"It doesn't matter what you eat, IIFYM."
Replies
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I think it depends on where you are on your journey. When I had a lot to lose it just mattered calories....not macros....but when I got down to "vanity" pounds I had to really clean up my eating or I saw no progress.0
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When I eat too many carbs, I feel gross and headachey and chest-painy and sick and tired.
Sure, I'll probably still lose weight, but I don't feel good doing it, and feeling good is my ultimate goal.
I'll have a cookie or a small serving of ice cream every day and hit my numbers, but I feel like living 100% off of 'iifym' is gonna make you feel like crap. Someone around the forums recommends an 80/20 ratio of good food to bad food (good food being food that nourishes your body and bad food being food that you just want cause it tastes good), and I think that's a reasonable thing to go by.
I love this! I ate pancakes with syrup for lunch yesterday and felt like crap! I'm glad its not just me.0 -
But what if my macros are set to 50% carbs, 50% fat?
Om nom nom!0 -
Yeah, you'll probably loose weight but what about your health? Internal organs? Hair? Skin? Nails? Teeth? It's not just about losing weight it's about being healthy.
^^^PERFECT^^^
I think everyone should indulge from time to time and as a matter of fact I have chocolate on a regular basis. I've also gone out to dinner with friends, had pizza, bbqed, done the holiday cheats..... I get wanting to lose weight and for a long time that was all I cared about but now it's about health for me. YES I want to lose weight but I want my body to feel great while doing so. I could fit McDs in my calorie budget daily but even a plain cheeseburger there sends my body into super sick mode. Quality is amazingly important! To each his own but I do think you should feed your body for health and not just weight loss! :happy: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:0 -
I think it's true.
I lost 30lbs eating pizza, chips, pop, candy, etc. But I made sure my calories were always spot on.
But after I lost the first 30lbs I decided I wanted to try to do this the healthy way and now my weight loss has stalled. ): BOOOO0 -
I think it's true.
I lost 30lbs eating pizza, chips, pop, candy, etc. But I made sure my calories were always spot on.
But after I lost the first 30lbs I decided I wanted to try to do this the healthy way and now my weight loss has stalled. ): BOOOO
That's not what "If It Fits In Your Macros" means. IIFIYM means that you hit your nutrient goals (% carbs, fat, protein, etc.) and stay within your calorie goal. This pretty much guarantees that you're eating a balanced diet.0 -
Maybe because things like waffles have so few nutrients in them, if someone eats them consistently, their body would still be craving nutrients and so they would be driven to eat more. So if a person don't eat nutritiously, it will be harder for them to follow their macros i.e. they will likely try to eat more cos they're still looking for nutrients. It's just making self-control a harder job.
I find when I eat nutritiously (and especially if I eat 30-50g of fibre a day- you have to have whole grains, legumes and lot of fruit and veggies in the to hit that) I struggle to eat my calories in a day and I never feel hungry. I am aware that there are times I am running off fat calories rather than food, but it's not unpleasant because my body has plenty of nutrients kicking around inside it to keep it going in other ways.
I think hunger/food cravings aren't just about calories, it's about nutrients- so if you need more vitamins or minerals, your body drives you to look for them- so in a horrible vicious circle, the less nutritious your food is, the more food you want to eat. In the context of a healthy, nutrient rich diet, the odd thing won't kill you- but your body will notice the difference. It'll be like "hey, I just got ripped off there, there wasn't anything good I can use to sustain myself in that ". So someone can be left with a nutrition deficit they have to make up. Maybe if having the waffles with berries and greek yogurt wouldn't feel so gross. I know try to avoid foods that are "moreish"- it's a sure sign they didn't give me enough nutrients. So I will go and eat an apple or something else nutritious instead to break the nutrient deficit cycle.
And that's before you even get into blood sugar spikes and hormonal effects of certain foods...0 -
For me, there is a difference. I am hypothyroid, and treated, but it is still a struggle to lose weight. Certain foods make me retain water, while others don't. As much as it pains me to say, refined carbs can be a big enemy for me. I'm still trying to figure out my body. I also think I have food sensitivities. I avoid peanuts and I think I should start avoiding oats again. I feel that they also make me retain water and affect other autoimmune conditions that I have.
