Eating whatever you want but staying under calorie limit

AliGilbreath
Posts: 18 Member
Here's my dilemma. For my entire life, I've always eaten whatever I wanted, and never worked out. 4 weeks ago I started FocusT25. The 2nd week, I lost 4lbs and and inch in my waist. The 3rd week I missed my double day workout, and went out for dinner and drinks. I measured myself, and I hadn't gained or lost anything. This week will be my 4th week, I am finding it's super easy for me to workout, and I love to do it, and I hate that I missed my workouts last week. I always stay under or at my calorie limit. The big dilemma for me is eating healthy 100% of the time. So my question is, as long as I'm staying under or at my calorie limit, and workout 5 times a week, can I eat whatever i like and can I still lose weight and have good results as long as I work out and stay within my calories?
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Replies
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Yes.
I don't eat clean. Sometimes I'll go a week without even eating something "healthy" (whatever that is). I eat lots of boxed foods. I try to hit my macros. The rest, I don't care.
Since you are still just starting out, get used to nailing your calories. Don't worry about what foods get you there. Once you have that down pat, start looking at your macros and manipulating your protein/fat/carbs to hit your goals.
Now, here's the catch on that. The days I eat a lot of packaged food, I tend to be a bit hungrier because it has a tendency to be calorie dense foods. You might find that eating fresher foods keep you fuller. However, for weight loss in and of itself, it doesn't matter.0 -
As long as you're taking in fewer calories than you're eating, you're going to lose weight.
It's good to try to get the nice nutrients like protein, fats, etc. and too much sodium will often make you retain water, but strictly speaking... Yep. Calorie deficit is king.
I don't eat clean.
Welcome to the awesomeness of MFP.0 -
Yes.
I don't eat clean. Sometimes I'll go a week without even eating something "healthy" (whatever that is). I eat lots of boxed foods. I try to hit my macros. The rest, I don't care.
Since you are still just starting out, get used to nailing your calories. Don't worry about what foods get you there. Once you have that down pat, start looking at your macros and manipulating your protein/fat/carbs to hit your goals.
Now, here's the catch on that. The days I eat a lot of packaged food, I tend to be a bit hungrier because it has a tendency to be calorie dense foods. You might find that eating fresher foods keep you fuller. However, for weight loss in and of itself, it doesn't matter.
Thanks for the answer, you made me feel alot better. It's so hard for me to eat clean all the time, so when I eat something that isn't clean I freak out and feel all down on myself, even if my calories allow it.0 -
Yes.
I don't eat clean. Sometimes I'll go a week without even eating something "healthy" (whatever that is). I eat lots of boxed foods. I try to hit my macros. The rest, I don't care.
Since you are still just starting out, get used to nailing your calories. Don't worry about what foods get you there. Once you have that down pat, start looking at your macros and manipulating your protein/fat/carbs to hit your goals.
Now, here's the catch on that. The days I eat a lot of packaged food, I tend to be a bit hungrier because it has a tendency to be calorie dense foods. You might find that eating fresher foods keep you fuller. However, for weight loss in and of itself, it doesn't matter.
Thanks for the answer, you made me feel alot better. It's so hard for me to eat clean all the time, so when I eat something that isn't clean I freak out and feel all down on myself, even if my calories allow it.
I eat so "dirty" it would make you cringe. :laugh: Hasn't hurt my weight loss at all. I love food. I love food so much I got really, really fat. I LIKE that gross packaged processed stuff too. Now, I just eat less of it. If it kills me, at least it will taste good going down.
ETA: If you eat a lot of higher sodium foods (which I do sometimes) you do need to be ready for the water weight fluctuations that accompany them. Don't freak out if the scale bounces around a lot, just look at the overall trend. The app Libra is great for easing your mind of fluctuations...just log your weight and look at the overall trend line. If mine stays flat or starts going up over time, I know I need to change something.0 -
Yes.
