Yes. You CAN eat 'normal' food! (my rant.)

As much as I love pizza, my definition of normal food isn't fast food and junk. It's just getting regular, non-diet, food. When I want ice cream, I have a normal portion of ice cream (or an ice cream sandwich), not Skinny Cow. I have milk, not almond milk. I make sandwiches on whole grain bread, but not the 35 calories a slice kind. When I have a cheeseburger, it's ground beef, not turkey because turkey is way too dry, although it's ok for meatballs. I tried soyburgers... they tasted like McDonalds to me, and McDonalds is "emergency food" to me, not a satisfying meal.

I do like bagels, nachos, potato chips, and and garlic bread. And regular jive old white pasta, because I can't see enough of a difference in the macros to bother with the whole grain type. I have plenty of lean meat and veggies, too, and including the foods I enjoy hasn't had any negative effect on my progress, so I see no need to remove them. Plus, I'd have a hell of a time reaching my calories and macros without the breads and pastas I love so much.

Because, contrary to what I have been reading here, your body does know the difference between a piece of cake that is 250 cals and piece of chicken that is 250 cals. The body will use the chicken (protein) to release the fat burning hormone (glucagon) and burn fat; it will use the cake to release insulin and create fat.

This is definitely my opinion, too. I don't understand how a calorie can be just a calorie, no matter what form it comes in. The different make-up of foods mean your body will use them in different ways. This is why I'd rather snack on a 100-cal banana or a 70-cal apple than, say, a small packet of crisps for the same.

This is me just sharing my personal experience.

Prior to starting my "healthy lifestyle" journey back in Sept 2009, I ate mostly processed foods: chicken tenders; frozen mini pizzas; boxed lunches; canned soups, etc. And me and the BF ate out regularly and always had dessert.

As with most people here, to lose the weight, I just downsized my portions, didn't go out to dinner as much, eliminated dessert (most of the time), counted calories, and exercised. At the time, I was truly of the belief that "a calorie was a calorie." I dropped 25 lbs. So what I was doing was working. I ate in moderation, had my Fri/Sat as FREE days, and lost the weight living my life...which is exactly how I wanted to lose it.

Although 25 lbs lighter, I was still flabby.

This Fall, my processed foods turned against me. Although I was still counting calories and exercising as usual, I actually began to gain weight. I was constantly bloated and retaining water. My body had no idea what do with all the chemicals in the processed foods. It wasn't using them to help me sustain my loss or continue to lose. So I went to a two-day nutrition seminar and learned that in order kick start my body and to achieve a leaner, slimmer look, I HAD to eat cleaner. HAD TO!

So, I changed up my diet by adding more protein and cooking my food. Now, I haven't given up all processed foods, chocolate, Skinny Cow, and I still eat a bit more loosely on Fri/Sat, but for the most part, I give my body the calories and foods it can use to build muscle and burn fat. Because, contrary to what I have been reading here, your body does know the difference between a piece of cake that is 250 cals and piece of chicken that is 250 cals. The body will use the chicken (protein) to release the fat burning hormone (glucagon) and burn fat; it will use the cake to release insulin and create fat.

My first step...GET THE WEIGHT OFF in a way that was sustainable. CHECK.

Second step: TONE.

I am now a firm believer that not all calories are the same. For me, I'd rather weigh about 3-5 lbs more and be lean/tone. But I am 2+ yrs into my journey and it has taken alot of trial and error with food to get where I am at today.

Good luck everyone!

My organic rainbow lettuce is fertilized by Majestic Unicorn Poop.