Hello fellow "fat chicks"...I am so happy to find you. I have been on a strict calorie counting program for the past month or so and have been doing well on my limit of 1300 calories. I am counting only calories and not fat. Here's my question....my weakness is fast food. Can I still indulge in fast food as long as I have the calories available in my day to do so? I just can't get over the fact that I can eat a Burger King Italian Chicken sandwich (my personal favorite) and still be on a "real" diet. Since this is not considered the healthiest of foods...will it slow down my weight loss process??

Thanks for your help.....I look to you all for your wisdom and experience. g

Welcome!

OK, so there are a lot of variables here. I had some success losing weight in the past by just counting calories in this way, and eating whatever I wanted as long as it fit in my calorie level. However, this was a "slippery slope" situation for me - personally, fast food makes me crave more fast food, and I started slipping.

Calorie counting often involves a LOT of trial-and-error. For example, you might give eating these sandwiches within your calorie limit a try - if your loss slows or you feel like you need to mix things up, you might try taking them out. If you find they are making you crave other foods not in your limit, as happened in my case, you might have to take them out as well.

Everyone's body reacts differently. I can eat real sugar/desserts as long as they fit into my calorie count without triggering a binge or other overeating (I buy single serving ice cream and rainbow sherbet cups and work the 150 cal serving into my day, and they don't trigger overeating or slow down my loss). Some people have different food triggers that aren't good for them - any food can be a trigger. It takes trial and error to see what is OK with your body.

You might find that you can eat more/have a more sustainable lifestyle if you eat meals that are lower in calories but high in bulk. I know that an Italian Chicken sandwich would not be a big volume of food for me for a meal, and would take up more of my calories for the day than I would be willing to give up for that sandwich. As I made this discovery, I started swapping out more healthful choices for the less healthy ones simply because I could eat more quantity with fewer calories, and that was important to me. But this is a decision you have to make for you, through trial and error.

From a purely calorie-counting perspective, you can fit it in. Whether it fits in well with you and your program is up to you.

Again, welcome, hope that helps!

I think you'll find that long term you will have more success if you slowly adjust your tastebuds to more "real" food options.

But on the other hand, making TOO many changes at once can be too hard. But pay attention to how you feel on days when you choose fast food compared to other days.

Ennay, what an adorable baby!