Anyone else eat low cal in the week and binge on weekends?
leahxxoo
Posts: 23 Member
According to mfp, I need to eat 1400 cals per day to lose weight. I was doing this, but I was binging on weekends so I wasn't losing. I work 6 days a week and me and my close circle of friends go out on Sunday and go for a meal, drink all day and then eat loads of rubbish from the takeaway. Unhealthy, I know, but we have a great time and I really look forward to it. Anyway, a few months ago, I decided to try something different. 1400x7 days = 9,800, meaning I should consume around 9,800 calories per week. Instead of 1,400 cals per day, I've started eating a healthy 1,000 calories 6 days a week which amounts to 6000 cals. Then I've been going crazy on Sundays, consuming 3,500-4000 calories. I've been losing 1-2 pounds per week this way and I can enjoy myself without guilt. I've finally found something that works. Anyone else do this? I know it's unhealthy but I love having one day a week were I can go absolutely mental and eat whatever I want, whilst still losing at a steady pace.
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I don't think losing 1/2 pounds per week means I should seek professional help haha!!!! What's strange is that when I was 21 (I'm 23 now) I was a stone or so overweight, and I was tired all of the time. I had tests done and my blood pressure was quite high, I was anemic and my cholesterol levels were dangerous. You guessed it, I got new results back early last month and everything was spot on. I know loads and loads of people who do what I do, but they're overeating in the week aswell, and are subsequently obese.0
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Sounds like a recipe for disaster in the long run.0
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I don't think this is unhealthy. If you'd prefer a professional opinion, talk to a dietitian i guess. I've been doing this, too. I'm managing my weight and keeping up with my daily activity just fine. What makes you feel it's unhealthy, OP?0
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I go crazy eating on Saturdays, but I eat anout 1500 cals a week. I lose different amounts weekly. Sometimes 2 pounds and sometimes .50.0
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Not the fact that I'm binging, just what I binge on.. all greasy fast food crap haha!! I enjoy myself thoughProtranser wrote: »I don't think this is unhealthy. If you'd prefer a professional opinion, talk to a dietitian i guess. I've been doing this, too. I'm managing my weight and keeping up with my daily activity just fine. What makes you feel it's unhealthy, OP?
My GP told me she was amazed with my recent tests results so it can't be too bad I guess :P
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If you just saw your doctor....maybe you should tell him/her that you are choosing to eat 5 days a week at 1000 calories a day so that you can be a glutton with food and alcohol on the weekend and see what the response is? Maybe research how much lean muscle you'll lose if you eat at that level of deficit like you are and then gorge on the weekends. Hey...you just wanted people to pat you on the back for what you already admitted was unhealthy and say go for it. The person who posted above already did that for you, so congrats. However....in the end, it'll be a disaster. It's your life though.
The idea that at 21 you were already having all those issues....also super red flag. Most people can get away when they are young with bad habit and not have it effect their health.
in 5 days yes, OP only has 5000 calories. In 7 days, OP averages 1500ish calories. In a week OP is supposed to have 9800 calories. If we work with the idea that meal timing is not important, then OP is getting 5000 calories in 5 days and 4800 calories for the other two days averaging 1400 calories a day if you're using 7 days for your average instead of 5.
So, if MFP suggests an average of 1400 calories a day, and the OP is getting the average of 1400 calories a day, where is the problem?0 -
Not the fact that I'm binging, just what I binge on.. all greasy fast food crap haha!! I enjoy myself thoughProtranser wrote: »I don't think this is unhealthy. If you'd prefer a professional opinion, talk to a dietitian i guess. I've been doing this, too. I'm managing my weight and keeping up with my daily activity just fine. What makes you feel it's unhealthy, OP? My GP told me she was amazed with my recent tests results so it can't be too bad I guess :P
Also, binge eating comes with guilt and the feeling that you have no control over your eating. Is that something you're feeling when you're eating? Do you think you have no control over what goes in your mouth? if so, then yes, I think you could be binging. However, from your post, it doesn't seem to me that you're feeling that type of powerlessness over your consumption. Using the term binge when discussing food is slippery here, but that's just my own non professional opinion.0 -
Protranser wrote: »If you just saw your doctor....maybe you should tell him/her that you are choosing to eat 5 days a week at 1000 calories a day so that you can be a glutton with food and alcohol on the weekend and see what the response is? Maybe research how much lean muscle you'll lose if you eat at that level of deficit like you are and then gorge on the weekends. Hey...you just wanted people to pat you on the back for what you already admitted was unhealthy and say go for it. The person who posted above already did that for you, so congrats. However....in the end, it'll be a disaster. It's your life though.
