Over eat then under eat?

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Replies

  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    double post!
  • MissKitty9
    MissKitty9 Posts: 224 Member
    Your body is not a "24 hour clock" when it comes to weight loss, lolol. I mean, if you can't compensate for over-eating, why even bother trying?? I mean, by that logic, anyone who messes up once should just keep eating & eating, because why bother?

    Basically, OP, yes, you can definitely go a little under calories one day if you've gone over on another day. It evens out.
  • Catlady87
    Catlady87 Posts: 302 Member
    I do this pretty often. I will have 2000 calorie days and then 1300 calorie days. So far it hasn't hindered my progress. Mostly it happens on days I've worked really late, don't eat much at work to begin with and then have a lot of food to cook/consume when I get home. Sometimes I'm just tired, so I'll try to pack in as much calorie and usually protein dense food as I can and then don't sweat it. I know it will balance out in the long run and it has.

    Right, see you said "1300" there's people in this topic talking about going under a bunch of days...so under 1,200. When you're going under you're at say...1300. I don't think there's anything healthy about say: 3,000 (Monday), 2,000 (Tuesday), 800 (Wed-Thurs since you're banking a bunch of calories), 1100 (Friday--gotta BANK UP for the weekend) and 2,500 both Sat-Sun. WTF is that. Your body is not a bank and you can't bank up anything.

    Woah, hold up! The OP isn't saying that this is what she's going to do. All she has asked is if she goes over today can she stay on track by being under by the same amount of calories tomorrow. And the answer to that is yes, she can. There is no indication that the OP intends to do this on a regular basis.
    I have done this on occasion, and over the last 5 months I've lost 24lbs and am 4lbs away from my goal weight - so it can work.

    Just read your most recent post...are you for real?
    MFP is set up for 24 hours of logging so that people can see how we'll or not they are doing day to day. It gives a breakdown of how you are doing so that you can spot possible issues.
    It's also for motivation! Daily good comments will courage and motivate people to keep going. Google positive reinforcement - it's a well know psychological technique most famously studied by Pavlov and his dogs.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member

    The Circadian rhythym has nothing at all to do with nutrition or digestion. It refers to sleeping cycles.

    Broscience is a term used to describe information that mixes a little of this science with a little of that science. Usually, because the person sharing the information doesn't really know that much about science in the first place.

    I know all of the science!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Dude! I think you are in the wrong thread! LOL! :laugh:

    1. I'm not a dude
    2. I actually think I'm pretty smart. :) I have an MBA and work with college students.
    3. I posted about the 24 hour clock because there were people in this forum that said there's no such thing as a 24 hour clock when it comes to weight loss. If that were true...why is MFP set up for 24 hours of logging? Just a good honest question.

    1. "Dude" is an expression that doesn't always have to apply to gender. I didn't look at your profile or your avi (all that closely).
    2. There is another thread about "know-it-alls on this site" so it was meant as a joke. Lighten up! Oh yeah, and I'm working on an MBA too. That doesn't mean
    I know all of the science!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    and I think it would be rather foolish of me to make such a proclamation even if I had a PHD.
    3. Time is a manifestation of man. Your body's Circadian rhythym is based on the earth's rotation around the sun, but it can easily be manipulated with artificial light (which is why we know anything about Circadian rhythym's in the first place). Digestion is an automatic function whereas sleeping is not always. MFP is set up for 24 hours of logging because ALL of the human race recognizes 24 hours as a unit of time. Digestion is not impacted by cognitive function. You can't eat something and then choose not to digest it simply because the clock struck midnight.

    Relax a little. It's not that serious!
  • Hexahedra
    Hexahedra Posts: 894 Member
    I do this pretty often. I will have 2000 calorie days and then 1300 calorie days. So far it hasn't hindered my progress. Mostly it happens on days I've worked really late, don't eat much at work to begin with and then have a lot of food to cook/consume when I get home. Sometimes I'm just tired, so I'll try to pack in as much calorie and usually protein dense food as I can and then don't sweat it. I know it will balance out in the long run and it has.
    The last time I dropped my calories drastically for a couple of days, I actually lost a couple of pounds right there. It's not something I normally do though, as it messes up my running and lifting.
  • FunkyTobias
    FunkyTobias Posts: 1,776 Member

    And when you say "under your goal" that means you are eating a deficit to a deficit and not fueling your body with enough fuel.
    Good for you for eating "under goal" a "bunch of days" That sounds to me like some sort of disorder.

    You do realize that a calorie deficit over time, is a requirement for weight loss?



    No, on MFP "under goal" means NET under 1,200 after a workout and not eating your exercise calories back. We're not talking the 500 deficit set by MFP to lose 1 lb per week.

    LOLWUT?

    That means if you eat 1,200, workout and burn 500 you are UNDER GOAL. Sorry if I was confusing.


    So now GOAL= 1200 calories?

    Whatever you have to do to support your nonsensical stance, amirite?

    h6F739827
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    I do this pretty often. I will have 2000 calorie days and then 1300 calorie days. So far it hasn't hindered my progress. Mostly it happens on days I've worked really late, don't eat much at work to begin with and then have a lot of food to cook/consume when I get home. Sometimes I'm just tired, so I'll try to pack in as much calorie and usually protein dense food as I can and then don't sweat it. I know it will balance out in the long run and it has.

    Right, see you said "1300" there's people in this topic talking about going under a bunch of days...so under 1,200. When you're going under you're at say...1300. I don't think there's anything healthy about say: 3,000 (Monday), 2,000 (Tuesday), 800 (Wed-Thurs since you're banking a bunch of calories), 1100 (Friday--gotta BANK UP for the weekend) and 2,500 both Sat-Sun. WTF is that. Your body is not a bank and you can't bank up anything.

    Woah, hold up! The OP isn't saying that this is what she's going to do. All she has asked is if she goes over today can she stay on track by being under by the same amount of calories tomorrow. And the answer to that is yes, she can. There is no indication that the OP intends to do this on a regular basis.
    I have done this on occasion, and over the last 5 months I've lost 24lbs and am 4lbs away from my goal weight - so it can work.

    Just read your most recent post...are you for real?
    MFP is set up for 24 hours of logging so that people can see how we'll or not they are doing day to day. It gives a breakdown of how you are doing so that you can spot possible issues.
    It's also for motivation! Daily good comments will courage and motivate people to keep going. Google positive reinforcement - it's a well know psychological technique most famously studied by Pavlov and his dogs.

    Are you saying I'm a dog?
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member

    And when you say "under your goal" that means you are eating a deficit to a deficit and not fueling your body with enough fuel.
    Good for you for eating "under goal" a "bunch of days" That sounds to me like some sort of disorder.

    You do realize that a calorie deficit over time, is a requirement for weight loss?



    No, on MFP "under goal" means NET under 1,200 after a workout and not eating your exercise calories back. We're not talking the 500 deficit set by MFP to lose 1 lb per week.

    LOLWUT?

    That means if you eat 1,200, workout and burn 500 you are UNDER GOAL. Sorry if I was confusing.


    So now GOAL= 1200 calories?

    Whatever you have to do to support your nonsensical stance, amirite?

    h6F739827

    MFP does not suggest going below 1,200 after logging a workout. There's plenty of people on here that go wayyyy under 1,200 on a regular basis.
  • grider055
    grider055 Posts: 20

    The Circadian rhythym has nothing at all to do with nutrition or digestion. It refers to sleeping cycles.

    Broscience is a term used to describe information that mixes a little of this science with a little of that science. Usually, because the person sharing the information doesn't really know that much about science in the first place.

    I know all of the science!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Dude! I think you are in the wrong thread! LOL! :laugh:

    1. I'm not a dude
    2. I actually think I'm pretty smart. :) I have an MBA and work with college students.
    3. I posted about the 24 hour clock because there were people in this forum that said there's no such thing as a 24 hour clock when it comes to weight loss. If that were true...why is MFP set up for 24 hours of logging? Just a good honest question.

    Hope the MBA is not in nutrition.
  • katmcq29
    katmcq29 Posts: 54 Member
    There is a 5/2 diet. Eat healthy 5 days out of the week and then on the other two days eat whatever you want really but obv in moderation

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5:2_diet
  • ChristinaR720
    ChristinaR720 Posts: 1,186
    Your body is on a 24 hour clock. Sorry. You can't make stuff up. You can of course log a bad day and do better tomorrow and the next day. :)

    ^^^Did you just make this up?

