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Eating whatever you like within calories

elu347
elu347 Posts: 3 Member
edited December 2024 in Getting Started
Can you really eat whatever you like but keep it withon the calorie target given? Onviously im not going mad but i had cake today and still kept within my calories with some to spare?

Replies

  • cathipa
    cathipa Posts: 2,991 Member
    Yes. Weight loss is about staying within a reasonable calorie deficit. You can eat nothing but Twinkies and lose, however it is not healthy or sustainable long term without consequences.
  • born_of_fire74
    born_of_fire74 Posts: 776 Member
    ConfidentRaven wrote: »
    It’s all about staying in your calorie goals. There are no bad foods, just foods with less nutritional value. Having a bit of cake or other low nutrient food now and again helps some people stay on a low calorie plan. So enjoy that cake and adjust the rest of your day accordingly.

    QFT. Bravo!
  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    edited February 2019
    elu347 wrote: »
    Can you really eat whatever you like but keep it withon the calorie target given? Onviously im not going mad but i had cake today and still kept within my calories with some to spare?

    Limiting your overall calories is the way to control your weight, but if you are concerned with your body composition and your health metrics, you should also keep your eye on your macro-nutrients mix (protein/fat/carbs), vitamins, calcium, iron, sodium, sugar, etc. and engage in exercise.

    As far as worrying about a piece of cake, if it didn't put you over, don't worry about it! If it did put you over, don't worry about it, get back on track tomorrow.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    elu347 wrote: »
    Can you really eat whatever you like but keep it withon the calorie target given? Onviously im not going mad but i had cake today and still kept within my calories with some to spare?

    Yes...weight management is about calorie (energy) management...no one in particular food or another has anything to do with weight management. Unfortunately, things like this are often difficult to fit in on a regular basis while dieting without compromising other nutrition.
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    I reserve a few hundred calories of my 'budget' each day for treats. I would have failed to lose the weight I needed to and then maintained that loss for years if I hadn't done that. I would have given up after a month and eaten *all* the treats. :)
  • zeejane03
    zeejane03 Posts: 993 Member
    edited February 2019
    Enjoy your cake :)

    For weight loss it really does come down to being at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals. Understanding this gives you a lot of freedom-to make choices that not only fit into your calorie targets, but also to accommodate the kinds of foods that you enjoy eating, like the occasional slice of cake.

    As you move forward in the process you'll find that some foods that you used to eat just aren't worth the calories for you and you'll start cutting them out, reducing the amount/frequency of eating them, or finding substitutes that are lower calories. You'll also start discovering what foods have higher satiety levels for you, and then also find new foods that are lower calories, that you can add to your menu.

  • LakeCountyDiver
    LakeCountyDiver Posts: 50 Member
    Yes! Burn more than you consume. You can have a lot more fish and veggies than you can cake and pizza
  • amy19355
    amy19355 Posts: 805 Member
    YES! It is the best discovery made in my weight loss journey.

    In my life: Calories Rule. Portions Control. All Food Is Good.
This discussion has been closed.

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