Triumphantly Dirty (Non-Clean) Eaters

October 2011 about 185 lbs, after picture taken today at 127

And my profile pic is a before and after comparison from 185 to 135!
I eat whatever I want, just smaller portions. I've certainly cleaned up my diet A LOT since I first started, but I still have everything in moderation! Eating whatever I wanted in whatever quantities I wanted was what caused my weight gain.

I don't know how everyone does it. For the most party I'm pretty healthy. I don't eat fast food and haven't for a long time. If I DO splurge on eating out I usually pick the healthiest option, or I shoot for "free range" or "organic" if I need to really stretch it and not feel TOO guilty about a huge slice of pizza or something. But I go one night with a couple of drinks and I balloon up like a whale! I have no idea how you've all lost weight and ate garbage the whole time...

I don't eat garbage... that's a little dramatic.

Bump de hump doop badu.

I don't know how everyone does it. For the most party I'm pretty healthy. I don't eat fast food and haven't for a long time. If I DO splurge on eating out I usually pick the healthiest option, or I shoot for "free range" or "organic" if I need to really stretch it and not feel TOO guilty about a huge slice of pizza or something. But I go one night with a couple of drinks and I balloon up like a whale! I have no idea how you've all lost weight and ate garbage the whole time...

I don't eat garbage... that's a little dramatic.

No kidding. We are all still keeping an eye on things, just not restraining ourselves entirely. I've cut out most snack foods, most people would think I was a health food nut, and a lot of the times I am.....but gosh dang it, I'm gonna eat me some cookies and cake once in awhile.
These things are ok in moderation.

Now that I'm using MFP and thus more aware of what I'm eating, I've probably cleaned up my eating somewhat compared to before - less dessert at night, no diet soda, etc....BUT I honestly don't even know what people mean when they say "clean eating"! I try to stay within calorie counts, keep at least an eye on macros (hitting protein and fat especially), but I know from past experience that having a whole list of foods that I can't eat - or only limited, specific times when I can eat them - just makes me binge later. I only have about 5 pounds that I want to lose, but after a month I can tell just by the clothes I've dug out from my closet again that I've made progress - by eating pizza, ice cream, etc. (not to mention my beloved flavored coffee creamer) as well as lots of water and other healthy foods that I enjoy.

This is fantastic.

This topic I relevant to my interests. I'm not interested in overly clean eating (my sweet tooth cannot be denied, or else heads are ripped off and butts are chewed out) but that's really all I see advocated around here.

IIFYM is actually a HUGE part of this site's membership.

(If It Fits Your Macros) For me, that means I eat 45% protein, 30& carbs, and 25% fats, and I try to keep them from more healthy sources, but if I end up hitting my protein and fat and have room for a shot of vodka, guess what? A shot of vodka it is.

I always have room for vodka!!!!:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

I think if you can make sure you're lifting weights, getting a gram of protein per pound body weight and eating at a deficit, you'll probably get close to the same results as someone eating "clean."

As a non meat eater, I have enough trouble hitting the 45 g protein that MFP sets for me, I'd hate to target for 120 g. :noway:

Eating at a deficit has worked for me. As long as calories burned > calories consumed, it doesn't seem to matter what those calories come from.

I have a friend who is vegetarian and she eats 150g of protein a day.

IIFYM is actually a HUGE part of this site's membership.

(If It Fits Your Macros) For me, that means I eat 45% protein, 30& carbs, and 25% fats, and I try to keep them from more healthy sources, but if I end up hitting my protein and fat and have room for a shot of vodka, guess what? A shot of vodka it is.

^^^ This except tequila! Lol. I try to make the healthiest choices available for the simple reason that they are typically more filling and provide better fuel. I have the same macros as above and if it fits, I will eat it! Taco Bell, ice cream, etc.!!! I think my ticker speaks to my success. I was even less disciplined about macros when I started my journey.

I've lost 132lbs so far with a non clean diet. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want as long as I meet my caloric goal :bigsmile:

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:

Great results!! What is your daily caloric intake? Would love to hear your exercise regimen too!

I am eating dirty on purpose. I am running an experiment on myself. I need to know for sure if it is possible to eat dirty and be fit. I have declared war on this ridiculous epidemic we are facing of people dropping dead from a sedentary lifestyle. I need to show people what can be achieved with minimal effort on both sides of the coin of diet and exercise. I started off with 28% body fat and in 2 months time have reduced it to 23% bf. without skipping one "pizza Friday" or rearranging my schedule to make it to the gym. My goal is to make it to 15% bf. and pass a physical.

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Please report back or start a new thread when you finish!

I've lost over 25 lbs not eating clean. It really is about the calories.

I have a sweet tooth that isn't going away and isn't satisfied with fruits, so I eat half and half. This morning I had a Entenmann's donut, some organic Greek yogurt and an orange for breakfast. Whattareyagonnado.