Does anyone eat whatever they want just within calories?

No. Quality of food counts. "x" calories of junk food does not equal "x" calories of quality food. Our bodies need good, nutrient rich food. So .. eating 1700 calories of junk food just isn't acceptable.

First off I want to say BIG congrats on staying on track and focusing on your calories that is the beginning to a much healthier and happier life :-)

I completely agree with the comment about good calories versus junk and empty calories. Years ago I lost 45 pounds on the Weight Watchers Program and I loved it - it was great - I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I stayed within my points. Well, you know that old saying "if it's too good to be true then it probably isn't true." I have since then gained my weight back because I simply didn't learn how to eat and once I lost weight I bacame cocky and fell back into my old habits. This time around I am exercising daily and closly watching what I eat and ask myself what I am going to gain from eating it. I have started following the Paleo way of eating and feel amazing. I am not saying that I am perfect, in now way is that the case, I still have my wine and my little cheat meals but for the most part I am eating calories and fat that are good for me and by doing this my body is learing not to crave the bad foods that have put me in the place I am today.

Good luck :-)

I watch what I eat as much as I watch my calorie intake. I let myself have some of the things I want (the other day I ate a slice of pizza), but I also try to be really, really conscious of the overall healthfulness of the foods I put in my mouth.

I think it's precarious to just count calories, because once you stop, you may slip back to old ways. Say you reach your goal weight and think, "Great, now I've done it, no need to track what I eat anymore." Since you didn't change your eating habits very much, it will be difficult to maintain your weight loss. If you change your habits and make healthier choices, then I think you'll be more successful in the long run.

I maintain my calorie deficit.

I hit my macros.

I take my supplements.

I exercise often.

I then eat whatever i want.


Simple really. Why overcomplicate it? Why force yourself to eat things you dont like, just because you have been told you should?

So most of u say it's ok to eat craP as long as ur with in ur cals?? That's crazy. If I wanted a big Mac at 700 calories and a doc pepper for another 200 and then a candy bar as long as I stay under my goal of 1300 that's ok? Wow I totally disagree

I do...

Helped me drop 81 pounds, and stick to my diet of loosing weight:)

I eat what I want just in small portions, and stay within my calorie limit:)

For weight loss purposes, a calorie is a calorie. You don't lose faster by eating healthier foods.

For satiety purposes, usually higher fiber & protein and healthy fats will keep you sated longer. So I usually try to eat those, especially in the day time.

It depends on what you want to eat on if it's unhealthy overall. A lot of people, their foods of choice are perfectly healthy.

So most of u say it's ok to eat craP as long as ur with in ur cals?? That's crazy. If I wanted a big Mac at 700 calories and a doc pepper for another 200 and then a candy bar as long as I stay under my goal of 1300 that's ok? Wow I totally disagree

I didn't say that it's ok to eat crap all day everyday. And you can certainly lose weight eating craps, as long as it's under the caloric goal. But is it healthy? No. It's about balance, whatever balance that works for the people to easily and happily maintain.

Actually yes and there have been studies to back up that calories burned vs calories ingested regardless of caloric type can actually work for weight loss. However, it isn't the most healthy thing to do. For me personally, I just prefer protein and salad to anything else........for the most part. But it helped me loose 20lbs and get decently ripped. My downfall is beer:)

No, I eat clean and healthy.

No I don't/haven't done this. I wanted to change how I ate completely for my life and eating foods that helped get me fat were not part of that goal. I want food that fills me up nutritionally. We didnt want to buy junk bc you are more inclined to binge and I have seen that happen many times on here. We did cheat meals, not binge days, once every 2 weeks or so. By doing this I was to never have to deal with a binging episode. Since I'm now in maintenance I have been reintroducing those foods back in moderation. Honestly it's not even stuff I crave anymore either. People say you can't live like this and that's pure BS. You have control over what you eat; I rather eat healthy now over junk anyway.

Word.
I don't eat perfect, but I'm not going to eat a bunch of junk and consider it "okay" because it's within my calories. I see so many people start threads or post comments about being frustrated at slow or minimal weight loss because t hey are "doing everything right" but yet their diary consists of daily take out and/or sweets. It just doesn't work that way.

I know I would probably lose more faster if I didn't do this but I eat whatever I want just stay under my calories is that ok? Does anyone else do this? I feel like if I don't eat what I want I give up early and easier.

Yes ma'am! I eat big macs (minus the top bun and one meat for less calories), corn dogs, hot dogs (but I do eat Hebrew National 97% fat free), pizza, etc but I do try to incorporate healthier foods because I know that they cost less calories and I can eat more and its just healthier. But I certainly dont beat myself up for eating "bad foods" and I don't let anyone talk me down because I eat what I want when I want (under my limit). And there's times that I've done fast food only diets to prove to my mean assed friends that it is possible to eat unhealthy and lose weight. Just because sometimes they can be haters.

No. Quality of food counts. "x" calories of junk food does not equal "x" calories of quality food. Our bodies need good, nutrient rich food. So .. eating 1700 calories of junk food just isn't acceptable.

Agree!

I do this. It's much easier, I'm making a change in my life and this is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life, if I want something, I'll have it but in moderation. I'm not going to not eat it because it isn't healthy, because I'll just end up craving it more and binging on it. I do however try to eat healthy, because i find I can eat more of it and I actually like it!

i do this too. if this weight-loss things going to work it needs to be with what you like and what fits your lifestyle. i eat what i like but i find i like more healthier stuff the longer i go on. and i eat smaller portions now even when i'm not particularly trying. its got to habit and normal to your routine. i even like a little more exercise these days.

I DO BUT IN MODERATION. I HAVE STAYED AWAY FROM THE SWEETS AND I PAY MORE ATTENTION TO WHAT I EAT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NUTRITIONAL VALUES. I EXCERISING HELPS ME TO TO WARD OFF CRAVINGS TOO.