Eating double my maintenance calories once per week?

eisterunicorn

Hi guys!

First off let me say that before using myfitnesspal I binged every single day, no joke, just mindless/emotional eating every day. I told myself a while ago when I started on here that I can still binge, just once per week. Now though, I realize binging is not good for me psychologically and I don't want to undo all the progress I'm making on weight loss.

I am only 10 lbs away from my ultimate goal weight that I have felt best at in the past, so I am in no rush to lose. I would be okay being at that goal at the end of summer so that my body is used to it and I don't give up and go back to my daily binge lifestyle.

Being a former binger though, I have a very hard time keeping cheat meals down so that I am at maintenance once a week. Especially being 21 and drinking and going out to eat with friends every saturday night. So I figured, why not set a limit on it but still allow myself the pleasure I crave of overeating? By topping it at 4000 calories each saturday night, which is double my maintenance? I am planning on also making sure I exercise with a long walk or bike ride on these days as well so that I don't fall into the trap of eating a ton from morning to night and go into the 8000 range I used to go for...

This might sound silly to some of you because many of you have soo much will power.

Others will probably tell me to just eat "everything in moderation" and budget "treats into my daily calories through the week". But I do this. I have candy/dessert each day, and also filling proteins and vegetables and fruits most days of the week. I don't feel deprived. Except that once a week social fun time I just want to go crazy.
So yeah I figure this would be a good compromise but I'm seeking the community's input. Please keep in mind I've heard the above suggestions and I follow them, but it still does not satisfy my desire to overeat once a week.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and offer any good insight.

Mae

Seffell

So long as your weekly average is where you want it to be, I don't see a problem.

For me it would be impossible. I make around 200cal deficit per day. So I make 1200cal deficit per 6 days. If I eat 1700cal over maintanance on the 7th I'd be gaining. (I maintain on 1700 average).

Nony_Mouse

So long as you're aware that your weight loss will be very slow, and you're okay with that, no problem.

PAV8888

Result-wise I see no problem assuming you've done your math correctly ;-)

In fact it is more likely that a single day over-indulgence might be less well absorbed and actually end up costing you a couple of calories less than what it may appear to in your weekly math.

However, if I were you, I would still potentially want to examine my desire to deliberately over-indulge once a week from the perspective of slippery slope prevention.

I mean I occasionally do go out for all you can eat sushi, or Indian, or fish and chips, or brunch and I certainly don't hold back when I do that; but, it is definitely something occasional and usually precipitated by others as opposed to the multiple times a week food ritual that it was when I was morbidly obese.

Theo166

I'm really glad I didn't count calories when I was young. I may have completed a few 10k challenges without even trying

Either accept what you are doing or learn to really cut back your drinking. If you wore a fitbit you may find you are fairly active when you go out.

Verity1111

eisterunicorn wrote: »

Hi guys!

First off let me say that before using myfitnesspal I binged every single day, no joke, just mindless/emotional eating every day. I told myself a while ago when I started on here that I can still binge, just once per week. Now though, I realize binging is not good for me psychologically and I don't want to undo all the progress I'm making on weight loss.

I am only 10 lbs away from my ultimate goal weight that I have felt best at in the past, so I am in no rush to lose. I would be okay being at that goal at the end of summer so that my body is used to it and I don't give up and go back to my daily binge lifestyle.

Being a former binger though, I have a very hard time keeping cheat meals down so that I am at maintenance once a week. Especially being 21 and drinking and going out to eat with friends every saturday night. So I figured, why not set a limit on it but still allow myself the pleasure I crave of overeating? By topping it at 4000 calories each saturday night, which is double my maintenance? I am planning on also making sure I exercise with a long walk or bike ride on these days as well so that I don't fall into the trap of eating a ton from morning to night and go into the 8000 range I used to go for...

This might sound silly to some of you because many of you have soo much will power.

Others will probably tell me to just eat "everything in moderation" and budget "treats into my daily calories through the week". But I do this. I have candy/dessert each day, and also filling proteins and vegetables and fruits most days of the week. I don't feel deprived. Except that once a week social fun time I just want to go crazy.
So yeah I figure this would be a good compromise but I'm seeking the community's input. Please keep in mind I've heard the above suggestions and I follow them, but it still does not satisfy my desire to overeat once a week.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and offer any good insight.

Mae

That just depends on your deficit the rest of the week. You would need to eat about 1600 per day the rest of the week to continue losing weight if you are positive you maintain on 2000 calories per day.

spiffychick85

I definitely eat more (restaurant food) and drink (the dranks) on the weekends. I typically fast those days though prior to going out...I haven't been over maintenance this way and sometimes even keep a deficit, but if it's working for you keep moving along

LKArgh

eisterunicorn wrote: »

Hi guys!

First off let me say that before using myfitnesspal I binged every single day, no joke, just mindless/emotional eating every day. I told myself a while ago when I started on here that I can still binge, just once per week. Now though, I realize binging is not good for me psychologically and I don't want to undo all the progress I'm making on weight loss.

I am only 10 lbs away from my ultimate goal weight that I have felt best at in the past, so I am in no rush to lose. I would be okay being at that goal at the end of summer so that my body is used to it and I don't give up and go back to my daily binge lifestyle.

Being a former binger though, I have a very hard time keeping cheat meals down so that I am at maintenance once a week. Especially being 21 and drinking and going out to eat with friends every saturday night. So I figured, why not set a limit on it but still allow myself the pleasure I crave of overeating? By topping it at 4000 calories each saturday night, which is double my maintenance? I am planning on also making sure I exercise with a long walk or bike ride on these days as well so that I don't fall into the trap of eating a ton from morning to night and go into the 8000 range I used to go for...

This might sound silly to some of you because many of you have soo much will power.

Others will probably tell me to just eat "everything in moderation" and budget "treats into my daily calories through the week". But I do this. I have candy/dessert each day, and also filling proteins and vegetables and fruits most days of the week. I don't feel deprived. Except that once a week social fun time I just want to go crazy.
So yeah I figure this would be a good compromise but I'm seeking the community's input. Please keep in mind I've heard the above suggestions and I follow them, but it still does not satisfy my desire to overeat once a week.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and offer any good insight.

Mae

A brief look in your diary suggests to me that while you are losing weight, because there only calories matter, it is time to think about what you eat too, to not gain all of it back. You can eat small portions of very calorie dense food and lose weight, but (regardless of health concerns about the food "quality" on the long run), sooner or later, you will get hungry and decide it is time to feel full again. Increase the portions of what you are currently eating, will result in weight gain. I am usually eating something like 1700-1800 on maintenance, but to feel full on the types of food you are eating, I can easily see myself eating double on a daily basis and ending up doubling my weigh in a year.
The problem with counting calories to lose weight without making lifestyle changes is that if you see it as a short-term plan, you cannot easily deal with what comes once the goal is reached. Technically it is possible to eat less of whatever you were eating and lose weight. The problem is that if your food tends to be high in calories for volume, eventually you will just get back to where you used to be, because no one can just starve for ever. No to mention that living basically on pre-peckaged snakcs, pre-cooked meals and takeaway demands amazing willpower to not overeat.
I understand that you are very young, but still, there are ways to make changes that will be sustainable on the long run, from buying more salads and fruit, to preparing some simple meals at home.

rheddmobile

It's all about the math. However, I think your general approach is good, even if the numbers may need some tinkering. Allowing yourself to have fun with your friends in a normal way is important if you want your weight loss to be sustainable. Allowing a weekend indulgence and setting limits on it are both good. Now you just need to observe how well you are losing and see how the deficit factors in, to determine what your exact numbers need to be.