Does anyone eat whatever they want just within calories?

stefanieceleste0530

I pretty much eat whatever I want, as long as I stay within my calories. I have made some changes in what I eat, and I often think I want something until I look at the calorie/fat content, but I know if I deny myself things that I like just because it's "not healthy" I will fail at what I'm trying to do. And I refuse to eat something that I don't like (fish) just because it's supposed to be healthy.

mlewon

I don't. I make conscious decisions regarding the healthfulness of everything I eat. For me that's part of the "lifestyle" versus "diet" part. I am fueling my body, and trying to do it well.

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pebbles2911

all the time.... i love food and i am not gonna a let a diet get in my way of trying new foods or the foods i already love.

peace_pigeon

Yes and no. I do eat whatever I want, but what I want is healthy. I see food as fuel and almost as medicine as well. With an auto-immune issue and being in training for a pretty big athletic challenge, I want to eat foods that will help me on my way. I feel so much better and stronger when I eat really well, get enough protein and tons of fruit and veggies. If I want a treat, I make it healthy as well as tasty (lots of good recipies to be found on here!).

SueGremlin

I absolutely do. Whatever I want. That's how I stick with it. Calories are calories, and it's transformed my body and my life. If I want to splurge my calories on a chicken pot pie, then I will. If I need chocolate, I save calories for chocolate. It is a lifestyle change and feeling deprived or having unsatisfied cravings isn't going to get me where I want to be because I'll give up.

I don't look at my watch every day and think "Can I stop dieting yet"? because this isn't a diet. It's the way I am now.

It makes absolutely no sense to forbid yourself anything you crave if you stay within your calorie goals.

tldust

I eat what I want as long as it's within my calories. But you will find that if you eat healthier, lighter foods, you can eat more frequently and feel better. And certain foods just aren't worth the calories. You have to ask yourself, "Is it worth it?" "Does this really taste good?" "Why am I eating this?" I still use half & half and sugar in my coffee. I still use real butter. I'm just more conscious of portions. If I'm craving a naughty dessert, I still make that pie or cake, but I take out 1 piece, feed another to the dog and then bring it to someone else's house. Sharing helps:O)

chachita7

At first that was exactly what I did... ate whatever but in moderation - I started however making little changes here and there, very slowly <--- as you do that new habits start forming, new found likes and dislikes and it makes it easier. Not everyone can go from food junkie to food saint over night... watch your sodium intake, fat intake and make sure the food you are eating is not loaded with carbs -- calories is not the only thing that you need to be focused in... you should focus a more on the quality of calories consumed rather than the quantity.

Elen_Sia

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.

Not everything I want. There are a number of things I actually wish I could eat but I can't because my stomach reacts badly to them. I continue to eat 3-4 things that I like very much and will never give up. But I don't eat them every day. My original goal for joining MFP was to lose weight. But after I reached that goal in Feb, I decided to improve my health further, get stronger, and reduce my body fat percentage.

I never feel like I am a slave to my food choices, though. I really do enjoy what I eat every day because I am a good cook and I love preparing every meal.

DoozerDMB

I have days like that... but for the most part I make very conscious decisions about what I am eating. I am trying to teach my mind and body that I can't live on junk alone.... so fruits and veggies are finding their way in

PODGYPARTSMAN

Hi, I am a real fussy eater, so to try and change my eating habits would be difficult, and yes like you I expect it would lead to me giving up on my monitoring of my food intake. I still eat what ever I want albeit within the parameters of my targets. Occaisionally I go over on one or the other but overall it seems to be working well. 19lbs weight loss in approx 7 weeks. Keep up what you are doing it does work. .....Good luck.

Ian.

alyson820

No way! I've changed the way I eat completely. I'm so much more conscious of what I put into my body now, and I want to make the best choices. That's not to say I don't eat chocolate occasionally, but that's a treat, not something I eat every day.

You're losing weight, but there's more to being healthy than weight loss.

superrjo

i do, i wont scald myself if i eat badly aslong as im within, although i do try to eat healthy. cant help the cravings sometimes though ! healthier stuff is usually lower cal as well, which means if i eat better i can eat more, which is also an incentive

i was also brought up on healthy food so its the kind of thing im used to eating anyway

magenbrittni

Yes. If I'm craving sweets, I'll have sweets and make sure to work out and maybe have a lighter meal. But I've also cut out a lot of the bad food too. I never use real butter anymore (which is an accomplishment in the south), full fat cheese, fry anything, drink real soda, etc. I basically do eat whatever I want (ice cream, chickfila, vodka, whatever) just smaller portions. I add it to my diary and make room for the higher calories. It's worked for me, I've lost 51 pounds!

jayrey72

If you consume a lot of sodium, your body will retain water. Even if you consume lower calories.

