Is is possible to lose weight and not eat less?

I am reading all about portion control, but I love to eat. Is it possible to simply change what you eat and lose weight?

Sun. Feb 4, 1:56pm

YES YES YES. Go check out Kate's blog. Look at the right side under the "helpful" links, where she talks about losing the first 80 pounds. Lots of great tips.

Link

Sunday, February 4, 2007, 3:18 PM

Yes, if you exercise more. What goes in must equal less than what you're expending. If the foods you are changing have a lower energy value (eg calories) than what you were eating and your activity level remains the same or increases then physics states yes. It won't be nearly as rapid though. I'm not comfortable with this path myself. I really needed to learn portion control because I'm trying to get healthy. The way you phrased the question looks like you may be looking for a little bit of a cheat. There's loads of material you can find to help you change the way you think about food so that you enjoy eating less every bit as much as before. In fact I enjoy it more; no more feeling like I'm going to pop, no more breaking a sweat at the table, and I can't tell you when the last time I had indegestion was. All the best to you.

Sunday, February 4, 2007, 3:25 PM

You can eat the same quantity, but not the same calories.
Picture a one-pound baked potato...320 calories
Now picture one pound of McDonald's french fries...1650 calories

If substituting like this naturally reduces your calorie intake to less than you need on a daily basis, you will lose weight. If it doesn't...well, you'll just gain more slowly.

Sunday, February 4, 2007, 3:29 PM

I would also suggest some other small dietary changes that can make a difference - switch from whole milk to skim, switch from regular to light salad dressing, use cooking spray instead of olive oil, add extra veggies to every meal. Even if you only cut out 250 calories a day, you will lose two pounds in a month. Add a 30 minute walk three times a week and you can lose another two pounds in a month,

Monday, February 5, 2007, 2:10 PM

you can also cut out dairy completely. Are you a baby cow? Neither am I. Do you know what happens to baby cows when they drink milk? They become mommy and daddy cows. Big, heavy cows.

Moo.

Monday, February 5, 2007, 2:59 PM

with that logic, i may be headed to becoming an elephant since i am a vegetarian....find what works for YOU and work it, don't push it or belittle others who make different choices. suggestions are great, but there is too much preaching about superior diet choices.

Monday, February 5, 2007, 3:05 PM

Propaganda alert above!

Anyway, you can eat a good deal of food and lose weight if you choose correctly. But, I don't believe that you can ever really have an "I eat whatever I want whenever I want, because I like to eat" mentality and still lose weight. You need to make a conscious effort to burn more calories than you consume, whether it's through upping the exercise or lowering the intake, or both.

I used to think that I could not live on 1200 calories a day, because I'd have a big bagel w/ 2 slices of cheese melted on top for breakfast (over 500 calories!) and still be hungry 2 hours later. Now I eat things like granola with yogurt, or a light bagel w/ turkey bacon, etc., and keep my breakfasts under 300 calories, but they're filling, b/c I know that I need to incorporate both protein and fat if I want to be full. Same goes for lunch, dinner, snacks, etc. If I'm hungry, I'm going to eat. So, I learn what foods keep me full. Yes, sometimes I feel deprived, but really, my new little body is well worth it!!

Monday, February 5, 2007, 3:07 PM

You can eat the exact same things you're eating now and lose weight if you up your exercise levels enough. Of course, that might mean a whole lot of exercise.

OP- I used to say the same thing- I love to eat. I still do. What I learned as I was losing weight is that I could eat less but still eat good food- a tiny wedge of cheesecake may be a bit less satisfying at first, but it tastes just as good.

The other thing I learned was that absence makes the heart grow fonder- good food tastes and feels even better when you eat less- suddenly I found myself savoring delicate flavors that I never noticed when my main concern was the quantity of food I was eating.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007, 1:28 PM

You don't have to eat less to lose weight- just eat better. Think lots of dark leafy greens. I don't know anyone who got fat eating salad- unless their piling fried chicken and other processed junk on their salad.

If most of your meal is vegetable, raw, baked, steamed, roasted, etc., you're likely to lose weight. I still eat a LOT of food, but I eat 4 cups worth of fruit, and 6 cups of veggies a day. You wind up being satisfied on healthy stuff instead of scrounging for a snack.

You can easily lose weight without eating less if you switch to a veggie heavy, whole foods diet. (And no, I'm not advocating vegetarianism- I have steak on my salad, and put turkey kulbasa in my quiche- but meat is always a compliment to the veggies, and NOT the other way around.)

Tuesday, February 6, 2007, 10:45 PM

portion size

I love the above comment. Also stick to simple fresh fruits ,vegables and chicken. Use lots of herbs and use fat free chicken broth to steam and poach with.

Sunday, May 20, 2007, 11:31 PM

On my journey, I found what I could live without if I tried. I found I am not a big butter fan so I can easily skip that. I also don't try new foods that I know are just going to lead to another addiction (i.e, pizza with a cheese crust - who am I kidding?) I also order only one thing at a restaurant with a promise I can order more if I am still hungry. This saves me because sometimes my hunger and eyes are bigger than they should be. Rather than focus on how much I can't eat, I look at food for satisfaction rather than bulk. If I am hungry, I eat good choices that will fill me up; when I want satisfaction, I try to have no more than three bites and really savor those foods. I am a great "spliter" with my friends and kids which also cuts into those calories. Everyone has the same idea, moderation, making good choices and cutting corners where you can without sacrifice. Doing it this way will lead to lifelong changes not just a decision for a moment in time that you will eventually reject.

Monday, May 21, 2007, 1:46 AM

I have to say no!! Last summer i was the mosth dedicated strictest i have been in my life and lost 20 lbs. Since then i have relaxed a bit and have gained 10 back...so depressing!! I exercise more than i originally did, but i have let my love for GOOD food come back! I have no portion control what so ever! I guess with me it's all or nothing! It is no fun to be so strict however...so i guess i'm in the same boat you are!!!

Monday, May 21, 2007, 3:45 PM

I think it just depends on the person. For me, I've never eaten a whole lot but haven't been active on a regular basis. Increasing my activity level (especially weight lifting) makes a huge difference. Also, cutting out sugar for a while makes the biggest impact on my weight loss.

Monday, May 21, 2007, 4:17 PM

a book I can highly suggest reading is eat to live. it explains alot about eating foods and your bodies need for nutrients and that you can eat LARGE ammounts of the right foods. it has opened My eyes alot about food.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 7:09 AM

Someone once told me that the most satisfaction you get out of eating any food is from the first and the last bites and that you don't usually appreciate all the bites in between. I am trying hard to remember this and eliminate as many of the "in between" bites as I can!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 10:23 PM

It is possible to eat more and lose weight if you stick to a low-fat diet. Just think about it. For example, eating salad instead of something fattening and you could eat salad all day for what that one fattening and less filling item would give you in terms of calories. I am no longer physically fit but am hopefully on my way back. When I was fit, I was able to eat so much more and be thin. So it is possible because starving is never the answer.

Thursday, May 24, 2007, 10:31 AM

Yes!

I can eat WAY more calories when I am eating low carb, and lose faster, too.

Monday, May 28, 2007, 1:47 PM

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Thursday, September 23, 2010, 11:00 AM

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