Who has lost weight NOT eating clean?

Keep for later read!

I don't eat clean, but I do eat "healthier" foods overall b/c they make me feel better. The weeks of having fast food for every meal of every day are gone, but I do enjoy "bad" food sometimes if I can afford the calories, and on my "cheat days" ??!.. I really run amuck! It's so cliche, but moderation really is key. At least for me it is!

I eat "junk" food when I want to but in moderation (Ben and Jerry's is not an every week thing now).

I don't buy "everything organic", I sure as heck don't eat vegetarian/vegan but I am trying to get more vegetables and occasionally do have a "vegetarian day" but it's primarily for avoiding fat rather than any compunction against eating tasty cooked critters.

I have been losing a steady 1-2 pounds a week since coming here (and attending a class at the YMCA intended to help avoid getting diabetes.)

My main mantra has been to try and make sure my overall calories are below goal, particularly my fat intake, and that I am getting exercise. I could probably lose the weight faster if I were more diehard about it but I'm just happy to see it's coming off and it's happening in consistent increments.

it all about the bottom line: calories in and calories out. I eat what I want

I definitely do not eat"clean" I don't like veggies and not much fruit either. I need some friends. I'm 36,married,have two daughters,weigh over 200 lbs.

This hasn't rolled yet! oh and me.. 30 pounds and still losing. I just ate a whoopee pie for a morning snack! (granted it was a mini one)

if any of you have a problem where your macros go in red on carbs or fats, do you just ignore it? I have that problem ALOT In carbs!

1) If your ONLY goal is to lose weight, all you have to do is make sure that the number of calories you consume net (calories eaten minus calories burnt in exercise) is less than or equal to your MFP goal calories. Do that and you'll lose weight.
2) If you have a specific MEDICAL condition that requires you to limit sodium, sugars, etc. then go with what your doctor tells you to do.
3) Very high carb foods will tend to flood your blood with glucose then follow with a "crash" that might make you hungry. Many feel that eating a protein along with carb-dense foods will lessen this effect. Ultimately only YOU know what specific foods will "trigger" you as far as binge-eating so while I don't believe there are any "no-no" foods, it might be that you know your own PERSONAL willpower caves in when you eat certain things. If this is the case, you have to find a "work-around" that you can live with...if you have problems with eating potato chips by the bagful but don't want to give them up entirely (which would be a lot harder to sustain if it's a favourite food), try the air popped variety (fewer cals) or veggie chips. If you don't like either of those then immediately separate the chips into snack-size baggies containing the "serving size" and toss the big bag. This will help you avoid overdoing it. I know that for myself personally ice cream is a food I have trouble eating in moderation. Now if I buy it, I buy the little 1/2 pint container if I want Ben or Jerry's specifically because I know if I have the whole pint in the house I'll probably eat it all in one sitting. Better yet,I choose NOT to buy it at the grocery store and I only get it when the craving makes me want it enough to get off my lazy butt and go buy a scoop at the ice cream shop. Much better to eat 1 scoop or 2 than a half pint or pint.

TL;DR: No, I really don't. Care about the net calories much more.

Me! I truly believe in moderation. Life is meant to be enjoyed not a process of torture. I think have pizza, cakes, etc every once in a while is fine. The more time I take to educate myself about nutrition and food choices the better my diet has become. I still indulge in ice cream or baked goods from time to time. I just balance it with fresh fruits, veggies, and lean meats.

As long as I didn't go over 1200 calories and had enough protein for the day I ate whatever I wanted.

Tbh, I still eat like total crap and I've lost 15 pounds since October - sure, not as much as I could have had I stuck to my calorie goal every day, but it's pretty good for someone who just gave up on gorging with really nutrient-deficient foods (but still enjoys them often). My next step is eating more stuff I prepare myself, or stuff I can at least definitely track.

Well this thread confirms that losing weight isn't as complicated as some these other diet aide sites make it out to be

Ive found it hard to completely stop eating junk food, coz when I did try to, i ended binging so now i try to just eat whatever I like and make sure its within my calorie limit. Works just as well.

Exactly as it should be. I know for me, as soon as I eliminate something it becomes what I want to eat the most. Not eliminating it, but controlling how much & how often, has been much more successful for me..........

It's simple, but that doesn't mean it's easy.

y'all all just made me feel so much better!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!