How does weekly calorie deficits work?

Just curious, I'm going out for ice cream with a friend tonight and will surely go over my allowed calories. In the past week I have had a huge deficit with exercise and very clean eating, probably around 2500 less than I've been allotted for the whole week. Does this make it okay to go out to eat? I've been so scared to do this but want this to be a lifestyle change where I'm able to do things like this. Would love advice. Hope all of this makes sense!

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    I do this all the time, eat light during the week because I know we are going somewhere extra special on the weekend. I track my calories by the week.
  • mandietippets
    mandietippets Posts: 55 Member
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    I do this all the time, eat light during the week because I know we are going somewhere extra special on the weekend. I track my calories by the week.

    Has it hindered your weight loss at all?
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    I do this all the time, eat light during the week because I know we are going somewhere extra special on the weekend. I track my calories by the week.

    Has it hindered your weight loss at all?

    When you log accurately it's not going to hinder weight loss. To lose weight, be in a deficit every week. String weeks and weeks together. The end.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    I do this all the time, eat light during the week because I know we are going somewhere extra special on the weekend. I track my calories by the week.

    Has it hindered your weight loss at all?

    When you log accurately it's not going to hinder weight loss. To lose weight, be in a deficit every week. String weeks and weeks together. The end.

    This
  • mandietippets
    mandietippets Posts: 55 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    I do this all the time, eat light during the week because I know we are going somewhere extra special on the weekend. I track my calories by the week.

    Has it hindered your weight loss at all?

    When you log accurately it's not going to hinder weight loss. To lose weight, be in a deficit every week. String weeks and weeks together. The end.

    So since I've had about 2500 uneaten calories from my allotted calories on top of my regular deficit for every day to lose 2 pounds a week. (1400-1500 calories a day) I should be fine seeing as I won't be eating anywhere near 2500-5000 calories? Correct? Sorry I'm new to this.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    I do this all the time, eat light during the week because I know we are going somewhere extra special on the weekend. I track my calories by the week.

    Has it hindered your weight loss at all?

    When you log accurately it's not going to hinder weight loss. To lose weight, be in a deficit every week. String weeks and weeks together. The end.

    So since I've had about 2500 uneaten calories from my allotted calories on top of my regular deficit for every day to lose 2 pounds a week. (1400-1500 calories a day) I should be fine seeing as I won't be eating anywhere near 2500-5000 calories? Correct? Sorry I'm new to this.

    Correct. But work on getting as accurate as you can with your logging, and making sure you're not getting over estimated calorie burns. But yes, have some ice cream please. You will be fine and it's delicious.
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  • mandietippets
    mandietippets Posts: 55 Member
    Oh thanks guys!! That makes me feel better. I've been craving ice cream and figure it's better to give in to it once in a while so that I can maintain this lifestyle change. Most days I'm perfectly happy with all the healthy food because you can have so much variety but sometimes a little ice cream is in store! Lol.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Oh thanks guys!! That makes me feel better. I've been craving ice cream and figure it's better to give in to it once in a while so that I can maintain this lifestyle change. Most days I'm perfectly happy with all the healthy food because you can have so much variety but sometimes a little ice cream is in store! Lol.

    This is really the best way to go about losing weight. Eat foods you enjoy :)

    I would also take a look at how under you are every week as far as banking calories goes. If your deficit is aggressive and you are saving that many...want to be sure you are getting enough nutrients in. That's a little research you can do for/on your own too :)
  • mandietippets
    mandietippets Posts: 55 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Oh thanks guys!! That makes me feel better. I've been craving ice cream and figure it's better to give in to it once in a while so that I can maintain this lifestyle change. Most days I'm perfectly happy with all the healthy food because you can have so much variety but sometimes a little ice cream is in store! Lol.

    This is really the best way to go about losing weight. Eat foods you enjoy :)

    I would also take a look at how under you are every week as far as banking calories goes. If your deficit is aggressive and you are saving that many...want to be sure you are getting enough nutrients in. That's a little research you can do for/on your own too :)

    Yeah I have been needing to try to eat more so I'm not so far under but I haven't felt overly hungry because I snack every few hours for the most part. I've started making sure I have something with some protein post workouts and it seems to be helping. I was getting really tired there for a while and I think I was definitely lacking a bit.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Oh thanks guys!! That makes me feel better. I've been craving ice cream and figure it's better to give in to it once in a while so that I can maintain this lifestyle change. Most days I'm perfectly happy with all the healthy food because you can have so much variety but sometimes a little ice cream is in store! Lol.

    This is really the best way to go about losing weight. Eat foods you enjoy :)

    I would also take a look at how under you are every week as far as banking calories goes. If your deficit is aggressive and you are saving that many...want to be sure you are getting enough nutrients in. That's a little research you can do for/on your own too :)

    Yeah I have been needing to try to eat more so I'm not so far under but I haven't felt overly hungry because I snack every few hours for the most part. I've started making sure I have something with some protein post workouts and it seems to be helping. I was getting really tired there for a while and I think I was definitely lacking a bit.

    Yeah, you'll figure it out. Good luck!
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    I have to have cheat meals, or I'll go crazy. Once a week, for one meal, I eat what I want. Sometimes I don't track it. I stay below my recommend caloric intake on a daily basis, sometimes even with cheating. It all depends on what I eat. Treat yourself, and don't feel guilty.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Log your food accurately and weigh yourself consistently. Once you know what you've done and know what you've done to yourself, you'll be able to willingly adjust your intake and output to work toward the goals you have.

    So, suppose you've been in calorie deficit for a few weeks. An ice cream date might break your string, but it won't hurt you. Just get back on the program in the next day or two and resume your good streak.