eating in moderation

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  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I have. I haven't given up anything, and regularly eat things like chocolate, bread, bacon, wine. I haven't had any problem losing, and I'm not maintaining. That's not to say that I haven't changed my diet since starting MFP, because I have. It's a lot more balanced now, I try hard to hit my protein goal, and eat a lot more veggies than I used to. I guess for me, moderation is about finding the right balance (for me) between nutrition and enjoyment. It's having a little bit of chocolate and a glass of wine, not several packets of biscuits and a bottle of wine. It's about enjoying pizza from time to time. It's even about occasionally completely exceeding/disregarding calorie/nutrient goals and just having a good time - maybe feeling a bit bloated the next day and getting right back on track. Not binging, or eating mindlessly, but just letting loose sometimes.

    It's also about maintaining this lifestyle long-term. I would find it extremely difficult to sustain this if I had given up lots of things that I like to eat. It's far more important to me to be able to maintain my weight loss and healthier lifestyle than to get it "perfect". Learning moderation has actually been a really good thing. I have surprised myself by how easy it is to resist something with the help of logging. If I know I've had enough of something then (most of the time) I can resist. There's always tomorrow.

    I think this is one of those things where everyone has to find the right way for them. Some people can't do moderation, and find that the best way for them is to completely cut out certain foods. I guess some people also choose that physical health is always a bigger priority than short-term sensory pleasure, so have no problem being very restrictive. Not me, but each to their own. :drinker:
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Everything in moderation, including moderation.

    I usually try to eat moderately, but my margin of error is very slim. Once or twice a year I like to go on a very strict diet, usually for no more than a week. It helps bring down the baseline.

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