Does anyone eat whatever they want just within calories?

As a great person on here suggested and I know follow - 80/20. 80% great, 20% not great. Works well for me.

I've lost 59 lbs eating whatever I want. I stay under on calories and I go to the gym 3 - 4 days a week.

I sort of mix the two - I do try and eat more healthily than before overall, but if I want a treat then I will have one if it fits into my calories.

I find it is better if you eat healthier foods as they're usually lower in calories so you feel fuller and can eat more. I can eat three full meals a day and have several snacks and still stay within 1250 calories as long as I'm careful about what I'm eating.

Also as someone else said, I don't drink my calories anymore, I stick to water. I tried to work out which foods I really loved so that I could fit them into my daily calories, but I try and avoid "wasted" calories now - calories that I was consuming for the sake of it without even considering that something else might be a better choice.

This^^^

I mix as well, if you deny yourself something you'll only binge later on. In the begining I totally restricted what I ate, after I reach a certain point I started to reintroduce food that I loved (properly portioned now) but always overate. I wouldn't totally eat 1200 calories of junk in a day and think that was okay, but I don't eat 1200 calories of "fuel food" either. There's a balance that can be achieved....and hitting the gym for an extra 30 minutes a day doesn't hurt either.

So I wonder for those who continue to eat unhealthy choices; as long as it is under their calorie goal will have continued success not only here but in keeping that weight off for life? I'm sorry but if you don't make some sort of change in the type of food you eat; you are setting yourself up for failure later.

^Well said!

^^I agree

This report shows why it's important to make better food choices

http://kool1017.com/america-is-the-fattest-nation-in-the-world-and-getting-fatter/

So wrong on many levels.

Care to elaborate more than just 5 words?

Technically you can eat whatever you want, under your calories, and lose weight. But is that your goal...i would say only party, the goal is to lose weight and be healthier. If you eat carrots every day, and nothing but carrots, you'd lose weight, but wouldn't be healthy. And it sets you up for failure in the future, as you really have not gained any self control over the food you eat.

For me, nothing is off-limits, if I want beer and burgers, i'll eat them, chocolate, bread, etc.. The overused term is "moderation", and when I say moderation, I don't mean one beer, one burger and half the fries every day, or a couple times a week....i may have a burger once a month...if that.

Yes, though "whatever I want" has actually changed since beginning my weight-loss campaign! I now make healthier choices and those choices will continue to evolve as time goes on! In the beginning, there was a lot more dairy and refined sugar in my diet; but now more fruits and vegetables.

Yep. I eat better but I do not deny myself things I crave. If I did I would fail. That is the key to happy success!!!!

I think if you do what is easiest and makes most sense to you, you will in the long run start to make more healthy choices (and then again, maybe not). I know alot of people who cannot stomach vege's or fruit and they lose weight just fine.

I don't think it's really that OK to be honest. Yes, you can lose weight this way, BUT you are not properly nourishing your body, and MFP is not only about losing weight but about being healthy. There are so many ways you are putting your health at risk by just eating whatever you want, assuming its the same kind of foods that got you overweight in the first place....

That being said, I am all for eating that yummy delicious junk food. Just in moderation. You really should start trying to teach yourself more healthful ways of eating, and in a short amount of time the better foods will actually start tasting better, and your body will start feeling better. For example, start by switching all your white breads to wheat and whole grain... Instead of whole milk go for skim. Instead of fruit juices eat real fruit.

Try the website skinnytaste.com. Healthy meals that absolutely taste delicious. For real. Even my kids love everything I make from there!!

I am not an expert and I am still new here. However, for me, I am trying to balance my life. I do choose healthier options when I can. Though once in a while I will have something naughty, as long as it fits in my cals. However, my ultimate goal is to continue to change my bad eating habits. It isn't ALL about losing weight for me, but allowing me to maintain a healthy weight and be strong. I can't stand being weak, or lazy.

If you need to eat your normal food at first, then yes, stay within your cals. But I would suggest start to incorporate healthier choices as you go. Find fruits to replace empty sugars and cals. Instead of a candy bar, pick grapes, or strawberries. Whatever you like. This isn't about over night. This is about your LIFE. If I had to change right away, i would never be able to make it, which is why I have failed so many times before. Because I always heard. "NO! You can't have that."

Well this is what I say. I will do it MY way. And I'll get there..... and so will you. :flowerforyou:

I keep to low carb within the calories. Carbs are a diet killer for me....