How do you recover after a binge?

ebayaddict0127 · February 2014

I blew it last night. Rum, pizza... I ate roughly 3000 calories. My plan today is to stay on target. Have fruits and veggies. Drink water like it's my job, and take a nice long and fast walk. I'm bloated, tired, and feel horrible...

What do you do after a bad night?

tayloryay · February 2014

That sounds like a good plan! Don't try to overcompensate and restrict because you may end up binging again. Go back to your normal plan, and stick to it! And remember today will be better!!

Don't beat yourself up, but do try to learn from the mistake! Figure out what caused you to binge and avoid those triggers in the future.

bluetuesday5 · February 2014

Very topical. Last night I drank a bottle and a half of wine, then ate 5 burgers and a box of praline. I've just fasted through most of today and had a walk, then a nice chicken meal tonight. You really won't gain much in one day.

aarar · February 2014

I blew it last night. Rum, pizza... I ate roughly 3000 calories. My plan today is to stay on target. Have fruits and veggies. Drink water like it's my job, and take a nice long and fast walk. I'm bloated, tired, and feel horrible...

What do you do after a bad night?

I just do exactly as I'm supposed to and eat my regular calorie allowance. It'll all balance out in the end.

Topsking2010 · February 2014

Forget about it and move on!!!!

ayalowich · February 2014

I blew it last night. Rum, pizza... I ate roughly 3000 calories. My plan today is to stay on target. Have fruits and veggies. Drink water like it's my job, and take a nice long and fast walk. I'm bloated, tired, and feel horrible...

What do you do after a bad night?

I look at my #'s. I've been doing MFP for about 8 months and in that time I've probably had 7-10 really bad days, and a bunch of holidays where I went overboard. I remind myself that a 3,000 calorie day is only 1,000 over my goal and in essence about .3 of a pound. The scale looks bad the morning after, but once everything flushes itself out, that extra 1,000 calories didn't make a dent in my progress. I've not strung 2 or 3 of those 'bad days' in a row so I really don't worry about it too much. In 48-72 hours assuming you bring things back to normal and also get your workouts in, you will be pleasantly surprised the next time you step on the scale.

Don't beat yourself up too much. We all slip up. Life is tough so it's fine to indulge every once in a while.

BTW, pizza sounds really good. Perhaps this week I'll reward myself.

Quieau · February 2014

Really, the best way to recover from this one is to prevent future ones. Let this be your guide that 1200 calories is not enough for an active body. Your body is gasping for ... food.

Think of "dieting" like holding your breath, metabolically speaking. Sure you can hold your breath, easy! *Whoooshuoop* Okay, how long can you hold it? Is it still easy? It gets hard! Then harder! Then, no matter how hard you try NOT to, you gasp for air. Your body takes over and forces you to do what you are apparently not doing without its overthrowing you. Breathing. Eating. Feeding yourself what you need.

Binging is the gasping for air that comes from holding your "breath" instead of easy slow steady breathing.

Try the TDEE method or at the very least, make your CURRENT BMR the minimum calories for each day (which means eating back any that you exercise off!).

Then ... no more binges. Slow and steady loss that feels good and looks good and is so much healthier for your body than the rigors of feasting and starvation.

Hope this helps! Sent with love ...

invisibubble · February 2014

Just carry on as normal. The occasional calorie spike won't hurt - in fact, some people swear it kickstarts their metabolism.

tinklemar · February 2014

I did the same thing last night. I just did a good workout, drinking tons of water today and will make sure I stay at my calorie goal. I had fun, and treated myself to food that I have not ate in a long time. I don't feel guilty, i will just refocus today

sheepysaccount · February 2014

I am the same. Last night I couldn't stop munching. I blame my dad for sending me chocolate

I am staying very much on target today. Maybe even 100 calories under because I am just not hungry...

TArnold2012 · February 2014

That is the past, start again with the next bite !!! Returning after a bad choice is what counts.

jennifer_417 · February 2014

I know it's hard, but don't try to "make up" for it, that generally only makes things worse. Just go back to your good habits and pick up where you left off. Oh, and forgive yourself. That'll help, too.

Momjogger · February 2014

If you are severely restricting, you need a "bad" day every once in a while. The next day I eat extra veggies, no processed carbs, eat about 1200 to 1500 calories, get in some extra exercise and I'm usually fine.

kimboa62 · February 2014

I'm jumping back on the wagon today as well. I was bad for the past two days. Drinking wine blows it for me every time. I just need to stop with the occasional wine nights and stay focused. I'm back to tracking and exercising and hoping I'll see some progress in the next week. I was good for 5 days last week and did not see the scale change at all. Discouraging.

wrenegade64 · February 2014

HIT IT AND FORGET IT!!! I don't dwell on it at all. They happen. Last I knew, none of us have a computer chip in us where we can program ourselves. I have a "3R" theory---REMEMBER why I want to get in better shape, REFOCUS on the things that I need to do, & REBOUND. HOWEVER, I do try to limit my indulgence episodes to maybe 1 every 2 weeks AND I attempt to limit it to just one meal and not an ALL DAY ESCAPADE.