Eating "junk" and losing weight?

jonnythan

Here, here's what Taco Bell and Subway and McDonald's and Lean Cuisine and Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches do to your body:



During that time, total cholesterol went from 240 to 204; HDL went from 40 to 59, and triglycerides from 92 to 72. My blood pressure was borderline high then, and now it's normally around 115/65.

So if all that sounds terrible to you, then by all means deny yourself foods you like because someone on the internet said they were "unhealthy."

DaBigChief

smh...some people will never get it. I accept that....moving on

Jennystimetolose

Here, here's what Taco Bell and Subway and McDonald's and Lean Cuisine and Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches do to your body:



During that time, total cholesterol went from 240 to 204; HDL went from 40 to 59, and triglycerides from 92 to 72. My blood pressure was borderline high then, and now it's normally around 115/65.

So if all that sounds terrible to you, then by all means deny yourself foods you like because someone on the internet said they were "unhealthy."

helloooooo

ljw123321

I am there with you. Gonna start tomorrow, fresh fruit, fresh food and if I have a treat, that's cos I have been the gym and done exercise for an hour!

Spent the whole day just tidying my whole house and feel rubbish cos have eaten rubbish in the day but just had a healthy fresh food thrown together spaghetti bolognese (made the sauce myself as jar sauces have hidden sugars).

I have to lose something like 70 lbs (you can tell I am from the UK doing it in stones and pounds lol).

Add me as a friend. I got a lovely recipe for home made chicken kiev if you want it.

In fact, I shall post it anyway so you can try it

sunsnstatheart

There is weightloss and there is fit and healthy. You can eat 'junk' food and lose weight. But you can't follow that path if your goal is to get fit and improve your health. Your journey is yours...decide what your goals are and go for it.

Oh really? I think if you looked you find quite a few of us that fit every definition of healthy and still eat what many of the "clean" eating types would call junk food.

healthy is not a subjective term and is not measured solely by weight.
There are many that will disagree but that's so they can justify it and keep doing it. But hey that's your choice
If the 'food' was made in a laboratory does anyone really believe it can be Improving your overall health??

You're quite correct that it's not subjective. I'm curious what you would call junk. PIzza? Ice cream? Hamburgers? Bacon? I eat all of those and am very healthy by any objective measure.

SoDamnHungry

Calories in, calories out. Cutting out the foods you love make it very unsustainable for a lot of people.

LokiOfAsgard

It's totally possible to eat NOTHING but junk and still lose weight, as long as there is a calorie deficit.
However it's not healthy. You'd be missing lots of nutrients and you'd probably be hungry a lot because those 'junk'foods are mostly empty calories.

But it's possible

SoDamnHungry

Here, here's what Taco Bell and Subway and McDonald's and Lean Cuisine and Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches do to your body:



During that time, total cholesterol went from 240 to 204; HDL went from 40 to 59, and triglycerides from 92 to 72. My blood pressure was borderline high then, and now it's normally around 115/65.

So if all that sounds terrible to you, then by all means deny yourself foods you like because someone on the internet said they were "unhealthy."

=D....

yuckidah

For me it's about getting as much food for your cals ....... being 'full' or at least satisfied after a meal.
To do this it does tend to be more healthy kinds of foods that provide the best bang for your buck (as far as quelling your hunger)
If I eat 1200 cals of chocolate/sweets (sugar), or 1200 cals of meat/eggs (protein), my weightloss will probably be pretty much the same but I'll be a hell of a lot fuller if I eat the protein - the chocolate would be gone in a single sitting and I'd be starving for the rest of the day
Likewise I could eat a Double Whopper with Cheese, thoroughly enjoy it, but blitz my daily cals in one meal and have to fast until tomorrow.
I'd rather choose better 'value' foods and eat them throughout the day so I don't feel hungry &/or guilty.

toddis

Well I aint eatin that diet, I like my pants too much.

You can eat "good" food in excess
You can eat "Bad" food in moderation.
At the end of the day it's about energy balance.

WinnerVictorious

i eat what i like. there is no such thing as "healthy" or "unhealthy" foods. there is only such thing as too much or too little.

"If It Fits Your Macros" and you want to eat it, you can eat it.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833026-important-posts-to-read

this is a much more satisfying and sustainable way to live the rest of your life. you should be able to enjoy your food. there's no reason you have to be miserable on carrots and celery every day for the rest of your life.

chocolate covered cheesecake squares.

carfamily08

I'm not willing to cut out anything that I won't cut out for the rest of my life. It's not sustainable. I eat my fair share of fruit & veg and other healthy foods, but I eat junk too.

