went over my calories by a lot :(

caesarslaw

So, today after ten days of doing okay I went over my calories (1200) by about 600 calories. When I go shopping or when I go out, I can control myself. But, today our school had an event with free food and I couldn't stop eating. I find it that when there is free food I cannot say no because I feel it is being wasted - I put small amounts of each but there was potato salad coleslaw brownies and burgers. Trying to look good by August for job interviews and recruitment but this is so frustrating. What should I do now? Do I need to lower my caloric intake for the next couple of days? I am a law school student so I do not exercise or do active things.

JennsLosing

just get back on track tomorrow. i went over my calorie on sat by 1000...yup...a ton. i just got back on track yesterday. no biggie.

rileysowner

Figuring if you are at 1200 you are probably on a 1000 calorie/day deficit. That means you didn't even eat through your deficit. It won't stop your weight loss, although it will slow it. Tomorrow is another day, get back to meeting your goal calories.

absolament

1200 a day isn't enough. If you are feeling deprived, it's because you are. You should be within 100 more or less of your suggested caloric intake after exercise.

Heather75

It's just a day.

muth3rluvx2

it's the weekly deficit that matters, not the daily. Get in an extra workout or two this week and you're fine. You don't want to make it a habit, but 600 is manageable. Don't stress.

acknan

Don't beat yourself up! Kick butt tomorrow and let it go. This isn't something that requires perfection, it requires dedication. Log it and move forward! Best of luck!

MeredithLee11

There's always tomorrow.

Next time there's free food, don't LET yourself believe that you CAN'T help yourself. You have the power and the self-control.

tarazena

Oooh, 1200 calories a day is pretty low and the lowest someone should eat. I have to tell you...I do the SAME thing at work..when there is free food, I can't help but eat it. The other day, already ate lunch..then there was leftover veggie pizza...couldn't help it..ate 2 pieces. A couple days ago..we had fish and chips here for lunch for our whole work...I ate them...then ate 2 pieces of cake. EEEK.
I also go over by like 1000 calories sometimes...but one thing I learned just recently- (I heard to do this..but never did). Is to just keep on going like normal. My usual strategy used to be ...eat less next day, workout super hard..then I end up more hungry and just really sore from working out too much. Lately- I have been trying the other strategy- which is...one meal is not going to kill all your hard work..get back on track and should be fine. I tried this a couple times..and it works..easier than being hard on myself. I will do a workout the next day (or that day though)..but just a normal one..not one that has the intention to punish myself. HAve compassion for yourself that it's ok...you ate well one day...and go on with it! Good luck. ; )

keb80

Yep, like everyone said. Just start fresh tomorrow. don't let one 'off' day turn into 2 or 3!!

caesarslaw

great thanks for the fast advice! So I'll continue sticking to my 1200 and hope for the best aka stay away from the free food events. I don't have a scale so I haven't weighed myself since I started but I'm hoping watching calories would help I love MFP fingers crossed I can continue keeping up

auntiebabs

I've posted this so many times I think I'm going to start getting hate mail soon, but it helped me so much I've become a bit of a zealot about the things that have worked for me.

It dawned on me that it's not hitting a number exactly, but falling within a range consistently...
So, I went to the goals section and kept playing with the data I input. to get the following info
You can figure out yours, but here's the idea...


To lose 1lb/week I get 1240 cal (target)

To lose 1/2lb/week I get 1470 cal

To maintain my GOAL weight I get 1670 cal
....unless I consistently go over my target by 400 cal
I should still lose (maybe a little more slowly, but no reason to throw in the towel).

To maintain my CURRENT weight I get 1720 cal
....unless I consistently go over my target goal 500 cal
I should not gain. So I'm not losing any ground. (I can take a break and then pick-up where I left off)

Even if I am not hitting every goal dead on I'm still doing much than I was before MFP.
which, for me, is reason enough to stick with it.

Remember, it's not about being perfect it's about doing better.
No matter where you start from it's all about taking baby steps.
Later you look back and realize that all those baby steps add up to something substantial.

Also recently read a couple of articles, one said that one factor in successful weight loss is having measurable goals.
I think this site is great for that. The other said that the slower you lose weight the more likely you are to keep it off.

Good Luck! Keep at it!
and
BE KIND TO YOUR SELF

lukimakamai

don't lower your caloric intake the next couple days- don't go under your minimum calorie goal just to make up for today. Just take it as one day off plan and try to get back on tomorrow

caesarslaw

@auntiebabs


I guess that makes sense - I keep forgetting that little questionnaire I did at the beginning asking how much I'm looking to lose etc. I 'll take a look again and figure out some ranges - and no worries about the post been a member for only about 12 days so I haven't seen it yet