There's lots of people in the normal weight range that have heart attacks and strokes. My uncle is a cardiologist, and he sees it all the time. What's the point of losing weight, feeling better, and looking good on the outside. But having a ticking time bomb on the inside?

Key is balance - like a lot of people here are saying. Treat yourself, but just don't go crazy. The human brain has only a finite amount of willpower (which is directly related to glucose level). If you have a piece of chocolate (as opposed to the whole bar), you will satisfy a craving and your willpower is appeased.

nokittyno

I use to be lenient on the, "Whatever fits" but that simply doesn't work for me. Calorie isn't of total equality for me anyway. I can't eat a King-Size (nor do I anyway) Chocolate bar, simply because it, "fits". It will put me over on sugar and if I continued to indulge, I know I will gain. BUT, you can "fit some in" in better quantities. So instead of me eating like a nice semi-large slab of Almond Bark, I have just a piece or two of smaller proportions, it fits, and it's not such a dent on my sugar and such.

But that's me, some people can go to town on McDonalds as their post workouts or KFC, but I prefer to not have those as they don't give me the energy I need, and make me sick. Do I NEVER have them? No, but I make sure I still enjoy food and life in better proportions.

slindsey137

I didnt go cold turkey, because I know from experience that I will just binge later. But I do try to make more healthy substitutions, fruit instead of candy, whole grains instead of white, ect. I have a really great dessert for our bbq tomorrow, Im going to halve some peaches, grill them and put a little country vanilla icecream in the center where the stone was. I cant wait!

skinnykimmy2013

i try to eat healty stuff and stay away from some foods thats are high in calories but when im maitaining im just going to eat what i want and stay in my calories amount. this is a good question.

Susan923

Oh my goodness no!! If I had my way I would eat pizza and ice cream everyday but unfortunately I would then starve the rest of the day. With only eating @1800 calories if I didn't eat "real" food I would be hungry all day. I need quantity in my day which mean that i need quality to be able to eat 5 meals a day.
I def allow myself some goodness every few days but for the rest of the time I eat clean. :-)

slindsey130

It's a good start. As you become accustomed to eating less you may feel inclined to make better choices. It's baby steps, celebrate the fact that you have made a change for the better! You may need some vitamins.

pullipgirl

It depends on your goals but yes you can lose by eating whatever you want as long as it's within your calories. I have been doing this when I started losing and now I try and make better choices.

Cyndieann

Good for weight loss, bad for health & feeling hungry throughout the day.

Sox90716

Yes.

InnerFatGirl

I do.

I tend not to eat certain foods, just because they eat up my allowance, or just have smaller portions to fit it in. I make healthier choices where I can (for E.G - natural peanut butter and jam > traditional), but I still eat, roughly, what I want.

And I still lose weight

lcroftraider31

I find that most nutrient dense foods are low in calories so I try to stick with that. I would splurge occasionally if I'm really craving for something or when the temptation is really hard to resist.

FullM3talJacket

I try to stay well away from the limit. I tend watch my fat intake much closer than my calories

sumeetn

yes i do :-)

sumeetn

oops just reposted :blushing:

kazhowe

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.
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Hi in response ......

While you can of course do this - after all you are your own person and we have the privilege of freedom of choice - you need to ask yourself what your ultimate aim is ... do you just want to be thinner or do you want to learn how to lose weight in a healthy way and therefore stand more of a chance of living a better quality of life by nourishing your body in the best way you can? ... as I said - each individuals choice ..... I know what my choice is

granna2002

Hi, I started out eating anything i wanted but staying within the calories. I found i can have most things i want so long I stay within certain amount of carbs. the carbs allowed are to many for me. my weight loss slows if it eat too many carbs even within the recommended allowance. Keep playing around with your meals so you can see what works for you. Good luck with your goals!

Jaloth

Yes, I find if I can not have something I want it all the more!! I try to find a healthier version of what I am eating!!!! I am bad for coke so I have found that by drinking the small cans and drinking water at the same time helps!!!!