...but doesn't it seem like people on the message boards are bickering a lot more than they used to about "IIFMM" vs "clean eating." Or is it because I've just recently started eating more whole/natural foods that notice it?

I'm afraid to post in threads anymore because I will be shot down for what is works for me. I would never say someone else should eat a certain way, but I think it should be okay to point out what has worked for me to lose and keep the weight off.

I didn't start off eating healthy. Heck, I lost 113 pounds eating junk... fast food, sweets, processed foods, etc. And yes, I kept that weight off for three years but it was a constant struggle to keep my weight near goal.

Then I saw some posts that talked about various documentaries (Hungry for Change, Fork over Knives, etc) and decided to watch them. I was still thinking over what I had heard/seen in the videos when I went through a rough patch, spent a day binge eating, and decided at bedtime that something had to change. I decided to try clean eating for a day or two to see if I could get some of the chemicals and toxins out of body from the binge. Something incredible happened. I felt awesome after just a day or two eating clean so I decided to finish out the week that way. Then I re-watched several of the videos with my husband, starting reading books, websites, blogs, joined this group, and started listening to podcasts on various aspects of clean eating because I wanted to learn more.

I have now been eating clean for over a month. I feel great. AND I have lost 6.2 pounds in four week. I never thought I could lose that much weight, that fast since I was so close to goal.

I made this change for me. I don't feel deprived or that I'm missing out on anything. No, I don't eat 100% clean (just a glance at my food diary will tell you that), but I try to eat about 70% to 80% clean most days. I still eat out two or three times a week and on my long run days I will eat *gasp* a burger and fries at the local sports bar. I still enjoy some processed snacks, but I am always on the hunt for snacks with 5 to 7 ingredients and are as close to nature as possible. But if I want a cookie, then by gosh, I'mgoing to have myself a good old fashioned cookie!

The only thing I have eliminated 100% from my diet (again, totally a personal choice) is diet pop. I had my last diet pop on April 3rd (the day of my major binge) and I now know that the diet pop was what caused a lot of my sugar cravings (and binges both big and small). I know that for me, that's one thing I can't have, more for the sake of my sanity than for health reasons.

I guess what my ramblings come down to is, I'm tired of feeling like I have to hide my weight loss journey (yes, I said journey - another hot topic debate on the threads!) and my own realization that yes, you can lose weight continuing to eat heavily processed food... and you can maintain a weight loss doing that, but it's a lot less work if I just eat clean and focus on more whole, natural foods.

I think it's sad that I can't share my story without feeling like I will be raked over the coals for having an opinion.

Thanks for letting me vent!!