    Your calorie deficit should be based on your weekly calorie intake, not your daily intake. What the OP is describing is a form of calorie cycling. It works for some people and doesn't for others. It helped me break through my plateau. Just make sure you don't go too low on the lower calorie days, and try not to eat too much over your TDEE on your higher calorie days (you can eat at your TDEE on those days, though).


    What is the lowest you go on calorie cycling? I usually eat 1700-2000 a day. It is funny this question came up because I have been wondering the same, if I go over one day, can I eat less another to make up for it?

    So one day I would eat 1800 and the next 1200? I have a very hard time eating less then 1700 calories a day.

    When I tried this method, my NET was never under 1200 calories. My TDEE is around 2000, and I was NETTING anywhere from 1800-2000 calories on my higher calorie cycling days. I only used this method for a few weeks to break through my plateau.
  • Catlady87
    Catlady87 Posts: 302 Member
    I do this pretty often. I will have 2000 calorie days and then 1300 calorie days. So far it hasn't hindered my progress. Mostly it happens on days I've worked really late, don't eat much at work to begin with and then have a lot of food to cook/consume when I get home. Sometimes I'm just tired, so I'll try to pack in as much calorie and usually protein dense food as I can and then don't sweat it. I know it will balance out in the long run and it has.

    Right, see you said "1300" there's people in this topic talking about going under a bunch of days...so under 1,200. When you're going under you're at say...1300. I don't think there's anything healthy about say: 3,000 (Monday), 2,000 (Tuesday), 800 (Wed-Thurs since you're banking a bunch of calories), 1100 (Friday--gotta BANK UP for the weekend) and 2,500 both Sat-Sun. WTF is that. Your body is not a bank and you can't bank up anything.

    Woah, hold up! The OP isn't saying that this is what she's going to do. All she has asked is if she goes over today can she stay on track by being under by the same amount of calories tomorrow. And the answer to that is yes, she can. There is no indication that the OP intends to do this on a regular basis.
    I have done this on occasion, and over the last 5 months I've lost 24lbs and am 4lbs away from my goal weight - so it can work.

    Just read your most recent post...are you for real?
    MFP is set up for 24 hours of logging so that people can see how we'll or not they are doing day to day. It gives a breakdown of how you are doing so that you can spot possible issues.
    It's also for motivation! Daily good comments will courage and motivate people to keep going. Google positive reinforcement - it's a well know psychological technique most famously studied by Pavlov and his dogs.

    Are you saying I'm a dog?

    Bloody hell, I hope that's an attempt at humour.
    No, I'm not calling you a dog.
    Pavlov actually used dogs in his study which led to him discovering the psychological technique which is called positive reinforcement, hence why I referred to him as Pavlov and his dogs.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member

    The Circadian rhythym has nothing at all to do with nutrition or digestion. It refers to sleeping cycles.

    Broscience is a term used to describe information that mixes a little of this science with a little of that science. Usually, because the person sharing the information doesn't really know that much about science in the first place.

    I know all of the science!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Dude! I think you are in the wrong thread! LOL! :laugh:

    1. I'm not a dude
    2. I actually think I'm pretty smart. :) I have an MBA and work with college students.
    3. I posted about the 24 hour clock because there were people in this forum that said there's no such thing as a 24 hour clock when it comes to weight loss. If that were true...why is MFP set up for 24 hours of logging? Just a good honest question.

    Hope the MBA is not in nutrition.

    Just for those that don't know... an MBA is Masters of Business Arts... not science.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member

    Hope the MBA is not in nutrition.

    They don't have MBA's in nutrition. Thanks for asking.

    Obviously everyone has an opinion. There's right and wrong ways to zig zag. The fact that the title of this post includes the phrase "then under eat" means that people might take the wrong idea from this post.

    Have yourselves a good weekend--do whatever it is you do to keep losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle. If you want to make things really complicated and calorie cycle go right ahead.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member

    Hope the MBA is not in nutrition.

    Just for those that don't know... an MBA is Masters of Business Arts... not science.
    [/quote]

    Actually, here in the states it is a Master's of Business Administration and is a masters of science degree, not a master's of arts. It's typically 18 classes and takes around 4 years to complete if you do the program part time by working full-time. It's pretty standard at all schools and yes, it's science not art. At least here in the states.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    I do this pretty often. I will have 2000 calorie days and then 1300 calorie days. So far it hasn't hindered my progress. Mostly it happens on days I've worked really late, don't eat much at work to begin with and then have a lot of food to cook/consume when I get home. Sometimes I'm just tired, so I'll try to pack in as much calorie and usually protein dense food as I can and then don't sweat it. I know it will balance out in the long run and it has.

