Free Days

im_simply_karen
im_simply_karen Posts: 50 Member
edited November 20 in Food and Nutrition
How often do yall give yourself a free/reward day where you let yourself go over your calorie goal without working it off?

Replies

  • professionalHobbyist
    professionalHobbyist Posts: 1,316 Member
    Never

    If those calories magically went away, now that would be free!

    I get plenty to eat, add 600 calories worth of cardio and it is quite a bit.
  • allaboutthefood
    allaboutthefood Posts: 781 Member
    I don't do that, if I want something I have it. I usually have lots of room for a treat.
  • MommyL2015
    MommyL2015 Posts: 1,411 Member
    Usually Sundays we go out to eat and unfortunately, the restaurant we usually go to doesn't have a lot of low calorie choices, so I usually get a small steak and if I go over, I go over. They have the best rolls, so I usually have one and take one home for the next day. I can't really weigh food bought out either, so I can only go with what the restaurant's website tells me and hope it's accurate.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
    your body will still count them anyway, so no
    never. I just count them all.
  • daniwilford
    daniwilford Posts: 1,030 Member
    edited June 2015
    A free day as you describe it would be counterproductive for me. I like to see trends that maximize my progress toward my goal. If I failed to measure or record, my data would be worthless. I would have no idea what worked or didn't work. I have 30 years of evidence that free days will not take me where I want to go.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Never.

    I work what I want into my calorie goal.
  • whirlygig60
    whirlygig60 Posts: 37 Member
    No free days for me. I could very easily destroy my weekly deficit in one day.
  • ckspores1018
    ckspores1018 Posts: 168 Member
    Free days are counterproductive to what I'm trying to accomplish and not great for my motivation either.
  • FoxyLifter
    FoxyLifter Posts: 965 Member
    I don't plan on a free day, but if I do go over(like I did yesterday) I don't punish myself by doing a ton of extra exercises nor do I severely restrict my calories until I "make up the difference". I recognize that I'm not perfect and get right back on my plan the very next day/meal. I have delayed my progress by maybe a whole week, but in the grand scheme of things, I'm ok with that.
  • MitsuShai
    MitsuShai Posts: 151 Member
    Ok, I'm gonna be like everyone else and not count free days, except when I'm feeling miserable and sad lol
  • hobbeskastiel
    hobbeskastiel Posts: 221 Member
    I try to keep my calories on par all the time, but about once a week i don't bother with my macros. Protein is my main macro goal, but sometimes I want pizza and that eats up fat and carbs instead. So if i want pizza i'll sacrifice my protein goal.
  • tibby531
    tibby531 Posts: 717 Member
    I used to do them, and then wondered why I still had a bad relationship with food. ;) now I bank calories throughout the week so I can use them on the weekends. I get two days of pretty much just stuffing my face with whatever I want, and I'm still on track. it's awesome!
  • ckspores1018
    ckspores1018 Posts: 168 Member
    MitsuShai wrote: »
    Ok, I'm gonna be like everyone else and not count free days, except when I'm feeling miserable and sad lol

    That is exactly the thinking that has derailed my weight loss for years. There was always a reason to comfort myself and I aways used food.
  • M30834134
    M30834134 Posts: 411 Member
    In order to avoid cravings and urges, do not create a large caloric deficit so you could still eat foods you like. Smaller caloric deficit will result in slower weight loss but it wont make you miserable and you will still be enjoying foods you like. And, slower weight loss might help you keep it off than going too fast and derailing because of cravings and constantly being hungry.
  • MitsuShai
    MitsuShai Posts: 151 Member
    ckspores1018 wrote: »
    MitsuShai wrote: »
    Ok, I'm gonna be like everyone else and not count free days, except when I'm feeling miserable and sad lol

    That is exactly the thinking that has derailed my weight loss for years. There was always a reason to comfort myself and I aways used food.

    For me it was stress. Whenever I get stressed, I eat, eat, and eat until I have no time left to deal with my problems. Food is a lovely distraction.

  • besaro
    besaro Posts: 1,858 Member
    i have a free meal once a week. lost 100 pounds. it allows me to freedom to crave certain food that dont fit into my everyday diet, its great that others can fit all the foodz into their routine on a regular basis, i can't. a full on day might cause more havoc on your goals, but I've been known to have full on crazy days too. find a balance that works for you.
  • DanniB423
    DanniB423 Posts: 777 Member
    I've been having free days for 27 years. I totally understand why people do it but I just can't.
  • PixelPuff
    PixelPuff Posts: 902 Member
    I still count calories [and must be 1200 or under], but let myself eat a bit more freely on weekends.
  • ccourcha
    ccourcha Posts: 316 Member
    free days and not logging have led to me resetting for several weeks in a row. Take scale weight Monday. Drop 2 by Friday. Gain it back by Monday. Curse you alcohol!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    im_simply_karen wrote: »
    How often do yall give yourself a free/reward day where you let yourself go over your calorie goal without working it off?


    when i do a race, i often allow myself that day, and the day after to eat and drink with impunity.
  • elcollins24
    elcollins24 Posts: 42 Member
    As often as I need a free day! I understand it will impact on my weight loss/gain but lifes unpredictable. If my friend has a birthday and makes her delicious home made cheesecake then i allow myself a slice.
    I spent a day travelling NZ to Aus and i ate whatever i wanted because i did not have the patience to be worrying about food while doing 3 connecting flights!
    As long as i'm good most of the time i'm happy with myself
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    In the sense that I eat what I choose to eat, every day is a free day. But in the sense of indulging, I waited until I'd lost 75 pounds, then I indulged some. I'm going to indulge at 150 and then again whoever I'm like" "This is it! I'm done!"

    I know we aren't dogs and shouldn't reward ourselves with food...I just don't care. :)
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    When I first started, I gave myself "free days" when I reached certain milestones. I logged on those days, but did not limit myself or feel bad about going over my calories. I'd just eat whatever and as much as I wanted until I was full. That was usually around 10k calories. Those milestones only came a few days per year, though, so the high calorie count wasn't the end of the world (besides, I had to reach a certain weight before allowing another free day).

    Over time, I've allowed myself more and more "free days." I just have gotten so frustrated with dieting after 1 1/2 years. Recently, though, my dad died (6/13) and I've really let myself go some days. Other days, I have had enough exercise, though, to almost cover the days I went over. I find comfort in food... even though I know better, it is difficult to resist. Anyway, I really need to stop using that as an excuse if I can find the willpower.
  • Mof3wc
    Mof3wc Posts: 126 Member
    I don't stress over them. I plan my day out, including "treats" if I want one that day, but I also don't worry if I occasionally go over my goals. Its one day, not the end of the world. I don't plan "free" days and just pig out though either....not because of the calories, but because I don't feel well afterwards and its just not enjoyable.
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