Eating bad foods vs calorie goals
sexxy_dee
Posts: 42 Member
Hi I've been on MFP since july 2013. Ive been going to the gym since 4/9/2013. So far I have lost 72 lbs. I work out at least 4-6 times a week for at least 40 minutes. I went from 364 to 292 lbs. My goal was to lose 100lbs by 4/9/2014. I don't think I will make it. I have cut out sodas and juices. I only drink water, green tea and the occasional wylers light pink lemonade singles no calories. Some people say you can lose weight by eating whatever you want ex.fried foods, cakes ice cream etc and lose weight as long as you stay in your calorie goals. How true is this? I get disappointed because I feel I should have lost much more weight by now. If you look at my diary, 90 percent of the time I stay within my calorie count but eat terrible foods. Who has lost weight just by staying within the calorie count but continue to eat not so well?
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At this point you have a fair amount of calories to work with so it's easier to fit the higher calorie foods into your daily goal but as time and your weight loss move forward your calorie goal will decrease it will become harder to fit those types of food in. I know as long as there is a deficit you will lose weight - but in order to be able to eat enough volume to keep yourself satified, I would start to introduce healthier lower calorie options so that later when those high calorie foods don't fit into your goals it will be easier. That being said you should still allow yourself to have the foods you enjoy - you have lost a lot of weight doing this already - great work btw - but it will get harder when you have fewer calories to work with.
Also you can increase your exercise so that you still have the calories to enjoy the foods you like.
Planning and moderation. Good luck! You set your sights on a goal and you know what needs to be done. :drinker:0 -
I lost all my weight eating whatever I wanted so long as my calories added up by the end of the day.
These days I'm watching my macros more closely as I'm making sure I get 100-125g of protein a day, but otherwise filling the rest of my day with whatever I feel like eating.0 -
Weight loss is not the goal. Well being and healthy living is.0
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I have to admit that the people that say that only calories matter sort of boggle my mind. Is all exercise the same? Is calorie burn the only thing that matters in how your body reacts? Does weight lifting and running do the same thing to the body so long as their calorie burn is the same? Of course not. So, why would caloric value be the only that matters?
The amount of calories is certainly important but so is the content of the calories. Otherwise, fat, protein and carb levels wouldn't matter, and yet they do for many people. For example, if you're looking to maintain LBM or minimize LBM loss in a caloric deficit, a certain threshold of protein helps that. If you get that amount, you're more likely to minimize LBM loss or maintain LBM while in a deficit.0 -
1500 calories?
You should be losing weight eating ~3000+
Is this a doctor prescribed VLCD?
ETA:
I punched in your approximated stats and MFP gave me around ~2500 and MFP underestimates... You're probably eating below your BMR.0 -
Stop eating Bad food- nutrients are so lacking in your diet. I tink it's horrible that people tink they can just eat **** & get skinny. Your poor body is starved of all its vitamins & minerals. I'm not trying to be mean. I used to be the same thinking calories were the be all & end all. It's not true. The closer you get to your goal the harder it's going to get. You shud be eating mainly water rich vegetables, protein & good carbs like sweet potato & beans.
Congrats on your weight loss it's amazing. :-) But please think about the bigger picture your fat percentage is more important when you get closer to your goal weight. You will want to get fitter too so start making HEALTHY changes now. Then you will start to lose weight at a good rate & also will be losing fat (the important thing here).
Ignore all the people who say they lose loads of weight eating chips, chocolate & fizzy drinks once they stay under their calorie goal. They will gain it ALL BACK & more probably when they get smaller because ur calorie goals decrease.
Get ahead of the game now & you will continue to lose weight & be healthy.
Good Luck on your journey. I know it's easy to just focus on calories but really nutrients are way more important in the short & long term.0 -
Congrats on your progress. You've done great with that much loss so far. Looking at your diary I saw a couple of things worth commenting on. You seem to like fried chicken wings. Can you swap the fried stuff out with another method like baking/grilling? I also see a lot of sodium on some days. At our age, high sodium intake and being overweight helps crank up our blood pressure and put excess stress on our heart. Try to end the day at a lower number on that macro.
