Cheat Day Hangover

lexihooton · May 2015

So I know that a lot of people argue about cheat meals and if they're a good idea or not, but I generally like to indulge in one MEAL once a week.

It's been a while since I've dieted, I've been in the wagon for about two weeks now and I'm doing alright. Well enough to feel I deserve a cheat meal. So last night I had some pizza and this cheesecake dessert they have at the Harris Teeter salad bar.

It's the next day and I feel like absolute garbage. My stomach feels sensitive and I can't feel if I'm hungry, I have a small head ache, dry mouth, and my whole body feels fatigued as if I just did 5 miles in the summer heat. Mentally I'm feeling very slow and even a little anxious. Totally forgot about this kind of thing since the last time I was on a diet, I guess I should have expected it.

So my question is, are there foods you guys still avoid even on your cheat meal to prevent this from happening? Someone told me if you avoid carbs it's not as bad, do you guys agree?

Another question is how do I speed this along and start to feel better again? I'm trying to drink a lot of water to flush out all the nasty, but is there anything else I can do to recover? I was thinking exercising might help, but the thought of doing pilates today just makes my bones hurt. At the same time I feel like just sitting around all day isn't helping. Any advice is welcome!

Either way, I think my cheat meals will be a little more controlled from now on, I can't believe how sick I feel.

Unknown · May 2015

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slideaway1 · May 2015

Congratulations on recognising the signs that the over indulgence did not agree with you. Your description of recovering from what sounds like a nice evening of food sounds like how I feel after I've been out clubbing for three days straight. I would not wish that feeling on my worst enemy. I hope your feeling better soon.

macgurlnet · May 2015

What you're describing sounds like me if I eat half a pizza + a chocolate loaded dessert on top of everything else I've eaten that day.

Was this food you've eaten in the past at all? If not, maybe some part of it just doesn't agree with you. Were you out later than usual and/or did you eat closer to bedtime than usual? All of those things could be contributing to how crummy you feel today.

I've also found if I've been eating "healthy"/fresh food for a while and then have fast food, sometimes my body just vehemently protests and I feel like what you're describing. It doesn't happen every time so I'm not sure what triggers it.

If doing "real" exercise feels like too much, at least try to walk around the neighborhood a bit throughout the day.

Take note of how you feel today and use it as reference for future. And get better soon

~Lyssa

Asher_Ethan · May 2015

Water water water! I understand your feeling.... But I will still do a ,"cheat binge," every once and awhile (it hurts so good.) Also I find moving around does help me feel a little better after a binge.

peppermintcaroline · May 2015

I feel like that if I have too much sugar or milk, both things that seem to be harder on my body than on others. My sister feels similarly after indulging in fried foods or oils. I do avoid milk that I know will make me sick (non organic/raw), and I try to limit sugar even on cheat meals. I'll give myself lots of carbs or fruit instead, since both of those seem to agree with me, and I get the satisfaction of a cheat meal.

aloranger7708 · May 2015

This is how I felt when I had a cheat day once a week. I would eat an entire pizza, candy, Oreos, etc and would get so sick! Now I have some treats during the week, just fit it into my calories. Like I had Popeyes one day last week and Taco Bell another. And after both I didn't feel sick because I wasn't over indulging.

Annr · May 2015

Live and learn.... I think cheat days are my "evil womans" way of getting the better of me.
Here is some "food for thought"
IF ITS IMPORTANT TO YOU, YOU'LL FIND A WAY. IF ITS NOT, YOU'LL FIND AN EXCUSE.
let that sink in. Tough words huh...(thats why those words have made it on my kitchen wall on a chalkboard I made).
here is another great inspirational thing....
TAKE PLEASURE IN PERSEVERING: THATS WHAT SEPARATES THOSE WHO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD FROM THOSE WHO THROW IN THE TOWEL.
I agree with the drink lots of water suggestion. Maybe go for a walk today if you can :-) Chin up.

Ocrgrrrl · May 2015

Did you get the sweats as well? Ewwww...
I always try to remember how I feel after indulging too much to prevent me from going overboard. One serving ok, full out binge, NOT ok.

SezxyStef · May 2015

This is why I eat what I want when I want and make it fit in my day.

