My birthday is on saturday... Should I eat freely?

jacolyncoker

I'm going to chicago with my friends on saturday, so obviously we will be eating things like hot dogs and chicago pizza... should I do it? I mean, should I count my calories that day? Its my birthday and I want to have fun without being stressed out about calories!

OH and another thing is we are going to the beach that day so I don't want to be bloated haha

fabandfitmama

Wow this is a great question. My bday is on Thursday and I hanging out with friends and family on Saturday and I dont wanna count calories. So I am very interested to know what people say:)

Elokyn

I would say go for it just make sure you drink lots of water, and if you're going somewhere different try walking places instead of driving enjoy the sites while burning calories!! Happy Birthday!

amymeenieminymo

Your birthday comes once a year, enjoy it. I don't count calories at all on my birthday and special days (holidays, our anniversary, etc). If you want to dial down the damage, try to get in a good work out before hand, and no matter what get back on track the next day and drink plenty of water to flush out all the sodium you'll inevitably get.

kellykat

I say get a workout in and then enjoy something you really love. It's only one day and when it's over get right back on track.

robin52077

My opinion:
AKA "what I would do"

Eat what you want to eat, but stop yourself before you are full. no need to eat till you feel like you're stuffed, just enough of each item to feel "not deprived".

Log it all as best you can as a learning experience, just to see approximately how "bad" it all was, but knowing it will be over for the day, and not giving a crap because one day will NOT throw everything away.

Realize this is a LIFETIME change to your way of eating and not a DIET that you are on for a while and "cheat" on.
For the rest of your life there will be weddings, birthdays, holidays, etc. You CAN eat goodies as long as you don't stuff yourself and be honest with yourself.

Have fun! And Happy Birthday!!!:flowerforyou:

happybrooke

On my birthday, I threw caution to the wind and decided I would eat/drink whatever I wanted. I found myself working out more the days before and after....and honestly, I made decent choices throughout the day on my bday. Yeah, I indulged here and there, but for the most part, I had that nagging thing in the back of my mind reminding me how hard it is to get those extra drinks off.....I think that having just one day of possible indulgence is not a big deal. It's better that making yourself feel that you are deprived b/c you can't have what you want. As long as it's just one day!! haha

TashaS

Not counting and eating freely are two different things... I think have a little fun and eat some of those yummy treats - but be aware of what and how much, so you don't undo the hard work you've already done! Happy early birthday!

jheller

Happy Birthday!!! And I guess that depends on how in control of your eating you usually are. Do you think that by giving yourself permission to eat anything and everything you want that you'll have a hard time on Sunday or Monday getting back on your program? Will you feel guilty? Are you prepared to see the scale go up?

After struggling with my weight for over 30 years I've finally come to realize that I can't just let it go, have a free day, or not think about it. If I want to continue on my weight loss journey I can't give myself a free day (maybe a slightly lax day but not a free day). So this was probably no help to you - no one can tell you its ok except you.

Jessica

Clew

For what it's worth, I went to a graduation party last weekend and there was pretty much nothing healthy to eat there :laugh: . I did eat, but found to my surprise that a lot of it didn't taste (nor set) nearly as good as I thought it would.

I'm not saying this happens for everyone, but my point is that while you have some great Chicago treats on your weekend, you may be happy with less than you think. Definitely eat some "good" stuff first if you can (like a side salad or some veggies or something) to help you not be starving though!

If you do go crazy though - so what! Every day is a new day. Have a great birthday!

melbhall

I think you should do whatever you want Birthday Girl! For my birthday I had a fabulous dinner of steak and lobster and wine at a swanky restaurant. I didn't think once about the calorie content! Everyone deserves a day off, and as long as you can honestly do it guilt free I say go for it. If you think you will feel bad about it then do as others have suggested and try sneaking in some exercise and drink plenty of water. One day won't derail your progress! Hope you have a great day. Happy Birthday!

jacolyncoker

For what it's worth, I went to a graduation party last weekend and there was pretty much nothing healthy to eat there :laugh: . I did eat, but found to my surprise that a lot of it didn't taste (nor set) nearly as good as I thought it would.

I'm not saying this happens for everyone, but my point is that while you have some great Chicago treats on your weekend, you may be happy with less than you think. Definitely eat some "good" stuff first if you can (like a side salad or some veggies or something) to help you not be starving though!

Have a great birthday!

Yeah, I know what you mean. I had some dairy queen ice ccream yesterday and I felt really sick afterwards. I think its because my body isn't used to having to process that crap anymore! haha

amyfritz

If it were me, I would eat freely and not log a thing. One day doesnt undo all the good you are doing, and your birthday comes once a year. Like some of the others, if I know I will be eating a lot, I will eat healthier the days before or after and do an extra intense workout..