As far as eating whatever you want, my opinion is "garbage in = garbage out". You want your body pinging on all cylinders then you eat as such. You want to dump a lot of food into your system that your body has to work extra hard to process and leaves you feeling run down and listless, then you eat as such. And sure, don't say goodbye forever to the fried stuff, just moderate it. Have a once a week break from the plan if you want. Just do so with portion moderation and your end goal still in mind.
Young folks can say "I eat whatever I want and lose weight" because a lot of them can. I used to be the same way, then I got older and lost that magic.0 -
On looking at your diary, you have some pretty patchy logging. You have missed days, partially logged days and a lot of quick adds and/or incorrect entries (where the macros are wrong). You also have quite a few generic entries that can be way off.
If you do not use a digital food scale - start. Log all your food, weigh where possible. Be consistent. Your protein is very low also.
Re your question - you can eat what you want and lose weight as long as you are at a deficit. However, there are a few issues with this,including:
- satiety can be an issue
- lack of micronutrients and fiber can impact energy and health
- low protein, as noted
- often people with a lot of weight to lose are insulin resistant - higher carbs may impact energy out, meaning you have a smaller deficit than you would say with more protein and less carbs.0 -
Thanks a lot. I really appreciate what you are saying. It makes a lot of sense. I will definitely try to log better.0
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Thank you so much. After hearing people say you can eat whatever you want, I just sort of fell into that trend. What you are saying is what I needed to hear. I will make the change. Im not only trying to lose weight, I want to be healthier as well.0
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Stop eating Bad food- nutrients are so lacking in your diet. I tink it's horrible that people tink they can just eat **** & get skinny. Your poor body is starved of all its vitamins & minerals. I'm not trying to be mean. I used to be the same thinking calories were the be all & end all. It's not true. The closer you get to your goal the harder it's going to get. You shud be eating mainly water rich vegetables, protein & good carbs like sweet potato & beans.
Congrats on your weight loss it's amazing. :-) But please think about the bigger picture your fat percentage is more important when you get closer to your goal weight. You will want to get fitter too so start making HEALTHY changes now. Then you will start to lose weight at a good rate & also will be losing fat (the important thing here).
Ignore all the people who say they lose loads of weight eating chips, chocolate & fizzy drinks once they stay under their calorie goal. They will gain it ALL BACK & more probably when they get smaller because ur calorie goals decrease.
Get ahead of the game now & you will continue to lose weight & be healthy.
Good Luck on your journey. I know it's easy to just focus on calories but really nutrients are way more important in the short & long term.0 -
On looking at your diary, you have some pretty patchy logging. You have missed days, partially logged days and a lot of quick adds and/or incorrect entries (where the macros are wrong). You also have quite a few generic entries that can be way off.
If you do not use a digital food scale - start. Log all your food, weigh where possible. Be consistent. Your protein is very low also.
Re your question - you can eat what you want and lose weight as long as you are at a deficit. However, there are a few issues with this,including:
- satiety can be an issue
- lack of micronutrients and fiber can impact energy and health
- low protein, as noted
- often people with a lot of weight to lose are insulin resistant - higher carbs may impact energy out, meaning you have a smaller deficit than you would say with more protein and less carbs.
This is really great advice.0 -
I think at the beginning of your journey, all the changes you have to make can be overwhelming and I know that's where I've failed in the past. This time I'm taking little steps. I try to stay within my deficit and will allow myself a little bad-food-break here and there so long as it stays within my deficit.
You've already come so far! Congratulations on your progress! You have the idea of eating at a deficit conquered, now you can focus on other goals like eating healthier or getting fit.0 -
Stop eating Bad food- nutrients are so lacking in your diet. I tink it's horrible that people tink they can just eat **** & get skinny. Your poor body is starved of all its vitamins & minerals. I'm not trying to be mean. I used to be the same thinking calories were the be all & end all. It's not true. The closer you get to your goal the harder it's going to get. You shud be eating mainly water rich vegetables, protein & good carbs like sweet potato & beans.
Congrats on your weight loss it's amazing. :-) But please think about the bigger picture your fat percentage is more important when you get closer to your goal weight. You will want to get fitter too so start making HEALTHY changes now. Then you will start to lose weight at a good rate & also will be losing fat (the important thing here).
