High Calorie Day: Do you eat normally the next or try to cut back a little?

EllieElla2015

Hi Everyone!

So I know there are varying opinions about this but wanted to hear your thoughts. If you're dining out at a local restaurant with no nutrition info & using the MFP restaurant database, do you eat normally or cut back a little?

I feel as though the estimated calorie counts for my meal last night are underestimated plus things like complimentary starters weren't on the menu. Thanks for your thoughts!

vismal

I personally do not. I also do not eat out or exceed my calorie limit very frequently. When I do I know that it will be a good while before I do it again so I see no reason to "make up" for it. If on the other hand you find these situations happening frequently, then I would purposely overestimate calories when tracking and possibly reduce calories from the days before and after the meal. It's not the one of's that define progress, it's what you do the other 99% of the time that makes the difference.

malibu927

I follow a weekly goal instead of daily, so if I do end up going over I can cut back. And if I know an event is coming up I can save calories up for that day.

SLLRunner

So much agree with Vismal and Malibut.

the weekly goal has been a lifesaver for me, and I work hard not to overdo it very often because it's that habit that leads to weight loss.

AntYoungs319

I personally will eat a lighter lunch or next meal should I eat a lot of calories/fat etc whilst out with friends or family. Little things that help me personally is not drinking too much soft drinks or alcohol whilst eating high calorie foods. I can probably cope with the food in take but the booze and cokes will massacre your MFP diary if you let it.

vingogly

If I know in advance that I'm going out, I'll eat lighter during the day. I might eat a light lunch or skip snacks the next day, but in general I don't worry about it. One meal isn't going to affect your weight loss efforts.

ThatUserNameIsAllReadyTaken

I try to choose sensibly and eat sensibly. If I mess it up I just go back to my regular way the following day. No need to throw it all out the window just because one day went unexpectedly.

kgirlhart

Like the others, if I know something like that is coming up I eat lighter the day or two before so my weekly average comes out ok. I may or may not eat light the next day. Usually if I do over eat I am not as hungry the next day. But I wouldn't rat lighter the next day to punish myself. If this sort of thing only happens occasionally it is not going to derail all of your progress. Just log it to the best of your ability and move on.

dhimaan

I cut back a little.

cwolfman13

I move on...in the bigger picture it's pretty irrelevant.

DebSozo

malibu927 wrote: »

I follow a weekly goal instead of daily, so if I do end up going over I can cut back. And if I know an event is coming up I can save calories up for that day.

I do the weekly goal successfully also. I cut back the next day after a high calorie meal because I am not hungry and in addition try to shave calories off of meals ahead of time in the week if I'm expecting to eat more at a party or event, for example.

emilysusana

I try to cut back then next day, but I'm forgiving of myself if I just meet my goal again. I usually wake up the next morning a opt for a lighter breakfast, and I make sure to plan the rest of my day ahead. For me, it's more about being fully on track the next day than cutting back, though often I'm able to "make up" for some of the calories from the day before. The most important thing is to make sure than one high calorie day doesn't lead to another... the old, "I'll start again Monday" routine...