Need advice; considering breaking diet for a day

Crashadog
Crashadog Posts: 2 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone. How are all of you today?

I need some advice. My family and I are going to be at our county fair tomorrow (August 6). We're not permitted to bring our own food items into the fairgrounds, and my concern is that the foods available to buy there will be too high in calories for me to stay on target. We'll be there all day; there won't be an opportunity to leave until we're all ready to go, and we'll surely be there for both lunch and dinner.

Here are my questions:
-Can a day of ignoring my diet cause anything particularly bad to happen?
-Would additional exercise reduce or even nullify the effect of "going crazy" for one day?
-Should I expect to have gained weight when I weigh myself next Sunday? (My weigh-in day every week)
-Is there anything I ought to know that I haven't asked about?

Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a paranoid person at times. I'm hoping that hearing back from some of you here will grant me a better understanding of this situation of mine, and with such knowledge comes power =)

Thank you all for taking the time to read and respond. I really appreciate it!
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Replies

  • mhuch110
    mhuch110 Posts: 130 Member
    Go ahead and eat. If you must, find the healthiest options. One day off isn't going to undo all of your hard work! You have to enjoy life!
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Personally I wouldn't sweat it - but I'm pretty flexible in my diet and don't get wrapped up in such things. You may see a slight weight gain from water retention due to all the sodium, but one bad day isn't going to kill your weight loss. Go do it, have fun with it and then get back on track. If a little extra exercise over the next few days makes you feel better about it, have at it.
  • PandaCustard
    PandaCustard Posts: 204 Member
    You should let yourself have a day every once in a while to just relax. You should still try to log your calories and maybe add in some more exercise for the rest of the week. One day will not hurt you.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Don't let your diet control you, you should be in control of your diet. That means no worries if you go over for a day since the long term trend and being consistent with it, is what matters.
  • kingofcrunk
    kingofcrunk Posts: 372 Member
    Last sunday I decided to ignore my diet and get Dominos (it was so tasty!!) - I smashed through my calorie limit.

    But this week I've had such a good weight loss week. I've lost about 3lbs! I think its more about average calories per week than any particular day. Don't worry too much.
  • orishp
    orishp Posts: 214 Member
    One day is not going to ruin everything, unless you are doing a ketogenic diet. Sure up your exercise, maybe compensate the next day, and stay on track afterwards. I doubt you'll see the damage next sunday, and even then, you have already lost 9 lbs, which means you know how to get the numbers go in the right direction.

    Just try to not go too overboard ;)
  • gramacanada
    gramacanada Posts: 557 Member
    You won't undo all your hard work in one day. If you try to exercise it away, you'll probably just end up hurting yourself. Maybe add a little. Enjoy your day at the fair. Choose the healthiest options there, and if your next weigh in is a bit of a setback, it was only one day. It'll equalize itself in a few days, if you get right back on your plan. Some people have a cheat day every week and do well enough.
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    I went to the OC fair a couple weeks ago with my family. I can't eat deep fried food anymore because I HATE the way it makes me feel. So, I found the Greek food and got a delicious Gyro sammich. Highlight of my day!
  • liog
    liog Posts: 347 Member
    Agree with the others. I don't deny myself anything. I try to make everything fit into my allotted calories but if I go over now and then I don't worry about it.
  • photojunkie28
    photojunkie28 Posts: 292
    Think of it in terms of numbers. 3,500 calories = a pound. Which means you would mathmatically have to eat 3,500 calories OVER your TDEE which is probably 4,000 calories or more over your MFP calorie goal.

    Now think of it on the scale of an entire week. If you eat/burn 500 calories under your TDEE for one week you will have already canceled out all 3,500 calories!

    Preplan for a little extra exercise or one less snack here and there and have yourself a good time!
  • blytheandbonnie
    blytheandbonnie Posts: 3,275 Member
    Besides, you're at the fair. What are you going to be doing? You'll be walking around ALL DAY. There's some exercise right there. Have fun. It's one day. :happy:
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    Hey - RELAX! :D a day at the fair is always good...and the food can be rare (depending on what you eat). I actually just went to my city fair yesterday.

    I would suggest you eat a good filling breakfast. Drink plenty of water! Especially if its hot out. I found myself walking almost the entire time - which burns calories. In terms of the junk food...I took a bite here and there and shared with my boyfriend.

    Hope this helps.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    I think what I would do would depend on where I was in my goal. Me, I'm only seven weeks in so I don't really want to have a completely off day. Also after eating so clean for nearly two months, I'm pretty sure that most of the food at the fair would make me really sick. I am not above sneaking in almonds, carrots and other things in, just like I do to the movies. If I ate breakfast before and had a few snacks with me, I could get by with eating a small lunch at the fair and maybe finding a good option for that.

