"It doesn't matter what you eat, IIFYM."

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Replies

  • m60kaf
    m60kaf Posts: 421 Member
    I think the bottom line here is if you keep to macros you can't eat what you want

    Its like saying x+y=z and if x=1 and y=2 then z can be anything...

    It doesn't work like that there are inter-dependencies

    "And there is soooo much on here that goes like... "HERE IS A BIG CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT" ... oh well actually IF you chose to read between the lines its not quite what I meant. Aint I clever and you stupid!!"... its boring

    Which is great for overweight people who want to read they can eat whatever they want - misinterpret the subtlety and fail because the OP doesnt say IIFYM they say ""It doesn't matter what you eat, IIFYM" not quite the same thing
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I think the bottom line here is if you keep to macros you can't eat what you want

    Its like saying x+y=z and if x=1 and y=2 then z can be anything...

    It doesn't work like that there are inter-dependencies

    That would mainly depend on caloric intake, eating 1,200 cals you have a lot less wiggle room than if you're eating 3,000 cals. It's really not that hard to get in adequate protein and fats with about 60-80ish% of your intake
  • MamaKay3
    MamaKay3 Posts: 35 Member
    I agree with this. My dr. always says moderation is key.
    Moderation and IIFYM worked very well for me.

    Cutting out entire food groups and meals you enjoy just isn't sustainable. It's not something you'll do forever. So you're just on another diet.
  • ebony__
    ebony__ Posts: 519 Member
    I haven't read the rest but I would think you can probably still loose weight eating whatever as long as you hit your targets but you probably won't be as healthy as of
    You were focusing more on healthy clean foods:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I haven't read the rest but I would think you can probably still loose weight eating whatever as long as you hit your targets but you probably won't be as healthy as of
    You were focusing more on healthy clean foods:

    Here's my issue/question/whatever with the concept of "healthy clean foods."

    Last night, I had Carribean Jerk chicken, green beans, a baked potato with a squirt of bacon ranch dressing, and baked beans mixed with mac & cheese.

    Now aside from the can of Bush's grillin' beans mixed with the mac & cheese (homemade, a cheese powder box mix), which taste incredible together, but is still admittedly pretty processed and not something I'm eating because it's nutritious...

    Why would adding about 30 calories of Carribean Jerk marinade to chicken breast and 70 calories of the bacon ranch dressing to my spud make me any less healthy?
  • ebony__
    ebony__ Posts: 519 Member
    I haven't read the rest but I would think you can probably still loose weight eating whatever as long as you hit your targets but you probably won't be as healthy as of
    You were focusing more on healthy clean foods:

    Here's my issue/question/whatever with the concept of "healthy clean foods."

    Last night, I had Carribean Jerk chicken, green beans, a baked potato with a squirt of bacon ranch dressing, and baked beans mixed with mac & cheese.

    Now aside from the can of Bush's grillin' beans mixed with the mac & cheese (homemade, a cheese powder box mix), which taste incredible together, but is still admittedly pretty processed and not something I'm eating because it's nutritious...

    Why would adding about 30 calories of Carribean Jerk marinade to chicken breast and 70 calories of the bacon ranch dressing to my spud make me any less healthy?

    I'd say this is pretty balanced. Not at all what I was referring to
  • MTBrob
    MTBrob Posts: 513 Member
    Ninerbuff ( niner bikes ? ) Acg67, and that dude that has the bicep arm avatar..

    You three have given me a lot to think about over the course of the last 24 hours.. I have done a lot of reading and even consulted a few trainers..

    I can definitely see how this can and is successful and going forward it has given me a another tool in my arsenal.

    Thanks for opening my eyes on this and I apologize for being a little close minded towards this..

    Have a great weekend !!!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I haven't read the rest but I would think you can probably still loose weight eating whatever as long as you hit your targets but you probably won't be as healthy as of
    You were focusing more on healthy clean foods:

    Here's my issue/question/whatever with the concept of "healthy clean foods."

    Last night, I had Carribean Jerk chicken, green beans, a baked potato with a squirt of bacon ranch dressing, and baked beans mixed with mac & cheese.

