Triumphantly Dirty (Non-Clean) Eaters

tooliebell

My ticker is not updated, but I have lost 70 lbs total since July 2012 by just being more conscious of what I eat relative to what I burn. I set a goal of calorie intake, and set a goal of calorie burn. If I really want to have a piece of cake, I eat it, make sure it fits into what my goals are for the day and move on to tomorrow. I don't deny myself anything, because I knew that would be one way for me to fail. I don't eat clean by any means, I eat lots of red meat because we home raise it and it's what we got in the freezer. I still eat processed mac and cheese, but I might only have about 1/4 cup of it. Pizza is still a main staple in my diet as well, I honestly wouldn't want to try to not have pizza in my life. I like others have said try to limit my intake of the junk because it doesn't fill me up, doesn't really make me feel good, and I'm trying to have a nice healthy long living body for my family.

I'm definitely not where I need to be body shape wise, but I had a lot to lose. I feel like I am going to get there someday, with lots of work and dedication and the calorie deficit I need to get there. Kudos to those of who of eat "clean". It take a lot of dedication and thought to go that route. And to some that may just be their bag, it's just not for me.

So in a nutshell, yup you can lose lots of weight not eating clean, I'm proof. From a tight 20 to a loose 12 right now, feeling and looking pretty good, if I say so myself.

mister_universe

I am the king of trash, but I'm still getting it done.

Not to start a flame war, but the basics of everything is still calories in and out. If that is the basis for the plan, then you can be successful in using portion control to accomplish your goals. They may not come as fast or lead you to end results that are quite as good as you'd like, but somebody doing the basics of portion control to a calorie limit and regular exercise WILL gradually move toward what they want to be. They will not get there as quickly as one who is eating better foods and exercising with purpose...but there is a brand of success available, and unless you're looking to become a body builder, it's plenty enough to accomplish your goals.

After four years of putting on muscle I know what my demons are. I still under eat for my purposes; high enough protein intake is always hard and I eat too much junk food. That said, I've been wildly successful over that time because I've stuck to the things I can pull off.

bcf7683

I do not eat clean. I drink alcohol, eat ice cream and gelato regularly, and even (gasp) fast food sometimes.

Here's how I've changed eating dirty and lifting heavy:

I don't have pics, but this is also pretty much what my progress looks like- heavy lifting and occasional cardio, I've lost 32lbs total, I put a few back on with lifting.
I still drink on the weekends (sometimes through the week), I drink diet coke like a fish (trying to kick this habit), I use spray butter on veggies sometimes, I don't do organic or grass-fed anything, I eat "diet foods" like the Fiber One 90 calorie brownies (because they're damn good!), I use low-fat or fat free cheeses, and once in awhile I'll have some french fries on a salad if I'm eating out. I'm on 1900 cals/day on rest days, and around 2000 on workouts days, with 40% protein, 40% carbs, and 20% fats.

I do eat a lot of vegetables, fruit, and lean meats (chicken, turkey, fish) but I'm not a crazy "clean eater" by any means.

Edit: And I ain't scured of gluten- totally sick of that freakin trend. The entire world is NOT hypo-glycemic all of a sudden.

Hellaine

I've lost about 30 pounds total, and I def. do not eat clean anymore. I tried to for awhile but it juts never caught on for me I guess. I drink liquor about four times a week and generally eat whatever I want to, just in moderation... USUALLY. I sort of end up having one day where I go nuts on chicken wings or shots--I don't plan it, it just happens, haha, then I spend the next two days working out or eating a little to make up for it. Oops! I have a category for liquor

I'm just more about portion control I guess. I eat my fruit and veggies when I'm in the mood, or bar food and microwave meals if I'm not. I have no health issues right now, I'm in decent shape. I don't know, I don't have any want to change it all up right now.

Always like to have other like minded friends here, add me!

nytius

Food...I eat it. I dont judge it. :glasses: :happy:

This is the best thing ever written *Slow Clap*

msleanlegs

I do not eat clean. IIFYM, or even if it doesn't, haha.

Dayum! I need to take some tips from you. Amazing job on the body transformation after having 3 kids!

highervibes

I would fall into the not squeaky clean and not filthy dirty category. I don't have pics but I've lost 18.5lbs so far.

kts3639

I am a 27 (almost 28) year old mother of two and a proud "dirty eater" for sure! I still eat fruits and veggies, but it is definitely mixed in with pop tarts, big macs, french fries, etc. I just make sure it fits my calories for the day and I'm good to go. I am always, and I mean always, over on my carbs and sugar, but I'm still losing. I'm down 27 lbs. in about 12 weeks. I love food too much to restrict anything. Dairy is currently out of my diet, but not by choice. As soon as I am able to start reintroducing dairy, you can bet your @ss I'm having a freaking block of cheese!!!

EmilyJackCO

I wish I had the time to eat 'clean'. I LOVE to cook and spend time in my kitchen. But, I'm a household of one with a 50-hour work week and a 10-hour a week gym schedule. AND I like my sleep. So I eat what I can to hit my macros. My focus is making sure I hit my protein numbers (which I just revamped last week, and I had no idea how hard it would be) and my calories. Whatever I need to do to get there, and whatever I want within reason. I'm not losing much these days, but I DEFINITELY see a huge change in physique with the additional workouts and much heavier weights.

Weebs628

Proud "dirty" eater here! I've eaten pasta, pizza, ice cream almost every night, cookies, donuts, burgers, and fast food on occasion. I love food too much to give up ANY of it! 34 pounds down since July 2012...

candicane32081

I agree. I think you are setting yourself up for failure if you don't eat what you want every now and then. It's science really. Limit your calories you take in and exercise to burn some of them. Calories are calories. If you eat a honey bun, you just don't get to as big of a quantity of food as a person eating a garden salad with lite dressing(or none).I like eating salads and veggies,but I like eating my cake too! It feels so good to say that without being judged!:happy:

IliN82

Me! I try and eat well (lean meat and fruit every day) but also have things like ice cream bagels, cakes and cookies daily!

sjum

Love this thread!!! I am a yo-yo with the clean/dirty eating. Makes it interesting. My heart is always on the dirty side.. Age is not my friend however!!

lizzybethclaire

*bump*

sixtyinchesoffury

bump for me :-)

foleyshirley

I do not eat clean, and I still have a fast food addiction, although it is better than it was. I have lost 55 pounds, and I am still losing slowly. And I am 48 years old, and female. I average 1900 calories a day.

jennieodwyer

I don't eat clean. Here are my results:

lirpamc

For me losing weight is a priority since I have so much to lose. I like to think I eat "semi-dirty" as well. Make healthier choices while also enjoying the food I love in smaller portions and getting more exercise in. Maybe when I hit my weight loss goal, I'll set new goals that involve eating more clean...we'll see when we get there!

kitka82

NOT QUITE THERE YET BUT ITS A LOSS ANYWAY UNCLEAN EATING

Ummmm pretty sure I'd love to look like your before pic. You look gooooood girl

MrsBozz1

I eat...food! Just less of it! I only thing I have completely cut is soda because it is a lot of calories and I'd rather eat my calories instead of drinking them (I drink one cup of milk daily and lots of water). I try to throw in some veggies and some better stuff every day but basically if it fits in my calories I eat it. I started this journey Jan. 20, 2013 and I've lost 31 lbs :happy: I do exercise every day, I think that is important! I feel so much better and stronger! You can do this! :flowerforyou: Good luck!

lizzybethclaire

I lost 30 pounds eating clean 80% of the time and dirty 20% of the time. I do admit I feel better when I am eating clean. So I have made a compromise. I eat clean most days, work in a few treats into my calories, watch my sodium, and drink a ton of water. I also lift weights every other day (or at least try too if I have time). I went crazy for awhile, gained and lost and gained, and I find this is the best way to keep my sanity and lose the excess pounds.

kitka82

I lost 60+ pounds by calorie deficit only. No dietary labels or restrictions. The only difference is that I eat more real food now, and not as many snack foods (chips, cookies, etc). I only started paying attention to macros 2 years ago when I did P90X. Lifting and eating more protein is what works for my body. My macros are 40 carb and 30 protein and fat. I do watch my sugar intake, and I cut back on alcohol when I need to not feel bloated. I still eat bread and white potatoes... I eat full fat dairy... If I had to pick a category, it would be IIFYM 90% of the time.

