Do all "Splurge" Calories go to the bottom line?

Adventure9
Adventure9 Posts: 58 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Let's say you've been eating approximately 2000 calories a day for a few months and losing approx. 1/2 pound per week. Then one weekend you go a little crazy, splurge and eat an extra 2000 calories per day (4000 per day total). Will all those extra calories go to the bottom line. IE - with all other days being on goal, would your weight go up for the week?

Recently ate a big meal and was over full. A feeling I haven't experienced in quite a while. Just wondering if all those calories go to the bottom line.

Replies

  • DrJenO
    DrJenO Posts: 404 Member
    A calorie is a calorie.

    Try looking at weekly calories. That way you can "store up" some extra calories for the weekend if you want to splurge.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    The human body strives for balance...it takes consistently under-eating to lose weight and consistently overeating to gain weight. A couple of days of over indulgence, even over maintenance isn't going to make you gain fat just as a couple of days under-eating isn't going to result in fat loss. In either scenario you are likely to gain or lose some on the scale, but that gain or loss is largely water...more water to metabolize more calories, less water when calories are cut.

    that said, doing this regularly is going to pretty much stall you out.
  • dlionsmane
    dlionsmane Posts: 674 Member
    Not sure what 'the bottom line' means... but if you are asking if you might see a spike on the scale then yes, you might, however it should be small and temporary. If you consistently consume under your TDEE then you should be okay.

    Edit - Cwolfman beat me to it....
  • Adventure9
    Adventure9 Posts: 58 Member
    I'm trying to figure out a way to clarify my question. Let me do it numerically:

    Let's say you are maintaining weight at 2000 calories a day - nothing gained, nothing lost. Then one day you splurge and eat 1750 extra calories. 3750 calories total for that day. According to what I read, a pound is equal to about 3500 calories. 1750 is half of that. So, if you splurge on one day and eat an extra 1750, would you gain a 1/2 pound of true weight gain (not water weight) for the week, if all other days you stayed at the 2000 calories? Or does it not really work like that?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I'm trying to figure out a way to clarify my question. Let me do it numerically:

    Let's say you are maintaining weight at 2000 calories a day - nothing gained, nothing lost. Then one day you splurge and eat 1750 extra calories. 3750 calories total for that day. According to what I read, a pound is equal to about 3500 calories. 1750 is half of that. So, if you splurge on one day and eat an extra 1750, would you gain a 1/2 pound of true weight gain (not water weight) for the week, if all other days you stayed at the 2000 calories? Or does it not really work like that?

    It doesn't work like that...your body is going to be able to compensate for the excess energy. Again, weight loss and weight gain both come from consistently under-eating (dieting) or consistently over-eating, otherwise your body strives for balance and maintenance. To override your body's natural ability to maintain takes consistency.

    Like I said before, you are likely to put on some water weight with the excess calories, but not fat.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Let's say you are maintaining weight at 2000 calories a day - nothing gained, nothing lost. Then one day you splurge and eat 1750 extra calories. 3750 calories total for that day. According to what I read, a pound is equal to about 3500 calories. 1750 is half of that. So, if you splurge on one day and eat an extra 1750, would you gain a 1/2 pound of true weight gain (not water weight) for the week, if all other days you stayed at the 2000 calories? Or does it not really work like that?
    Weight loss is not linear. Weight goes up & down day to day & throughout the day.

    So if you go over your calorie goal, don't panic. Just get back on plan. Log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly, then move on.

    Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    The human body strives for balance...it takes consistently under-eating to lose weight and consistently overeating to gain weight. A couple of days of over indulgence, even over maintenance isn't going to make you gain fat just as a couple of days under-eating isn't going to result in fat loss. In either scenario you are likely to gain or lose some on the scale, but that gain or loss is largely water...more water to metabolize more calories, less water when calories are cut.

    that said, doing this regularly is going to pretty much stall you out.

    This.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    I had 4 days of splurging recently, when I went to stay with my mother in London. Meals out, big bowls of cereal, large bags of skinny popcorn... I was certainly eating in excess of 3000 a day, though granted I worked out for 3 of those days, at a gym there.
    I came back and was the same weight I left at by the following day and continued losing thereafter. It is fine as long as you are back on track and do not continue the cycle.
  • caitconquersweight
    caitconquersweight Posts: 316 Member
    Yeah, it all counts in the end. Either way, I have one day a week where I don't count calories and eat what I want (within reason). That's one of my husband's days off, when we go out to eat or see a movie. I'm still mindful of snacks and stuff, but I get a burger and fries, or some fried appetizers. I know I would probably be losing weight quicker if I didn't take this cheat day, but I feel it's important to me to stay on track.

    One day or even one week of splurging won't ruin you in the long run. What always matters is picking up where you left off. It's when you fall off the wagon and start making up excuses for not exercising and not counting calories that you get in trouble.

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