Triumphantly Dirty (Non-Clean) Eaters

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.

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.

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

This is the best thing ever written *Slow Clap*

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.

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.

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:

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!!

bump for me :-)

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.