Bad Days

MeganKSchultz
MeganKSchultz Posts: 73
in Health and Weight Loss
Has anyone lost weight weight with an occasional "bad day" where you go way over your calories? I am typically too busy on Tuesdays to work out, and I also typically eat out for dinner on those nights. I'd like to have a day off maybe every two weeks to just eat one "bad" meal and not have to "work it off." Is that expecting too much?

Replies

  • JJordon
    JJordon Posts: 857 Member
    I think that depends on the nature of the bad day. How many k/cals over? Even one bad day, CAN derail an entire week, depending on how much you ate.
  • pandagirlshonerd
    pandagirlshonerd Posts: 50 Member
    What JJordon says is true to an extent. It will depend on how many calories you eat. But pressuming you're not stuffing your face with like 5,000-7,000 calories it shouldn't be too bad every two weeks. I typically end up having a binge every two weeks or so and I've still lost weight (except for this week I've gained some) >< but actually, treating yourself every now and then and having a rest day is something you should be doing anyway . . .
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    I think it's dangerous to start labelling days or foods as "bad". Some people call them cheat meals/ days. I prefer to think of it positively - it's a spike day to keep my metabolism from getting too used to the same thing every day.
  • Dragon67
    Dragon67 Posts: 123 Member
    I think it's dangerous to start labelling days or foods as "bad". Some people call them cheat meals/ days. I prefer to think of it positively - it's a spike day to keep my metabolism from getting too used to the same thing every day.
    [/quote

    *this*
  • learnerdriver
    learnerdriver Posts: 298 Member
    Yes and I have lost- i think weight loss is a journey.

    If it's a known event, I plan for it- ie a BBQ. If it happens, I just get back on track the following day.
  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
    Yes, 80 lbs lost and there is always at least one day a week where I'm over by a ridiculous amount.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Of course, and I'd say that being able to be flexible (in your eating, general lifestyle, thinking about food etc) is definitely an asset to long-term weight management. I also agree that it's better not to label food or meals as "bad" - splitting things into good or bad extremes can be a really unhelpful habit which can exacerbate the yo-yo dieting mentality. If Tuesday is a day when you don't work out, and eat at a restaurant, then so be it. There's nothing wrong with that. You don't have to label it as "bad" or feel guilty about it.

    That said, depending on how much you eat on such a day, it would be possible to cancel out your deficit from the rest of the week, and if you did that every Tuesday, then you would have problems in reaching your goals. The real question is - is it working for you? Have you tried doing what you describe for a few weeks and seeing what progress you make? There's your real answer. If you find you make no progress, or gain weight over a few weeks, then you'll need to look at how to adjust things so that you can make progress.
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  • jsiricos
    jsiricos Posts: 340 Member
    I can never be over ;p

    If I am, I do a whole bunch of exercise to get rid of it
  • lambchoplewis
    lambchoplewis Posts: 797
    This happens to me every now and then - about once a month. If I have an event, party or I am going out. I have a few glasses of wine and end up over eating. I get right back on track the next day. I feel like crap for a few days but.. I have been maintaining for 7 months!!! I have been thinking that this is how "normal eaters" and normal weight people live without thinking about it. They eat (this is when you usually see them) and then they naturally eat less for a while and stay the same weight!!!

    Remember this analogy:

    If you're heading somewhere in the car and wanted to get there by 5, but realized you were going to be a few minutes late, would you just give up and swerve into a bridge abutment?
  • ChristinaR720
    ChristinaR720 Posts: 1,186
    I think it's dangerous to start labelling days or foods as "bad". Some people call them cheat meals/ days. I prefer to think of it positively - it's a spike day to keep my metabolism from getting too used to the same thing every day.

    ^^ This ^^

    But, you also need to keep in mind the fact that what works for one person may not work for the next. Try it out and see what works for you (without going too crazy). Life won't always be able to accommodate your healthier lifestyle, so being able to work in days when you can go a little crazy is a good way to make this change a sustainable one.

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