feeling guilty

Personally I can't cut out all the so called bad food. When I label something as a BAD, then I just want it more. That's when I end up binging and beating myself over it.

So right now I eat everything and anything as long as it fits into my cals. The only thing I don't have are donuts, and that's because I lack all control when donuts are around. Everything else, I eat if I can fit it in my cals. It is easier this way for a long term plan.

How long are you going to be able to stay away from the BAD stuff? Lifetime? Probably not. So might as well learn how to fit it into your life.

You gained weight from eating at a caloric surplus. You could do that with any food, so by your logic you should just cut out all food and stop eating.

^^ This. I thought I was eating "healthy" but my portion sizes were way too big. "BAD" food simply means much smaller portion sizes. Guilt is not a positive emotion and it will not help you succeed. If you want a little "bad" food go ahead but remember to control the portion.

I guess I think that I gained weight from eating these foods, so I shouldn't eat them anymore right?

You and I are both subject to the laws of thermodynamics. It wasn't any particular food that did it...it was overconsumption...energy (calorie) surplus...not any particular food that made you or I fat.

I eat a lot more nutrient dense than I used to for sure...and I eat a lot less junk than I used to for sure...but I haven't eliminated anything from my diet.

What it is really about "Nuts & Bolts Stuff" - "Self Control & Will Power" is what I hear you saying you are having a problem with. It is wise to keep the things you cannot control out of your home till you can. Hang in there, and keep moving forward.:flowerforyou:

I label foods good and bad, and many variations in between. The more "bad" it is, the more rarely I eat it. But my labeling is about health benefits or detriments and not about weight loss. I've thought of food this way for decades so I gained weight on mostly "good" foods. Just too many of them. Many of my favorite foods are "good" foods.

But, weight loss is such a personal thing. If you feel you need to cut these things, then perhaps you do. At least at first. Some people find it hard to stick to a calorie goal while eating "bad" foods because it triggers them to overeat.

But at some point you'll have to decide what you will do when you get to goal. Cut these foods out forever? Add them back slowly and in moderation? Will moderation be possible after depriving yourself for so long, or will you go hog wild and overeat to the point that you undo all your hard work?

Only you can answer those questions for you.

nope, I eat whatever I want to,,,, I just go work it off.

If it works for you, then do it. Personally, if I were to cut Ben & Jerry out of my diet, it would only serve to make me want them more and I would end up falling off the wagon and HARD. If I eat badly, I (try) to workout extra to compensate.