Dieting vs Flexable dieting
rollerjog
Posts: 154 Member
anybody try one or the other or both, what one do they like the best, what one did they get the best results from,what flexable dieting ratio did you use,
0
Replies
-
Ive always gone by weekly deficit not daily. I have a daily target but if i go over slightly one day ill compensate by going under on another day - it evens out over the week. This way it allows me to account for fluctuating hunger. Im not the same level of hunger everyday and dont want to go hungry one day and force myself to eat another day - i dont think that's a mentally healthy relationship with food for me.
Its made no difference to weight loss. I weigh everyday for curiosity but only record once a week.
I dont really pay attention to macros but i find low carb helps keeps blood sugar level and avoids crashes leading to carb cravings. Also sweet stuff and bready stuff is like kryptonite to me - only makes me want more. If i dont start, i dont binge. I dont feel hard done by though - its just food- there are more pleasurable things in life than icecream or cookies! (like dancing, feeling sexy, walking in spring woods etc)
I aslo avoid artificial sweeteners as they just fuel my sweettooth and ill end up craving sweets. I have a tiny bit of real sugar if i need to sweeten something (rare)
Hope that helps.
WZG4 -
What is non flexible dieting?3
-
Eating the same amount of calorirs every day no matter what.0
-
Whitezombiegirl wrote: »Eating the same amount of calorirs every day no matter what.
Oh. Eating different calories every day is not how I would classify flexible dieting...0 -
livingleanlivingclean wrote: »What is non flexible dieting?
Flexible dieting = IIFYM = eating whatever you want as long as you meet your fat/carb/protein goals.2 -
As long as you're in a calorie defecit, any diet can be considered flexible.
Macros are important, but calories are king.2 -
Pam_Shebamm wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »What is non flexible dieting?
Macro counting.
Where I'm from, IIFYM is generally considered flexible dieting.... Not non flexible dieting...
Neither has anything to do with the amount of calories you eat a day.
All diets are technically IIFYM. People eat what they choose (flexible) and make it fit their macros (whatever they are to them)
3 -
livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Pam_Shebamm wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »What is non flexible dieting?
Macro counting.
Where I'm from, IIFYM is generally considered flexible dieting.... Not non flexible dieting...
Neither has anything to do with the amount of calories you eat a day.
All diets are technically IIFYM. People eat what they choose (flexible) and make it fit their macros (whatever they are to them)
I'd noticed you wrote non-flexible and edited my post but I guess you didn't see it in time. Lol1 -
You get more diet flexibility by not having a set macro ratio as well.
Protein & fat as minimum goals and rest of cals can come from whichever macro you want (or need) on the day.
So you could say I like IIFYM the eating philosophy but dislike IIFYM the web site.
I don't like restriction or rules but also didn't need to make any real adjustments to my foods apart from a temporary reduction in calories.3 -
I consider dieting any time you spend outside of maintenance (whether it be to lean out by cutting or putting on mass while bulking). Not sure what the difference in flexibility is (unless you mean a fad type diet where you don't actually know anything about CICO and follow instructions). Not clear what you're asking.0
-
Whitezombiegirl wrote: »Eating the same amount of calorirs every day no matter what.
I think of flexible dieting as just meaning basically IIFYM, nothing about flexing calories.1 -
Anyway, dieting is just eating with a calorie deficit. Flexible dieting is eating with a calorie deficit, trying to eat healthfully, but not cutting out any particular foods or following any specific eating plan, choosing macros based on personal goals. So you can't really contrast the two, flexible dieting is a subset of dieting.
I liked flexible dieting, did about 33-33-33 (I know that leaves an extra percentage, it went wherever, since I was never that exact) when at low (1250) calories and then switched to 40 (carbs)-30-30 when I was exercising more and had more calories. And then I decided I didn't care about fat vs. carbs and focused just on hitting 100 g of protein (based on weight) and making healthy choices overall. To me it's a sensible and personally-tailored way to lose, and I enjoyed it, so I'd recommend trying it.
IME, depending on what your particular issues are, how much you have to lose, goals, etc., you may find there are other things you need to add. For example, I found that it helped me to have some planning and structure and to eat according to a regular pattern (3 meals, usually, without snacking), as that helps with my tendency to stress eat and emotionally eat.4 -
This content has been removed.
-
IIFYM is flexible dieting because they do not restrict you with the food you eat. You can eat just junk food if you want and still lose weight with IIFYM (see the Twinkie diet on google for example). What matters with IIFYM is that you are able to fit whatever you eat within your macros.
