does the "eating anything you want in moderation" really wor

moderation means you are eating portion sizes which cause your calorie goals to be met.

The actual number you're aiming at is different based on your personal stats, and your goal.

Doesn't work for me. Personally I had to switch my mindset to food being fuel for whatever it is I'm doing. If it tastes good then that's a bonus.

Sure! However, it is hard enough trying to figure out the balance of "moderation" when you are working on maintaining. I think it is way harder when you are working to lose. Though I still have a bite there and a nibble here (AND log it into mfp). My idea of moderation has changed drastically since I have began this journey. :happy:

It can, but only if you are REALLY good at listening to the cues your body gives you. Eating slowly and mindfully, you can eat just what you need and stop when your body tells you. I'm not so good at any of it, so I count calories!

it does work! wheni got mono, i didnt eat very much, in an odd way mono taught me to eat things in smaller portions. (the right size of food) and now i eat smaller poritons an dive lost 14 pounds so far because of it! i would say go for it! :DDD

Yes, you can eat whatever you want, as long as it fits into your daily calorie goal. You should still lose weight if you do this. Is this the definition of "moderation"? Maybe. I actually really hate that term. I think that eating "junk" works for some and not for others (whether it fits into your daily calorie goal or not). I honestly think it sets some people up for success and others for failure later on. I think, for some people, limiting certain foods actually helps them in the long-term.

I believe instead of just a daily caloric goal you first need to look at a daily macronutrient goal. Your body needs so many grams of protein and grams of fat at a minimum. If you don't hit minimum fat requirements and minimum protein requirements your body won’t retain muscle and you may lower your basic metabolic rate. Then tomorrow you will have to eat even less calories just to maintain the same weight.

But, as long as you hit daily protein and fat requirements, yes the remaining calories are discretionary. If you want to eat only cake or only skittles for your remaining 800 discretionary calories you will have the same body composition as if you eat 800 calories of wholesome foods.

Now I prefer to get all of my calories from whole foods since they make you healthier, provide nutrients, fiber, potassium, vitamins, and very little sodium. But in terms of body composition eating whole foods or junk food of the same calories is irrelevant.

However if I was trying to lose weight I’d watch carbs, they are digested quickly so you get hungry again right away, whereas a burger or even fatty bacon (!) provide a more filling meal calorie per calorie. I think it would take a ton of will power to hit a low calorie target for the day eating a lot of sugary junk foods.

works for me.

Consider giving up soda/ sugery drinks first. It may startle you to learn that heroine, morphine and sugar all stimulate the same receptors in your brain. Once you giving up soda for a month then challege your self to give up something else.

Moderation to me means "fits my calories and macros."

^ I like the way you put it

but for weight loss as long as it fits your calorie goal. If you can make it fit your macros, even better.

Well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eating something based on the serving size listed on the back of the package perhaps. I tend to make up my own serving sizes sometimes when it comes to things I like.. I'm guessing this, 'eating in moderation' saves you from kidding yourself and going overboard. As for whether or not it works.. well. I think that depends on the person and trigger food. It does help me with the whole weight loss thing overall, considering that at one time I associated dieting with ignoring my favorite foods and taking on a lifestyle of salad eating. Eating in moderation let me have my cake and eat it too.. well just a slice.

It does work, I haven't change what I eat, just how I eat. Portion control I think is the most important thing to learn,

Absolutely it works. Every time I tried cutting things out of my diet in the past, I failed, because I missed those things, and would binge and go back to my old eating habits. Think of it as when you tell a child he can't play with a certain toy. The child might not have even been thinking about that toy, but as soon as you say "no that is off limits" well of course, they want to play with it more.

Once I told myself that eating what I like to eat is OK but just to make sure I stay within my calorie limits and balance my meals, then I stopped worrying about it...and I've lost about 11 lbs since changing that mentality. I still go out to eat with my friends, I still have pizza if I want some, but instead of stuffing my face, I eat a couple slices, and make sure I've worked out that day. It's all about balance.

Having said that, some people have a harder time than others with moderation and controlling your portions. If you find it particularly difficult to have the self control to eat these things in moderation, your experience will be different. I just pay attention to my calorie intake, and eat what I'd like to eat while staying within my limits.

So far it's working just fine for me. If it fits into my calorie goal and I want it, I eat it.