Is a binge SO bad?

jamie1888

I say go for it. It's what you do most of the time that counts, not what you do once in a blue moon, so I doubt it will do you any harm. As long as you get back to normal tomorrow, it's all good.

^ This!

Pizza is your favorite food; why give it up? If this is a lifestyle change and not a diet, there's not reason you can't eat some of your favorite foods from time to time.

llahairdna

In my experience, the more I deprive myself of something, the more I crave it. If I want something really badly, I just work the rest of my day's calories around it, or work-out more so I'm not going over my limit.

tamaranewman

This is where we get tripped up...labeling ourselves "good" or "bad" by the food choices we make. You are not a bad person for wanting or eating a pizza. You are not good if you make an alternate better choice. Make your choice and deal with the consequences. Yep, if you eat that entire pizza you may gain and it may take you twice as long to lose the extra weight. But deal with it. Sometimes it is worth it to satisfy your cravings. Again, no good or bad...just human.

Stacyanne324

I "binge" every Sunday for my "spike day". Those days I eat at twice my BMR and enjoy whatever kind of food I want...pizza, burgers, etc. It gets the cravings out and I don't feel deprived all week and I'm still operating in a weekly defecit so I'm still losing weight (and actually switching to this way of eating has gotten me off a long plateau and losing again)

I say go ahead and enjoy yourself for a day. You will feel better for it and it will probably help rev up your metabolism some at the same time. Enjoy!

aheartbeatsos

I say take a day where you binge MINDFULLY.
You've got 6 days left to make up for it
Remind yourself that it's a one day thing and whatever you do, do NOT keep leftovers lying around!
This will just cause more cravings. If you do have leftovers, try to portion them out onto plates or into containers to prevent yourself from feeling compelled to eat them all at once

jenlarz

I love pizza. There's no way I'll ever go 6 mos w/o it. I have it when I want it and have had no serious "have to eat a whole pizza" cravings ever. And its not a "reward" its just what you're having for supper that night!

MndaLynn

I say...have it...FOR SURE!! I have not given up anything. I have lost 17 pounds in 2 months. I make way smarter food decision and eat much less than I did before. I find when I eat something like pizza, cheeseburger, or fries...I eat way less than I did 2 months ago. I could easily eat four pieces of pizza. Now...I will have one or two pieces. This is about changing your lifestyle and it is something you have to be willing to do forever. If someone told me I could never eat another cheeseburger again...I would say forget it...I quit!

bcattoes

But, honestly, would it be SO bad to go get myself a pizza this weekend? I haven't had a slice in 6 months... I can do a double workout to make up for the extra calories.

No biggie, right? Or is it? Could it be a slippery slope?

Well, the slippery slope is the real problem. A rare binge is not going to make you gain all your weight back. But if having that binge and not gaining weight leads you to have another thinking you won't gain then either, and then another and so on, then that is a biggie. If you can binge once and then get right back on track, then you are correct. No biggie.

Only you can know how slippery your slope is.

BeeElMarvin

All - I'm having some SERIOUS cravings lately.

I have been doing very well for almost a year - making good food choices, staying at/under/around my calorie goal, working out regularly. I've lost more than 60% of the total amount I want to lose... it's going great (with some minor plateau irritations thrown in now and then).

But suddenly, I'm really wanting some bad food. I'm craving things I've NEVER liked, like chili cheese fries. I really want to splurge on a deep dish Chicago style pizza or maybe a bean burrito covered in salsa.

My favorite food in the world is pizza - specifically that Chicago-style deep dish I mentioned. I don't want to "treat" myself to food, because rewarding weight loss and fitness with food just seems counter-productive to me. But, honestly, would it be SO bad to go get myself a pizza this weekend? I haven't had a slice in 6 months... I can do a double workout to make up for the extra calories.

No biggie, right? Or is it? Could it be a slippery slope?

It's only a slippery slope if you let it be. Go eat some pizza.

neverstray

Dude, you should totally binge. Eat everything in sight and everything you've wanted to eat but didn't. Do it all in one day.

Next day, you'll feel so great. I doubt that you'll be puking and squirting. You'll feel awsome and ready to conquer the world. So, I say DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the opposite for "bump" on here?

Sorry, I didn't realize that you want positive support for binge eating. I misunderstood. My bad.

mstemen

Dude, you should totally binge. Eat everything in sight and everything you've wanted to eat but didn't. Do it all in one day.

Next day, you'll feel so great. I doubt that you'll be puking and squirting. You'll feel awsome and ready to conquer the world. So, I say DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the opposite for "bump" on here?

Sorry, I didn't realize that you want positive support for binge eating. I misunderstood. My bad.

I think you did misunderstand. Eating a piece if pizza and binge eating are not the same thing.

femmi1120

All - I'm having some SERIOUS cravings lately.

