Reward Meal Anxiety?

Autumn336

Hey guys! I am just posting this in hopes that maybe I'm not alone! Today, we finished our first month diet bet at work. I've been logging for about 80 days, but taking it seriously for about 30. So far, I've lost 12lbs. My best friend and coworker and I have been doing it together and working very very very hard. Lots of sweat and lots of calorie counting. Like, every second, as I'm sure you guys understand!

Today, we hit our day to have our reward meal. We fasted through breakfast for a Zaxbys lunch, and are still so full dinner may be in question lol. But I found myself before and after, and more so tonight, feeling so anxious. This is more calories than I've been on a meal in over a month, and even though 12lbs isn't that much off, it's still 12lbs I don't want back. I don't say this because I think I am back into old habits, because I still feel my motivation and change in lifestyle to keep going. I am just wondering if anyone else feels this type of anxiety towards reward meals, or meals that aren't exactly in your diet plan? It almost feels like I don't want to do that again, but I also don't want to deprive myself of something I like (well, really love when it comes to Zaxbys lol). Does anyone have any advice on fighting this kind of guilty feeling that is associated with one meal?

Anything just to let me know I'm not crazy! Lol

88olds

I do not understand the concept of reward meal at all.

I do understand avoiding deprivation. But a return to 4+ hrs of wining and dining? Or a whole pizza? Giant pub-burger and fries? That would be punishment, not a reward.

I generally rewarded myself with clothes. Once a new food scale.

malibu927

I don't think of food as a reward. I eat fast food about once a week (we don't have Zaxbys here though) and work it into my calorie goals...if I can't for the day, then I'll eat a little over and take a little off another day or two. You're obviously not going to gain 12 pounds of fat back in one meal, but you have to look at the long run and how you're going to eat these things once you reach maintenance.

usmcmp

Why don't you just fit your reward meals within your calories? You won't have anxiety over gaining weight that way and you won't have to feel like you need to reward yourself with food for meeting goals.

Sabine_Stroehm

Is it a quick fix or a lifestyle? If the latter: figure out what that means for YOU, what YOU value etc. And make it work.

I don't believe in reward meals, cheat meals etc. I I do believe that life happens, hubs and I go out to dinner etc. That's where and when I may eat a bit over. I don't plan those events.

anwade01

I think you should only feel guilty if that's how you eat all the time, and it seems like it isn't. I have lost 20 lbs in 2 months, and during that time, I'm sure I had 3-4 cheat meals. Usually for days I have a cheat meal, I get a workout in because there is that fear of gaining. For the cheat meals where I feel like I went overboard, I aim to not eat as heavily on the next meal/day to balance it out. You have to do what's best for you. Good luck<3

Machka9

I never did "reward meals" when I was losing weight. I incorporated the things I wanted to eat within my diet, and rewarded myself by doing things I couldn't do when I was heavier ... like cycling up the local mountain.

Sp1tfire

I feel like 'treat meals' are a good way to keep yourself in a healthy headspace regarding food. After you lose the weight, you want to be able to go out to those places once in a while like you do now, right? It's important to have a healthy outlook towards those foods. Pick what you want, estimate the calories, log + forget, but don't stress about being to the nail accurate.

I say this because I have an unhealthy view of eating out at 'caloric mystery' places. (aka not a chain w/ cals). I had a breakdown at a restaurant once eating out with my mother for a special occasion because I had no idea what was in what I ate. As long as you don't go super crazy (fries, deep fried entree, multiple mixed drinks, dessert) I'd strongly advise you to keep going on the reward meal once in a while. Remember - you want to have those yummy foods and enjoy them without worry later on! It would suck to worry about it the rest of your life. Trust me, I probably am stuck worrying about it forever now.

Then again, my experience is not universal. If you wish to avoid that place until you get to your goal weight, go for it. But remember how you want to live your life in a sustainable, mentally and physically healthy way the rest of your life too! (that includes treats! )

H_Ock12

If you're still full from lunch, skip dinner (or have something small) and it should even out.

Hollyelise1

88olds wrote: »

I do not understand the concept of reward meal at all.

I do understand avoiding deprivation. But a return to 4+ hrs of wining and dining? Or a whole pizza? Giant pub-burger and fries? That would be punishment, not a reward.

I generally rewarded myself with clothes. Once a new food scale.

Some people can't afford to go buy new clothes every time they do well. Personally I can't.. She fit the food in her calories for the day... she was asking how to deal with her anxiety from the meal because she has been eating so well, not some troll and try to make her feel worse.

Hollyelise1

You worked out and you fit it in your calories. A reward meal is nice to have every once in a while. Each day is a new beginning. One meal doesn't define you!

Sabine_Stroehm

Hollyelise1 wrote: »

88olds wrote: »

I do not understand the concept of reward meal at all.

I do understand avoiding deprivation. But a return to 4+ hrs of wining and dining? Or a whole pizza? Giant pub-burger and fries? That would be punishment, not a reward.

I generally rewarded myself with clothes. Once a new food scale.

Some people can't afford to go buy new clothes every time they do well. Personally I can't.. She fit the food in her calories for the day... she was asking how to deal with her anxiety from the meal because she has been eating so well, not some troll and try to make her feel worse.

I'm not sure you understand what an internet troll is. But glad you know what works for you.

spyro88

I get this too, but I guess the thing is, it's not really a reward if it's making you feel guilty or bad. Maybe rewarding ourselves with food is an old habit that we find difficult to break. Maybe you could reward yourself with something you will enjoy guilt-free?

TavistockToad

i fit in larger than normal meals on a weekly basis... no guilt, no anxiety, i just eat a 100-200 cals less Monday to Thursday to be able to eat more cals at the weekend. if you stick to your weekly goal you'll lose weight.