Do you eat anything you want to but not a lot of it?

caramel827

So I am curious.....I am on this site because I gained back 80 pounds I lost back in 1998. I truly believe it happened because initially I DRASTICALLY changed my diet to something that was unrealistic. I did not eliminate a food group but rather only ate the same low calorie things though it was never what I really wanted. So just like you would expect when I returned to "normal" eating I gained my weight back slowly but surely.

Now I am trying to do it the right way but still struggle. Even though i know I have 1200 calories a day I feel so guilty if I say have a cupcake at a party. It's like I cheated on my "diet" even though I still am in my calorie range.

Do you struggle with this? How do you still have a normal food life and still lose weight? I have heard of having a treat day once a week and not overdoing it but even that scares me! Am I destined to never again have a cheeseburger?? (Yes, I eat turkey burgers but my body knows the difference). Growing up my mother said It's not what you eat but how much you eat. I think that is only half true.

I would love to peek at some food diaries of those of you who feel you have the right balance! Thanks in advance.

Johnnyswife

I haven't figured a lot of this out yet myself. I can tell you this though. Last time I tried to do this, I cut a lot of stuff out. I drank diet shakes and meal bars, ect. When I stopped, I gained back what I lost. The reason I feel that I didn't keep it up was that I wasn't being myself. I wasn't eating what l loved eating, and l lost interest.

This time, I am eating what I want. in smaller amounts. If I want cake or ice cream, I'll find a good low cal version, that I can keep eating after the weight is gone. I still get bored but not because of the food. lol It seems to be working and its much less stress this way. :flowerforyou:

slimkitty

I eat anything I want with in my calorie goal. Of course I always try to make healthy choices and eat a lot of vegetables and fruits because of their health benefits. There are times when I am at a party and all that's available is pizza - so I have a slice of pizza. Today I felt like having a hamburger, so I had a hamburger. I tweak the recipes a little, make them a little lighter, add a lot of vegetables. We live in the real world and we cannot alienate our friends and relatives. Making drastic changes to our eating habits, may not be sustainable in the long run. Just make the best choice in any given situation. If you eat a cupcake - enjoy it and move on.

workoutqueen628

It's all about chosing healthier options. If you want pizza, go for it, but buy the organic frozen kind instead of Papa John's! Eventually you will get acostumed to the healthier option and prefer it! Portion control is the key- if you really want Papa John's then eat it, but have only a slice, don't eat the whole pizza! My motto is eat to live, not live to eat and if America actually lived by this no one would be obese. For me, I try to cut out all sweets because I can't just have one piece of chocolate or one cupcake- sugar is my downfall. Once I give in, I just crave more!

Johnnyswife

You can have a hamburger anyway. Just get the 4% lean ground beef. It has 150 calories for 4oz. Get some lowfat cheese slices, and your good to go!

emay45

For me, anything goes as long as I stay true to the calorie goal. I just watch how much I eat considering I was over eating all the time before I joined. I only have my goals set to lose a pound a week, but most of the time I will lose a bit more than that.

Thinwithin2010

Get the diet word out and put in "lifestyle change".. I think there is no reason you can't have what you like and have a portion not more.. If you are going to be active that will help and just make healthier choices.. Everything in life revolves around food. births,weddings, communions,birthdays, holidays, and even death. We can never get away from it, but if you choose carefully and after your meal involve yourself in the people and not the table of food.. That can help. I am trying to walk away from it myself and even getting up and walking away has helped.. With the summer and picnics coming I know it will be rough but this site is really great for support.. Good Luck

mamaturner

I think we all struggle just like you do! Feel free to check out my diary, its public.. you'll see some days are great, others ok, other horrible or not even filled in..

I eat things that I want, just smaller portions, OR I'll make healthier versions of the recipe (my fav. thing to do right now), especially since I make food for my family. When they can't even tell it has less cals or fat and still tastes great, it's an awesome feeling.

Good luck!

firegirlred

I eat anything I want. Portion control and exercise balance it out.

xTattooedDollx

I basically eat what I want, just way smaller portions and I stay within my daily calories. One thing ive learned is that when I lose weight by cutting every food I enjoy I always gain it back and more. Like if I want ice cream, I go get a mini from Golden Spoons and not a huge one from Cold Stones. Of I'm at a party ill have one cupcake, not ten like before.

h_eloise86

I was the person who, when dieting, would basically have bars and shakes. I wanted the weight off fast and didn't think about anything else. Like everyone else, all the weight came back very quickly. This time around I eat what I want. I just know I have to work for it and try to find the healthier versions of what I want. If I want a pizza I get the veggie pizza now. The other day I wanted ice cream so I had one of those Skinny Cow bars and just made sure I had extra veggies and extra water later. So worth it

Mirlyn

Eventually you will get acostumed to the healthier option and prefer it!

