Anyone ever find themself in this boat?

So after trying this diet and that restrictive diet because it's supposedly "healthier" and not being able to stick with it, you say screw it I'll eat whatever I want as long as I meet my calorie budget for the day. So you eat what you want and log it consistently. And then lo and behold you actually lose weight. I say this because I'm fed up with dieting and trying to eat "perfectly" all the time. I want to be able to have cereal for breakfast occasionally, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or macaroni and cheese without worrying about carbs or its health value. I mean I don't want to throw healthy eating completely out the window but I want to stop obsessing so much and I really want to lose those 10-12 pounds and get back down to where I felt the best.

Replies

  • newb01
    newb01 Posts: 22
    Everyone is different. If that works for you...great. It was fine with me till I wanted to loose the last 5-10 pounds. I could NOT do it. Then I switched to 60 Protein, 30 Fat, 10 Carb...clean eating and progress...very very slow progress was made.

    Do what works for you.
  • logg1e
    logg1e Posts: 1,208 Member
    Isn't that the whole premise of calorie counting?
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    I get sea sick.
  • seashel812
    seashel812 Posts: 25
    Isn't that the whole premise of calorie counting?
    I think so lol. I guess I am just looking for some encouragement that people have had success with this. Or if they didnt that's ok too. I've read to many health books that something as simple as calorie counting seems well too simple but a relief at the same time.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I've lost 80 pounds that way. Just have to make sure to have enough protein (and, some would say, fat).
  • MaggieLoo79
    MaggieLoo79 Posts: 288 Member
    It's about lifestyle changes. Don't waste your time on any "plan" that you won''t be able to stick to long term.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    I've lost 70+ pounds eating things like Mac & cheese, real fettuccine Alfredo, (no cauliflower substitutions!!)' pizza, cake, pie and brownies, etc (along with much healthier options too of course). I have 2 picky children and a picky husband and a hectic schedule, no way am I cooking separate meals for them and me. I eat what they eat for our main family meal, and vice versa. It's about HOW MUCH you eat, not WHAT you eat, and as long as I control my portions I'm fine and lose weight consistently. There is sub-zero need to deprive yourself or cut out entire food groups in order to lose weight. Once I was able to get my head around that my outlook on life improved dramatically.
  • rondaj05
    rondaj05 Posts: 497 Member
    It's about lifestyle changes. Don't waste your time on any "plan" that you won''t be able to stick to long term.

    ^^^ Agree!! As long as you don't have health issues that require you to restrict any types of foods there's no reason for you to! :flowerforyou:
  • seashel812
    seashel812 Posts: 25
    Wow congratulations to all you guys! It's encouraging! So I'm going to stick to my calorie budget, log consistently (and accurately lol) and instead of eating what I think I "should" eat I'm going to make food choices based on what I to eat. Hopefully I should see positive results. Maybe as a testament I'll post my results under the success section when I reach them. It's such a relief that I don't have to do anything extreme or give up foods I like. I think I can actually do this lol.
  • KarenE86
    KarenE86 Posts: 75 Member
    I think what works for YOU is what is important. Do what will work for you in the long term.

    I still have cheat foods or I'd go insane. For the most part, I do try to eat healthy foods though. I don't obsess over it, its more of a lifestyle change and personal choice because I have poor genes and I'm trying to avoid diabetes, high blood pressure, etc that runs in my family. But once again, you have to do what will work for you both now and in the future.