I don't eat clean. Sometimes I'll go a week without even eating something "healthy" (whatever that is). I eat lots of boxed foods. I try to hit my macros. The rest, I don't care.
Since you are still just starting out, get used to nailing your calories. Don't worry about what foods get you there. Once you have that down pat, start looking at your macros and manipulating your protein/fat/carbs to hit your goals.
Now, here's the catch on that. The days I eat a lot of packaged food, I tend to be a bit hungrier because it has a tendency to be calorie dense foods. You might find that eating fresher foods keep you fuller. However, for weight loss in and of itself, it doesn't matter.
Thanks for the answer, you made me feel alot better. It's so hard for me to eat clean all the time, so when I eat something that isn't clean I freak out and feel all down on myself, even if my calories allow it.
I eat so "dirty" it would make you cringe. :laugh: Hasn't hurt my weight loss at all. I love food. I love food so much I got really, really fat. I LIKE that gross packaged processed stuff too. Now, I just eat less of it. If it kills me, at least it will taste good going down.
I think I developed a crush on you right this second. :laugh: Awesome!!!0 -
As long as you're taking in fewer calories than you're eating, you're going to lose weight.
It's good to try to get the nice nutrients like protein, fats, etc. and too much sodium will often make you retain water, but strictly speaking... Yep. Calorie deficit is king.
I don't eat clean.
Welcome to the awesomeness of MFP.0 -
As long as you're taking in fewer calories than you're eating, you're going to lose weight.
It's good to try to get the nice nutrients like protein, fats, etc. and too much sodium will often make you retain water, but strictly speaking... Yep. Calorie deficit is king.
I don't eat clean.
Welcome to the awesomeness of MFP.
Yes.0 -
As long as you're taking in fewer calories than you're eating, you're going to lose weight.
It's good to try to get the nice nutrients like protein, fats, etc. and too much sodium will often make you retain water, but strictly speaking... Yep. Calorie deficit is king.
I don't eat clean.
Welcome to the awesomeness of MFP.
Yeah, well, the loudest voices are usually the "hangriest".
Edited because autocorrect sucks.0 -
Yes.
I don't eat clean. Sometimes I'll go a week without even eating something "healthy" (whatever that is). I eat lots of boxed foods. I try to hit my macros. The rest, I don't care.
Since you are still just starting out, get used to nailing your calories. Don't worry about what foods get you there. Once you have that down pat, start looking at your macros and manipulating your protein/fat/carbs to hit your goals.
Now, here's the catch on that. The days I eat a lot of packaged food, I tend to be a bit hungrier because it has a tendency to be calorie dense foods. You might find that eating fresher foods keep you fuller. However, for weight loss in and of itself, it doesn't matter.
Thanks for the answer, you made me feel alot better. It's so hard for me to eat clean all the time, so when I eat something that isn't clean I freak out and feel all down on myself, even if my calories allow it.
I eat so "dirty" it would make you cringe. :laugh: Hasn't hurt my weight loss at all. I love food. I love food so much I got really, really fat. I LIKE that gross packaged processed stuff too. Now, I just eat less of it. If it kills me, at least it will taste good going down.
I think I developed a crush on you right this second. :laugh: Awesome!!!
:flowerforyou: :smooched:0 -
Yes.
I don't eat clean. Sometimes I'll go a week without even eating something "healthy" (whatever that is). I eat lots of boxed foods. I try to hit my macros. The rest, I don't care.
Since you are still just starting out, get used to nailing your calories. Don't worry about what foods get you there. Once you have that down pat, start looking at your macros and manipulating your protein/fat/carbs to hit your goals.
Now, here's the catch on that. The days I eat a lot of packaged food, I tend to be a bit hungrier because it has a tendency to be calorie dense foods. You might find that eating fresher foods keep you fuller. However, for weight loss in and of itself, it doesn't matter.
Thanks for the answer, you made me feel alot better. It's so hard for me to eat clean all the time, so when I eat something that isn't clean I freak out and feel all down on myself, even if my calories allow it.