Ignore all the people who say they lose loads of weight eating chips, chocolate & fizzy drinks once they stay under their calorie goal. They will gain it ALL BACK & more probably when they get smaller because ur calorie goals decrease.
Get ahead of the game now & you will continue to lose weight & be healthy.
Good Luck on your journey. I know it's easy to just focus on calories but really nutrients are way more important in the short & long term.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: x1000
Really??? I see lots of people here who have hit their goals of weight/BF and maintained for a long time and have gone as far as "bulking" and losing again for muscle gains...
The above quote is just so wrong on so many levels.
ETA: eat your treats, there is nothing wrong with that...that doesn't mean you aren't being healthy...I eat my treats lots, eat out, fast food, sodas, chocolate and I am healthy, watch my macros but I don't demonize food either...0 -
Thank you so much. I really needed to hear this. I not only want to lose weight, I want to be healthier as well. I will make the change. I have made consistent exercise a part of my life, I will now make healthier food choices as well. Thanks again. You are not being mean, just honest. I need that.0
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On looking at your diary, you have some pretty patchy logging. You have missed days, partially logged days and a lot of quick adds and/or incorrect entries (where the macros are wrong). You also have quite a few generic entries that can be way off.
If you do not use a digital food scale - start. Log all your food, weigh where possible. Be consistent. Your protein is very low also.
Re your question - you can eat what you want and lose weight as long as you are at a deficit. However, there are a few issues with this,including:
- satiety can be an issue
- lack of micronutrients and fiber can impact energy and health
- low protein, as noted
- often people with a lot of weight to lose are insulin resistant - higher carbs may impact energy out, meaning you have a smaller deficit than you would say with more protein and less carbs.
This is really great advice.
Agreed...0 -
That's what they want. I'm not entirely convinced that all of those people are just random people trying to lose weight. If the food industry were to have paid trolls here, "eat whatever you want" would be exactly their message. (And why wouldn't they? They pay to lie to you in print, they pay to lie to you on TV, they pay to lie to you on the radio, why wouldn't they pay to lie to you on the internet?)Thank you so much. After hearing people say you can eat whatever you want, I just sort of fell into that trend. What you are saying is what I needed to hear. I will make the change. Im not only trying to lose weight, I want to be healthier as well.
Anyway, it seems like you already know what to do. I never lost weight when i was trying to lose weight, but when i decided to gain health, the weight starting falling off. Fruits and vegetables are the way to health; no other food has such a significant load of micro-nutrients.0 -
That's what they want. I'm not entirely convinced that all of those people are just random people trying to lose weight. If the food industry were to have paid trolls here, "eat whatever you want" would be exactly their message. (And why wouldn't they? They pay to lie to you in print, they pay to lie to you on TV, they pay to lie to you on the radio, why wouldn't they pay to lie to you on the internet?)Thank you so much. After hearing people say you can eat whatever you want, I just sort of fell into that trend. What you are saying is what I needed to hear. I will make the change. Im not only trying to lose weight, I want to be healthier as well.
Anyway, it seems like you already know what to do. I never lost weight when i was trying to lose weight, but when i decided to gain health, the weight starting falling off. Fruits and vegetables are the way to health; no other food has such a significant load of micro-nutrients.
time for the tin foil hat...:laugh:
The message gets lost in translation
I don't remember seeing anyone saying "eat whatever you want"...I see people saying you don't have to give up treats like chocolate, ice cream etc...what is said is eat in a deficet and fit in the foods you love while in that deficet.
While you were trying to lose weigh you weren't in a deficet you are now...congrats..
But we all know it's not because of the types of foods you eat it's because you are in a deficet now.
As always it's not the types of foods you eat it is how much you eat...
OP the rule of thumb is hit your macros (get in enough protien/fats and carbs fall where they may), ensure you are getting in your vitamins and minerals needed but don't give up foods you love/want just eat smaller portions of them as long as they fit in your goals..
