Talk me through this "moderation" thing -

I follow an "everything in moderation" lifestyle and have been at or below my original goal weight for almost a year now.

I've learned to read labels, I've learned what the serving size of something is and I follow it. I've learned that there are some things I REALLY love (like chocolate almonds) and I'm more than willing to give up the calories to have them. I've also learned that there are things that aren't worth my calories - like a frappe' from McDonald's.

I log everything I eat. Every single bite. If I bite it, I am logging it. Regardless of how small or how big it may be. I log it.

I eat birthday cake for birthdays (I do take the frosting off so I can have a larger piece of cake! Frosting is too sweet for me now, so why eat it? Scrape it off and get a bigger piece of cake -- sweet!). I go to BBQ's and family picnics - I take smaller servings of everything.

I don't drink alcohol, so I can't help there. I was never a big drinker, didn't like the way it made me feel and I know it can be full of calories. For me, it was an easy thing to give up because I didn't really enjoy it anyway. I'd much rather eat my calories than drink them - but that is ME. It is different for everyone.

I don't really pay much attention to my carbs, sugar or my sodium - as I know my body isn't overly sensitive to any of these things.

I've learned my body is all about calories in/calories out. I eat a HUGE amount of calories in a day and I am happily maintaining this weight - so I know it works for me.

I think it means that you are finding out what your body naturally wants. We are not meant to be unhealthy and that is proven by how lethargic and crappy we feel when we are not taking care of ourselves. Our bodies need to move and feel better when they do (seriously, that runner`s high is addictive). Our bodies also need fuel. It is just a perk that a lot of that fuel tastes great. As long as you provide your body with a healthy amount it will function optimally. Life is not meant to be a struggle, it is meant to be enjoyable. That means enjoying everything just as you have said "In Moderation". Keep up the good work and continue to enjoy the journey.

Well, here are my thoughts on moderation and how it has worked for me. I've never been very good at it when I wasn't strictly monitoring my calorie intake. And... I am numbers person. I like data and precision so... I can turn into a Crazy Lady when I am tracking my calories. Works like a charm, though. I have lost and gained the same 20 lbs about four or five times in the past decade. What happens is that I reach my goal weight, I maintain for a bit, then I decide that I'm not going to track my whole life, so why don't I try "eyeballing it." And then a small glass of wine 1-2 a week turns into beers 3-4 nights a week.... plus appetizers. Plus some ice cream a couple nights a week, and so on and so on. Never going bananas or anything but, pretty soon.... the weight is back on because I stopped paying attention.

So, I need to find another way. I am simply not going to weigh and measure every bite that goes into my mouth for the rest of my life, even though that has always worked for me. Simply trying to maintain with "moderation" is a recipe for me having selective amnesia. Certain foods just cause me to want more of them. (And I'm not talking Twinkies here. I have had small binges of oatmeal, for pete's sake, because I can't seem to get enough of it once I have it.) I am trying to lose weight by going (low-ish carb) paleo but "free eating" (eating when I am hungry, to satiety, not eating when not hungry). I'm only tracking one day a week to check in and see what I'm eating, not to constrain it. I can't say that it'll work forever, but it seems to be working for now, and I feel a lot less chained to my kitchen scale. :happy: I'm not saying that I'll never have a piece of cake or some ice cream as a celebration, but I feel like if I just stop lying to myself about how terribly my body seems to handle sugar and many carbs, then I can keep them for truly special occasions (and for me "because we finished dinner" isn't special enough).

I don't know if that is the kind of answer you're looking for. I'm interested in hearing what others say.

You know I do "moderation" thing too. But I drink light beer instead of real beer. I go to McDonalds but I get a hamburger instead of a Big Mac. I go over my goal calories all the time (probably 5 out of 7 days). But I work out a lot, eat mostly healthy. My philosophy is "make good choices". Sometimes the good choices I make are still not great but at least I tried.

bunp tomorrow, I need to go to sleep.

To me, moderation means I can eat whatever I want, as long as I don't go overboard.

Life happens.. and so do birthdays, bbq's, busy days and cranky I just want to eat my feelings days. You know what... it's allowed. It's not taboo.. If you want that burger, eat it, log it and exercise to make up for it. If you know in advance, your having "junk" great... fine! Just exercise so you have extra calories, and your good to go.

I'm substitute teachers aid.. so I live off moderation. If I'm lucky I get my sub calls the night before, but most days it's between 5 am and 7 am. Once I get that call, I have 45 minutes generally before I need to rush out the door. I eat food that easy but still healthy.. think oatmeal, turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread with fruit and water for lunch, and then a semi healthy dinner with a glass of wine depending on if my kids behave or not..

Bottom line.. if it's working for you, then great.. and when it doesn't, you can always switch it up.

Yeah, I never weigh or measure either (actually I measure sugar in my coffee and cheese but that's it). I just guess. I did measure and weigh last time but I think I've got it figured out now, and I guess by serving amount and such.