^^This

Yep. It's a lifestyle change for me, not a diet. My biggest rule for myself is that I want to lose weight eating the same foods I plan to maintain on. I strive for healthy choices the majority of the time but if I want wine, pizza, ice cream, etc. I make it fit and no guilt about it.

LadyRoff

I see SO many people on here who have their diaries open and eat more than half of their calories from what's considered "junk" food. What's the deal with this?! I realize I'm the one with 150 pounds left to lose, but wouldn't these people be losing more if they would eat fruits and vegetables at every meal? I'm striving for 75% fresh food. Is that maybe unrealistic? And there are people losing .5 pounds per week but eating candy, chips, etc. Would it not make a difference if they'd eat real food instead? Maybe I'm just confused!

I could eat a whole lot healthier, but i have a very bad relationship with food, so the fact that I can still eat what i want, just smaller portions, means that I am more likely to lose weight and not give up.... as time goes on, i am planning to start introducing more healthy food into my plans, but 50 days in, and i have lost 16.5lb which is more than I have ever lost before, and despite a very bad day yesterday, I am doing great.

Id rather lose 1lb a week eating the food i want so i dont feel like i am missing out on anything, than to lose 2lb a week eating healthy food and struggling with cravings etc.

You have to do what is right for you I guess.

sunsnstatheart

smh...some people will never get it. I accept that....moving on

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

BlazingJaya

Reading this thread makes me wish MFP had a 'like' button!

Microfiber

They might use IIFIYM

I had to google :blushing:

IIFYM = If It Fits Your Macros

Madaly320

I eat a lot of junk. I try not to. I have some will power issues. But I DO track alllll of the junk because I want to see it. I force myself to be accountable for what I eat, good and bad. And so when I had a bad week, and gain, I can look back and see exactly WHY.

I have 75lbs to lose but I am not in a hurry because I want this to be the last time I lose weight. Each time I lose weight quickly, I always gain it back. SO, this is just a new way of life for me. It may take me 2-3 years to lose it, and that is ok. Baby steps for me.

As for whether you can lose weight and eat junk. I am sure you can. But for how long? I don't know.

Gracerrr

I want to be healthy once I lose the weight. Can I accomplish that by eating fast food as long as I stay under my calories?

Everyone is different and different foods will effect their body in their own unique way. As long as you are getting all your nutrients, that's fine... but if you just ate your 1800 calorie goal in potato chips alone, you aren't going to be as healthy as you could be. Every once in a while, having a day full of fast food isn't anything to worry about.

Jennystimetolose

I see SO many people on here who have their diaries open and eat more than half of their calories from what's considered "junk" food. What's the deal with this?! I realize I'm the one with 150 pounds left to lose, but wouldn't these people be losing more if they would eat fruits and vegetables at every meal? I'm striving for 75% fresh food. Is that maybe unrealistic? And there are people losing .5 pounds per week but eating candy, chips, etc. Would it not make a difference if they'd eat real food instead? Maybe I'm just confused!

I could eat a whole lot healthier, but i have a very bad relationship with food, so the fact that I can still eat what i want, just smaller portions, means that I am more likely to lose weight and not give up.... as time goes on, i am planning to start introducing more healthy food into my plans, but 50 days in, and i have lost 16.5lb which is more than I have ever lost before, and despite a very bad day yesterday, I am doing great.

Id rather lose 1lb a week eating the food i want so i dont feel like i am missing out on anything, than to lose 2lb a week eating healthy food and struggling with cravings etc.

You have to do what is right for you I guess.

i agree

HeidiMightyRawr

First of all, everyone's definition of "junk" is different. Some people call certain foods rubbish, that myself and others would consider ok since they provide necessary nutrients.

Aside from that, eating your daily calories worth of food that has little to no nutritional value, will have pretty much no effect on your weight loss. All you need is a calorie deficit. HOWEVER, making sure your body gets given the right macronutrients will help to determine body composition along with how you feel. Micronutrients are also important for overall health and how you feel.

I'm of the belief that if you have a diet of well balanced macros (protein/fat/carbs) and sufficient micronutrients are being met (vitamins and minerals that you'd find in fruit and such) that eating other "junk" does not really matter.

Example 1: Person eats lots of sweets, crisps, ice cream. Doesn't meet macro targets. Regularly lacking in essential nutrients = not good.

Example 2: Person eats sweets etc regularly, but meets macro targets, and has a diet that also consists of enough nutrient dense foods = fine. Although they may have to take extra care of their teeth! but you get the idea (hopefully)

Madaly320

They might use IIFIYM

what is this?

