Does it matter what i eat as long as i burn it off

mariadch12

Ive been working out everyday for no less than 35 minutes i do eat chips and cake and pizza i know im not supose too at all but when i do i dont over do it but when im done It stresses me out because i feel like im throwing all my hard work away .Idk how that works.

Pedal_Pusher

I just think you'll get out of something what you put into it.

Meg_78

I think all things are ok in moderation...I'm sure you'll see faster/better results if you eat totally clean, but I also think we are human, and life should be enjoyed...as long as it is in moderation and fits you calorie goals, don't feel bad.

heybales

If you have a bit to lose, just paying attention to calories in and out may be enough.

With less to lose and less to eat, you may find certain types of food like that make it all to easy to go overboard.

Super easy to eat an extra 500 cals, kinda hard to burn that much off.

But that's why exercise logged gives you credit calories - you still have a deficit and you keep it even when you eat them back.

jynxxxed

If in moderation, then you're not sabotaging your weight loss. The only thing you're potentially harming is your health.

juliaamilee

moderation is always key. When you do have Pizza have only the serving recommended not 3-4 slices or whatever. I think of course it is blowing the workout it for the day if someone tons eats junk. But I also think a person doesnt need to be completely restricted all the time, other wise it because a battle of will.

Nutrition1st

Pizza, cake and chips as you fall asleep at night have a different effect on your body if you had them earlier in the day. For a period I was a strict eater until I got in the range I was comfortable in. But I still want to enjoy life and indulge in things I crave from time to time. Don't feel guilty about it. The best time to cheat on your diet is before or after your workout

oh_em_gee

of course it matters. Weight isn't the only measure of health. There's cholesterol, blood pressure, fat percentage, etc.. Eating those foods in moderation is fine, but I wouldn't make it a daily thing. I will never completely give up my favorites "bad" foods, but I eat much less of them now.

marycmeadows

I just think you'll get out of something what you put into it.

this.

wookiemouse

It depends. You'll lose weight by keeping to your calorie count, but you may never get the body you want. I got sick of putting in all that exercise just for FOOD. Most of which didn't taste that good anyway. Eat clean and you don't have to work out as hard, and you'll see better results faster.

mmapags

For overall weight loss no. For overall health, yes.

rcthale

You'll be fine as long as that's not how you eat every day. A person can suffer malnutrition even if they're overweight.

weeblex

Saturday I had Bacon, Sunday was Healthy, Monday I had Mcdonalds and today I weighed in 2.9lbs down on the last 7 days.

I just eat under my calories, and I exercise till I am pooped on the treadmill and it works for me.

And.... the increased exercise is lowering my BP and cholesterol according to my doc so the "healthy" may depend on your definition of healthy

TinaS88

It's ok in moderation. I would die if I had to cut out EVERYTHING I enjoyed. Just make sure you are eating more good then bad and are consistent with your working out and you will be ok.

I lost a ton of weight working at a pizza shop. I was literally eating pizza, cheesy bread, TONS of soda, all day x6 days a week and lost weight fast because I was working really hard and burning a ton of calories. I DO NOT recommended this however, it's super unhealthy.

I am taking the slower, healthy trip this time. And yes, I do still enjoy ice cream, pizza, cake. I just make smart eating decisions through out the day so I am able to enjoy these things once in a while!

Bobby_Clerici

Of course it matters.
Optimal health is not earned by accident.
The cleaner you eat, the better your health.
And everybody knows this, but people like to justify their poor eating.
If all you want is mere weight loss, eat whatever. Start smoking as it's fabulous appetite suppression .
Again, great health is an achievement you earn through proper nutrition - not eating anything and everything so long as the calories are right.

TinaS88

Super easy to eat an extra 500 cals, kinda hard to burn that much off.

SO TRUE!!!

Hezzietiger1

Lot's of people will say no.. I say yes. I dropped a lot of weight just watching calories in and calories out.. but stayed pretty flabby, slimmed way down, but stayed flabby. I've switched my food selection.. way less processed stuff and way more nutrition dense and my body is reflecting it.. muscles, elasticity in my skin, digestion. That stuff is fine in moderation but in the end you are probably going to want to give your body what it really needs to produce the results you really want. Just my opinion.

Hezz

tangoa24

I will never completely give up my favorites "bad" foods, but I eat much less of them now.

^^This...I was (am) notorious for loving fast food even though it is horrible for me. Now that I realize how many calories and how much fat is in one meal from a drive through, I have cut waaay back. I still have burgers and fries, but not nearly as often, and I almost always plan ahead to include them. If I have a low cal breakfast and lunch, I know I can splurge with dinner. Or if it's my TOM and I literally cannot say no to cravings, I'll try to balance out my week so even if I'm over calories a few days, I'm under calories on others. This website is about changing your lifestyle! When I realized that, I started seeing results.

BrianSharpe

Google the twinkie diet.

You can lose wight eating nothing but junk food as long as your total calories are below your TDEE. In terms of optimal health it's not such a good idea.

Having said that, if there are certain foods that you really, really enjoy you shouldn't deprive yourself totally just go for smaller portions and try to eat a balanced nutritious diet most of the time.

970Mikaela1

Some calories are better for you than others, but moderation is key! The closer i get to my goal the better the calories i want to put into my body. I stay full alot longer on better calories also:) Good Luck!

