Does anyone eat whatever they want just within calories?

sneekspeete

I kinda do.Some choices I make r healthier but mostly I try n keep portions under control.Those 100 calorie snack pack things are wonderful 4 me. Been doing this for a month and exercising n have lost 8.5 lbs and 6 inches

Jordant107

100 calories of fruit is going to be much better for you than 100 calories of chocolate................................how strong is your commitment!?

mustgetmuscles1

I eat whatever I want but i try to meet my macro goals for protein, fat and carbs.

Lesley2901

Yes, but I'm trying to take a bit more care with my snacks as I have been known to finish off my final 450 calories of the day by eating 4 chocolate biscuits

Bankman1989

If you think eating 1800 calories of burgers and fries versus 1800 cals of leans meats, fruit and veges are the same that is incorrect thinking. True you will lose weight by simply lessening your cals, but are you doing your body any better? Probably not. There are a lot of unhealthy 'skinny' people out there.

lporter229

That's how I started, but then I naturally transitioned into making better choices. With limited calories, I realized that if I was to get all of the necessary nutrition that was optimal, I needed to make better, more nutrient-dense choices. From there, I eventually adopted a primarily whole food, grain free way of eating.

And for the inevitable respondents who will say that it doesn't matter what you eat as long as you're under your calories, take note of their age. In my opinion, based on my own observations, this approach tends to work well for a lot of people when they're younger, but not so much when they're older.

I totally agree with this. As far as weight loss in concerned, eat whatever you want within your calorie allowance. But as far as health is concerned, you should consider your choices. For me, it makes a huge difference in my energy level as well.

I think if you strive to make healthier choices, it becomes easier over time. The crap food doesn't look so appealing any more. Of course, if there's something you really want, don't deprive yourself of it either. Just be reasonable about it.

mmbray3000

I don't deprive myself of the "wants", but I do limit the intake of them:) Just remember you must burn more than you take in to continue your weight loss at a healthy pace:):smile:

JPod279

I have done just watched calories more so than making the best choices to get the first 40 off. However, I am now going to try to clean up what I eat somewhat until I get to where I want to be. But I will never completely give up my favorites.

LHudson53

I try to eat healthy within my calorie allotment, but if I go to a party or something where I can't control it, I just try to stay within the calories eating whatever is available...

picimadar

I essentially do, but I have a problem with binge-eating high fat foods so I tend to restrict my fat below 25%, just to make sure that I'm only taking in reasonable servings of things like chips, fries or cake. Otherwise, I eat whatever I want, but I find that I'm wanting a lot more things that are good for me, rather than fatty, oily, salty and sugary crap!

Captain_Mal

I eat things I enjoy. I still eat out a few times a month too.

Granted, I'm eating healthier, no processed foods, no chips and cookies. I do still have a candybar here and there.
Still have a soda occasionally. I don't skimp on my meals though.

skingszoo

I lost all my weight in the begining last year that way. I ate watever as long as it was uver my 12oo cal limits. I lost 45lbs in 5 months but guess what when I got to goal weight I still ate like that and 15lbs came right back on. This time I am training myself to make better choices and to be healthy. Theres no point in being skinny if your not healthy.

jlebert716

This is exactly what I do, I try to get in enough protein but other than that dont pay much attention to the macros

josephinabonetto

I eat what I want but try to have days where I prepare fresh, whole food meals too, and I try to make those the majority, though some weeks I am less *good* than others.

If I want chocolate, I have chocolate, but I know I can't have it all the time. If I deny myself it I will just go for the whole packet.

jamiem1102

I mostly eat whatever I want, but am Very conscious of my macros... so often times, that will influence what I will eat.

adriadawn19

I eat what ever I want when I want for the most part and within limits. It is all about moderation. For example If I want chocolate instead of eating a whole candy bar I just have like 2 pieces.

I have lost almost 40 pounds doing this and several inches

I personally do not see the point in forcing your self to be extremely strict and not allowing things you like because that would just cause me to give up faster.

Everyone is different so just do what works for you

sydneywb86

I heard somewhere that it's less about taking foods out of your diet and more about putting in good ones.

With that in mind, I have tried pretty much every fad diet there is. To no avail (obviously). And of late, have adopted the following attitude:
-I love food
-I can and will eat all the foods I love yet in moderation
-I will make a concerted effort to add more fruits and vegetables, fiberous foods and protein to my daily diet
-i will allow myself 'cheat' days and meals (that way I don't feel like I CANT have my favorite food, I love me some mexican and italian food) but instead I know I WILL have it on a certain day. Somehow the build up of anticipation helps make the food taste better.)

