We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Thoughts on "Calorie Banking?"

Ral263
Ral263 Posts: 318 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm trying to lose 10 lbs that I've recently gained that really just do not sit well with me. I do a ton of cardio--I used to be a distance/sprint runner, so according to MFP, my workouts typically burn about 1000 cals (this is a bit of an underestimate I think, to account for error in BMR, etc).

I never eat back my exercise calories, simply because I am used to eating a diet of a ton of vegetables, lean protein, fruits, and a bit of complex carbohydrates, so I'm never hungry enough to eat them all back. Meaning I have a great deal of a deficit over the course of Monday-Friday.

But, the weekend is where I usually run into issues. I'm in college, so I do drink quite a bit on the weekends (I would say 4 drinks on friday and saturday each-- typically wine but otherwise clear liquor with a calorie free mixer). I typically eat less on the weekends too though, since I wake up later. Sunday is my rest day.

So my question-- Since I have a deficit most of the week, and eat less on weekends, will the extra calories from what I have over the weekend completely derail progress? I know there are two trains of thoughts with this-- 1, that cals in cals out is based on daily intake, and 2, that energy balance is based on expenditures and intake over the course of a week (or month).

I realize that obviously alcohol is not quality calories by any means, but I eat 100% well the rest of the time, so....what are your thoughts? Will I still lose weight or no?

Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Yes you will still lose weight.

    but have a read here

    http://www.leangains.com/2010/07/truth-about-alcohol-fat-loss-and-muscle.html
  • Halloch
    Halloch Posts: 18 Member
    I enjoy beer but over the years I have come to realize I cannot save up my beer for the weekend or days off. What happens for me is I will enjoy 3 or 4 light beer two days in a row then I am back to square one. Monday comes and I am back to the weight I was the previous Monday. If you do want to enjoy your drinks try to limit it to 1 or 2 then drink a low calorie power drink when everyone else is drinking. Put in a wine glass and no one will know the difference.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories