybodies who love nothing more than to inform me what a HORRID choice a slice of pizza is, and that I shouldn't be eating pizza while on a diet.

After years of failure, I know exactly what works for me. And gyros and pizza as part of my 1500 calories a day works. Having tried the South Beach diet, I also know what DOESN'T work. If I'm miserable, I'll never stick to a diet, no matter how well it works for other people.

headlock_lynn

Yes, I eat anything I want and don't deprive myself some treat occasionally. I make a conscious effort to eat healthier because to me this is a lifestyle change and not a "diet" as such. I tended to eat such large portions before and finish off the leftovers at lunch. I can still do that if I wish and as long as I am under my calories or at least on par with my allotted calories I will lose and have lost 31lbs so far. You will lose if you eat anything you want, just watch the calorie intake - portion size.

sjohnson1961

i've lost 30 pounds by purely counting the calories. i don't bother looking at any of the other sections (fat, carbs, protein, sugar etc), just eat what i want as long as i dont go over the calorie count

Mamasota

In the long run, it doesn't work. You learn the hard way it isn't just calories in and calories out. It works for a while, but if you are also interested in long term results and good health, try to slowly develop better food choices.

firedad

Every day. Lost 31lbs in 72 days. 60 to go.

People that say it doesn't work are wrong, as long as you always count calories. Even after I reach my goal I will be counting calories and tracking my weight weekly. Sure you won't be as healthy as if you ate Kale and fish all the time, but you won't regain weight/ fat if you stay at your maintenance calorie level.

BadCookieMonster

I usually eat what i want, but i counting my calories has made me more aware of what i eat. I dropped drinking 5-6 cokes a day down to 1 coke every other day. I dropped 5 lbs quickly after dropping cokes.. Then i focused on serving size, and with daily excersize i have been dropping about 1lb a week. If i want to kick it up a level i will go on a complete diet, but as of right now i hadn't had to change what i eat, just how much i eat.

jennifer52484

I think this is doable once you have control over your eating habits and can trust yourself not to binge. Your intentions might be good but once you've finished off half a bag of Smartfood popcorn, you might realize you should have waited til you were stronger.

margojr4

If I ate whatever I wanted within my calorie goal, I'd be skinny fat. Period. I fuel my body with the best choices to fill my macros.

:happy:

Faeriegirl74

I know a lot of people do X and Y fad diet...but, for me.. it's not realistic. Bottom line, I eat what I want and stay under my calorie needs... because it keeps me honest... it's about life. Some days I may have some really clean eating... and other days I might eat Doritos and cake. For me it's calories in = calories out...and I pay attention to my potassium, sodium, and protein.

kimanne4

I have made some changes such as adding more fruit to my diet but I never say I can't have anything. If I do...I'll want it more! So if I want something I'll eat it just not as much and I log EVERYTHING. When my calories are spent I'm done. I am making healthier choices because I want to spend my calories wisely but I'm not feeling deprived. I'm not eating like a rabbit so I know I can keep this up long term.

GaryRussell123456

I do. Lost 110 lbs that way. Have been maintaining successfully for last 5 months eating exactly what I want within calories. To stick to your budget though you will find healthier choices creeping in anyway otherwise you will be hungry and lack energy.

carriempls

Calories in vs. calories out works for pure weight loss, but what you are eating and getting in proper exercise matter for your overall health.

These days I eat “whatever I want” but that’s because I want healthy food. I eat fresh veggies and fruits, lean (vegetarian) protein and whole grains, mostly. It’s how I prefer to eat the vast majority of the time.

I have treats now and again (ice cream, a cupcake, fancy chocolate, a glass of wine) but that’s because I plan for it.

It took me several years of adjustment. And it was hard when I first started. But the work pays off. Your tastes change. You realize how you feel after eating healthy and how you feel after eating not so healthy and start to make better choices.

Devona14

Like many previous posters, I do, but I don't. There are several questions I ask myself before eating something that isn't "healthy". One is, "Am I willing to eat all these calories and risk being hungry later?" I also try to live by the rule, "Everything is permissible, but not beneficial". For example, I am "allowed" to have a Big Mac and Fries (if that's all I want to eat that day), but by eating it, what will my body gain from it nutrient wise.

All that being said, I have changed the way I eat. I watch portions, eat leaner meats, try not to fry everything (I live in the South), eat more fruits and veggies, and exercise. You know it's an accomplishment when a gal that used to eat a huge plate of potatoes loaded with butter every day for lunch has gone from eating a potato every now and then.