Makoce

I am not in a position currently in my living situation to make the change to be healthy. So I am one of those people who need to put health on hold, and in the mean time just stick to a calorie goal and eat whatever to lose.

Eventually I will eat clean, but for now a calorie is a calorie.

Jennystimetolose

Reading this thread makes me wish MFP had a 'like' button!

lol Im with you there

never124get

I've found that if I literally try and cut all that "junk" out I will binge, I find that really unrealistic for myself. I've come a long way since I first started on here. (ie food choices, portion sizes and what not.) It's been 51 days since I've joined MFP and I plan on making this a lifestyle change and not just a diet. Seriously, it has to be a lifestyle change, for me at least because I know if I lose all this weight and go back to eating the way I was before there is no way I will maintain the weight loss. I don't have a set goal that I would like to be the ideal weight I planned for myself, I'm not trying to get in shape for "swimsuit season" or whatever. I'm doing this for the rest of my life and I'm okay with that.

I may eat "junk" sometimes, but I also work my butt off when I workout anywhere from 45 mins to an hour sometimes longer. And sometimes if I really want pizza or I really want chips or chocolate I eat them because I know how hard I have worked for where I am at now but that doesn't mean I can pig out on it. I know my limits, I know myself, and that's why I allow myself to eat "junk" sometimes. I love that I can have these things that make me happy but I am also losing weight. I have had Doctor check ups since I mentioned to him that I wanted to lose weight and he wanted to make sure I was doing it healthy and correctly. He has seen my health dramatically improve (blood pressure, asthma, weight obviously, cholesterol...the list goes on and on...) I have showed him printouts of my food and exercise diary and he sees the junk foods, but he also sees that I am eating a lot better than I was before and I'm always under my calorie goal and staying within all my limits.


Eating clean maybe easy for some, and maybe I could do it for a limited period of time after working my way into it... (like 30 days or whatever) I completely cut sodapop out of my diet. I don't know if for good but right now I know I don't need it. Anyway, the way I eat is part of my lifestyle change. I love fruit and vegetables, I love organic and fresh but I will always have a special place in my heart for junk food lol look at it as you will but I am losing and I know I'm becoming more healthy. We all do it differently, and not everything works for one person will work for another. You just have to find how to make this a part of a lifestyle change if you really want to maintain your weight in the long run.

runningxlove

It's calories in vs. calories out. Whether it's calories from "junk" food or calories from healthier food, if what you burn surpasses what you consume, you'll lose weight.

I myself eat my own fair share of junk food. I follow IIFYM... I aim for 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fat, 1600 cals (although Monday-Thursday I tend to be under and Friday-Sunday I tend to be over).... it works for me.

jonnythan

They might use IIFIYM

what is this?

If It Fits Your Macros.

Basically "eat whatever you want as long as you hit your protein, fat, carb goals at the end of the day." Some people also set goals for sugar and fiber, etc.

majope

Here, here's what Taco Bell and Subway and McDonald's and Lean Cuisine and Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches do to your body:



During that time, total cholesterol went from 240 to 204; HDL went from 40 to 59, and triglycerides from 92 to 72. My blood pressure was borderline high then, and now it's normally around 115/65.

So if all that sounds terrible to you, then by all means deny yourself foods you like because someone on the internet said they were "unhealthy."

/thread

SprinkledWithEmotion

I'm not willing to cut out anything that I won't cut out for the rest of my life. It's not sustainable. I eat my fair share of fruit & veg and other healthy foods, but I eat junk too.

Yep! While I eat healthy most of the time, if I want to have some candy or ice cream, I will. If it fits in your day, why not?

But I do see what you are saying. I look at people's diaries and see the amount they eat and shake my head. If they added some fruits and veg to their day it would fill them up and for very little calories.

MandaPaigeSparkles88

Here, here's what Taco Bell and Subway and McDonald's and Lean Cuisine and Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches do to your body:



During that time, total cholesterol went from 240 to 204; HDL went from 40 to 59, and triglycerides from 92 to 72. My blood pressure was borderline high then, and now it's normally around 115/65.

So if all that sounds terrible to you, then by all means deny yourself foods you like because someone on the internet said they were "unhealthy."

Wow you look amazing, incredible transformation!

MandaPaigeSparkles88

I eat "junk" food. I eat sweets, cakes, pizza, chips, as long as it's in my calorie range. IMO I don't see anything wrong with it. I have lost 22 pounds so I have done something right. I find that if I deprive myself of these it only makes me want them more, so I eat them in moderation. I guess to each their own on this topic.