I think what I eat also affects how I feel and that is very important to me. This journey isn't just about losing weight to me, but figuring out what makes me feel the best and what makes me healthier. I don't like feeling tired, sluggish, sick to my stomach, headachey, bloated, etc. So, while some people can eat taco bell and lose weight (and go them!), I can't (because I won't lose) and I won't (because it makes me feel gross). In the end, I want to be healthy and happy, regardless of weight lost. I want to learn to eat to fuel my workouts, build muscle, and lower my triglycerides (which is going against genetics and a thyroid condition for me!).
McDonalds is one of those places that I cannot go. Just thinking about getting something there (besides an egg mcmuffin...childhood favorite!), makes my stomach turn because I've literally felt so sick after eating it too many times. Last time I ate the popcorn chicken there, I got one of the worst migraines of my life. I'd rather make myself a burger at home, where I know what went into it, and I can really have it "my way."0 -
It works really well for me, mostly because it's hard to hit my macro and calorie numbers and still eat like ****. If I want to get my protein in and stay under my calorie goal, then I pretty much HAVE to eat healthy.0
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It DOES matter what you eat, having a day full of nutrient dense foods like veggies, fruits, meats, dairy and grains is no where near the same as having a day full of processed convenient foods.
Yes you will lose weight either way, but will you be Healthy? not so much. Alot of processed foods have no nutrients in them, they have a bunch of fillers and additives to preserve things to sit on a shelf.
Feed your body the nutrition it needs so it can heal itself. Help you be able to fight off colds, build your immune system, all these things need good solid nutrients from the food we consume
Processed foods have "no nutrients in them"? Got anything to back that up or are you done making things up?
Ok this is one of the first posts I ever posted at the time, so maybe I didn't word things exactly right. They don't have near the same amount of nutrients as fresh whole food. If you look at more then half the things on the shelf, alot have one or two normal ingredients and not much else but things you can't pronounce, fillers, additives, and preservatives. For me, I would rather eat things that have more nutrition in them and if I do eat that stuff it is something in small amounts and on occasion, I don't eat it all the time because I would rather eat something that has more nutrients in it. It is common sense that vegetables do not have the same nutrients as a boxed process item. I agree with this way of eating even if it isn't something I follow, I apologize I didn't word things the correct way, believe me I have learned since being on here you have to completely specific.
And if you don't agree with me then you don't, but I do not believe they are nutritionally the same, I don't need scientific proof of it, that is what I choose to believe. I live pretty holistically and have benefited greatly from cutting these things out for the most part and I truly believe when eaten all the time in excess, I don't think they are good for you. We already have enough pollutants and crap toxins going in us, if I can minimize it the best I can with the food I put in my body I would rather do that. If you choose not to, Im not knocking you, that is your choice. I am giving my opinion of my own experiences and like I said, I have learned now that I need to point that out, which is why I am replying to this.
And I was more talking about the people that say they eat this way but then eat fast food, processed stuff ALL DAY EVERY DAY (which I have seen a lot do, this isn't abnormal), and from the ones I have seen are not hitting their macros, they go over in certain ones and under in others. I do not believe they are following this approach if that is what they are doing, that is pretty much cals in/cals out only and I think people like this do sometimes give this approach a bad name to some people. I have seen a lot of people that do the IIFYM DO eat healthy, having a small treat and staying in your macros, that doesn't make them a bad eater. I think sometimes people that see this without understanding what it is just take it as they can eat whatever they want. If you are hitting your macros then most likely you are getting in healthy foods with fiber, proteins and such.
Again sorry if my intent of my first message wasn't clear, I wasn't knocking IIFYM, I was stating more to people that think it means "I can eat whatever I want".0 -
I think it's true.
I lost 30lbs eating pizza, chips, pop, candy, etc. But I made sure my calories were always spot on.
But after I lost the first 30lbs I decided I wanted to try to do this the healthy way and now my weight loss has stalled. ): BOOOO
That's not what "If It Fits In Your Macros" means. IIFIYM means that you hit your nutrient goals (% carbs, fat, protein, etc.) and stay within your calorie goal. This pretty much guarantees that you're eating a balanced diet.
I'm reading with one eye closed. Thanks for the clarification. 0 -
As for If It Fits Your Macros - in what way does THREE Waffles plus syrup (?maple, golden, corn - whatever) fit within a daily carbohydrate control regime?
Three waffles and 1/4 cup of syrup is only half of my daily carbs. How low are your carbs that you can't fit in a waffle breakfast from time to time?
And also close to half of your daily intake of sodium. Why would you want to cram all that into ONE meal?0 -
As for If It Fits Your Macros - in what way does THREE Waffles plus syrup (?maple, golden, corn - whatever) fit within a daily carbohydrate control regime?