    Now aside from the can of Bush's grillin' beans mixed with the mac & cheese (homemade, a cheese powder box mix), which taste incredible together, but is still admittedly pretty processed and not something I'm eating because it's nutritious...

    Why would adding about 30 calories of Carribean Jerk marinade to chicken breast and 70 calories of the bacon ranch dressing to my spud make me any less healthy?

    I'd say this is pretty balanced. Not at all what I was referring to

    I think the problem is that people's definition of "clean" isn't the same. To me, "clean" food is when I've washed it and/or made sure it didn't fall on the floor. Some people would say that my diet is full of junk food, but to me, I feel it's quite healthy because I am getting lots of nutrients in my body.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    Ninerbuff ( niner bikes ? ) Acg67, and that dude that has the bicep arm avatar..

    You three have given me a lot to think about over the course of the last 24 hours.. I have done a lot of reading and even consulted a few trainers..

    I can definitely see how this can and is successful and going forward it has given me a another tool in my arsenal.

    Thanks for opening my eyes on this and I apologize for being a little close minded towards this..

    Have a great weekend !!!
    Trust me when I say when I started in fitness, I only adhered to a lot of bro science from back in the day. I didn't want to believe that taking a ton of supplements (at one point I was taking 30 pills a day) wasn't really helping me to put on the weight and muscle I wanted. Then I actually learned about it from scientific research and arrived at the conclusion that if your macro/micro nutrients were met daily, supplementation (with the exception of whey protein shakes) weren't really needed. Saved me $200 a month.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    Ninerbuff ( niner bikes ? ) Acg67, and that dude that has the bicep arm avatar..

    You three have given me a lot to think about over the course of the last 24 hours.. I have done a lot of reading and even consulted a few trainers..

    I can definitely see how this can and is successful and going forward it has given me a another tool in my arsenal.

    Thanks for opening my eyes on this and I apologize for being a little close minded towards this..

    Have a great weekend !!!

    Everyone mark your calendars. I don't think this has ever happened on MFP.

    ;)
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    "If doesn't matter what you eat, as long as it fits your macros, is in your calorie limit, etc". (and assuming you are getting your nutrients somehow) -- You will still lose weight.

    Do you think this is true?

    Although I was within my caloric range and preset macros, I feel disgusting after three waffles last night. Is this a product of the syrup not digesting well, a lack of nutrients, or the subconscious notion that bad food makes you fat, no matter how little of it you eat?

    Just wanted to know your opinions on this idea as I hear it a lot around the boards.

    From a purely weight loss perspective it's absolutely true. This has nothing to do with health or how "you feel". That's a different story all together.
  • phdcharlie
    phdcharlie Posts: 23
    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.

    This is the answer.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    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.

    This is the answer.
    Not if you read the entire thread and understand what "IIFYM" really means.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    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.

    This is the answer.
    Not if you read the entire thread and understand what "IIFYM" really means.

    Bingo!
  • Avistew
    Avistew Posts: 32 Member
    What you eat does matter a lot. It matters because some things make you feel full and some make you hungrier, it matters because some things give you the vitamins you need to be healthy, and some don't, it matters because junk food addiction is a real problem, but it also matters because you don't digest everything in the same way. As a result, the calories you eat and the calories you actually consume aren't the same thing.

    I suggest you read this article for a more detailed explanation: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/08/27/the-hidden-truths-about-calories/
  • Josie_lifting_cats
    Josie_lifting_cats Posts: 949 Member
    I follow IIFYM.

    I'm sensible in my choices, but I allow room for the things I enjoy like wine, cookies, etc. And I hit my macros quite nicely

    IIFYM FTW!

    OP, we are friends, so I think you probably already know that I will happily have a day with Taco Bell, Wine and Fun Dip and be okay with it. I aim for calorie count first, although on like bike ride days I aim to hit my protein goals for sure as well.

    So yes, I'm sensible in my choices, a lot better than I used to be, but I fail if I cut out everything I love. And I love wine, dammit.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I wonder how many people have read this thread title as, "It doesn't matter what you eat, IYKWIM" instead of "It doesn't matter what you eat, IIFYM."