I eat so "dirty" it would make you cringe. :laugh: Hasn't hurt my weight loss at all. I love food. I love food so much I got really, really fat. I LIKE that gross packaged processed stuff too. Now, I just eat less of it. If it kills me, at least it will taste good going down.
I think I developed a crush on you right this second. :laugh: Awesome!!!
Ahhh! You guys made my night! :-) I'm right there with ya!0 -
It all comes down to calorie deficit. "Clean eaters" and paleo dieters are all in a deficit because they are eating low calorie foods. That is it. The only thing I worry about is getting my protein quota in. After that I eat whatever the heck I want.0
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Speaking as an older woman with lots of years of eating not-such-good food, I'd like to change what you're saying just a little:
"I can eat whatever I want, but FIRST I'm going to eat an apple."
"I can eat whatever I want, but FIRST I'm going to have a side salad."
"I can eat whatever I want, but I think I'll chop up some broccoli to put in it."
You'll be glad when you're older. And part of the reason you're dieting is to have a long, healthy life. Eat a few veggies for the healthy part. I didn't really start eating more healthy food until I was in my 30s and I've never had what you would call a really pure diet, but I keep trying to add some of the good stuff every day.0 -
Yes.
I don't eat clean. Sometimes I'll go a week without even eating something "healthy" (whatever that is). I eat lots of boxed foods. I try to hit my macros. The rest, I don't care.
Since you are still just starting out, get used to nailing your calories. Don't worry about what foods get you there. Once you have that down pat, start looking at your macros and manipulating your protein/fat/carbs to hit your goals.
Now, here's the catch on that. The days I eat a lot of packaged food, I tend to be a bit hungrier because it has a tendency to be calorie dense foods. You might find that eating fresher foods keep you fuller. However, for weight loss in and of itself, it doesn't matter.
Thanks for the answer, you made me feel alot better. It's so hard for me to eat clean all the time, so when I eat something that isn't clean I freak out and feel all down on myself, even if my calories allow it.
I eat so "dirty" it would make you cringe. :laugh: Hasn't hurt my weight loss at all. I love food. I love food so much I got really, really fat. I LIKE that gross packaged processed stuff too. Now, I just eat less of it. If it kills me, at least it will taste good going down.
I think I developed a crush on you right this second. :laugh: Awesome!!!
Ahhh! You guys made my night! :-) I'm right there with ya!
*like*0 -
Yeah it's fine. Try to get reasonable macros (with particular attention to getting enough protein) and try to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and you're golden.
Have your cupcake and eat it too.0 -
the 80/20 rule is a good one..
80% healthy, 20% whatever you want ice cream, cookies, pizza, etc….
just stay in a deficit and hit your macros...0 -
Speaking as an older woman with lots of years of eating not-such-good food, I'd like to change what you're saying just a little:
"I can eat whatever I want, but FIRST I'm going to eat an apple."
"I can eat whatever I want, but FIRST I'm going to have a side salad."
"I can eat whatever I want, but I think I'll chop up some broccoli to put in it."
You'll be glad when you're older. And part of the reason you're dieting is to have a long, healthy life. Eat a few veggies for the healthy part. I didn't really start eating more healthy food until I was in my 30s and I've never had what you would call a really pure diet, but I keep trying to add some of the good stuff every day.
I hate apples and vegetables.0 -
If all that matters is weight loss, then yes, calorie deficit will get you there. Healthy nutrition is another issue.0
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Ive lost 80kg doing just that.0
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I lost all my weight eating what ever I wanted. I am maintaining by doing the same. I feel better if I throw in some kind of balance of "good for you foods" but as for the scale it doesn't matter as long as I'm under!0
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Yes! I will throw my hat in as another successful, non-clean eater. As others have said, watch your macros, especially protein, get in some fiber and enjoy the freedom of not having a bunch of crazy restrictions!0
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