Three waffles and 1/4 cup of syrup is only half of my daily carbs. How low are your carbs that you can't fit in a waffle breakfast from time to time?
And also close to half of your daily intake of sodium. Why would you want to cram all that into ONE meal?
Oh noes sodium!0 -
It works really well for me, mostly because it's hard to hit my macro and calorie numbers and still eat like ****. If I want to get my protein in and stay under my calorie goal, then I pretty much HAVE to eat healthy.
Correct! At least to a large degree or your won't hit your targets. But if you've eaten well and hit targets all day long and you got room for some Ice Cream and still hit tital calories and your carb goal, why not?? Even Mark Sisson the Primal guy who is all about eating cleand lower carb an uses the "80% healthy/ 20% whatever makes you feel good" rule!0 -
Again....the acronym "IIFYM" stands for "If it fits your MACROS" - not "If it fits your calorie goals". "Fitting your macros" means targeting your intake to meet your protein, fat and carbohydrate goals.I think it depends on where you are on your journey. When I had a lot to lose it just mattered calories....not macros....but when I got down to "vanity" pounds I had to really clean up my eating or I saw no progress.
There are still many, many people in this thread who don't get the point and/or exhibit "all or nothing" thinking. IIFYM doesn't mean you gorge your guts on cheeseburgers, fried chicken, waffles, candy and ice cream every day. It means you allow yourself moderate quantities of things you want (which don't necessarily meet an orthorexic's standard of "clean eating") while still making sure that you hit your macronutrient goals.
IIFYM is a far healthier concept than many of the extreme/hypocaloric diets people adhere to and advocate around here. If you want to talk about unhealthy habits and poor nutrition, let's talk about starving yourself on 800 calories while working out 3 hours a day. There's no way those people are getting adequate nutrition or hitting any sane macro goals.0 -
As for If It Fits Your Macros - in what way does THREE Waffles plus syrup (?maple, golden, corn - whatever) fit within a daily carbohydrate control regime?
Three waffles and 1/4 cup of syrup is only half of my daily carbs. How low are your carbs that you can't fit in a waffle breakfast from time to time?
And also close to half of your daily intake of sodium. Why would you want to cram all that into ONE meal?
Oh noes sodium!
Uh oh... here we go...0 -
Again....the acronym "IIFYM" stands for "If it fits your MACROS" - not "If it fits your calorie goals". "Fitting your macros" means targeting your intake to meet your protein, fat and carbohydrate goals.I think it depends on where you are on your journey. When I had a lot to lose it just mattered calories....not macros....but when I got down to "vanity" pounds I had to really clean up my eating or I saw no progress.
There are still many, many people in this thread who don't get the point and/or exhibit "all or nothing" thinking. IIFYM doesn't mean you gorge your guts on cheeseburgers, fried chicken, waffles, candy and ice cream every day. It means you allow yourself moderate quantities of things you want (which don't necessarily meet an orthorexic's standard of "clean eating") while still making sure that you hit your macronutrient goals.
IIFYM is a far healthier concept than many of the extreme/hypocaloric diets people adhere to and advocate around here. If you want to talk about unhealthy habits and poor nutrition, let's talk about starving yourself on 800 calories while working out 3 hours a day. There's no way those people are getting adequate nutrition or hitting any sane macro goals.
THANK YOU!!!!!
And I also want to add that *one* bad day - where you do eat nothing but junk and hit none of your macros - every once in awhile won't hurt either. *One* bad day did not make you fat.0 -
Obviously at least some of us "get it". :flowerforyou:THANK YOU!!!!!
And I also want to add that *one* bad day - where you do eat nothing but junk and hit none of your macros - every once in awhile won't hurt either. *One* bad day did not make you fat.0 -
As for If It Fits Your Macros - in what way does THREE Waffles plus syrup (?maple, golden, corn - whatever) fit within a daily carbohydrate control regime?
Three waffles and 1/4 cup of syrup is only half of my daily carbs. How low are your carbs that you can't fit in a waffle breakfast from time to time?
And also close to half of your daily intake of sodium. Why would you want to cram all that into ONE meal?
Because it's delicious...0 -
Again....the acronym "IIFYM" stands for "If it fits your MACROS" - not "If it fits your calorie goals". "Fitting your macros" means targeting your intake to meet your protein, fat and carbohydrate goals.I think it depends on where you are on your journey. When I had a lot to lose it just mattered calories....not macros....but when I got down to "vanity" pounds I had to really clean up my eating or I saw no progress.