I had Pizza on Friday at lunch then went out for pasta/seafood...didn't feel like crap on Saturday.

I had ice cream and Tim's breakfast Saturday felt great today...

Had a sticky cin bun today and could have had chocolate but eh didn't feel like it...but will eat it tomorrow night.

I guess what I am saying is cheat meals/days aren't the end all to be all....fit it in when you really want it....that way you don't feel like this ever.

Annr · May 2015

Funny how the body works! If you have a child, your body chemically does this magic trick and makes you forget the pain, but if you binge or get drunk..your brain sears it in your memory... :-)

lexihooton · May 2015

Thanks for all the help everyone! Here is a little background for you guys to clear up a few things if you're interested.

I have a mood disorder which makes my weight go up and down a lot. First I was very fat and then got on a VERY restrictive diet with a binge meal once a week. Slowly I began to restrict myself more and more, and the cheat meals became gorge days.

I was 94 pounds when I finally was put on a mood leveler that gave my appetite back, and while I'm only 130 now I'm flabbier than I'd like, hence the Pilates.

The reason I completely avoid junk food during the week is because I am unable to stop myself from losing control, but if I plan a meal ahead of time it helps me resist.

Counting calories is way less restricting than my previous diet was, and because I was so malnourished, by body welcomed all the fat and sugar I would get from binging, so no dramatic hangover. Totally different now that I don't have any urge to fast.

So that explains why it's hard for me to eat what I want as long as I fit it in my calorie budget, why my way of doing things might feel like cheating to others, and why I was surprised to have such a bad reaction!

For the record I am seeing results and I feel proud that l am doing it in a far more healthy manner than my former self- destructive self would have done ^.^

Sorry for the long post! Thanks again, and good luck with all your goals! ♥

glenelliott5872 · May 2015

This a a great opportunity. Reflect on how you felt and then when you have another cheat day or just a nice meal with friends and family then just be mindful of your experience. I have felt the same and found that after a while I don't want to blow out as much but I can still enjoy food ( just a little bit less on the plate).

This shows you are succeeding in changing your eating habits

matt88uk · May 2015

lexihooton wrote: »

So I know that a lot of people argue about cheat meals and if they're a good idea or not, but I generally like to indulge in one MEAL once a week.

It's been a while since I've dieted, I've been in the wagon for about two weeks now and I'm doing alright. Well enough to feel I deserve a cheat meal. So last night I had some pizza and this cheesecake dessert they have at the Harris Teeter salad bar.

It's the next day and I feel like absolute garbage. My stomach feels sensitive and I can't feel if I'm hungry, I have a small head ache, dry mouth, and my whole body feels fatigued as if I just did 5 miles in the summer heat. Mentally I'm feeling very slow and even a little anxious. Totally forgot about this kind of thing since the last time I was on a diet, I guess I should have expected it.

So my question is, are there foods you guys still avoid even on your cheat meal to prevent this from happening? Someone told me if you avoid carbs it's not as bad, do you guys agree?

Another question is how do I speed this along and start to feel better again? I'm trying to drink a lot of water to flush out all the nasty, but is there anything else I can do to recover? I was thinking exercising might help, but the thought of doing pilates today just makes my bones hurt. At the same time I feel like just sitting around all day isn't helping. Any advice is welcome!

Either way, I think my cheat meals will be a little more controlled from now on, I can't believe how sick I feel.

I do a 1200 calorie surplus once every few month (cheat day) just to reset my metabolism and so on and I feel great I drop my calories for the next few days after by a good 400 hundred and I keep the majority of my cals protein n fats then after few days I go back to what I was normally on deficit wise works for me but will be different for others I suppose

Orphia · May 2015

SezxyStef wrote: »

This is why I eat what I want when I want and make it fit in my day.

I had Pizza on Friday at lunch then went out for pasta/seafood...didn't feel like crap on Saturday.

I had ice cream and Tim's breakfast Saturday felt great today...

Had a sticky cin bun today and could have had chocolate but eh didn't feel like it...but will eat it tomorrow night.

I guess what I am saying is cheat meals/days aren't the end all to be all....fit it in when you really want it....that way you don't feel like this ever.

@SezxyStef is SmartStef.

Cheat Day Hangover

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