Originally Posted by
steve_d
the way I see it is that when someone says "IIFYM" they mean a looser diet based on hitting certain macro's but not necessarily worrying where those macros come from. The whole concept of it has developed its own misconceptions and is often ridiculed by bodybuilders or other fitness competitors who think IIFYM means you just eat poptarts and a few protein shakes so that your macros add up.
I'll admit I don't actually know the 'real' program or what IIFYM bases their numbers on. But I am for any diet that is easier to follow for the average joe. Sure, it might not work for all competitors since there is always something 'better' you could do. For example, if one guy is on IIFYM and in his day he ends up eating a granola bar, vs. the other guy who is strict and following the traditional bodybuilder diet, and instead of that granola bar, he has whatever it might be - dextrose, oatmeal, a sweet potato, whatever... In that oversimplified example I'd say in the end it really won't make that much of a difference physically.
The difference IMO is mental. if having a piece of a chocolate bar lightens your day, makes things seem easier, than it really doesn't matter that there was a better alternative - if that alternative gets you in a state of pure stress, etc. Bodybuilding isn't for everyone, and getting to absolutely low levels of bodyfat isn't for everyone either.
Personally I guess I sorta follow a version of IIFYM. I'd rather 'feel' normal then eat everything on a traditional bodybuilder list. I'll be the first to admit that there are better ways to diet, but in the end I think the fact that I keep myself mentally strong as long as possible allows me to get the physique to a level I need it to be. Everyone's thresholds are different. Some people feel great eating talipia and nuts all day - but I wouldn't be able to handle it. On the other extreme some people can't eat as 'clean' as me and feel ok, and those people tend to not fit the sport as well.
I say stick to a reasonable diet that you can follow. If you can't then more times than not, getting past that level of bodyfat is simply not worth it in the long run. I can honestly say that at least 2/3 of people who compete should not be competing because they are doing it for the wrong reasons and hurt themselves in the long run more than anything. And I am not talking about drugs - just pure and simple diet and not being able to understand their bodies and minds enough to go through the entire process - from getting lean, to the reverse... and getting back to normal, whatever their normal should be.