    That could explain some of the confusion.
  • raystark
    raystark Posts: 403 Member
    Yes, it is a sensible way to structure your eating and keep you in deficit. It allows you a bit of flexibility to have some "non diet" food in your intake.

    However, it is a bit misunderstood. If you are balancing your macros you can't simply have a diet full of junk food and think you are doing IIFYM. The idea is to hit all or near to your macro goals and your calorie goals. If you have a goal of say 2000 calories and 180g of protein and you eat donuts all day you will end up going over your carb and fat goals but leaving only say 300 calories to get say 160g of protein.

    Not going to happen is it...


    300 calories is more like 75grams of protein. Even worse.
  • Barbellerella
    Barbellerella Posts: 1,838 Member
    Ninerbuff ( niner bikes ? ) Acg67, and that dude that has the bicep arm avatar..

    You three have given me a lot to think about over the course of the last 24 hours.. I have done a lot of reading and even consulted a few trainers..

    I can definitely see how this can and is successful and going forward it has given me a another tool in my arsenal.

    Thanks for opening my eyes on this and I apologize for being a little close minded towards this..

    Have a great weekend !!!
    Wow.. props to this guy! :drinker:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    What you eat does matter a lot. It matters because some things make you feel full and some make you hungrier, it matters because some things give you the vitamins you need to be healthy, and some don't, it matters because junk food addiction is a real problem, but it also matters because you don't digest everything in the same way. As a result, the calories you eat and the calories you actually consume aren't the same thing.

    I suggest you read this article for a more detailed explanation: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/08/27/the-hidden-truths-about-calories/
    But this doesn't discuss IIFYM which is what the OP has questioned.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • andyxbear
    andyxbear Posts: 269 Member
    I follow IIFYM.

    I'm sensible in my choices, but I allow room for the things I enjoy like wine, cookies, etc. And I hit my macros quite nicely

    IIFYM FTW!

    I agree with the above. It's def better if you're getting proper nutrients, but you can still lose weight by eating junk food and staying within or under your calorie goal. I know many people who have proven that. Many don't like veggies or healthy food and only eat fast food and other junk. They've lost a lot of weight.
  • LetsgetfitJC
    LetsgetfitJC Posts: 2
    Eating foods in natural form, would be best all the time, but sometimes fruits aren't as rewarding as a fat free ice cream bar from walmart.. IIFYM is great to a certain extent and I don't see the harm in getting 1 item a day such as a light ice cream bar that is fat free in your daily intake or even a couple for that matter.. Keep things in balance
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    I follow IIFYM.

    I'm sensible in my choices, but I allow room for the things I enjoy like wine, cookies, etc. And I hit my macros quite nicely

    IIFYM FTW!

    I agree with the above. It's def better if you're getting proper nutrients, but you can still lose weight by eating junk food and staying within or under your calorie goal. I know many people who have proven that. Many don't like veggies or healthy food and only eat fast food and other junk. They've lost a lot of weight.

    Just to clarify though - IIFYM isn't just about hitting calorie targets - you have to hit your macro targets as well - IIFYMacros
  • fieldsy4life
    fieldsy4life Posts: 155
    My only problem with IIFYM (mainly due to what I see on this site) is it gives people who are morbidly obese an excuse to crush pints of Ben and Jerry's because they saw a thin person post it in their diary. Many of the proponents of IIFYM on this site were never fat. Nothing against them - they were blessed with a healthy metabolism and they do hit the gym every day (and by gym, I mean a gym with weights, not a DVD). However, they could always eat 4000 cals a day and not gain a pound for whatever reason.

    I've seen some people make great progress following IIFYM, but I can tell from their transformation that they probably are killing it in the gym every day as well.

    When I crush pints of B&J, I don't try to fit it in my macros or calories or anything - it's just for fun. Yes, I feel like crap a few hours later and no I don't get on the scale haha.

    Just like when I go to the Cheesecake Factory - I go to enjoy myself. I don't ask the server how many calories are in each piece of brown bread.