I have also found that on 'cheat' days I tend to not eat as much for a day or two after my large meal (maybe its my body's way of re-setting my metabolism??)

So the answer to your question is yes...and umm, no...lol! Depending on the day.

dollydye

For everyone that said they eat "good" foods not just what you want to fill your calories tell me what you typically eat?

aamc04321

Yes AND No

I do my best to make healthy choices. I agree w the person that said "it's not just the quantity of calories but also the quality of calories". You get more bang for your buck that way. In other words theres alot more food to eat if most of the calories I consume are plants. BUT.... I allow myself my treats, and my occasional off days, and the foods that I Cannot Live Without. I make room in my calorie allowance and try not to treat myself toooo much. Once in a while I go over, but I keep my exercise up so it doesn't sabotage my progress. I try and keep in mind that is how I got here anyways, overindulgence!

Code2fornow

I do and I don't. I never tell myself I "can't" have anything because I then crave it until I get it and it ruins everything. If I know I'm going to be near my period I try to plan ahead for chocolate cravings and buy mini candy bars or hershey's kisses so that I can indulge but I don't binge. that being said, I find that it's harder to stay within my calorie allowance if I don't pay attention to the foods I eat AND I feel better when I eat less "crap". I've also found that when I'm working out I think of my body differently and I anticipate the results I will get, therefore, I don't want to ruin them by adding empty calories and forcing myself to work harder just to get rid of them.

secretlobster

You can do whatever works for you. But if "eating whatever you want" includes a large amount of empty calories (fast food, cookies, etc) you are skirting the line between "losing weight" and "becoming healthy"

I have occasional treats but they aren't a large part of my diet. I feel awesome when I eat healthy food (lots of meat and vegetables). For me the nutrition is an important part, partially because I am very active and I need a body that isn't weighed down by a lot of salt and sugars. But to a certain point, you CAN lose weight eating whatever you want as long as it fits in your calorie goal.

Can you get a GREAT body on junk food without paying any attention to nutrition? No.

kluvit

I haven't given up anything; however, to stay within calories I can't eat everything I want, whenever I want, as much as I want. I now make better choices at times in order to be able to fit in what I really want in another meal. I consider "...is it worth it," or "would I rather" before making my food choices.

brownfoxy21

Yep thats what I do. If not I'd prob give up way too quickly.

lmelangley

I eat whatever I want, but I always ask myself one question: do I really want this? If it's yummy, the answer is invariably yes. If it's only ok, I'll probably hold off. So, most cookies, yes. Pie, no. Cheese, sometimes.

Stay within your calories and you'll be fine.

slyder432

I eat whatever I want but i try to meet my macro goals for protein, fat and carbs.

^^^^THIS

AmyP619

I think the goal should be to be healthier all the way around. Your body breaks down different foods in different ways. I think what's important is giving your body the nutrients it really needs so that you can be healthier in general. You may choose to eat whatever you want, but it may not be the healthiest way to go about it. Yeah, you're still losing weight, but someone who weighs 150 lbs who eats junk food is not going to be as healthy as someone who weighs 150 lbs and makes conscious healthy choices. You're also more apt to be hungrier throughout the day if you eat nothing but junk. At least with healthy options you can eat OFTEN all day long and keep your body satisfied and comfortable. If you choose to max out your calories on junk by 2:00 in the afternoon, then you can't eat again until the following day! It's tough, but I've decided to be healthy and make healthy choices!

qtiekiki

Yes, but what I want isn't always junk foods. I eat balanced meals and have my junk foods in moderation. I don't know that it is the best for my health, but for my weight, it hasn't been an issue.

Christine1110

No I eat only healthy....and no fast food & no processed foods. When I did eat them I used my calories up way to fast and didn't stay full. I felt hungry mostly all the time. Now I'm alway fine & losing weight!!

jjnt007

Yes, I have several lunch dates throughout the week and I order regular food within reason. I try to check the nutrition website of the company that I will eat prior to arriving. My friend orders a salad from Wendys and it is an Apple Pecan Chicken Salad 570 calories and I have a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger 400 calories

Mishadijo

Yes, I eat what i want but stay within calories. Part of what i love about MFP. What i noticed i have been doing is gravitating towards more balance between fibre/carbs/fat/sugar, etc... I still eat what i want but do try to keep those items reasonably within daily goals in addition to calories. Just think that is healthier and a big part of where I want this to lead me is overall health. MFP is a real good tool that is helping me. Along with encouragement and inspiration from others and in particular, my son.