Question about left over cals.....

bnelly55

I'm not really sure how to put this question in a way where it's understandable, but I never eat all my cals everyday. I always have 50+ left at the end of the day. Before you lecture me, I am morbidly obese and can get away with this, so save it. Anyway, tomorrow is my 'cheat meal' day where I don't log that meal. Obviously I don't know exactly how many cals this meal will be. Will having left over cals put me in more of a deficit and kind of take care of that cheat meal to where really not 'cheating' at all? I counted my cals this morning and I have 979 left this week, and I don't calculate calories burned from exercise. I hope this question makes sense, I guess I'm looking at it as weight watcher points?

bnelly55

Bump

WBB55

If you're losing weight at a rate you find acceptable, and you aren't experiencing mood problems nor digestive issues, don't change a thing. Keep doing what you're doing. When any of the above issues change, then consider changing things.

Stop stressing. And congrats on your progress. I myself was morbidly obese for years. I've lost weight and have kept it off since 2008.

bnelly55

Thanks and congrats on your weight loss!

JessMahoney1

I would log your cheat meals just to see what calories you are eating, you don't have to meet your calorie intake goal everyday as long as you are eating enough (I.e not below 1200 a day etc) don't worry about the 1 cheat meal a week, the pounds will still drop off as long as you keep up with the diet the other days and exercise your butt off Well done on your progress and wish you all the best for the remaining weight loss! x

_Zardoz_

Not to be offensive but what it sounds like to me is you're trying to find excuses to eat more? Surely that's part of the problem. It makes more sense to eat a balanced diet everyday with room in your calories for all foods rather than bing at certain points (which is what this cheating is in reality)

laserturkey

I sometimes have days when I go over and it hasn't hurt me in the slightest. I do try to log those days, too, just to stay consistent and because it's good not to be afraid of red numbers on your log.

bnelly55

Not that's not what I'm trying to do at all. I hate having a 'cheat' meal and I usually feel guilty after having them. It's a mindset thing really. My parents are taking us out to breakfast in the morning and usually on Sundays I have one meal where I don't log, I was just curious if having so many left over cals everyday would put me in a position where I'm not 'cheating' at all so I could stress it less.

Gwen_B

I don't get the cheat day thing, I log every day!!! I live life and eat right!! I have never gone over in calories even if i chose to eat pizza one day!! And that's not cheating, its living because I rarely do it!!

bnelly55

Not a whole cheat day, a cheat meal. If what you're doing works for you, so be it. So far what I've been doing works for me. Different strokes for different folks

Gwen_B

Not that's not what I'm trying to do at all. I hate having a 'cheat' meal and I usually feel guilty after having them. It's a mindset thing really. My parents are taking us out to breakfast in the morning and usually on Sundays I have one meal where I don't log, I was just curious if having so many left over cals everyday would put me in a position where I'm not 'cheating' at all so I could stress it less.

I eat till I'm full, usually with a lot of calories left over!! I don't worry about it, because I eat well balanced meals!!

Deipneus

I'm not really sure how to put this question in a way where it's understandable, but I never eat all my cals everyday. I always have 50+ left at the end of the day.

Estimated calories as posted on food containers is not accurate to the degree you may think it is. I count anything within 10% in either direction a direct hit.

melaniecheeks

Yup, plus or minus 100 calories is hitting your target.

mem50

I really need to get my eyes checked. I thought the title said left over cats.

I was ready with a recipe. Just teasing. LOL

bnelly55

I'm not really sure how to put this question in a way where it's understandable, but I never eat all my cals everyday. I always have 50+ left at the end of the day.

Estimated calories as posted on food containers is not accurate to the degree you may think it is. I count anything within 10% in either direction a direct hit.

I overestimate cals eaten and don't log exercise calories at all. I'm aware of this

bnelly55

I really need to get my eyes checked. I thought the title said left over cats.

I was ready with a recipe. Just teasing. LOL

Do you have any recipes? I have 2 strays I'd like to get rid of. Lol

nomeejerome

Maybe look at it as enjoying time with family, rather than a "cheat"?

Exercise a little more the next day, drink more water and go about your day?

FitnessBeverlyHills

I'm not really sure how to put this question in a way where it's understandable, but I never eat all my cals everyday. I always have 50+ left at the end of the day. Before you lecture me, I am morbidly obese and can get away with this, so save it. Anyway, tomorrow is my 'cheat meal' day where I don't log that meal. Obviously I don't know exactly how many cals this meal will be. Will having left over cals put me in more of a deficit and kind of take care of that cheat meal to where really not 'cheating' at all? I counted my cals this morning and I have 979 left this week, and I don't calculate calories burned from exercise. I hope this question makes sense, I guess I'm looking at it as weight watcher points?

I understand what you are saying, and I would say yes. Sometimes its ok to go by your calories for the week so you will always have some extra calories here and there to spare. Enjoy your cheat meal and do what works for you. Another boost can be on your cheat meal days do an extra 10 or 15 minutes of cardio, or take a nice long walk that day.

WBB55

So here's one more thing about not logging a big meal: how do you know if you're hitting your vitamin/nutrients goals? Hoarding calories for one meal leads to me eating a very unhealthy, fatty, carb-y meal that may fit within my calorie goals for the week, but I also end up eating a whole week's worth of sodium. I can pack 3000 calories in one meal, if you include things like drinks. That's something like 29% of my week's calories. But that also needs to be a meal that's 29% of my vitamins and nutrients. So, by not logging my "cheat" meal, I do not have a complete picture of my nutrients intake.

Take this seriously. Yes, I've lost the weight. But I also lost tons of muscle and bone mass that I've struggled to put back on. I've broken my collarbone THREE times since the weight loss and have had FOUR surgeries to deal with the plates and screws I now have in my body. I've had bone grafts -- because I lost weight the wrong way without considering more than just calories. Bone mass loss now will haunt you for the rest of your life.

Just my two cents. Overall, don't stress about it. But have your bloodwork done regularly to make sure you aren't deficient in necessary nutrients, ok?

bnelly55

So here's one more thing about not logging a big meal: how do you know if you're hitting your vitamin/nutrients goals? Hoarding calories for one meal leads to me eating a very unhealthy, fatty, carb-y meal that may fit within my calorie goals for the week, but I also end up eating a whole week's worth of sodium. I can pack 3000 calories in one meal, if you include things like drinks. That's something like 29% of my week's calories. But that also needs to be a meal that's 29% of my vitamins and nutrients. So, by not logging my "cheat" meal, I do not have a complete picture of my nutrients intake.

Take this seriously. Yes, I've lost the weight. But I also lost tons of muscle and bone mass that I've struggled to put back on. I've broken my collarbone THREE times since the weight loss and have had FOUR surgeries to deal with the plates and screws I now have in my body. I've had bone grafts -- because I lost weight the wrong way without considering more than just calories. Bone mass loss now will haunt you for the rest of your life.

Just my two cents. Overall, don't stress about it. But have your bloodwork done regularly to make sure you aren't deficient in necessary nutrients, ok?

Thanks for your advice. And ouch......sorry to hear about your bone breaks. That's horrible. .