    But the rest of the time, I make a conscious decision to eat cleaner. I was Paleo for almost a whole year - not saying it's the best but it taught me to appreciate foods in their plain form. I also tried many new food items that are not offered at Papa Johns.

    I do have macros I try to hit but they are a moving target. Today I brought leftover spaghetti (whole grain), that effs up my macros for the day. As long as my protein is in the two-hundreds and my fat is in the one-hundreds, I'm happy.

    I'm rambling at this point...

    The missing link for me wasn't a Paleo diet, Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, IIFYM, etc. It was going to the gym and finding exercises that I enjoyed, what weight ranges to work with, and what rep schemes made sense for what I was trying to accomplish. Right now my weight is staying constant and I'm eating about 2700-2800 calories a day on average. If I want to lose weight, maybe I'll drop a snack and start doing more cardio after lifting. But honestly, I want to get my 1RM squat into the 400s and my bench over 300 (I'm super close). I don't care what I weigh - this is more for personal accomplishment.

    The answer is hard work, discipline, and patience. If you feel like **** after eating waffles and syrup, you might be more sensitive to carbs than somebody else. If you feel lethargic low carbing, then don't do it! We are all different. So instead of combing the forums looking for a magical answer (this is not directed to anyone in particular), hit the web and start seeing how you can revamp your training. Are you afraid of weights? Observe the "bros" at the gym and see what they are doing or ask them.

    I know this topic comes up everyday, and I know I'm a one-man-army in my attempt to stop it, but whatevs - it's slow at work today.

    Good luck all.
  • dangelah
    dangelah Posts: 1 Member
    Can't say that i am 100% on this but I am going with the idea of calories = calories. I once had a Dr. tell me weight loss is simply burning more calories than you take in. That being said....Do I think it is ok to use all my allotted calories on pizza, ice cream & candy? No! But looking at things realistically I know that I will always want a treat now and then and that is ok. Now and then being once a day! (as long as it falls into my allotted calories)
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Yes, it is a sensible way to structure your eating and keep you in deficit. It allows you a bit of flexibility to have some "non diet" food in your intake.

    However, it is a bit misunderstood. If you are balancing your macros you can't simply have a diet full of junk food and think you are doing IIFYM. The idea is to hit all or near to your macro goals and your calorie goals. If you have a goal of say 2000 calories and 180g of protein and you eat donuts all day you will end up going over your carb and fat goals but leaving only say 300 calories to get say 160g of protein.

    Not going to happen is it...


    300 calories is more like 75grams of protein. Even worse.

    What food contains 75 grams of protein and only has 300 calories?
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    My only problem with IIFYM (mainly due to what I see on this site) is it gives people who are morbidly obese an excuse to crush pints of Ben and Jerry's because they saw a thin person post it in their diary. Many of the proponents of IIFYM on this site were never fat. Nothing against them - they were blessed with a healthy metabolism and they do hit the gym every day (and by gym, I mean a gym with weights, not a DVD). However, they could always eat 4000 cals a day and not gain a pound for whatever reason.

    I've seen some people make great progress following IIFYM, but I can tell from their transformation that they probably are killing it in the gym every day as well.

    When I crush pints of B&J, I don't try to fit it in my macros or calories or anything - it's just for fun. Yes, I feel like crap a few hours later and no I don't get on the scale haha.

    Just like when I go to the Cheesecake Factory - I go to enjoy myself. I don't ask the server how many calories are in each piece of brown bread.

    But the rest of the time, I make a conscious decision to eat cleaner. I was Paleo for almost a whole year - not saying it's the best but it taught me to appreciate foods in their plain form. I also tried many new food items that are not offered at Papa Johns.

    I do have macros I try to hit but they are a moving target. Today I brought leftover spaghetti (whole grain), that effs up my macros for the day. As long as my protein is in the two-hundreds and my fat is in the one-hundreds, I'm happy.

    I'm rambling at this point...

    The missing link for me wasn't a Paleo diet, Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, IIFYM, etc. It was going to the gym and finding exercises that I enjoyed, what weight ranges to work with, and what rep schemes made sense for what I was trying to accomplish. Right now my weight is staying constant and I'm eating about 2700-2800 calories a day on average. If I want to lose weight, maybe I'll drop a snack and start doing more cardio after lifting. But honestly, I want to get my 1RM squat into the 400s and my bench over 300 (I'm super close). I don't care what I weigh - this is more for personal accomplishment.