I know what you're trying to say but if you need to hit macros it's also restrictive. You can't hit 100g protein on twinkies within your cut calories. So no food is off limits, but it doesn't paint the whole picture.2 -
This content has been removed.
-
IIFYM is flexible dieting because they do not restrict you with the food you eat. You can eat just junk food if you want and still lose weight with IIFYM (see the Twinkie diet on google for example). What matters with IIFYM is that you are able to fit whatever you eat within your macros.
I know what you're trying to say but if you need to hit macros it's also restrictive. You can't hit 100g protein on twinkies within your cut calories. So no food is off limits, but it doesn't paint the whole picture.
True, but the definition of flexible dieting is different for everyone...for one person it means being flexible with what you eat and for others, it means flexible in not being restricted with both food & Calories..in that case, can we really call it a flexible diet if there is no structure?
That was my point, it's flexible but you can't REALLY eat whatever you want (who would eat all twinkies anyway lol) but there is complete flexibility in terms of the foods you eat (chocolate is a totally acceptable carb for example)
0 -
Here's a reasonable discussion of the history and typical flexible dieting approach: http://www.healthylivingheavylifting.com/flexible-dieting-more-than-just-macros/
And an Alan Aragon video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SX5IEnAdkk 0 -
People misunderstand what flexible dieting is. They think that is an excuse to fit as much junk food as you want because it fits into your macros. That's not the point at all. IIFYM highlights the importance of being in a calorie deficit for fat loss regardless of the foods that one chooses to achieve this deficit. People have lost weight on a 50% ice cream diet, on a junk food and twinkies only diet, Potato diet, Taco Bell diet, a Pizza diet, etc.. a bodybuilder even got into contest shape by doing an all McDonald's diet.
The point in being flexible is that a flexible diet should also include a flexible lifestyle. You shouldn't freak out over having some cake and ice cream with friends because it put you over your macros. You can simply adjust the next day by subtracting 300 calories out of your diet-- It means not assuming that you are destined to waste away into a skeleton because you failed to consume your protein right after training, while realizing that total daily protein intake is the most important.
That's what flexible dieting is to me: not some BS excuse to fit as many Snicker bars into your diet as you can just because it fits your macros.1 -
This content has been removed.
-
livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Pam_Shebamm wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »What is non flexible dieting?
Macro counting.
Where I'm from, IIFYM is generally considered flexible dieting.... Not non flexible dieting...
Neither has anything to do with the amount of calories you eat a day.
All diets are technically IIFYM. People eat what they choose (flexible) and make it fit their macros (whatever they are to them)
That's not true. I've been doing IIFYM for about a year and a half. I still have a calorie goal I stay under. I set my daily calorie goal then work my protein, fat and carbs goal around the calories I eat in a day.0 -
LucasWilland wrote: »People misunderstand what flexible dieting is. They think that is an excuse to fit as much junk food as you want because it fits into your macros. That's not the point at all. IIFYM highlights the importance of being in a calorie deficit for fat loss regardless of the foods that one chooses to achieve this deficit. People have lost weight on a 50% ice cream diet, on a junk food and twinkies only diet, Potato diet, Taco Bell diet, a Pizza diet, etc.. a bodybuilder even got into contest shape by doing an all McDonald's diet.
The point in being flexible is that a flexible diet should also include a flexible lifestyle. You shouldn't freak out over having some cake and ice cream with friends because it put you over your macros. You can simply adjust the next day by subtracting 300 calories out of your diet-- It means not assuming that you are destined to waste away into a skeleton because you failed to consume your protein right after training, while realizing that total daily protein intake is the most important.
That's what flexible dieting is to me: not some BS excuse to fit as many Snicker bars into your diet as you can just because it fits your macros.
You're wrong about the definition of IIFYM, even the creator of the IIFYM website says that IIFYM shouldn't be an excuse just to eat junk food. His point was to say that you can add treat here or there if you want, but he highly recommends to get micronutrients too.
You must have misunderstood me. I did illustrate the importance of micronutrients in a diet. I DO NOT believe that IIFYM is an excuse to fit as much junk in as possible, but that is what the average laymen or women thinks it is. Also, I think it is entirely possible for a flexible diet to become too inflexible. If flexible dieting is weighing every last thing you eat and tracking it for the rest of your life, you are doing it wrong. It's no longer flexible, see.
0 -
Did OP ever come back to fill us in on what they mean by "dieting" and "flexible dieting"?0
-
ITT I learned flexible doesn't mean flexible.0
-
livingleanlivingclean wrote: »Pam_Shebamm wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »What is non flexible dieting?
Macro counting.