    Right, see you said "1300" there's people in this topic talking about going under a bunch of days...so under 1,200. When you're going under you're at say...1300. I don't think there's anything healthy about say: 3,000 (Monday), 2,000 (Tuesday), 800 (Wed-Thurs since you're banking a bunch of calories), 1100 (Friday--gotta BANK UP for the weekend) and 2,500 both Sat-Sun. WTF is that. Your body is not a bank and you can't bank up anything.

    Woah, hold up! The OP isn't saying that this is what she's going to do. All she has asked is if she goes over today can she stay on track by being under by the same amount of calories tomorrow. And the answer to that is yes, she can. There is no indication that the OP intends to do this on a regular basis.
    I have done this on occasion, and over the last 5 months I've lost 24lbs and am 4lbs away from my goal weight - so it can work.

    Just read your most recent post...are you for real?
    MFP is set up for 24 hours of logging so that people can see how we'll or not they are doing day to day. It gives a breakdown of how you are doing so that you can spot possible issues.
    It's also for motivation! Daily good comments will courage and motivate people to keep going. Google positive reinforcement - it's a well know psychological technique most famously studied by Pavlov and his dogs.

    Are you saying I'm a dog?

    Bloody hell, I hope that's an attempt at humour.
    No, I'm not calling you a dog.
    Pavlov actually used dogs in his study which led to him discovering the psychological technique which is called positive reinforcement, hence why I referred to him as Pavlov and his dogs.

    I know. You really felt the need to explain that? :flowerforyou:
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member

    Hope the MBA is not in nutrition.

    Just for those that don't know... an MBA is Masters of Business Arts... not science.

    Actually, here in the states it is a Master's of Business Administration and is a masters of science degree, not a master's of arts. It's typically 18 classes and takes around 4 years to complete if you do the program part time by working full-time. It's pretty standard at all schools and yes, it's science not art. At least here in the states.

    Fine... But its not a "science" degree. Otherwise I would have had to obtain a 'BS' in business administration rather than a 'BA' in business administration first.

    It is an "arts" degree. And I am in the states. Your credentials don't make you any more correct about the point that you were trying to make.

    Oh... yeah... and I've taken most of those classes and I don't recall ever studying anything on nutrition or Circadian rhythyms.
  • amwoidyla
    amwoidyla Posts: 257 Member
    I think you're super confused on this whole "goal" thing. 1200 is not the blanket "goal" for each and every member of this website.
    MFP calculates a personalized calorie goal for each person.


    I also work in higher ed, and I can't tell you how many times a day I facepalm myself at the things my more experienced and educated colleagues do.

    Edited to include: A Masters of Science is more research based versus the Masters of the Arts. Just sayin'
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    Your body is on a 24 hour clock. Sorry. You can't make stuff up. You can of course log a bad day and do better tomorrow and the next day. :)

    I hope you're being sarcastic?

    Your body is NOT on a 24 hour clock, at least not when it comes to weight loss. What matters is your overall calorie intake over time. If you're generally eating less than you burn, you'll lose weight.

    What a lot of people (inlcuidng myself) do is look at our WEEKLY goals instead of daily. I net about 1400 calories a day, which is 9800 per week. As long as at the end of the week I'm at or below 9800 calories, I'm going to lose weight right on track... even if I went over a couple days.

    So the short answer is yes, you can go over and make up for it the next day. I do it all the time and have had great success.

    Your body is on a 24 hour clock per my doctor. I'm going with what he says. That's why we have our sleep cycles and all of our other body's rhythms and cycles. 24 hours. I'm not being sarcastic, I'm being realistic. If I eat 3,000 calories one day and only 1,500 the next it does not "undo" the day before. I have to be under by 500 calories per day not per week. See what I mean?

    You and your doctor are mistaken. Badly.

    You are mistaken: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm

    Sleep cycles are separate discussion. We are talking about the effects of cyclical calorie intakes. You are claiming that you can't create larger deficits on some days and smaller deficits on other days and have it average out to approximately a net deficit.

    This is exactly what happens. If you eat at maintenance a few days per week and a deficit a few days per week, you will lose weight "roughly" according to that net deficit over time.