    The answer is hard work, discipline, and patience. If you feel like **** after eating waffles and syrup, you might be more sensitive to carbs than somebody else. If you feel lethargic low carbing, then don't do it! We are all different. So instead of combing the forums looking for a magical answer (this is not directed to anyone in particular), hit the web and start seeing how you can revamp your training. Are you afraid of weights? Observe the "bros" at the gym and see what they are doing or ask them.

    I know this topic comes up everyday, and I know I'm a one-man-army in my attempt to stop it, but whatevs - it's slow at work today.

    Good luck all.

    How can you "crush pints of Ben and Jerry's" and still meet your macro-nutrient goals?
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Can't say that i am 100% on this but I am going with the idea of calories = calories. I once had a Dr. tell me weight loss is simply burning more calories than you take in. That being said....Do I think it is ok to use all my allotted calories on pizza, ice cream & candy? No!...
    Of course not. But once again....this does not fit the concept of IIFYM. IIFYM means "If it fits your MACROS". Macros (macronutrients) are carbohydrates, proteins and fats. "Fitting" them means hitting the targets you have set on MFP for each of them. Unless somebody has some really screwed up macro settings, nobody is going to hit their macro targets eating all their allotted calories in pizza, ice cream and candy.

    "IIFYM" is not synonymous with "gorge your guts on whatever crap you feel like eating all day".
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    Can't say that i am 100% on this but I am going with the idea of calories = calories. I once had a Dr. tell me weight loss is simply burning more calories than you take in. That being said....Do I think it is ok to use all my allotted calories on pizza, ice cream & candy? No! But looking at things realistically I know that I will always want a treat now and then and that is ok. Now and then being once a day! (as long as it falls into my allotted calories)

    Unless your macro goals are 70% carbs, 25% fats, and 5% protein, chances are you aren't fitting pizza, ice cream, and candy into your macro goals.

    When you have a macro goal like 30% protein (or 200g protein, the way I do it, by weight not %), practically everything you ingest has to be to the end of meeting that goal. Candy becomes cottage cheese, greek yogurt, and beef jerky. Ice cream becomes sugar free frozen yogurt. Pizza....heavy on the meat, but it is fairly high in protein (pizza is much easier to deal with than pasta).
  • missmayeb
    missmayeb Posts: 182 Member
    The missing link for me wasn't a Paleo diet, Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, IIFYM, etc. It was going to the gym and finding exercises that I enjoyed, what weight ranges to work with, and what rep schemes made sense for what I was trying to accomplish. Right now my weight is staying constant and I'm eating about 2700-2800 calories a day on average. If I want to lose weight, maybe I'll drop a snack and start doing more cardio after lifting. But honestly, I want to get my 1RM squat into the 400s and my bench over 300 (I'm super close). I don't care what I weigh - this is more for personal accomplishment.

    The answer is hard work, discipline, and patience. If you feel like **** after eating waffles and syrup, you might be more sensitive to carbs than somebody else. If you feel lethargic low carbing, then don't do it! We are all different. So instead of combing the forums looking for a magical answer (this is not directed to anyone in particular), hit the web and start seeing how you can revamp your training. Are you afraid of weights? Observe the "bros" at the gym and see what they are doing or ask them.

    I know this topic comes up everyday, and I know I'm a one-man-army in my attempt to stop it, but whatevs - it's slow at work today.

    Good luck all.

    Thanks for this. I tried the South Beach and even after 2 weeks of "being good" I felt like crap. I found out my weight loss struggle was more hormonal then just food and exercise, so South Beach/diet was not the real problem. I think everyone needs to find a niche that works for them and keep tweaking as they progress. I don't follow a diet or macros. I just eat what I know will do well for my body and I do slip up and have a fun meal here and there. I also try to constantly stay active through the day.

    I tend to look to those on here, like yourself, that understand this type of lifestyle for inspiration. So thank you for your one-man-army stance.

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