There are still many, many people in this thread who don't get the point and/or exhibit "all or nothing" thinking. IIFYM doesn't mean you gorge your guts on cheeseburgers, fried chicken, waffles, candy and ice cream every day. It means you allow yourself moderate quantities of things you want (which don't necessarily meet an orthorexic's standard of "clean eating") while still making sure that you hit your macronutrient goals.
IIFYM is a far healthier concept than many of the extreme/hypocaloric diets people adhere to and advocate around here. If you want to talk about unhealthy habits and poor nutrition, let's talk about starving yourself on 800 calories while working out 3 hours a day. There's no way those people are getting adequate nutrition or hitting any sane macro goals.
Can I get an AMEN!!
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Somewhat fitting in the context of this thread as it defintiely applies to the IIFYM school of thought....
Does anyone know if any company makes a protein enriched ice cream? I can never find one at the grocer, the best bet is usually the low cal stuff which tends to have a better protein:calorie ratio than normal ice cream.
If not there is seriously a market niche there waiting to be exploited. High protein "treats" are slowly but surely picking up steam, expecially what amount to high protein candy bars. Ice cream would seem to lend itself quite well to protein enrichement, being a dairy product.
^ Arctic Zero is a whey based ice cream I believe. However, it's quite expensive and I've found that with a high speed mixer, you can make your own whey ice cream (no ice cream maker needed, just a freezer) and you can then control the ingredients. I've made a few very delicious batches of apple pie flavored and pumpkin flavored, and they taste great and have incredible macros.0 -
Again....the acronym "IIFYM" stands for "If it fits your MACROS" - not "If it fits your calorie goals". "Fitting your macros" means targeting your intake to meet your protein, fat and carbohydrate goals.I think it depends on where you are on your journey. When I had a lot to lose it just mattered calories....not macros....but when I got down to "vanity" pounds I had to really clean up my eating or I saw no progress.
There are still many, many people in this thread who don't get the point and/or exhibit "all or nothing" thinking. IIFYM doesn't mean you gorge your guts on cheeseburgers, fried chicken, waffles, candy and ice cream every day. It means you allow yourself moderate quantities of things you want (which don't necessarily meet an orthorexic's standard of "clean eating") while still making sure that you hit your macronutrient goals.
IIFYM is a far healthier concept than many of the extreme/hypocaloric diets people adhere to and advocate around here. If you want to talk about unhealthy habits and poor nutrition, let's talk about starving yourself on 800 calories while working out 3 hours a day. There's no way those people are getting adequate nutrition or hitting any sane macro goals.
Can I get an AMEN!!
AMEN!0 -
I think it varies slightly from person to person. I know I lose weight more quickly and easily if my calorie deficit is also from exercise not just from consuming less/meeting macros
Certain foods make me tired and blah, so I am more prone to be lazy. That's doesn't help my body composition, either.
But meeting my macros is much better than just a caloric deficit of any foods.0 -
And I agree with the title/thread being a bit "confusing " it does matter what you if you want food to fit your macros. Just eating at or under your calorie goal doesn't mean you got your macros in balance.0
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but if the default MFP macros tell you you are eating too much protein, are you really going to take any notice?0
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Anyway, if someone wants to eat waffles and some undisclosed variety of syrup and it doesn't make them ill then why not let them get on with it - we could publish it, let's call it "The Marie Antoinette Diet".
If, on the other hand, it makes you feel wretched then it probably is because it screwed up your endocrine system and, on the whole, it might be just as well to give it a miss in future.
Next please... !0 -
Somewhat fitting in the context of this thread as it defintiely applies to the IIFYM school of thought....
Does anyone know if any company makes a protein enriched ice cream? I can never find one at the grocer, the best bet is usually the low cal stuff which tends to have a better protein:calorie ratio than normal ice cream.
If not there is seriously a market niche there waiting to be exploited. High protein "treats" are slowly but surely picking up steam, expecially what amount to high protein candy bars. Ice cream would seem to lend itself quite well to protein enrichement, being a dairy product.
^ Arctic Zero is a whey based ice cream I believe. However, it's quite expensive and I've found that with a high speed mixer, you can make your own whey ice cream (no ice cream maker needed, just a freezer) and you can then control the ingredients. I've made a few very delicious batches of apple pie flavored and pumpkin flavored, and they taste great and have incredible macros.
Thanks.
This is defintiely something worth experimenting with.