Where I'm from, IIFYM is generally considered flexible dieting.... Not non flexible dieting...
Neither has anything to do with the amount of calories you eat a day.
All diets are technically IIFYM. People eat what they choose (flexible) and make it fit their macros (whatever they are to them)
That's not true. I've been doing IIFYM for about a year and a half. I still have a calorie goal I stay under. I set my daily calorie goal then work my protein, fat and carbs goal around the calories I eat in a day.
I never said there wasn't a calorie goal.
The OP said "non flexible" dieting was eating the same amount of cals every day. IIFYM has nothing to do with eating different calories every day...0 -
I think the problem here is the OP posted a really ambiguous question then bailed so we can't get any clarification on the meaning. It does sound like they were using IIFYM as synonymous with "flexible dieting" with the way the question was worded ("ratio" is often used as in "macro ratio"), but it's unclear what is meant by just "diet". I'm guessing CICO (as in "I'm using the CICO diet to lose weight") since people so often misunderstand the difference between calories in vs calories out and a way of eating (IIFYM or HCLF or Keto or a multitude of other approaches to achieve a CICO balance). Frustrating.
edited to close parens cause ima dork...1 -
i think some people are over thinking the question, i already know what regular dieting is and flexable dieting is , i just wanted to know what other people think about it, if one worked better than the other, and what one they like the best , ,also what ratio are they using, what i mean by that is with flexable dieting some people use 80% to 90% of the calories they take in a day from natural type foods, the other 10% to 20% of food is junk food or process food, thats all im asking , its kinda like the ford vs chevy thing0
-
i think some people are over thinking the question, i already know what regular dieting is and flexable dieting is , i just wanted to know what other people think about it, if one worked better than the other, and what one they like the best , ,also what ratio are they using, what i mean by that is with flexable dieting some people use 80% to 90% of the calories they take in a day from natural type foods, the other 10% to 20% of food is junk food or process food, thats all im asking , its kinda like the ford vs chevy thing
Welcome back
I don't worry about whether my food is "natural" or what? unatural? I eat a lot of processed food, some fresh, and focus mainly on protein at this point. I eat within my calorie allowance most of the time, eat back a few of my exercise calories, and have lost 30 lbs over the last year. This is what works for me - other strategies will work for other people.0 -
i think some people are over thinking the question, i already know what regular dieting is and flexable dieting is , i just wanted to know what other people think about it, if one worked better than the other, and what one they like the best , ,also what ratio are they using, what i mean by that is with flexable dieting some people use 80% to 90% of the calories they take in a day from natural type foods, the other 10% to 20% of food is junk food or process food, thats all im asking , its kinda like the ford vs chevy thing
But you still haven't explained what you mean by dieting vs flexible dieting.
CICO works however you do it, and is the basis for all ways of eating to lose weight (or maintain or gain, whatever your goals happen to be)0 -
i think some people are over thinking the question, i already know what regular dieting is and flexable dieting is , i just wanted to know what other people think about it, if one worked better than the other, and what one they like the best , ,also what ratio are they using, what i mean by that is with flexable dieting some people use 80% to 90% of the calories they take in a day from natural type foods, the other 10% to 20% of food is junk food or process food, thats all im asking , its kinda like the ford vs chevy thing
Do you mean "eating clean" compared to "eat whatever you want"?
Because my idea of "dieting" is eating some special diet to lose weight, which you will stop eating once you hit goal, like jenny craig, or atkins, or getting light butter and no fat dairy.
And my idea of "flexible dieting" is not worrying so much about what you eat, just hitting your calorie goal.
But I don't think that's what you mean?
I pay no attention to whether my food fits some fancy definition, I guess you could say I eat about 50% whole food and 50% processed if I had to guess. I just eat what I like that fills me up for the right amount of calories. <shrug>1 -
i think some people are over thinking the question, i already know what regular dieting is and flexable dieting is , i just wanted to know what other people think about it, if one worked better than the other, and what one they like the best , ,also what ratio are they using, what i mean by that is with flexable dieting some people use 80% to 90% of the calories they take in a day from natural type foods, the other 10% to 20% of food is junk food or process food, thats all im asking , its kinda like the ford vs chevy thing
Now define "junk food" or "process food".
You will find there isn't a common definition of either.
I had take away this evening - is it "junk food" because it's fast food?
( I would say not junk as it was grilled lean meat, salad and pitta bread. Others may claim if it's not home cooked it must be junk.)
But some of it was definitely processed - meat was marinated and cooked, bread doesn't grow on trees, jalapenos don't pickle themselves....
1
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions