What do you consider moderation??

[mmsilvia]

Most days I like to think eat healthy and balanced.  Other days I just don't...today was one of those days...you know how it goes no school for the kids but, you still have work.  So the day starts off out of routine.  Get into work only to find out our system is down and there is some office drama (I'll spare you the details)...then the new guy brings donuts...fresh donuts!!  Nothing smells better when you are stressing then sugar!!  I start with one...then two and by days end I had 3 donuts!!  Good news is this is not a regular thing for me...bad thing is my calories were wasted on donuts (at least it is Friday).  Sometimes mindless stress eating gets the better of me...just need to remember the donuts didn't help fix anything...but they sure did taste yummy!! 

[A_Lurker]

I'll let myself eat anything if I really want it.   I count calories so I treat my daily calories as a budget.  I usually think carefully before I take anything.  I admit that every couple of weeks when I buy a lunch I bring Timbits back with me to share.  For those that don't know, the other name is donut holes sometimes.  One is 60-90 calories depending on the type and I can take 3 or 4 without throwing my budget out of whack for the day.

So, not knowing what your calorie level is, grab a knife (or a napkin) and split one in half.  Take the smaller half and walk away.  Drink it with a big glass of water.  Worst case scenario is that you go back later on and take the other half.  Also, last couple of weeks when all the halloween candy came in (I brought mine too) I would take the first one and then take a sour candy after.  For whatever reason, the sour stopped me from taking another sweet.  There's a box of warheads sour assorted (240 pcs) that has been on my desk for pretty much a month and even though other people take them as well it's still more than half full. 4 of them are 50 calories and believe me I don't think I've ever taken 4 in one day.

[SunsetRunner]

Drew a heart on the tracker (it means love your precious body), when eating how could it be possible to love the body with nourishing with 'junk foods' (mostly)..

Eating natural foods 90%, a treat after dinner if desired (since feeling so full already, automatically limiting it to one treat) as not room for more and preventing overeating). 

Natural foods are lower in calories overall, leaving satisfied for longer. Even when eating until nearly stuffed, unlikely to overeat on those even with having that treat afterwards. 

[marfar]

Well, food is an important part of a balanced life! And sleep is an important part of a balanced life! Interestingly, the research confirms: 7-8 hours of sleep daily reduce unhealthy food cravings! One cup of seeds or nuts eaten in the evening bring healthy fats in the liver and reduces sugar cravings! Seeds and nuts should be soaked with water a few hours before. Moisture awakens enzymes in them! Meditation, good thoughts, forgiveness, prayers, are an important part of a balanced life! Read, please, the book of Bruce Lipton - Biology of Belief! About fifty trillion cells waiting to be fed through the blood and cleaned by lymph! Do not expect the best solutions outside yourself! You are unique! Each of us! Generally speaking, tips are useful, in particular exist individualized solutions! But brisk walking is the common that is absolutely necessary for all! So let outside to move lymph! To clean the cells of toxins and acidity!

[WendyB]

If I really want something I will have it. But I keep some good foods in the fridge that I can grab to avoid the doughtnuts or what ever is brought in. Being prepared helps me.

[FishieWishes]

I don't deny myself anything - if I want a cake or a donut or even a cheeky takeaway I let myself have it, I just try to make better choices and smaller sizes. I find if I flat out say I CAN'T have something I'm more likely to want it so instead I'm more along the lines of "oh well I do fancy a chocolate bar so I will walk to the store and back for one". The walk is about 40 minutes to do so at least I get the steps in! I try not to impulse buy, I only buy food for what I actually need for meals and eat regularly so I tend to not want to snack anyway - just if I do have a cheeky treat I try and make up for it with an extra step boost. 

What we need to remember is that we will all have green days and red days, its a part of life. Some days you feel rubbish and just want a pizza or some ice cream and thats ok! Losing weight is about changing your overall lifestyle and it's ok to have the odd day when you have a treat, just try not to make it EVERY day! 

[BLLingg]

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@mmsilvia wrote:

Most days I like to think eat healthy and balanced.  Other days I just don't...today was one of those days...you know how it goes no school for the kids but, you still have work.  So the day starts off out of routine.  Get into work only to find out our system is down and there is some office drama (I'll spare you the details)...then the new guy brings donuts...fresh donuts!!  Nothing smells better when you are stressing then sugar!!  I start with one...then two and by days end I had 3 donuts!!  Good news is this is not a regular thing for me...bad thing is my calories were wasted on donuts (at least it is Friday).  Sometimes mindless stress eating gets the better of me...just need to remember the donuts didn't help fix anything...but they sure did taste yummy!! 

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Been there.  Done that!  It's not the End of the World.  Or even my new Lifestyle! 

When I stumble or worse yet, when I fall, I just pick myself up and start moving again!!!  A stumble is 2 Donuts or a slice of Pizza - my Cals and Fat / Sodium are higher than they're supposed to be.  A fall is a Pie or half the Pizza - my Cals and Fat and Sodium are all way way too high.  I just wish I didn't stumble as often as I do!  I'm getting better.  Lots more Veggies than I used to.  But I still have Room for Improvement!  LOL

[USAF-Larry]

The important thing, @BLLingg, is to gradually change the falls into stumbles. Instead of falling for half of a pizza, stumble for a piece of pizza. Soon you will discover that those stumbles are easier and easier to recover from. On our recent 3-week road trip, there were numerous times when we had meals out with friends & family, which were perfect times for falling off the cliff. But, a half order of babyback ribs was just as satisfying as a full order, and it was much easier to burn it off the next day. Anyone who continually deprives themself of favorite foods or treats will soon find themselves falling to the point of binging of the foods they have been deprived of.

[wayfairers]

I've also found that if I deny myself I eat more. So, a small portion of whatever I'm craving and it always goes into my calorie count for the day. My biggest help has been not keeping chocolate or ice cream in the house. Having to go out to get whatever high calorie food I am craving means my craving disappears before I get it sometimes.

[pika]

Too much of anything (good or bad) is never good.  I've been on the extreme of both sides and have found that when I strike a balance between the two (moderation), I feel and look better. 

[HelenaFitbit]

If I really want to eat something; I'll eat it. Now that I'm cooking for one (the perks of living alone ); is that I try to get more grains and whole grains into my diet. I have a ton of different sources of protein and I pre plan my meals. Most of my food gets cooked and frozen for convenience. 

But sometimes I crave an ice cream or a cheeseburger; so I'd rather have one and not beat myself up or go on a bing since I know there's plenty of food back home. 

[SunsetRunner]

If allowing to have what truly desired, possible not needing other foods not really wanting & saving calories by eating what truly wanting first. Of course eat until truly having enough (not stuffed though pleasantly full).. if the food desired isn't available, see what you desire the most from the foods available.. 

@HelenaFitbit  yummy ice cream

[AndyDandyPandy]

Food is food. Moderation depends on how strict you are with yourself. The only time any food is bad for you is when you're full and you're still stuffing your face. Then eat again 2 hours later. Though there are healthier options, I'd say any food is okay to eat. Don't make your lives miserable by not eating what you want. Though I do restrict myself from certain foods, sometime I just say FK IT and I'm still doing fine. I've overcame the feeling of feeling guilty after eating something I know I'm not suppose to eat. FK IT YOLO. 

[FerdinandFitbit]

I'm not very strict about myself and overall, I try to eat well and balanced. Every now and then I eat something that might not be thaaat healthy but I don't really worry over this as I know I will not be doing this constantly and I try to keep active and exercise so that this will neutralize any negative effect I will get from getting that guilty pleasure.

[Kati50]

Seems like I'm the odd duck here but I try to eat clean/strict 80% (no red meat, no cheese/dairy, no processed food or simple carbs) of the time and allow myself to really cheat a few times a week (I am maintaining my weight loss and have been for over 4 years).  There are some things I just can't eat/have in the house---like ice cream and nuts/peanuts----I will eat way too much at one time----I'm sorry but a half cup of ice cream or a 1/4 of nuts just ain't gonna cut it lol. 

[Majka]

Moderation for me: eating 1200-1500 calories a day.  Exercising at least 3 h a day.