Can you eat whatever you want?

I would imagine you can but I don't know. That's a REALLY good question...

Sometimes people hit a plateau, even early on. Just keep working out, eating under your goal and aiming for healthier foods. I had the same issue in my 4th week and so I lowered my alcohol intake, increased my workouts and focused on getting complete meals. The next week I dropped over 2 lbs.

Empty calories and lack of nutrients will make it more difficult for you to drop weight. Balance your meals and get slots of viber nad vitamins. Remember to drink lots of water!

The nutrients you put in your body are important for fuel efficiency. What I mean is if you eat broccoli, brown rice and chicken as a meal vs. a hot dog and fries, your body will be more efficient at metabolizing it. Also, water keeps your organs hydrated, which helps them more efficiently metabolize your food/fat.

Edited to say, even if the hot dog meal is within your calorie goals.

I personally can't. I'm older, going through menopause and sensitive to starches (wheat primarily). Know your own body. That's the best answer.

Also, it depends on your goals? Do you want to be slim? Or slim and healthy with a lifetime ability to exercise and be active?

Kind of depends on what it is you want to eat, and in what amounts. :laugh:

I do eat whatever I want, but some of what I want is pretty darn healthy. I work hard to make sure I have enough calories for indulgences, and plan my meals to make sure I get a good balance.

You could lose weight eating nothing but Twinkies or McDonalds, but you'll find you can eat a lot more of healthier foods.

I feel like there's no limit to the type of food that you eat, whether it be cookies, cake, chips, etc. Because I have some of those on a daily basis. I think it comes down to the ingredients in the food.. if its modified and has high fructose corn syrup versus made from real food ingredients. I think that as long as you recognize it as food, you can eat anything you want in moderation taking into consideration the amount of fat/sugar/etc in a day. But in general, filling up on natural foods high in good carbs, protein, and fiber will help with weight loss more than eating an excess of empty carbs.

Instead of gorging on a bunch of different foods and drinks that you may have given up to lose the weight, I would instead re-introduce only one at a time. Even if you're staying under your calorie goal, you don't want to use up your entire day's worth of calories on those "danger" food items - there's a reason they're dangerous in the first place! Many of them do not provide adequate nutrition, and are very temporarily filling and/or chalked up in fats and sugar leaving you hungry and wanting more of them.

I would continue to eat healthily and have one cheat item. For example, eat healthily and with your salad/chicken dinner, have a SMALL cup of ice cream. It is best to portion these bad foods as well.

If you've plateaued and it's not due to your eating habits, you probably need to either up your activity level and/or change up your exercises. Try introducing more cardio for lean muscle, and weight training to tone up. You can do this by using more weight or increasing your reps.

Good luck!

Short Answer - YES.

Long Answer - Although you are staying under your calorie goal, too low will impede your progress. Also you should look at your macros to make sure you are getting enough protein & good fats, these will actually aid in your weight loss.

Others will state you have to be SUPER strict BUT I believe that these things are best done the way that suits us! That said & done, obviously you probably won't get optimum results, but you will probably stick at it longer if you do it your own way

Russ

this!! broccoli will never replace icecream. There's a place for both...if you take control of your intake and log what you're eating honestly.
Personally, the moment I tell myself I can NEVER have something, it becomes an obsession to have just that. Knowing I can have something, but choosing not to, is a more powerful and sustainable position!

In terms of weight loss, yes you can eat whatever you want as long as it's under your calorie goal. You could lose weight eating only Twinkies, though it wouldn't be a smart idea. You should eat enough protein to avoid losing LBM though.

No, not really. If I eat what I want I eat take out or junk food because it tastes better than healthy food to me and I gain weight easily within a week.