If you love chocolate are you gonna give it up forever??? probably not so why do it now?0 -
That's what they want. I'm not entirely convinced that all of those people are just random people trying to lose weight. If the food industry were to have paid trolls here, "eat whatever you want" would be exactly their message. (And why wouldn't they? They pay to lie to you in print, they pay to lie to you on TV, they pay to lie to you on the radio, why wouldn't they pay to lie to you on the internet?)Thank you so much. After hearing people say you can eat whatever you want, I just sort of fell into that trend. What you are saying is what I needed to hear. I will make the change. Im not only trying to lose weight, I want to be healthier as well.
Anyway, it seems like you already know what to do. I never lost weight when i was trying to lose weight, but when i decided to gain health, the weight starting falling off. Fruits and vegetables are the way to health; no other food has such a significant load of micro-nutrients.
LOL. Am I reading this right? If only I were paid for posting here. I'd buy me a new bikini....and maybe a cupcake.0 -
Why eat bad foods when you can eat good ones? They are called "bad" foods for a reason.0
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What is your mindset and what are your goals? If your only goal is to lose weight, then your only objective needs to be eating at a caloric deficit. If your goal is health and well-being, diet plays a much bigger role. Now, what you eat does matter, even in the first scenario because if you only eat junk foods with low nutritional yields, you won't feel full as long and you won't feel as healthy or energetic and those things are likely to make you eat above your deficit.
That said, for true health and well-being, you need a balanced diet. The macros that work for you will be different for someone else, because they are individual and dependent on your goals. Eating a lot of vegetables and a lot of fruit and healthy fats and good proteins are all important to your body functioning at peak capacity - and important to your diet, because they fill you in both nutrient content and volume. Which doesn't mean you can never eat fried chicken (or, for me, pasta or cake or cheese) ever again, it means that you need to learn to eat them in moderation and plan them into your days and account for them either in your daily totals or your planned exercise burn.
To be successful long term, you do need to learn portion control and how to turn down food. That's been my reality - learning to skip food just because it's there. For example, my office is currently down in the conference room sampling sweets provided by a bakery that wants our business. I am here on MFP, typing to you, because I don't have enough room in my calorie budget for the day to enjoy that extra treat, and because I tweaked my knee last night, I'm not going to have a super intense workout to burn extra calories. And I'm ok with that!
It's a learning process - you've done exceptionally well! 78 lbs is a FANTASTIC loss! I started losing in August 2013, with a break from October through December, and really focusing in since January and I'm only down 40 lbs as of today (I started at 350). You've crossed some huge hurdles to initial success, and now are in a place where you can continue onwards towards health and fitness. GOOD FOR YOU! Do NOT think you've not done enough or could have done better, because what you've done is utterly fantastic. Now, set a new goal to make healthier food choices and continue your great progress.0 -
I think it's a balance issue and figuring out what the specific balance is for YOU. For some it's moderation in all, for others it means greater food restriction.
I personally restrict carbs and avoid certain foods (grains in particular) because of my personal issues -- insulin resistance and auto-immune thyroid issue. As someone else mentioned, a lot of people that are significantly overweight often have insulin resistance (though you can definitely get it through other means as well). It may be a good idea to get that checked out by your doctor -- some simple blood tests for glucose levels and insulin will do it. Because if you do have that issue, eating just a deficit will not be enough or you will not see as great as results focusing on content of calories as well. You'll do best restricting carbs, especially those that are high glycemic (refined grains, certain fruits, etc.) to stabilize your insulin reaction.
However, that doesn't mean never eating what you love -- it may just mean learning to modify or simply having them on occasion. I still have a sweet tooth and find dark chocolate goes a long way towards satisfying that (once you get off the high glycemic carbs/sugar consistently, the cravings for them are greatly reduced) -- I also love See's candies bordeaux candies and will have one from time to time. Or I'll do creme brule or panna cotta from time to time. Shoot, even a sweet potato with butter and cinnamon hits the spot sometimes.
You're going to need a caloric deficit to lose, but there are certainly smarter ways to go about that. And that's focusing on nutrient dense foods like vegetables and fruits, good proteins, good fats, etc. to meet your caloric needs. If you eat less nutritious food, you may have issue with satiety and lack of essential nutrients -- whether it's essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc.