LorinaLynn

If that's ALL you're eating, then it will matter. But if you're filling your nutritional needs with fruits, veggies, healthy fats, lean proteins, etc.... then a little indulgence here and there isn't going to hurt you.

salgalruns

I hear what you're saying with the calorie counts, but it sounds to me like your goal is actually just to lose weight, not to get into a healthy lifestyle. For me, I was aiming for the lifestyle change - not only the working out, but also the nutritional choices. Even with moderation, the on-the-go foods weren't agreeing with my system anymore. Plus, I wanted to rely on nutrition first and pondered the following - what if I was unable to work out due to illness or injury? Would I be able to rely on my ability to control my food?

While the pounds CAN come off if you watch your portions (aka calorie counting) and you work out, you may still be putting unheathy stuff into your body which can have adverse effects. Perhaps try the healthy choices more often, or at least make healthier substitutions whenever possible.

emnk5308

Is that good Fuel for your body? =/
When working out everyday you have to feed yourself good. Eating that stuff often and working out.. you might feel sick =/

VorJoshigan

Ive been working out everyday for no less than 35 minutes i do eat chips and cake and pizza i know im not supose too at all but when i do i dont over do it but when im done It stresses me out because i feel like im throwing all my hard work away .Idk how that works.

I predict the following if this thread gets going:
_________________
Yes it totally matters.
No it doesn't matter at all.
Yes it matters a little bit.
No
Yes
No
Absolutely because Taubes said so
Taubes is an idiot, Calories in < Calories out = weight loss
nuh uh!
Yeah huh!
etc. ad nauseum
__________________

Everybody is different. For me personally, I do better when I eliminate sugar altogether. The more I eat sugar, the more I want it. I have a much higher chance of pigging out if I eat sugar. I was 200 lbs overweight when i started, so your mileage will definitely vary.

With regard to burning it off, the science is pretty clear. Cardio is a waste of your time for weight loss. It's probably great for your heart and lots of other things, but it doesn't help most people lose weight. One study I saw said that 60 minutes of intermittent sprinting in a week was as effective as 7 hours of cardio for fat loss.

Good luck! It's hard, but you can do it.

NoAdditives

I think all things are ok in moderation...I'm sure you'll see faster/better results if you eat totally clean, but I also think we are human, and life should be enjoyed...as long as it is in moderation and fits you calorie goals, don't feel bad.

I agree with this. I do my best to eat healthy foods at least 70-80% of the time. I never feel bad about indulging, I just make sure it doesn't happen every day.

Ardanassac

It does matter what you eat. What kind of pizza are you eating? Opt for something lean and healthy. A margarita pizza with wheat crust and soy cheese from the health food section of the grocery store is A LOT healthier and cheaper than let's say Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Dominos, or Donatos. A slice of cake made from a recipe from the diabetic cookbooks is a lot healthier than a slice of cake at your friend's birthday party. When you're trying to get fit and lead a healthier life, the first few months are the most difficult and it's so easy to get off track. "Just say no". If sweets are your poison, just say NO! It's a lot easier to say no to other people than to yourself. Practice makes perfect. Is it okay to have your favorite foods every once and a while? Yes, in moderation but NOT during those first few critical months. But ALWAYS opt for something HEALTHIER. You want that pizza? Work for it, make it yourself and make healthy choices as you make it. You want that cake? Make healthier choices! Find out how many calories it is, and work it off BEFORE you eat it. After your workout, ask yourself if all that hard work was really worth throwing away on junk food. It's a decision you HAVE TO MAKE YOURSELF!!! You can ask us... Some of us are going to say yes, so will say no... AND ME... I will challenge you! In anything and everything you do, you have to ask yourself... IS IT WORTH IT? Good luck! I hope that you will make the right decision.

kmm7309

No, it doesn't matter. Eat whatever you want.

But I will tell you what happened to me. When I ate like that (constantly), I was always hungry trying to stay under my calories. I was irritable. I did my exercises and I earned my food. But I binged a lot. I still lost weight. I craved food all the time, even if I wasn't hungry.

Then I cleaned up a bit (not totally). Tried eating less processed food, and better stuff for me. I don't crave chocolate or pizza or burgers or pies or anything that I used to "just barely fit" into my calories. I'm happier than ever because those foods don't define me.

Now I'm not saying I eat a huge salad every day. I just substitute good for bad when I can, and avoid the bad, greasy stuff. Not even because I'm dieting (anymore), but because I don't even have an appetite for it.

c_wall87

Im only going to say this once....SUGAR IS THE DEVIL!!!!!!!
Anytime a person eats over 30g of sugar in a meal (this applies to male and female) the body will begin to produce insulin which SLOWS DOWN the fat burning process you worked so hard for to a complete crawl. Ever eat ahigh sugar meal and get that 2:30 feeling and feel bloated??? Guess why!?! Your body is freaking out!! All that bloating is not water weight its caused by your body stopping the fat burn in its tracks!!!! What was fat about to be burned is now stored IMMEDIATELY due to high insulin levels!

blonde71

I just think you'll get out of something what you put into it.

^^^^^This.

Ardanassac

TRUTH

Of course it matters.
Optimal health is not earned by accident.
The cleaner you eat, the better your health.
And everybody knows this, but people like to justify their poor eating.
If all you want is mere weight loss, eat whatever. Start smoking as it's fabulous appetite suppression .
Again, great health is an achievement you earn through proper nutrition - not eating anything and everything so long as the calories are right.

jsidel126

- YOU CAN'T OUT EXERCISE A BAD DIET...
- 30 min of aerobics can burn 200 - 300 cal. A full sugar soda/energy drink can easily erase this in less than 5 min.
- Eat cleaner foods...You wont have to exercise as much (when you decide to take a break as we all do)...
- Lower calorie foods allow you to eat more to stay full and most do not have sugars/salts that encourage one to eat more than needed to satisfy hunger. Eat until you are full/satisfied as opposed to eat until the package is empty.