So can you eat what you want within reason.

As long as you stay within the calories that are allotted for you. It's good to watch the macros too.

I feel like I eat way too many snacks, but I eat really lean protein and get enough, veggies are low calorie, so I snack quite a bit to meet daily goal. I lost weight reliably all the way down and have made goal and I really feel like I am eating too many snacks now. But I'm not.

Yes. Just make sure you are accurately logging what you eat (this means weighing it) and choosing the right database entries. It is possible to "log your food" but have the inaccuracies totally wipe out your calorie deficit. Also, if by "go hard at it" you mean that you choose an aggressive goal, that could pose problems with adherence. But yes, a simple calorie deficit is what results in weight loss.

another tip, too - be reasonable in your calorie limit. Its suggested to only really shoot for 1% of your body weight, meaning that if you don't have a large amount to lose, 2 lb/wk is too aggressive; shoot for a lower limit, be patient, and eat what you want within reason! another suggestion? Consider eating what you want, but in smaller portions or in a different type. For instance: if you want Lays Doritoes, go for the baked instead of the regular, or if you want a honey bun, eat half instead of the whole thing.

I make room in my allowance for chocolate every day. It’s all about portions. And you’ll naturally make smarter choices as you go along as you discover it’s more sustainable to eat more of something that’s lower in calories than a few pitiful mouthfuls of something full of them. Balance, portion size, but not deprivation!

melissastrine11510 wrote: »

I feel like every time I fail because I go hard with it and never allow myself anything that I really want. This time as long as I stay under my caloric intake if I want something will I be okay and still lose?

Yes...weight management is about calories. I eat pretty well for the most part and have "treats" regularly...I just make sure the bulk of my diet is very nutritious.

firecat1987 wrote: »

yep just make sure you don't go over your daily calorie goal. I have chocolate as dessert every night pretty much because of this!

you can go over daily goal a little as long as your calories add up at the end of the week(some track by weekly calories instead) then you should be fine. for some it may be easier to go by calories per day.

I've practiced IIFYM the entire time I have been with MFP and it's worked wonders. If It Fits Your Macros eat it. Set your calorie goal, set your macros the way you want (no need to set them the way MFP sets them) and stay at that calorie goal or under. Lost 120+ lbs in about my first 14-15 months on MFP. Have maintained ever since with the exception of the last eight months or so I've been bulking but that's on purpose. Carbs, Fat, Protein.. none of it is the enemy by itself, it's the calories that are the enemy. Sure, to meet your calorie goals you might need to limit some things or learn to cook them differently but otherwise eat what you want within your calorie goal.

I do, but I also want to eat better quality healthy foods. But I definitely indulge and might have pie and mash for dinner but a low cal soup for lunch to compensate. I might also have a low cal yoghurt or jelly as dessert. Then there are days where I make a big vegetable bake in tomato sauce to have with a Quorn escalope....but I’ll have a mini tub of Haagen daas for dessert.

I eat what I want but smaller portions of the higher calorie stuff and don’t go over my 1750 per day. I am doing this for long term change to eating habits and meal sizes. It has helped this stop feeling like a depriving diet which I would previously lose interest in. Much more enjoyable now