Eating Clean: Did it work for you?

Is this something you are going to do even after you lose weight? If not, I wouldn't even start unless you are ready to make a permanent life style change.

For me.. I could never do it.. I prefer to eat like I always have..just smaller portions..

My suggestion is to eat the way you plan on eating AFTER you lose the weight...

This is a good read:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/822501-halp-my-sandwich-isn-t-clean

Look at my diary - I have tried to do this and it SO works. Basically anything that has more than a couple of ingredients - I don't eat it and if that means that I have plan what I eat so much better. This is also a great incentive not to keep grabbing stuff when you are out of the house. If I have to go to a cafe with the kids because they want to eat, I just have hot water.

You can look at my diary too. I'm a veg as well and getting into the habit of checking all the labels really got me thinking what kind of crap is in some of the processed foods... I really don't eat completely clean, but I like to experiment with food and try out new recipies. You just really have to either like cooking already or get to live with having to do it

I goal is to make a lifestyle change where I find a balance. Being realistic, I know I cannot live a life where I never eat my family's mac and cheese every again, but I would like to find a way where 80% of the time i am eating wholesome, good foods and save the pistachio ice cream for occasions, not a daily indulgence. I need structure with some wiggle room, and while I do agree I should not embark on something that crazy strict while I loose weight, because it will only backfire on me in the end.

Is this obtainable?

You can. Its all about calories. When you eat unhealthy, realize its 1 day. Just exercise hard so you can eat more. Most ctive women i know eat 1700-2100 calories a day.

I goal is to make a lifestyle change where I find a balance. Being realistic, I know I cannot live a life where I never eat my family's mac and cheese every again, but I would like to find a way where 80% of the time i am eating wholesome, good foods and save the pistachio ice cream for occasions, not a daily indulgence. I need structure with some wiggle room, and while I do agree I should not embark on something that crazy strict while I loose weight, because it will only backfire on me in the end.

Is this obtainable?

You can. Its all about calories. When you eat unhealthy, realize its 1 day. Just exercise hard so you can eat more. Most ctive women i know eat 1700-2100 calories a day.

^^agreed. I eat ice cream every day - I fit it in. I also eat a bunch of fruits and veggies, hit my fat macro from a variety of different sources and hit my protein macro.

I love eating mostly clean foods simply because they make me feel so good and full of energy!
However, I find when I don't let myself eat what I'm craving (homemade cookies, or other desserts, or whatever), just end up eating tons of healthy foods that should be eaten in moderation such as raisins (I know, it's weird), cashews, heirloom quinoa cereal, etc. Although those are healthy foods, I'm eating way too much to the point where I would've been better off just eating what I wanted. Overall, yes, clean eating is great, but don't be too strict.

What I would suggest is eat the way you normally do in moderation then slowly add in new recipes and food that fit into the "clean" lifestyle. This way you will eventually have the best of both worlds.

I think to just dive in gung-ho might backfire on you.. I don't eat clean my any means but I have added some "clean recipes" from websites that I just love and added some new foods...like eating more whole grain that I ever did before..

There is a balance that we just have to find.

Hi!
So I think what I've been doing is "eating clean" , just never put a name to it. Its only been about a month, and I kind of made up my new way of eating myself.
I decided to stop buying food off the shelf for the most part. I try to buy just fresh veggies and meat and barely any bready-type foods...which is mostly what my diet used to consist of.

Trail mix is great - i get the mix with craisins and dark choc - i could never give up chocolate!
as soon as i get home from the store i portion it out into mini containers. 1/4 cup = 150cal
I also use a food scale to measure out chicken or salmon or whatever meat.
Measuring the food is key!!
Sometimes I portion everything right when i get home from the store - like chicken - ill cut it up and weigh it and freeze it in baggies so its ready to go when its time to cook!

I love creamy type salad dressings and sauces and sour cream -
I use fat free Greek yogurt - I pretend its sour cream
last night i wanted blue cheese dressing on my salad, so I measured out 1 Tbl blue cheese dressing and mixed it with the greek yogurt..it didnt take away from the blue cheese flavor and it was great.
theres many other things i'd like to try with the greek yogurt.

I use almond milk instead of cows milk and egg beaters instead of regular eggs.
both have less calories and fat and 0 cholesterol -

I put lemon slices in my water - helps me drink more water!

An awesome desert I love - not sure if its considered eating clean but
fat free cool whip with strawberries and blueberries - so good
and if you mix some cool whip with a choc pudding snack pack its like chocolate mousse - so good!

K, I'm rambling.
Not sure if this helps, but these are some of the things I do!
Good luck!

I have been attempting to switch to a clean eating lifestyle over the past 6 months. This is NOT something you can do over night. You have to take baby steps... cut out a couple processed foods a week. My shopping bill is more expensive, I spend more time cooking, and more time hunting for clean recipes but it's worth it! I still eat processed foods occasionally (Tuna Helper for dinner tonight because it's just easier to cook).

However, eating out has become almost obsolete. It makes me sicker than a dog now. And the illness is almost instantaneous after eating. Has happened at a few restaurants.

A good resource I started with was 100daysofrealfood.com

If you're starting out again for the millionth time, why not set your sites on something achievable that actually works. Perhaps something like.....eating whatever foods you like while maintaining a moderate calorie deficit. If you want to get jiggy with it add in some exercise.

Seems a lot more realistic than completely changing your eating, shopping, and coming habits overnight. I've heard people have had success with this "eat less, mice more" plan

mmhmm. Eat less, move more is the best "plan" out there. When you try to have an all or nothing attitude - you are setting yourself up to fail, especially when starting out.

It takes time to change how you eat, your mentality on foods, and to create new habits..just like it takes time to shed the pounds. Make attainable goals..don't try to do everything all at once.

i ate 100% clean (okay, maybe like 98%--i did accidentally eat one or two things that i *thought* were clean but weren't) for the first three weeks of this year. i committed to that just to try it--there was never any intention of sticking with it forever. i just like to experiment with diet/fitness concepts that are new to me so i can make my own decision about them based on the way my body responds.

i have to say, i saw zero weight loss (lots of people will rave about how they lost SO much weight when they started eating totally clean), had less energy and felt worse physically and mentally than i previously had. i felt deprived, too, because i couldn't have chocolate, ice cream, wine or most boxed cereals--my favorites!

my normal diet is about 70-80% clean, with treats incorporated every day. that's what works for me long-term--getting plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, then adding one or two small portions of my favorite treats for dessert or snacks.

as others have mentioned, as long as you're meeting your calorie and macronutrient goals, you should see progress. it's best to consider what you'll be willing to stick to in the long run--if you jump headlong into something you can't sustain, you'll be more apt to throw in the towel again. on the other hand, if you choose an eating plan you can live with for a long time, your consistency will pay off big-time down the road.

best of luck