This is so true! Thinking of some of the things I used to crave makes my stomach literally turn now.

sandara

I want to lose weight but I want to live a somewhat normal life too. By that I mean I want to be able to enjoy the same things the rest of my family does from time to time. I admire the people that are able to eliminate everything bad but I know that I'm never going to be able to do that long term. So I make the adjustments I can live with. I still eat processed foods, salt, artificial sweeteners and have a hamburger or peice of pizza occasionally. Today I had a McDonald's angus burger. Yes I was mortified at the number of calories but I will still be able to make my range today. I only ate half the bun and no fries so yes that is much better than I would have done before I made my changes. But it is not something that I will do often. Next time I'll probably just ask for a fork and forget the bun completely! lol I live on crystal lite and coffee & tea with splenda. But I know it's not the best choice and there are lots of arguments against it. I guess everyone has to decide how far we want to go with our changes and live with the decisions we make. But isn't that what it's all about anyway? Finding a balance that you can be happy with on the weight side and the eating side.

DrBorkBork

I try to find healthy alternatives to what I used to eat. Instead of Pizza Hut, we make our own pizza (healthier AND cheaper), if I want something cold and creamy I try to opt for frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. Opt for dark chocolate over milk chocolate. Fruits make a good sweet tooth curber for everything else, and chewing gum saves me from most bad choices.
I don't think it's right to stop eating things you really like. I do think it's right to make healthier choices.

kenlc

In the 5 weeks I have been doing this, I havent eaten ice cream or chocolate (two of my favorites) because I dont seem to be able to eat just a small portion. Most other things I will eat on occasion like pizza or hamburgers, however I don't eat at fast food places anymore.

KatieM7

I eat some of the same things as before just much smaller portions. I also try to find healthier options of those things that I enjoy. For me I want to make it work and keep it off. So I know that I can't give up everything that I enjoy eating. Otherwise I am going to end up binging on those things if I give them all up. I am far from perfect in my eating however I don't think I do too bad, if you would like to look at my diary it is open for my friends to view.

somigliana

I totally agree with everybody else who has mentioned making healthier alternatives and calling it a lifestyle change. I make my own hamburger patties at home and I can have a delicious cheese and pineapple burger for under 400 calories, for example. I make oven-baked fries and clever replacements that don't take away from the taste or the spirit of a meal. Now, my family doesn't notice the "lighter" versions of the usual dinner dishes I make We eat out at a restaurant at least once a weekend, but I've learned to fit that into my calorie goals and choose wisely or eat half of a huge portion. I even had ice cream last night (although I only keep frozen yogurt in my freezer at home).

arewethereyet

yes. I eat all foods in moderation. I exercise to make my body a better processing machine.

Junisahn

I eat almost everything I love, but not in the same way I used to. For instance, I eat ice cream every day. Sometimes even a cup of ice cream with whipped cream, peanut butter and chocolate. But I make myself earn it first through exercise. However, I don't eat chips anymore because I know I won't really enjoy the measly little bit I could get and stay in my calorie range, and I don't love them enough to work out for them.

Also, I find fast food and chain restaurants disgusting, so I'm "lucky" in that sense that I don't have to give that stuff, cause it seems like that's a tough one for a lot of people. I also rarely went out to eat or ate food that I didn't prepare myself before starting to count calories, so again - easier for me to continue to eat what I used to.

Like others, I make loads of replacements - cut down recipes from 2 to 1 T, that sort of thing. When the fat is really hidden in things, what's the point of eating it? If I'm going to eat high calorie stuff, it better taste like heaven.

oomalmal

There is nothing I haven't eaten. I just don't do it everyday and I don't do as much. Instead of 4 or more pieces of pizza it's now usually 2. Instead of 2 donuts, a kolache and a large coke I'll have one donut or just the kolache no coke. I've even had a regular coke when I've had a migrain though. I just can't deny myself anything. I don't believe in that. I will just try not to eat like that two days in a row. And as long as I'm excercising, and I still stay under the calories it would take to maintain my current weight I'm a happy camper. Most days even if I have something special I'm able to stay around 1200 cals though.:):)

arewethereyet

I found lower calorie ways to eat the foods I love. When I do eat the other things.......like BBQ ribs, I either exercise for the extra calories (more than I usually do) or I eat a serving. I was amazed that the serving suggestions on the side of the box........or suggested by my doctor..........actually fill me up!!

What, you mean I don't eat the WHOLE box of macaroni and cheese???:noway:


:flowerforyou: Good luck!!

jeannie

SquidInTraining

I still eat things that I like, just smaller portions, and I find that living healthier has inspired me to revamp some of my favorite recipes into more health conscious versions, and to come up with new tasty ways to eat clean. I've redone things like parmigiana and chile rellenos (dishes that are typically loaded with fat), and lots of my favorite sauces. I have fun trying to fool my tastebuds into thinking I'm eating the full-fat versions. There are certain things that my body reacts poorly since I'm eating better, however - greasy, fried foods and items that are super sugary don't go over too well, and will actually make me sick now.

