"banking" calories?

hkristine1

So - if you know that you've got a special occasion coming up (like a superbowl party) where the food is likely to be crap and too irresistible! ha. Is it reasonable to eat less in the days leading up to the party to "make up" for the over-calorie eating that you know you're bound to do.... or do you just stay to your normal caloric intake and say "screw it" on the day of the event, and just do what you want?

I seem to recall from years ago that Weight Watchers let folks "bank" points for the week (I never did WW but my mom did) - but it seems a bit counter to the "don't starve your body by eating too few calories in a day" theory...

paperpudding

I don't know if MFP has a 'rule' on this - but my thoughts are that its your average intake that counts, not your exact daily intake.

I wouldn't do it to extremes - but being under your allowance by no more than perhaps 100 calories per day in week prior and then going over by 600 on the special day, would seem ok to me, and would even out overall.

tequila09

Yup! I look at my weekly calories to make sure Im still on track with my goals.

BackInTheSaddle13

I don't think it matters.

I aim for the same calorie loss in a day but some days are a little higher and some lower. I think it would be reasonable to dock a few hundred calories (or workout extra) to enjoy a party.

Loss is loss.

Sreneesa

I've done that a few times. I just split the difference between a few days. Just added them before hand and it all worked out. Then again I do have 1850 calories each day so it works for me and I rarely eat them all.

gigglesinthesun

I bank frequently and for me in my experience it all evens out over the month

jennifer_417

I average my calories over the week..so, yeah, pretty much.

JaniePapageorgio

You should check out the concept of intermittent fasting. What you described is pretty close to my general diet strategy. Just search "intermittent fasting", "5:2", "4:3", JUDDD, etc.

tedsmama

Just eat. Get back on track Monday. Life/Superbowl/Holidays happen. :drinker:

RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle

"Banking" calories worked for me when I was losing:)

RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle

Just eat. Get back on track Monday. Life/Superbowl/Holidays happen. :drinker:

^this works too:)

lebbyloses

Some people do that every week!

I try to be slightly under on weekdays in case I end up a bit higher on weekends, and for example this weekend I had more planned than usual, so I tried to be 100-200 under toward the end of the week. As long as you watch your weekly averages it seems reasonable. I mean, your fat cells don't have a calendar, you know?