    How else do you propose things work in real life?

    When you over-eat, fat storage goes up and fat oxidation goes down. When you under-eat, fat oxidation goes up and fat storage goes down. Over time the difference between fat storage and fat oxidation is all that matters.

    Exactly.

    You do realize the difference between weight gain and fat gain? That anyone will argue you can't consume higher calories one day and lower calories the next day and not lose weight obviously hasn't tried it. There is a such thing as calorie cycling, and it has proven to be more effective in some cases for weight loss. The problem is you are so focused on the number on the scale that you lose sight of the big picture. I calorie cycle throughout the week and have not gained fat, and have lost or maintained my weight according to my goals. Yes, I might be a pound or two heavier on one day and lighter the next, but do you honestly think I've gained fat weight? It's water weight!! Increasing calories one day isn't cheating. It doesn't mean you've messed up or fallen off track. Stop being narrow minded. If it's planned, it's part of your overall fitness and health goals. The problem is when it isn't planned, and you just over eat. But that means you have a problem with self control.

    Also, you have to look at weight and fat loss on a weekly basis. Net calories over the week is what matters. Tracking day to day weight and feeling bad for going over your calories is just as bad as having an eating disorder. Your body isn't on a 24 hour clock. That notion is laughable. Before you post articles or links, try it first. You will see you can be flexible, and depending on your goal, lose, maintain, or gain weight.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member

    Hope the MBA is not in nutrition.

    Just for those that don't know... an MBA is Masters of Business Arts... not science.

    Actually, here in the states it is a Master's of Business Administration and is a masters of science degree, not a master's of arts. It's typically 18 classes and takes around 4 years to complete if you do the program part time by working full-time. It's pretty standard at all schools and yes, it's science not art. At least here in the states.

    Fine... But its not a "science" degree. Otherwise I would have had to obtain a 'BS' in business administration rather than a 'BA' in business administration first.

    It is an "arts" degree. And I am in the states. Your credentials don't make you any more correct about the point that you were trying to make.

    Oh... yeah... and I've taken most of those classes and I don't recall ever studying anything on nutrition or Circadian rhythyms.

    It's a science degree. *bashes head up against wall*

    Clearly you missed all of my points.

    All of them.

    I will state them here one last time:

    1. It's confusing to calorie cycle but if it works for you, go for it.
    2. "under eating" or "eating below goal" on a regular basis (i.e. a deficit to the already factored in deficit here) is not suggested.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    So, I am considering going over my daily cals for the day, and then making up for it my being under by the amount I am over today, tomorrow. do any of you do this? eat over your intake one day and then compensate by eating less the next?

    I do that routinely. I eat much less during the week than I do on the weekends. I do this specifically so I don't have to think about it on the weekends. I don't binge or go crazy on weekends, but I don't log or count calories. I just exercise, eat, drink and be merry. Then Mon - Fri I eat lighter and exercise. Not starving, but light.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member

    Hope the MBA is not in nutrition.

    Just for those that don't know... an MBA is Masters of Business Arts... not science.

    Actually, here in the states it is a Master's of Business Administration and is a masters of science degree, not a master's of arts. It's typically 18 classes and takes around 4 years to complete if you do the program part time by working full-time. It's pretty standard at all schools and yes, it's science not art. At least here in the states.

    Fine... But its not a "science" degree. Otherwise I would have had to obtain a 'BS' in business administration rather than a 'BA' in business administration first.

    It is an "arts" degree. And I am in the states. Your credentials don't make you any more correct about the point that you were trying to make.

    Oh... yeah... and I've taken most of those classes and I don't recall ever studying anything on nutrition or Circadian rhythyms.

    It's a science degree. *bashes head up against wall*

    Clearly you missed all of my points.

    All of them.

    I will state them here one last time:

    1. It's confusing to calorie cycle but if it works for you, go for it.
    2. "under eating" or "eating below goal" on a regular basis (i.e. a deficit to the already factored in deficit here) is not suggested.

    Jesus... I thought you were leaving???
  • Huebras
    Huebras Posts: 15 Member
    I'm sorry, but I'm having a hard time with the "24 hour" theory. So what you are saying is that your body "stops" or "resets" at midnight biologically speaking? So if I ate 3500 extra calories one day, my body would metabolize those cals to fat and I would be one pound heavier at the stroke of twelve? Or vice versa? Meaning every day is truly a new day and nothing you did previously has any bearing on today. If this is the case, then, by your theory, your diet starts over every day, meaning that any deficit or overage you had the day before vanishes at midnight. I don't think the body works like that.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member

    Jesus... I thought you were leaving???

