The last time I lost weight (106lbs) about the first half of it was 'everything in moderation' and nothing else. It was fantastic, felt very controlled. As things slowed down and I got bored, I put it a couple of programmes.

The trouble was, once I'd got to where I got, I'd got so used to the 'everything' that I forgot the 'moderation'. I thought I'd got the 'change of lifestyle' thing right but evidently not. Hope to do better this time.

I think it's funny I came across this today! I had been thinking alot lately about my habits over the past 6 months that I've been not losing and slowly regaining. And I realized that I what I'm lacking is the virtue of Temperance which is the opposite of Sloth! And Temperance is the practice of MODERATION! I think this might be my 'click' moment!

So in answer to this question "Anyone lost weight eating everything in moderation?" no I haven't yet, but I will. That is what living life in balance is all about, everything in moderation. And with this I believe my weight loss will come! I'm sure many people have succeeded this way perhaps some without thinking of it in that way though. But how else? You can't binge on all the food and you can't completely deny yourself either. you have to find yourself a happy medium!

You know i really think the big issue with moderation, is the it can get out of control fast depending on your definition of moderation. I have a friend that is trying to lose weight but she insists that she has to "indulge sometimes" so every time I turn around she's eating pizza, ice cream. cookies etc. Granted she is eating less of them but surprise surprise she's not really losing much weight.

I see this kind of thing happening to many people I know. Since I want my weight loss to be steady I try to keep indulgences to a minimum.

I really think if someone clearly defines moderation and sticks to that plan they could still lose weight.

P.S. I think junk food tastes great...and I don't really mind porn, at this point in my life a little porn would be way better for me than a little junk food

I have not reached my goal weight but I have learned how to maintain my loss so far, which is 130-135 lbs, for over a year. I go through periods where I plan everything and I eat very clean, but unlike most maintainers I don't regularly keep a food journal, I don't plan all my meals for the week, and 80% of the time I don't count calories. For many this might be a recipe for disaster, but for me, part of this process has been trying to learn to eat like a "normal" person who doesn't have to count everything.

It might seem that I'm in denial of my overeating tendencies but I do know myself and I have learned that this is what works for me. I need to be able to be spontaneous, most of the time, unless I feel that I need to get back on track by going back to calorie counting and journaling for a short time.

Essentially the core of this journey for me has been learning habits of moderation. Sometimes I am more successful than others, and I frequently change my attitude (I guess I have a short attention span), but moderation is the one constant that I aspire to. I can't say whether it's possible to maintain your goal weight in that lifestyle because I'm not there yet, but it IS possible to maintain a large loss that way.

"Anyone lost weight eating everything in moderation?"

At this point in my weight, when I am pretty close to where I want to be, ....no I can maintain, if I eat what I want in moderation AND exercise almost daily, but not lose. I can only lose if I am much more vigilant in restricting calories, fats and starchy 'white' foods. But that's me

"Anyone lost weight eating everything in moderation?"

I'm afraid I'm a bit of a lurker on here , but I did want to reply to this.

I maintain by eating everything in moderation. I did count calories for about 9 months after I reached goal, and have maintained for almost 4 years now without counting anything.

Eating everything in moderation comes with conditions though.

I am free to eat whatever I like, whenever I like, but that doesn't mean I should. I never use the word 'treats' or 'reward' when it comes to food, as that's danger talk for me. Food has had to be put in it's rightful place, not something that I use as a treat or a reward.

That doesn't mean I never eat anything unhealthy. Of course I do. But just like the more healthy foods, I do need to consider a normal portion size and why I want it, or indeed whether I really need it.

This means I don't overindulge in healthy foods either, but a 'normal' portion size of fruit and veg would be bigger than a 'normal' portion size of cakes and pizza, in my mind anyway.

So I get to eat anything if I really want it, but hopefully, always responsibly.

Can't say it was easy at first. Much work in the 'head' department and all that, but the sense of freedom now is wonderful. I feel like I'm living as a normal person. I'm in my 50s and have spent a lifetime dieting on/off. I'm now a slim non-dieter. And it's fab

MistyRain, glad to meet you! I really liked what you said, and my hope is to be able to do the same thing you are doing!

Jay

thankyou Jay

I think that when I had 'failed' before, it was because I was trying to tackle the wrong bit. I tried to control my weight and my food. The problem was really that I needed to control my behaviour around weight and food, not the weight and food itself (if you know what I mean).

I like to use the analogy of a wall.

I constantly used to throw myself against a wall, and it hurt. I'd put some cream on the wounds.

And if I used enough cream on my wounds and stopped throwing myself against that wall, eventually the scars would heal. But then after a while, I'd get bored of aimlessly walking around, and would go back to throwing myself against that wall again.

So the food is the wall. The cream is the diet. Watching the wounds heal would be my daily weighins. Walking around aimlessly was my lifestyle.

The wall is okay. Other people could just walk past it, even touch it. They didn't have the desire to throw themselves at it! The diet was okay. The wall nor the diet were at fault. Couldn't even blame the scales

My problem was the walking aimlessly, or you could say, my problem was my behaviour around these items.

Sorted that out, and now even though I do weigh myself, I see no wounds. Though I look at food and enjoy them, I don't have to overeat. I no longer wander aimlessly. I have a new lifestyle.

Sorry...bit long. Making up for all the lost time that I've lurked

That analogy is perfect!!! Yes yes yes! I think you've really hit on something here!

Jay