Rugbychick16

I lost 70 lbs about 6 years ago, and 30 of that was because I had a rotten gallbladder and I could eat whatever I wanted and because of the rotten gallbladder, it just kicked it all out. Then I continued eating large portions of whatever I want after my gallbaldder was removed and gained all the weight back. It's taken me just over a year to lose 44 pounds, and I eat anything I want, but now I use portion control and if I have an afternoon ice capp, I have a salad with supper. Little changes are what have made the difference. I know I can stick to my lifestyle change because I don't deny myself anything, I just compensate for it. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

MissingMinnesota

When I initially started I slowly cut back on things instead of cutting them out all together. If I wanted something bad say mcd's quarter pounder meal I would go get a happy meal instead. After awhile I slowly phased it out all together with out even realizing it since I could get something else with in my calories goal that was much more filling. I still eat processed food just because I am a lazy cook and have to work on my sodium intake. I don't beat myself up if I have something others would consider bad for me and I still take things in moderation on things like ice cream and chocolate since those will never be completely out of my diet.

mmrose00

I eat what I want to an extent. I do make good choices for the most part normally, but if I feel like having a piece of a brownie today I do, or a cupcake or 2 at a party I do! As you mentioned, I do believe this is all about lifestyle changes. I do not consider myself to be on any diet. But I find the less I have these things the less I want them funny enough!

I make wiser choices now because I understand. Before I may have eaten 4 slices of pizza and not know or care what the cal count was. Now I think in terms of healthier options..So maybe the pizza but think crust. Or maybe the deep dish but 1 slice...

I think you have to do what works for you, and not feel guilty for anything as long as it's within reason..

johnsienoel

I do eat what I want but in balance and moderation. I make sure I stay at my caloric limit for the day and I exercise but don't allow myself to always eat up those extra calories.

Today I had McDonalds but it was a plain cheese burger and medium fries of which I only ate 75% of. I knew that meant my breakfast needed to be healthier and the same with my dinner and all add up to the 1400 calories I am to eat daily.

I also worked out which gave me additional calories - however, again I didn't eat them all. If I want something sweet, instead of eating an entire cupcake I cut it into quarters and eat just one section (and remember to add that to my food journal).

This doesn't feel like a diet but rather a way of documenting my food eating habits and being able to see what a portion size really looks like. I don't feel deprived and I find myself making better food choices. It is a lifestyle change. I eat to live - not live to eat.

kimberly428

LOL no kidding! the first time I noticed how many calories was in a box of mac and cheese I freaked! Now I buy the single servings for my daughter
Personally I need to allow myself the stuff I like or it wouldn't work for me. I cut calories but finding low cal alternatives. I do allow myself a "cheat day" but surprising it doesnt get as bad as I originally though which I attribute to not cutting everything out.

I found lower calorie ways to eat the foods I love. When I do eat the other things.......like BBQ ribs, I either exercise for the extra calories (more than I usually do) or I eat a serving. I was amazed that the serving suggestions on the side of the box........or suggested by my doctor..........actually fill me up!!

What, you mean I don't eat the WHOLE box of macaroni and cheese???:noway:


:flowerforyou: Good luck!!

jeannie

Michellerw1

I totally feel your pain on this, and not until I made a few simple changes could i get comfortable with my new way of eating (NOT a diet.) I definitely do not deny myself if I am craving something that is less than healthy. But I do make sure that I am eating a small portion of said evil food and usually eating fruit and vegetables with it. Like instead of having a cheeseburger with fries and all the fixings, i will split a cheeseburger, and have it with fruit or a salad. Exercise helps when you are counting calories because if you burn more you can eat more!!!

FitJoani

i occasionaly eat the things that put me in the double digits.(size wise) but in moderation tho....like
chicken wings:i eat a small order hot and no french fries to follow9or cheeseballs or stuffed jalepenos
Booze:light beer or vodka with a calorie free mixer-no more fishbowl sugared drinks
soad-diet coke only and rarely
i have many other oes too that i have baby sized proitions of just to fill the void. grilled chicken and steamed veggies arent that satisfying all the time...

caramel827

Thanks for all the responses. It really helped me. I know from experience you can't cut things out totally but then part of me is ready for the weight to come off QUICKLY! I know thought the right thing is portion control with a focus on increasing the healthier foods.

Thanks MFP!!

mythicals

I've tried restricting myself to eating the same "healthy" foods every day. After a week, I ended up pigging out again.
I let myself eat the foods I like as long as I'm around my calorie goal. There are no "bad foods". Everything in moderation is fine.