So, you're already working hard with the caloric deficit. You might as well work smart as well, and then have treats from time to time as suits your lifestyle, to maximize the return from all the hard work.0 -
Yes, you can eat whatever you want and lose weight. But weight loss is not an indication of good health. I think it's best to eat healthier and balanced meals, and have the junks in moderation. I am not one who say you have to eat 100% clean. I sure don't, but you do need the right nutrients to fuel your body. That's very important.0
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Stop eating Bad food- nutrients are so lacking in your diet. I tink it's horrible that people tink they can just eat **** & get skinny. Your poor body is starved of all its vitamins & minerals. I'm not trying to be mean. I used to be the same thinking calories were the be all & end all. It's not true. The closer you get to your goal the harder it's going to get. You shud be eating mainly water rich vegetables, protein & good carbs like sweet potato & beans.
Congrats on your weight loss it's amazing. :-) But please think about the bigger picture your fat percentage is more important when you get closer to your goal weight. You will want to get fitter too so start making HEALTHY changes now. Then you will start to lose weight at a good rate & also will be losing fat (the important thing here).
Ignore all the people who say they lose loads of weight eating chips, chocolate & fizzy drinks once they stay under their calorie goal. They will gain it ALL BACK & more probably when they get smaller because ur calorie goals decrease.
Get ahead of the game now & you will continue to lose weight & be healthy.
Good Luck on your journey. I know it's easy to just focus on calories but really nutrients are way more important in the short & long term.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: x1000
Really??? I see lots of people here who have hit their goals of weight/BF and maintained for a long time and have gone as far as "bulking" and losing again for muscle gains...
The above quote is just so wrong on so many levels.
ETA: eat your treats, there is nothing wrong with that...that doesn't mean you aren't being healthy...I eat my treats lots, eat out, fast food, sodas, chocolate and I am healthy, watch my macros but I don't demonize food either...
You are missing the point- I eat a lot of treats too but I do not sacrifice my nutrients. Take a look at her diary & u will understand why I said what I said. Don't go jumping that I'm saying any food groups are bad. But sodas are not in any food group.
Also if your going to make a joke of my comments please do so in a constructive way. This forum is not a place for you to make stupid remarks on other people's opinions.0 -
That's what they want. I'm not entirely convinced that all of those people are just random people trying to lose weight. If the food industry were to have paid trolls here, "eat whatever you want" would be exactly their message. (And why wouldn't they? They pay to lie to you in print, they pay to lie to you on TV, they pay to lie to you on the radio, why wouldn't they pay to lie to you on the internet?)
Anyway, it seems like you already know what to do. I never lost weight when i was trying to lose weight, but when i decided to gain health, the weight starting falling off. Fruits and vegetables are the way to health; no other food has such a significant load of micro-nutrients.
I think there's really two issues at play here. First of all, the advice given was NOT "eat whatever you want", it was "eat whatever you want, so long as it fits your calories". There is a massive difference between those 2 statements.
Secondly, healthy eating isn't the black and white issue that you're making it out to be.
Right now people are eating whatever they want and however much they want of it. That's more or less the worst case scenario.
Restricting intake to reduce calories to a more manageable number is 100% a step in the right direction. That doesn't mean it's the best possible solution, but it is better than what's happening right now. It's a stepping stone on the journey to healthy living.
Once someone has mastered restricting calories, then they can start looking into restricting calories while meeting macros. When you're already used to eating less food, it's an easier transition to start switching out some of the junk foods you love for foods that are good for you.
Once that's mastered, they can start looking into managing their micros as well.
There's no reason to make someone go from eating as much as they want of whatever they want to eating very little of foods they don't really want. That's a recipe for having them quit or going on a binge a few weeks into the diet.
But sure, I guess you're right, I'm a paid health food troll. My advice is awful and I want you to remain fat for the rest of your life. My stance that you should eat at a caloric deficit first and worry about macros and micros second is a controversial weight loss strategy that involves demonic rituals and magic wands.0 -
Why eat bad foods when you can eat good ones? They are called "bad" foods for a reason.
"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." - Shakespeare0
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