    Mostly, I would want to avoid being in gastrointestinal distress at the fair when the only option there is the port-a-potty!
  • CalorieCrazy86
    CalorieCrazy86 Posts: 9 Member
    A bit of extra exercise will do the trick and I'm sure you could sneak some healthy treats into your handbag!:) drink plenty of water to reduce water retention! Pick the healthiest option on the menu! ( when my friend goes to McDonald's, she orders the big mac without the meat, she feels the sauce, salad and bread are tasty enough and it lowers the calories). Start with a low cal breakfast before you go and track your calories as you eat. You can't go wrong. Enjoy
  • mgobluetx12
    mgobluetx12 Posts: 1,326 Member
    Just eat as healthy as you can and don't stress over it. I did a planned 'eat over my calories' day and consumed 700 extra one day. I lost 1.8lbs the next morning. Sometimes it's good for your body to have a little more, but I'd definitely keep deep fried and sweets to a minimum, if possible. Have fun!
  • Tropical_Turtle
    Tropical_Turtle Posts: 2,236 Member
    One day will not kill you. Do not feel like you have to deny yourself to make changes. I do not deny myself anything. Shoot today is my birthday and I am taking the day to do what I want. Not as if I do it every day! So with this being said RELAX!
  • deb929608
    deb929608 Posts: 1 Member
    Enjoy the day with your family. Don't worry about it. 1 day isn't going to hurt.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Besides, you're at the fair. What are you going to be doing? You'll be walking around ALL DAY. There's some exercise right there. Have fun. It's one day. :happy:

    Just what I was thinking.
  • healthychanges1
    healthychanges1 Posts: 110
    I'd eat what i wanted for lunch and dinner, but not go crazy like snacking all day long. Have fun!
  • sharleengc
    sharleengc Posts: 792 Member
    I have 1 day a week where I ignore counting and it hasn't hurt my progress at all. For me that day is the day we go to town for groceries (we live 90 miles from town). Since it's not a quick trip, we take our time and go out to dinner and get ice cream on the way home...if we're there early, we get breakfast/lunch as well.

    It's good to indulge. We have discovered that denying ourselves something we want, only makes us go crazy next time we see it. For example, if I want chips and I say "no, don't do that" and I skip it, then next time I eat like half the bag instead of the few chips that would have satisfied me if I had them in the beginning.

    So...go to the fair! Have some fun and an elephant ear for me!!!
  • quietstormz_wehcnage
    quietstormz_wehcnage Posts: 58
    Please go and enjoy yourself ,tomorrow is another day!!! or you can share your stuff with someone,maybe? By all means just live a little!!!:glasses:
  • cortezpj
    cortezpj Posts: 129 Member
    I agree with all the comments about giving yourself a break, enjoying life, not letting your diet control you, etc. But the fact of the matter is that no one's going to force you to eat funnel cakes or deep fried twinkies or cotton candy or whatever else you typically find at county fairs. I'm all for indulging a little here and there and sampling decadent treats that your family might buy. But let's be honest, you don't have to gorge yourself on everything you see. Drink plenty of water, eat in moderation and get right back on track once the county fair is behind you.

    Most importantly, though, enjoy yourself and enjoy the time you spend with your family !
  • mizamypowers
    mizamypowers Posts: 9
    That will be me on Friday! I must have cheese curds and Tom Thumb donuts. About 2000 calories for the 2 items if I ate the full orders. I plan to enjoy every bite and stop when I am satisfied!! I will be good this week and try to add in more walking before I head to the fair.

    Enjoy the fair!!
  • dianaconqueso
    dianaconqueso Posts: 5
    -Can a day of ignoring my diet cause anything particularly bad to happen?

    No, you might notice it in your workout the next day or feel weird, though, if you've been eating really healthy for a while.

    -Would additional exercise reduce or even nullify the effect of "going crazy" for one day?

    Maybe, but if you'll be walking around all day I wouldn't do anything EXTRA. One thing you could do if you're really worried is try to eat 100 calories less every day or something, it's weekly numbers that really matter. Try to keep your average calorie intake for the week normal.

    -Should I expect to have gained weight when I weigh myself next Sunday? (My weigh-in day every week)

    Probably not, if you've been eating at a deficit for a while, you might just MAINTAIN, but I don't think you'd actually gain. And if you did, you seem pretty motivated, you'll probably just lose it again the next week.

    -Is there anything I ought to know that I haven't asked about?

    Don't worry, just make sure to log what you eat honestly, and don't fall off the wagon. (: Have fun with your family.
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    unless you're in ketosis, nothing bad will happen.

    cheat, enjoy your food, and move on.
  • DonnieBailey
    DonnieBailey Posts: 17
    Personally I think with your trying your best to eat the best choices that you'll have will get you by and shake it off and start again the next day.
  • tamimac12
    tamimac12 Posts: 36
    How funny!! I just posted on here that we decided to have a "cheat" day lol I personally think once in a while is ok... just be prepared to feel queesy from all the grease!
  • tlo23
    tlo23 Posts: 68
    You should have a treat meal/snack at least once a week. No sweat! Life is too short. Enjoy the day!!
  • shannie74
    shannie74 Posts: 5
    I just graduated medical school (I'm a CMA) and we learned that you HAVE to have a day of cheating to stay on target... just follow things the other days and you'll be fine... you'll get plenty of cardio walking around and such that nothing bad will happen... enjoy yourself with your family and friends for the day! HAVE FUN AND GOD BLESS!
  • RealWomenLovePitbulls
    RealWomenLovePitbulls Posts: 729 Member
    just don't pig out, and a little extra exercise never hurts. also, drink plenty of water, most of the food you get is probably going to be salty!

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