    :sad:
  • byustrongman
    byustrongman Posts: 74 Member
    Yeah, if you overeat, your body hangs on to all those calories, even if you undereat later. It has no way of regulating anything beyond 24 hours. It really confuses things. That's why all your gym sessions should take place between 11:30 and 12:30 at night- it will cause complete muscle confusion and really speed up your gains.
  • ChristinaR720
    ChristinaR720 Posts: 1,186

    The OP really just wanted to know if it was okay to go over her daily calorie goal with a piece of chocolate... 50 calories over is all we are talking about here.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1018282-sitting-beside-a-bar-of-chocolate

    Really?! Forget it. It's not worth fighting over a piece of chocolate...Geezus.
  • MissTattoo
    MissTattoo Posts: 1,203 Member
    This is how I do it. I'm more concerned about my weekly goals instead of daily. My BMR is 2100 and I eat 2200 and have been losing .5 to 1 pound a week. If I eat 2400 calories one day and 1800 the next and 2100 the next and blah blah blah blah, as long as I'm hitting weekly goals, I don't mind. It works for me.

    The problem you run into is people who will turn it into an ED.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    Your body is on a 24 hour clock per my doctor. I'm going with what he says. That's why we have our sleep cycles and all of our other body's rhythms and cycles. 24 hours. I'm not being sarcastic, I'm being realistic. If I eat 3,000 calories one day and only 1,500 the next it does not "undo" the day before. I have to be under by 500 calories per day not per week. See what I mean?

    The only potential issue arising from circadian rhythm is that protein synthesis rates are lowest in the morning after an overnight fast so you might want to consider having dietary protein sooner rather than later.

    In the overall scheme of things it is not worth worrying about for most people.

    Calorie cycling is fine.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Yeah, if you overeat, your body hangs on to all those calories, even if you undereat later. It has no way of regulating anything beyond 24 hours. It really confuses things. That's why all your gym sessions should take place between 11:30 and 12:30 at night- it will cause complete muscle confusion and really speed up your gains.

    So THAT'S what I've been doing wrong... damnit, I knew it was something simple.

    *sets alarm for 11:15*
  • Catlady87
    Catlady87 Posts: 302 Member
    I do this pretty often. I will have 2000 calorie days and then 1300 calorie days. So far it hasn't hindered my progress. Mostly it happens on days I've worked really late, don't eat much at work to begin with and then have a lot of food to cook/consume when I get home. Sometimes I'm just tired, so I'll try to pack in as much calorie and usually protein dense food as I can and then don't sweat it. I know it will balance out in the long run and it has.

    Right, see you said "1300" there's people in this topic talking about going under a bunch of days...so under 1,200. When you're going under you're at say...1300. I don't think there's anything healthy about say: 3,000 (Monday), 2,000 (Tuesday), 800 (Wed-Thurs since you're banking a bunch of calories), 1100 (Friday--gotta BANK UP for the weekend) and 2,500 both Sat-Sun. WTF is that. Your body is not a bank and you can't bank up anything.

    Woah, hold up! The OP isn't saying that this is what she's going to do. All she has asked is if she goes over today can she stay on track by being under by the same amount of calories tomorrow. And the answer to that is yes, she can. There is no indication that the OP intends to do this on a regular basis.
    I have done this on occasion, and over the last 5 months I've lost 24lbs and am 4lbs away from my goal weight - so it can work.

    Just read your most recent post...are you for real?
    MFP is set up for 24 hours of logging so that people can see how we'll or not they are doing day to day. It gives a breakdown of how you are doing so that you can spot possible issues.
    It's also for motivation! Daily good comments will courage and motivate people to keep going. Google positive reinforcement - it's a well know psychological technique most famously studied by Pavlov and his dogs.

    Are you saying I'm a dog?

    Bloody hell, I hope that's an attempt at humour.
    No, I'm not calling you a dog.
    Pavlov actually used dogs in his study which led to him discovering the psychological technique which is called positive reinforcement, hence why I referred to him as Pavlov and his dogs.

    I know. You really felt the need to explain that? :flowerforyou:

    Quite evidently.