High protein ice cream = winning.
It is to IIFYM as bacon is to Paleo.0 -
Somewhat fitting in the context of this thread as it defintiely applies to the IIFYM school of thought....
Does anyone know if any company makes a protein enriched ice cream? I can never find one at the grocer, the best bet is usually the low cal stuff which tends to have a better protein:calorie ratio than normal ice cream.
If not there is seriously a market niche there waiting to be exploited. High protein "treats" are slowly but surely picking up steam, expecially what amount to high protein candy bars. Ice cream would seem to lend itself quite well to protein enrichement, being a dairy product.
^ Arctic Zero is a whey based ice cream I believe. However, it's quite expensive and I've found that with a high speed mixer, you can make your own whey ice cream (no ice cream maker needed, just a freezer) and you can then control the ingredients. I've made a few very delicious batches of apple pie flavored and pumpkin flavored, and they taste great and have incredible macros.
Thanks.
This is defintiely something worth experimenting with.
High protein ice cream = winning.
I would recommend making your own for both taste/macro control AND price.
Example -- use a kitchen aid mixer/high speed mixer with a big-*kitten* bowl.
200-300g frozen mixed berries
1 to 1.5c whole milk
5-6 tbsp splenda
5-6 scoops whey protein (vanilla)
1tsp Guar gum (optional but this really helps)
Start it on low until the berries smooth out then turn it full tilt and let it go for a good 6-8 minutes. It will get very big, just like protein fluff would, only the texture will be a bit thicker. The above should make 3 to 6 servings. Freeze in ~3 containers.
Important:
When you go to eat it, microwave it for about 15 to 25 seconds first. This will get the texture close to ice cream. IF you don't do this it will be like eating a big frozen nerf football.
Above recipe is an estimate but it should be very close and you can fine tune it.
EDIT: The above is also a very good template for making your own. You need whey and a frozen component. I've tried various fruits, berries, applesauce (awesome) and pumpkin (awesome). Add milk to get the texture correct, add Guar to thicken it, splenda or sugar, and then spices if you prefer (I spice the crap out of the apple/pumpkin ones to make them like pie).0 -
Somewhat fitting in the context of this thread as it defintiely applies to the IIFYM school of thought....
Does anyone know if any company makes a protein enriched ice cream? I can never find one at the grocer, the best bet is usually the low cal stuff which tends to have a better protein:calorie ratio than normal ice cream.
If not there is seriously a market niche there waiting to be exploited. High protein "treats" are slowly but surely picking up steam, expecially what amount to high protein candy bars. Ice cream would seem to lend itself quite well to protein enrichement, being a dairy product.
^ Arctic Zero is a whey based ice cream I believe. However, it's quite expensive and I've found that with a high speed mixer, you can make your own whey ice cream (no ice cream maker needed, just a freezer) and you can then control the ingredients. I've made a few very delicious batches of apple pie flavored and pumpkin flavored, and they taste great and have incredible macros.
Thanks.
This is defintiely something worth experimenting with.
High protein ice cream = winning.
I would recommend making your own for both taste/macro control AND price.
Example -- use a kitchen aid mixer/high speed mixer with a big-*kitten* bowl.
200-300g frozen mixed berries
1 to 1.5c whole milk
5-6 tbsp splenda
5-6 scoops whey protein (vanilla)
1tsp Guar gum (optional but this really helps)
Start it on low until the berries smooth out then turn it full tilt and let it go for a good 6-8 minutes. It will get very big, just like protein fluff would, only the texture will be a bit thicker. The above should make 3 to 6 servings. Freeze in ~3 containers.
Important:
When you go to eat it, microwave it for about 15 to 25 seconds first. This will get the texture close to ice cream. IF you don't do this it will be like eating a big frozen nerf football.
Above recipe is an estimate but it should be very close and you can fine tune it.
EDIT: The above is also a very good template for making your own. You need whey and a frozen component. I've tried various fruits, berries, applesauce (awesome) and pumpkin (awesome). Add milk to get the texture correct, add Guar to thicken it, splenda or sugar, and then spices if you prefer (I spice the crap out of the apple/pumpkin ones to make them like pie).
2 Q's:
Would a blender work? Perhaps with a halved recipe?
Would an ice cream maker help the frozen texture, or is that a byproduct of the whey?0 -
I changed my macros. If someone is concerned about macros, they should research and find what goos percentages are for their macros to be set.but if the default MFP macros tell you you are eating too much protein, are you really going to take any notice?0
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