Clean Eating

Just know that clean eating in and of itself does not cause weight loss. You have to eat less calories then you burn to lose weight. You can do that eating processed foods or not.

Good for you! I think Clean Eating is the way to go. Benefits of clean eating is that it can drastically reduce or eliminate cravings. Clean eating will change your health and hopefully your weight. I disagree that it is all calorie counting. I eat weight more calories than I am supposed to but I eat very clean and healthy and I lose half a pound a day.

I am a big fan of clean eating. For example, if an apple falls on the floor, I will pick it up, and clean it before eating.

Just know that clean eating in and of itself does not cause weight loss. You have to eat less calories then you burn to lose weight. You can do that eating processed foods or not.

Rings true. And for most that go the "clean" eating route, it's usually a 180 from how they used to eat done in less than a week. That type of extreme and abrupt change usually causes regain in weight and binge due to the fact that in a week or two cravings from all their favorite foods that they abstained from hit them hard and mentally they weren't ready for it.
From my personal experience people who just add more whole foods to their current diets will figure out a way where they can eat both and still lose weight.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Just know that clean eating in and of itself does not cause weight loss. You have to eat less calories then you burn to lose weight. You can do that eating processed foods or not.

Rings true. And for most that go the "clean" eating route, it's usually a 180 from how they used to eat done in less than a week. That type of extreme and abrupt change usually causes regain in weight and binge due to the fact that in a week or two cravings from all their favorite foods that they abstained from hit them hard and mentally they weren't ready for it.
From my personal experience people who just add more whole foods to their current diets will figure out a way where they can eat both and still lose weight.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Exactly. I've run across so many people who make sudden dietary changes, sound like born again nutritionists, and thumb their nose at things they used to eat just last week (processed foods, carbs, sugars, etc are the devil !!!). Their new diet is not sustainable and they end up regaining all the weight. Then they start again with the "I lost X weight by not eating Y so I'm going to do it again" mentality.

I recommend learning how to cook more of your food and eating less processed food in general. That doesn't mean you have to give up all the foods you love, but learn to cook for yourself so you know what's in your food. If you buy a lot of different produce and the basics to stock your pantry (oil, grains, beans, spices) you will be doing yourself a real favor over time.

Even foods like granola -- you'd be surprised how easy it is to make this yourself. Or salad dressing -- I haven't bought bottled salad dressing in years. You can make your own fresh dressing in barely any time at all, and it won't have preservatives in it. Don't buy packaged cupcakes -- bake your own. And give away some of them to your friends and neighbors, so you don't eat more than you wanted

Also try to buy better quality meat, but less of it. Make it the smallest portion of your dinner, and up the size of the veggie portions.

For the record, I cook a lot and my family eats quite well, but it wasn't until I started using this site that I realized I need to be more aware of portion sizes, and the act of recording what I eat in a day has helped with my awareness. I'm using a metal cup measure to dole out my servings of rice, etc. so that I learn how much I'm actually eating. I also got a digital kitchen scale, for the same reason. You don't have to go overboard, but it is helpful initially to learn what the intended portion size is. It has been an eye-opener for me.

Good luck!

Gosh, nothing in this thread seemed negative or unsupportive to me.
One poster made a joke about cleaning an apple before eating it ( we are allowed to have a little joke, I think) and others gave realistic advice about not going overboard and crashing by being too restrictive.

How is this negative or unsupportive?

This will be my first step in starting my weight loss (HOPEFULLY!) I am hoping that starting to eat healthier will give me more energy, and will give me the boost to start working out. I know that most food in moderation is ok, but I also know that if there is a package of cupcakes here I will eat them.... all.

Same problem. I can't eat 1. I eat them all, whatever it is. Doesn't matter. and the evidence is all over my diary. Oh well. I don' crave the foods.. I don't even like most of them.. but if they are in the house I want them, and I don't stop at one.. even if I tell myself I will and walk away after 1.. I always end up right back there.. Some people don't have that issue.. they can do this moderation thing.. Lucky them. :~)

You can do this!! Don't buy the stuff. It's a lot harder to eat it, if you don't buy it. My weakness is the bakery markdown section at the grocery store. I recommend staying away from there!! (what???!! 8 donuts for a 1.40!! awesome!.. well no not awesome.. lol)

Just be aware..Most of those who you are viewing as being negative actually eat the way you are talking about eating.. with a cupcake or two thrown in.. they just don't like the term 'clean" It's nothing more then that..

I started this thread because I heard that this was a supportive place. I guess when you are about to embark on a new journey you hope there is a place to go to make it a little easier and a little better.

You need to forgive some people here. This topic is a dead horse, it has been beaten to death. Just search for the term clean eating and you will know what I mean.

Personally, I am with you. I am close to maintenance and lost my weight relatively easy. I am convinced it had to not only to do with cutting calories, but also in making healthier choices. I cut Coke from my diet completely (6 months now), no more pop or in fact any drinks with calories and I am now on water, green tea, and lemon infused water, very rarely an espresso. I do not drink alcohol anyhow so that was easy.

I eat much more veggies than ever before and by doing this, you fill yourself up with low calorie food so there is not so much space for other food. I cut out pizza, pasta (not 100%, but instead of three times a week! three times a month), as little as possible processed food. I got myself a top of the range blender and make myself healthy veggie smoothies that last me for nearly a whole day, so no need for snacking. No more cakes or biscuits, the only vice I still have is my beloved vanilla ice cream.

My life is now about healthy food choices, lot's of exercises (the best investments I made this year was a good pedometer and a sports watch with heart rate monitor), much more sleep that I used to get (I am trying for 8 hours), lot's of fresh air (the dogs love me for that as their walkies went up from around the block to somewhere between 5 and 7km daily).

Anyhow, just do not make too many changes at the same time as it gets tricky to keep them all up. As for the friendliness on this forum, unfortunately you will see that this lacks. And before somebody grills me for that, there is constructive criticism and there is plain out rudeness, bordering on bullying. I don't care as I have a thick skin, but do not let it get to you. Just ignore the comments that are not constructive.

If you want, you can add me as your friend and we can support each other.

Best of luck with your journey.
Stef.