How many calories is it okay to be over by?

Medilia

So I was somewhat careless today with my eating and I understand that will happen from time to time. But what is an approximate figure for it okay to be over by?

likepepsicola

It's "okay" to be over by ANY amount...it's just one day...technically the world will not end even if you went over by 10,000 calories (which I don't recommend doing but I have actually done before by eating a lot of chocolate, cake, poptarts, peanut butter, nutella, chips, pasta, and ice cream). Even if you went that extreme the most you would gain is 3 lbs if your calories were set for a maintenance amount. So just let it go, don't stress, and keep going. Try to have a better tomorrow.

Medilia

Yeah, the chocolate cake is evil. I was already over and it was in my parents fridge and I could not resist it lol.

likepepsicola

I can relate! Cake is my #1 food weakness.

Medilia

Same with me. I can resist lollies. Chocolate ANYTHING except cake.

LittleMissDover

Day to day I prefer not to go over, however on a 'bad' day I try not to go over my maintenance calories as that way I won't be gaining.

slimsdown

i ate some vanilla wafers last night thinking they are light and low fat.......how i was wrong.......!!!! 360 caloires for 8! i was shocked, now i know that is an indulgent treat i wont be tempted to have them again. pre write in ur foods then you know how many cals you have left over to play with ! xx

Gallowmere1984

The correct answer is "none", for a variety of reasons. If you start to justify being over by one amount, pretty soon you could find yourself doing the same thing for a larger amount. Next thing you know, you're right back to where you started.

If it's a small amount (less than 10%) just make note of what put you over, and try to not do it again. If it's a larger amount (20% or more) you owe yourself a scolding the likes of which you probably haven't had since grade school. Just remember that every day you go over your deficit is a day that you have slowed your progress down. Unless of course, it is a day that you actually had planned for such for training reasons.

That last part generally only applies to weight training. An extra ten minutes on the elliptical is not an excuse to stuff your face.

mulderpf

I take it day by day. If I had a bad day yesterday, I try to forget about it and move on. If it happens more often or if I have time, I'll try to make up for it the next day by doing some extra walking and not logging it, but generally, I take things day by day and never look back - only look forward.

Beethoven1827

So long as overall I'm at or just under my calorie goal, I don't worry about an occasional over. Some people take the view that as long as the week as a whole is under, that's fine.