Is total abstention easier than moderation?

I But I would rather lose less weight per month and actually be able to relax

You realize that the amount of weight you lose per month has nothing to do with your macros right?

I went completely cold turkey on added sugars at first until I learned how to control my desire for them!

I gave up chocolate 7 or eat years ago and I have had none since. Not a drop, not a hot chocolate or even a dusting of cocoa. Nothing.

But I can't give up every unhealthy food so I try to go with moderation for other high fat and sugar foods I like. Nothing makes me binge like chocolate used to.

Because, after you've lost weight - then what? Are you going to carry on denying yourself that food or drink?

Actually yes, because maintenance is no different from losing - except you get a slightly higher calorie goal per day. I am only on a modest deficit so when I get to maintenance my diet will be the same as it is now except slightly larger portions.

I never said my way was right or that an abstention was wrong. From my personal experience, denying myself certain foods only led me to get to a certain point and buckle because the craving was so intense. I never binged in the classic sense, but I ate way too much portion wise. I would just find it very hard to maintain a lifestyle where everything was off limits unless I had a specific medical reason (dairy intolerant, for example) to do so.

You realize that the amount of weight you lose per month has nothing to do with your macros right?

Unless I'm being totally blind, I don't understand why that has anything to do with my post. I never mentioned macros. And actually, I disagree - I tend to lose more weight eating a more protein heavy diet than carb heavy diet.

It depends on the type of food if I am a moderator or not....there are certain things that just have disaster written all over them like brownies or Ritz Crackers.(definitely trigger foods that end up being way too tempting to eat too much) Other things like a reese's mini or 2 Hershey kisses I am satisfied with one or two so I guess it just depends on the food.

I have enough temptation having 4 takeaways and a McDonald's nearby I don't need temptation at home. I am definitely an abstainer. Haha learned a new thing about myself today awesome.
Edit : I don't feel deprived, I'd rather abstain at home and eat in moderation (however hard it is) on social occasions.

I have to abstain. I just don't trust my self control with food.

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”
― George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman

“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.”
― Mark Twain

“your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.”
― Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly

“We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.”
― David Mamet, Boston Marriage

Hahah I love that!

I also tend to question those who claim they do/believe in "everything in moderation." I've witnessed far too many people proudly claim this mantra, when in reality, their extremism only surfaces in different areas in their life. ...maybe I'm just a little jealous that they can enjoy a small treat; meanwhile, if I attempt to do the same, a war is raged inside my head, lol.

Please feel free to look at my diary. I have logged every day for the past 8 months. I don't cut out anything. Sometimes I'll even pig out on things (like cookies) but in the end I am down almost 60 lbs - sure maybe I could have done it faster if I didn't eat the cookies but 'life happens' and nothing that I can do will prevent this from happening.

Other people WILL bring sweets to work or offer things or invite you for dinner. Sometimes being in control all the time is impossible. For me, It's all about moderating. My family is not on a 'diet' thus we use full-fat sour cream, cook with oil and butter. I bake cookies, apple crisps and make all manner of food. I will not cook 2 meals and I am not going to limit THEM because I can't control myself - thus I have been required to learn to control myself. Sometimes I don't succeed, but it gets easier every day

“We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.”
― David Mamet, Boston Marriage

hahaha i can totally relate to this

Different things work for different people, but for me abstention is easier. I am eating low carb, Atkins style, and abstaining from things longer and sticking to the plan seems to help most cravings go away. It all depends on what works for you on a personal level, mentally, as well as physically. I, personally, have a hard time eating just small amounts of carb-rich foods, because I find they don't keep me full as much as fat-rich foods, so I end up eating way too much of them. Which is why I chose a combination of a LCHF and Atkins dietary plan to follow.

I think it depends on what stage of weight loss or maintenance we're at. I can't do moderation! I found that if I let myself taste "just one bite" I'm a gonner. Some may say this is a lack of self-control... perhaps, but until the taste buds start readjusting to healthy eating habits, I find it best to stay away from eating potentially massive amounts of unhealthy foods (chocolate, sweets, pastries, ice cream, etc.). However, I hate sardines, so I have NO problem staying away from those, and I would have a real problem taking "just one bite" LOL.

Having said that, I'm once again at the beginning of my journey, so for now, I do not tempt myself even with one bite... I think that as I progress and eating healthy becomes a habit, I will be able to handle moderation, but even then, I may switch to 90% dark chocolate just to say that I allow myself to eat one (1) square of chocolate a day (which will not lead to eating one pound of milk chocolate a day). I think that once results start to show (weight loss, inches lost, increased endurance, overall better health, etc.) we'd be less likely to indulge in eating something that will not contribute to our overall well-being, so then, moderation might work better for the long haul.