I have been doing very well for almost a year - making good food choices, staying at/under/around my calorie goal, working out regularly. I've lost more than 60% of the total amount I want to lose... it's going great (with some minor plateau irritations thrown in now and then).

But suddenly, I'm really wanting some bad food. I'm craving things I've NEVER liked, like chili cheese fries. I really want to splurge on a deep dish Chicago style pizza or maybe a bean burrito covered in salsa.

My favorite food in the world is pizza - specifically that Chicago-style deep dish I mentioned. I don't want to "treat" myself to food, because rewarding weight loss and fitness with food just seems counter-productive to me. But, honestly, would it be SO bad to go get myself a pizza this weekend? I haven't had a slice in 6 months... I can do a double workout to make up for the extra calories.

No biggie, right? Or is it? Could it be a slippery slope?

Haven't you had cheat days for things like this? The whole point of a cheat day is to prevent cravings like this with a planned "bad" day. It also has helped me a great deal in the past to keep from plateauing.

I certainly wouldn't recommend eating everything you mentioned all at once, but a reasonable serving of pizza this week, maybe the burrito next week along with an extra workout should be no big deal.

TaraERZ

Agree with everyone. Fit it into your calories. I eat practically what I want as long as I stay IN my calories. Smart ones has some really good pizza bites. Had some today. 4 snack bites for like 210calories I believe.!!!! If u deprive yourself your going to want it more later...

adamb83

All - I'm having some SERIOUS cravings lately.

I have been doing very well for almost a year - making good food choices, staying at/under/around my calorie goal, working out regularly. I've lost more than 60% of the total amount I want to lose... it's going great (with some minor plateau irritations thrown in now and then).

But suddenly, I'm really wanting some bad food. I'm craving things I've NEVER liked, like chili cheese fries. I really want to splurge on a deep dish Chicago style pizza or maybe a bean burrito covered in salsa.

My favorite food in the world is pizza - specifically that Chicago-style deep dish I mentioned. I don't want to "treat" myself to food, because rewarding weight loss and fitness with food just seems counter-productive to me. But, honestly, would it be SO bad to go get myself a pizza this weekend? I haven't had a slice in 6 months... I can do a double workout to make up for the extra calories.

No biggie, right? Or is it? Could it be a slippery slope?

Haven't you had cheat days for things like this? The whole point of a cheat day is to prevent cravings like this with a planned "bad" day. It also has helped me a great deal in the past to keep from plateauing.

I certainly wouldn't recommend eating everything you mentioned all at once, but a reasonable serving of pizza this week, maybe the burrito next week along with an extra workout should be no big deal.

I have had one or two cheat days in the past 6 months... I know a lot of people use them, I guess I just wasn't sure how to incorporate them. I'm getting a lot of great feedback and ideas on this thread - appreciate it!

toffee322

building healthy relationship with food is very important.. no one should avoid any type of food because they are scared that they will gain weight.. moderation is the key.. i'm still learning and is super hard to do.. but i know it's true. go for it if you really feel like it! you worked so hard to lose the weight.. a pizza will not ruin everything! cheers

confuzzledwife

When I REALLY want something or I'm craving something I normally wouldn't even eat.. I just figure it into my allowed calories for that day, and it has really helped me out. I wouldn't say eat an entire deep dish pizza, but maybe a slice or 2? I will have a slice or 2 once a month because I know depriving myself completely will end up in a really bad way for me (like yesterday when I DID binge). So I say go for it, just keep it within your calorie range.

adamb83

Thanks for all the feedback!!

litatura

If you're craving pizza, try opting for a thin crust one (less calories/carbs) or get a pizza with healthier toppings (ie. chicken instead of pepperoni, etc.). This helps keep my cravings in check.

Dahllywood

Don't let food control your life. Enjoy your cravings now and again, it's only natural. It's unrealistic to think that you will never eat another slice of pizza (or 2 or 3) in your life ever again. I do it quite often (more than I should), and its just about budgeting and getting back on track the next day. Don't think of it as a punishment, but rather a reward. Positive reinforcement is always good for the mind.

dlwyatt82

I'm not sure I'm even capable of a real "binge" at this point. It's surprising how fast you feel full after getting used to a couple months of smaller meals (I'm on a "eat or snack every 2-3 hours" plan. My largest meal of the day is dinner at 750 calories, which isn't a terribly large amount of food).

My wife and I went out to an Indian buffet we like on my cheat day a couple weeks ago, and I was feeling stuffed by the time I finished one plate. I don't know if my stomach is shrinking to match the amount of food I usually eat now, or what, but it's nice to have a little physical defense against the "I'm depressed and going to eat enough food for a family of 4" routine that has been a problem for me.