BohemianCoast

Only halfway through my journey, but I'm a 'fairly' dirty eater, also late 40s so not one of the young folks. I drink beer a couple of times most weeks, and the odd glass of wine. I love full-sugar Coke, and meat-heavy fast food like kebabs and burritos, and lots of full-fat dairy and eggs. I aim for 40/30/30 carbs/protein/fat, normally end up nearer 40/25/35, log everything, and don't fret when I miss targets. I try to do some cardio every day and strength 3x a week.

ducky715

I lost over 30 lbs. of pregnancy baby weight in six months by eating good and bad. I just counted calories. I think I'm going to add lifting heavy to get more tone all over though. I never had thin arms so that is one of mini goals for one day to have.

michellelemorgan

I'm 32 and typically a very healthy and clean eater. But for reasons probably similar to yours I'm not able to eat very healthy right now and haven't been able to for the past two weeks. I'm still exercising the same but exercise is a LOT harder now. It's difficult to consume all of those empty calories and not really be getting the nutrients you need. I've also noticed that the sodium from the food I"m eating is making me maintain a bit of a bloat that I'd rather not have. My tummy looks much trimmer when I'm not eating pasta, rice etc... anyway, I dont' think you'll do any permanent damage from not eating clean for a while but maybe while you're doing it you won't be in the best shape of your life.

ythannah

I'm so dirty, I'm not even quite sure what "clean" is, lol. I pretty much ignore macros, my carbs are always over (with most of those coming from the evil refined sugar) and my protein always under. Informally, I follow a pescetarian (sometimes vegetarian) diet so it's a real struggle to get enough protein. I have IBS so I need to eat extremely high fiber.

Peri-menopause has had more of a negative impact on my weight than my choice of food. I've managed to lose pounds by cutting calories i.e. just eating less of the same.

For the record, I haven't used a sick day at work for about 15 years, never catch the colds and flus that travel around my office like wildfire, and all my bloodwork is always "excellent" per my doc. Healthy as the proverbial horse.

CCusedtodance

I definitely eat "dirty". I eat my pizza washed down with beer. I will swing through Taco Bell for a burrito. I work 60+ hours a week and rarely have time to fix a meal for my husband, much less myself. I have lost 15lbs and I am focusing on working out to tone/strengthen up, more than the number on the scale. I have decided this is a LIFEstyle change and one I have to live with. Without my favorite foods I will just fail again and that is something I will not do!

AdrienneYocham

I'd love to be a clean eater, but I'm realistic. I love food. I'm learning to be the healthiest me I can be, and sometimes that includes junk food or fast food.

I've lost 56lbs this way. I would love to share a picture, but my work computer restrictions will not let me on a photosharing site. I did however load my pic as my main image on my profile.

Adrienne

xxcooneyxx

I'm not the dirtiest eater but im far from clean.
Also want to note that my starting weight was 15 lbs heaviest than the heaviest picture and im about 16 lbs lighter now than in the skinnier picture. I need to take new photos.

stephanieogle35

Well, I don't have before & after pics, but I can tell you that I'm making good progress and not eating specifically "clean". My breakfast 6 days out of the week is a Special K breakfast shake. My lunches are usually Healthy Choice t.v. dinners. I try to snack a lot on fruit, but I love the Skinny Cow chocolate treats and eat probably 1 per day. We do eat at home for dinner as much as we're able to, probably 4-6 times per week, but if/when we eat out, I try to get grilled chickens or salad or something calorie controlled. I do try to track all of my food so I know how many calories I'm eating and if I feel like I'm going to go over my calories by quite a bit, I try to go for a run to "earn" those calories. I still have a little while to get to my goal, but we have a young family and we needed to be able to make adjustments that we can live with. Portion control and convenience are key to me, so this is working for us for now.