Splurge?

HeyJudii

I was sitting here, having my morning coffee, laughing to myself because I splurged! I had two (count them; 2!) packets of Splenda in my cup, and considered it splurging. "Hey! That's 8 calories right there."

Then, I started thinking about what "splurging" meant to me now, and realized that prior to changing my lifestyle and eating and fitness habits, did I even think about splurging, or did I just eat whatever, whenever? I don't ever remember thinking, "Oh, I'm splurging by eating this whole cheesecake over the course of a day!"

I know some talk about "cheat meals" and "cheat days" but what do people that successfully maintain healthy lifestyles consider splurging?

LivingtheLeanDream

I consider having two packet of crisps (Tayto Prawn Cocktail 25g pack) one after the other a splurge - a whole 270 calories, shock horror LOL - my so called 'splurges' happen once or twice a month, no biggie

TavistockToad

I don't think in terms of having a splurge.

generally i work to my weekly goal, whether that's at maintenance or a deficit, and then some days (birthday, holidays, special occasions) i over eat and don't worry about it not fitting into my weekly goal.

those 'not worrying' days are probably less than once a month, as i am pretty good at fitting yummy stuff into my weekly goal (being a long distance runner helps this!)

swim777

A small vanilla ice cream cone from Dairy Queen once in a while.

RadishEater

Perhaps once every couple of months I go over my calories by 100-300 calories, usually for some special event or family visiting. Otherwise I stick to eating all my exercise calories back or being a bit below.
However I make sure to have treats everyday whether it is a some chocolate and wine or just wine or a giant spoonful of almond butter, which I have become addicted to now

sardelsa

I can't really think of anything.. usually a meal or day that doesn't even come close to hitting my protein goal. I don't feel so great about that. I would feel more comfortable going way over my TDEE vs coming way under on protein.

saragd012

Every few weeks I want a "splurge" breakfast, usually after I'm coming up from a particularly stressful week of work. It's honestly less of a calorie splurge, and more of a "treat myself to breakfast" splurge since I tend to meal-prep inexpensive options. This morning was actually one of those, I had two fried eggs on a croissant and an energy drink I really like (but generally avoid). I have no guilt about it, but it was pretty much double the calories I'd normally have for breakfast. I do work in treats for myself daily, and I've been in maintenance/recomp for quite a while so I have more calories to play with. Even if I do go over a day or two I also have tons of days I'm unintentionally well under (usually on extremely active days) so I figure it balances itself out.

zyxst

To me, splurging is eating something I really, really want, knowing it's going to blow my calories, but not caring.

CarvedTones

Father's Day - before it was all said and done I had 3 pieces of a homemade key lime pie. It was made for me because it is my favorite summer time dessert. I went over. I managed to make one additional piece fit the next couple of days. I did some extra walking and whatnot but still so a 2 pound swing up on Tuesday morning. I lowered my goal and did some untracked walking and SUP paddling. I think it was a "gut volume" and water swing, because this morning I dropped 4 pounds to 2 below what I weighed on Sunday morning. I was probably dehydrated this morning but it was pretty cool seeing a weigh I had not seen in about 35 years.

Anyway, that was a splurge to me.

SuzySunshine99

I don't eat out at restaurants very often, so every time I do, it's a "splurge". I get whatever entree I want without worrying about the calories. Since it's only 1-2 days a month, it doesn't matter in the long run.

CarvedTones

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

I don't eat out at restaurants very often, so every time I do, it's a "splurge". I get whatever entree I want without worrying about the calories. Since it's only 1-2 days a month, it doesn't matter in the long run.

I realize I am picking nits but everything matters in the long run if you don't make CICO even out. Going over 1-2 times a month would slowly put weight on if you were dead even on all other days. I am a little obsessed, but I always work in the overage pretty quickly (within a few days).

kgirlhart

CarvedTones wrote: »

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

I don't eat out at restaurants very often, so every time I do, it's a "splurge". I get whatever entree I want without worrying about the calories. Since it's only 1-2 days a month, it doesn't matter in the long run.

I realize I am picking nits but everything matters in the long run if you don't make CICO even out. Going over 1-2 times a month would slowly put weight on if you were dead even on all other days. I am a little obsessed, but I always work in the overage pretty quickly (within a few days).

While this statement is true, most people aren't dead even on all the other days. Most people will have a at least 1-2 times per month where they are under their calories which balances out the 1-2 days that they splurge. Maintenance is more about what you do over the long run than what you do every single day. If you are consistently over your calories you will gain weight. If you are consistently under you will lose but as long as you are consistently in the range that you need to be you will maintain your desired maintenance range. Just like no one's weight will always be one number, your calorie goal can also be a range.

