How does one bad meal spoil the numbers?

One bad day wont hurt The 2 lbs is most likely water weight from high sodium, just drink lots of water and watch that scale drop!!

My first thought was sodium, too. Don't sweat it. It was a fun day, ONE DAY, let yourself have it!

Ditto to the sodium. I had a high sodium day after drinking and eating out. Gained 3 pounds but it was gone in a couple days with a lot of water intake.

Could it be that you are just bloated from the sodium and sugar intake? Weight fluctuates a whole lot in the course of a week, let alone a day. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. Just up the water today and workout a little more harder and you should be good to go. We all have bad days - and are entitled to them! haha

I think it's the salt that's in so much eating out food. I don't think you really gain that, it's just water retention. I found the same thing after eating chinese out. It was gone in a day. So no worries!

It takes abut 3,500 calories to gain 1lb of fat...I would suspect that the increase you are seeing is due to water retention. Drink lots of water today and tomorrow and it will disappear in no time. Don't worry, just jump back on the wagon and keep going. Don't let moments like this take drag you down the "wrong-decisions" path, as this is what leads to actual weight-gain.

I agree with the above. I had one horrible day a few months ago, and was up 6 lbs the next day! The day after that i was right back where I was supposed to be.... keep in mind the sodium content of all those foods.

I am always tempted to weigh myself after I've derailed to find out how much damage I have done, too. However, there is a reason they say it's best to weigh in one a week or so. Your weight can flux soooo much during the week. Like the others said, drink lots of water to help digestion and shed that water weight. Forge ahead...plenty of us have buckled before. Just learn from it and use that determination to kick twice as much butt at the gym this week.

*Also, when I say "learn from it" I mean, look back and think about why that happened. Sometimes when I cave like that, it's because I had been pushing myself too hard or denying myself too much. Or sometimes it was because I let myself get so hungry/tired/etc. that I didn't have the patience to cook up something healthy...and I went straight for what was convenient.
So, if it was because you just really love vanilla wafers and your tired of not having them, maybe get a box and divide them up into small portions and put them in sandwich bags. Then let yourself have one every once & awhile. Even if you end up plowing through 2 or 3 bags, you will be more mindful of how many portions you just took to the face. Instead of mindlessly reaching for another, and another amongst a whole box.

I often go to the gym before dinner, but then am so tired when I return that I am ready to eat NOW & get tempted by bad choices. It helps me to prep something before I go.

Or sometimes if I slip up a little, I got into the mindset of "well, this day is shot, might as well have some cookies!"....maybe it would help if you had a plan in motion before you knew a splurge was coming. Like looking at a restaurant menu on-line before you go there, and decide beforehand what the best option would be. Then have something that signals "healthy" to you as a snack, waiting for you when you get home. For me, it would be raw carrot sticks. If I've had a splurge of some kind, following it up with a few carrot sticks helps reset my brain back into diet mode.

Don't beat yourself up too much, just learn & move forward. Good luck!

I dont even think its water retention- its the pure weight of the food (This my own thoery- no scientific backing!)

yup it has happen , especially having a lot of sugar