Happy Birthday!!

miqisha

Happy Birthday when it comes......and I think you should go for it...enjoy your day and if that means eating what you want then so be it.....I would get back on track the day after....and eat good all those remaining days before the bithday

In regards to comments about the food not settling well, that can deffinately happen....I occasionally treat my self to something nice, so my system is used to that kind of food still....If you havent eaten any junk in ages because you quick cold turkey then you may not feel well

I hope you get to enjoy your bday to the fullest

Have fun!!!!!

hooah_mj

Robin.......has is down right! This is how we should strive to behave:

My opinion:
AKA "what I would do"

Eat what you want to eat, but stop yourself before you are full. no need to eat till you feel like you're stuffed, just enough of each item to feel "not deprived".

Log it all as best you can as a learning experience, just to see approximately how "bad" it all was, but knowing it will be over for the day, and not giving a crap because one day will NOT throw everything away.

Realize this is a LIFETIME change to your way of eating and not a DIET that you are on for a while and "cheat" on.
For the rest of your life there will be weddings, birthdays, holidays, etc. You CAN eat goodies as long as you don't stuff yourself and be honest with yourself.

Have fun! And Happy Birthday!!!:flowerforyou:

Ditto on the happy day:)!!!

justgnee2u

I love Chicago!! In fact, I am visiting my son and grandson from Indiana next week and we are staying in Chicago for a few days! Eat what you want, but in moderation. Enjoy and have a great time!!

mama22girlz

YES happy birthday :flowerforyou:

hiddensecant

On my birthday I go where I want and eat what I want. However, there are a few limitations ... like I stop when I'm satisfied and I don't bring home leftovers.

When you're done but don't leave the table (because you're socializing or whatever), you can pour water on your plate to avoid excess nibbling ... or not, hehe ... it's your birthday after all.

Happy birthday!

kcdrake

I'd eat whatever. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet, and there are days in life where you're going to not care about what you eat! The important thing is to remember not to let it become habit.

It's up to you if you want to log or not. Some people like to do it so that it's a bit of a reminder that if they ate like that all the time, they'd be a lot heavier. Others stress out and then feel guilty. And you should never feel guilty on your birthday!

Just do what's right for you and then get back on track the next day.

candican

I say don't get all crazy and overeat/binge. Eat freely, eat when you're hungry, don't eat when you're not and have fun!

jrich1

If it was me, I would pick one meal and eat freely, I wouldnt do it the whole day or weekend

hallswan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Eat, drink and be merry - enjoy yourself - your birthday only comes once a year! On my birthday I didn't count a single calorie - but I stopped when I was full - and I found that I didn't eat as much as I usually would!

Take care and have a great day!

chickky311

I actually live in Chicago, and I'll be celebrating my 30th birthday next week. I know first hand about all the good food here! I'm thinking I'll probably just eat what I want on the day that I celebrate, and try to be as good as I can the rest of the days that week. I'll probably still count the calories just to see how it all adds up, but I might try to get in a little extra exercises during the week too. Good luck, and have a great birthday!!!

lutzsher

That is a personal choice, of course . . . but I would still log in and enter my food that day. Journaling is part of the process that assists you in realizing how your choices affect you . . . so by not journaling your food that day you are only "cheating" yourself. Sometimes the BEST way to learn about your habits, etc, is to learn from bad days. One day isn't going to make a huge impact on your weight, but it may make an impact in your mind viewing it . . . and a lesson learned along the way too.

I've always thought the best policy was to be honest with yourself, good or bad.

Becka77

If I have a special day I go ahead and eat what I want with moderation. If I go too overboard then I just wind up feeling yucky and miserable. I wouldn't worry about writing everything down all day, just enjoy it and have fun, You might just do a summary on your food journal at the end of the day or the day after. It's really hard to figure out the calories, etc. when you're eating out anyway, but at least when you look back at it later you will know what happened.

Яaquel

YES!!!! It's your day

timbotina

:drinker: ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:drinker:

ThumperWabbt

I'm with everyone else...it's your birthday! Enjoy it! When mine rolls around I fully intend to have cake, pizza, and quite possibly a giant Stupid Drink. Maybe two

I didn't indulge on my birthday last year, and I still regret not having the piece of cake that I really wanted... Life's too short to not have cake on your birthday!

ladysw357

Happy Birthday!!!! I believe that you should enjoy your day without stressing out. Sample whatever you want. This is a lifestyle, not a diet. This means that you are not "cheating", only celebrating!

On a side note, I'm the same height as you and would kill to make it to your starting weight! Actually, my final goal is 10lbs over your starting weight, which is a healthy weight. Best wishes making it to 125; I haven't been weight since middle school!

Lightonmyfeet

Your birthday only comes once a year.
Take a break from calorie counting, enjoy the good food and have a happy birthday.
You can always get back on track the next day.

aproc

Yes. Its your birthday. I mean, c'mon... Your not going to gain a couple pounds over that one day. Enjoy yourself and do what you think is best and not what others are telling you about how you should eat for the day. Just go back to your normal eating routine the next day or when you get back from Chicago. It's not going to derail your work so far.