To answer tho OP's question: I work treats in just about every day and don't really consider it splurging as long as I don't go over my calories. I guess I consider holidays and special occasion meals like birthdays or vacations as splurges. Although I generally try to consider my portion sizes and even if I over eat some I try not to go too crazy.

psychod787

Once a month I save up enough macros for my ma's fried chicken and biscuits! mmmmmm!!!
https://youtu.be/YNkQVoE1rC8

lorenzoinlr

I've been on this site for over 6 years. It's been tremendous for me in so many ways. But I've never been able to do disciplined maintenance with continued logging. I've accepted I'm either in a loss phase or I'm just cruising with what I want to eat. When I reach 5 lbs over I'm in a loss phase back to target. This cycle is once or twice a year.

Lobster rolls. Nutritionally awful, particularly with the amount of mayo and butter the put on them here. But I need them.

peaceout_aly

HeyJudii wrote: »

I was sitting here, having my morning coffee, laughing to myself because I splurged! I had two (count them; 2!) packets of Splenda in my cup, and considered it splurging. "Hey! That's 8 calories right there."

Then, I started thinking about what "splurging" meant to me now, and realized that prior to changing my lifestyle and eating and fitness habits, did I even think about splurging, or did I just eat whatever, whenever? I don't ever remember thinking, "Oh, I'm splurging by eating this whole cheesecake over the course of a day!"

I know some talk about "cheat meals" and "cheat days" but what do people that successfully maintain healthy lifestyles consider splurging?

I'm currently on prep and splurging to me is not weighing or measuring my chicken, turkey, egg whites, etc. I left my food scale back in Jersey after a weekend there and had to deal with no measurements until my new one came in the mail..three days of "splurges". After my competition, my splurges will be enjoying an ice cream treat with my god son and drinking on my best friend's birthday party! Social splurges always get me. But it's part of making it a lifestyle.

LifeWithPie

lorenzoinlr wrote: »

Lobster rolls. Nutritionally awful, particularly with the amount of mayo and butter the put on them here. But I need them.

You and me both brother. Lobster rolls for life!

nowine4me

I walked over to Starbucks this very hot afternoon intending to splurge on a lite caramel Frappuccino. The barista informed me that they discontinued the lite base. So even sugar free syrup and no whipped cream, it was 300 cals. I promptly walked out and made myself a regular iced coffee.

cwolfman13

I've more or less maintained for over 5 years and I lead a pretty healthful lifestyle. I don't really think about splurging...I just eat well for the most part, and sometimes I don't or sometimes backyard pool party BBQs happen out of the blue or some other special occasion comes along where I will indulge...but I don't really actively think about it.

CarvedTones wrote: »

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

I don't eat out at restaurants very often, so every time I do, it's a "splurge". I get whatever entree I want without worrying about the calories. Since it's only 1-2 days a month, it doesn't matter in the long run.

I realize I am picking nits but everything matters in the long run if you don't make CICO even out. Going over 1-2 times a month would slowly put weight on if you were dead even on all other days. I am a little obsessed, but I always work in the overage pretty quickly (within a few days).

I don't log, but I can say that my indulgences are typically compensated by lower calories somewhere else along the line...it's not something I actively pursue...it just happens. If I go out for a big New Mexican food brunch or something, I'm not typically hungry until dinner and even then, not usually in the mood for anything too heavy as I have already eaten heavy. Same if we go out for dinner and I have a big meal...I'm usually not particularly hungry come breakfast, so it's usually something small like a couple of eggs.

Like I said, I don't really think about it...it just happens that way. I would think it would work the same way for most.

Diatonic12

I don't call them splurges or cheat meals or so worth it moments. I used to call it thrill eating. Every moment is a so worth moment as far as I'm concerned. New York cheesecake or homemade berry cobbler. Lasagna or lemon chicken scallopini. Spaghetti and meatballs. I having all of it in reasonable amounts. No more clean eating for me but I'm still avoiding romaine lettuce for now. Baked lasagna won't hurt you but the salad might.

Kathryn247

Whether you're splurging ("treat yo self!") with calories or money, it all hits the bottom line. You can go over your calories for the day by 3,500, sure, but then you'll need a 3,500 calorie deficit over the next couple of weeks or your weight will go up a pound. You can buy a $3,500 coat that's not in your budget, but you'll have to spend less on something else to break even for the month.
I had a 3,200 calorie day last week and it was awesome. So I guess for me a splurge is a high-calorie day or meal that I'll adjust for later to reach my goals.

SuzySunshine99

CarvedTones wrote: »

SuzySunshine99 wrote: »

I don't eat out at restaurants very often, so every time I do, it's a "splurge". I get whatever entree I want without worrying about the calories. Since it's only 1-2 days a month, it doesn't matter in the long run.

I realize I am picking nits but everything matters in the long run if you don't make CICO even out. Going over 1-2 times a month would slowly put weight on if you were dead even on all other days. I am a little obsessed, but I always work in the overage pretty quickly (within a few days).

Yeah, in theory, but I'm never dead even. I've been maintaining successfully for a few years. Some days I eat at a deficit, some days at a surplus. It seems to even out for me.