The idea that at 21 you were already having all those issues....also super red flag. Most people can get away when they are young with bad habit and not have it effect their health.
in 5 days yes, OP only has 5000 calories. In 7 days, OP averages 1500ish calories. In a week OP is supposed to have 9800 calories. If we work with the idea that meal timing is not important, then OP is getting 5000 calories in 5 days and 4800 calories for the other two days averaging 1400 calories a day if you're using 7 days for your average instead of 5.
So, if MFP suggests an average of 1400 calories a day, and the OP is getting the average of 1400 calories a day, where is the problem?
Exactly.
shell1005... I had those issues because I didn't move. I just sat in my room and ordered 16" pizzas and crisps everyday. I was a mess. I'm full of energy now and I cycle a lot (always eat the calories back). Which is why I'm much healthier. Different strokes for different folks. I posted this to talk to people who are the same as me. I don't need no one to pat me on the back, I do that myself after every binge
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I don't 'binge' on weekends. What I do do is eat lower cals during the week and higher on weekends. This isn't uncontrolled or just going hog wild, however, and I think therein lies your problem. It's the mental state of 'binging' on weekends that isn't healthy. There is nothing wrong with working out when to best spend your calories, but I'd try and get away from the binge/restrict mindset that comes through in your post.0
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Protranser wrote: »If you just saw your doctor....maybe you should tell him/her that you are choosing to eat 5 days a week at 1000 calories a day so that you can be a glutton with food and alcohol on the weekend and see what the response is? Maybe research how much lean muscle you'll lose if you eat at that level of deficit like you are and then gorge on the weekends. Hey...you just wanted people to pat you on the back for what you already admitted was unhealthy and say go for it. The person who posted above already did that for you, so congrats. However....in the end, it'll be a disaster. It's your life though.
The idea that at 21 you were already having all those issues....also super red flag. Most people can get away when they are young with bad habit and not have it effect their health.
in 5 days yes, OP only has 5000 calories. In 7 days, OP averages 1500ish calories. In a week OP is supposed to have 9800 calories. If we work with the idea that meal timing is not important, then OP is getting 5000 calories in 5 days and 4800 calories for the other two days averaging 1400 calories a day if you're using 7 days for your average instead of 5.
So, if MFP suggests an average of 1400 calories a day, and the OP is getting the average of 1400 calories a day, where is the problem?
Sighs. Because you still need a daily minimum in order to get the basic needed nutrition. This is a basic concept.
It's also a classic and planned binge cycle. It's a pretty piss poor idea.
The OP is getting an average of 1400 calories a day when you add the other two days of high calorie intake. In a months worth of time, the OP is still going to be getting their 1400 calories a day. 8 of the 30 days will be high calorie intake, while the other 22 days will be low calorie intake. This almost sounds like intermittent fasting to me. Feel free to correct me, but, my understanding of intermittent fasting is something like: people choose to restrict their calorie intake for one or two days a week, or even for just 8 hours per day or whatever. If you look at their total calorie intake over 30 days, they'll end up getting the same calorie amount as someone who is not intermittent fasting if both sets of people are sticking to their calorie goals.
I guess one could conclude that intermittent fasting is a disordered eating style.0 -
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I don't see the binge aspect of this person's eating style. The powerlessness and guilt are probably the most emotionally challenging hurdles of binge eating.
@leahxxoo , Are you feeling like you have no control over your eating when you choose to have high calorie intake days?0 -
Protranser, you're right.. there is a difference between a planned weekend caloric surplus and a binge. I'm just used to using that word. I don't actually binge. I would consider a binge to be more eating uncontrollably, until your stomach hurts. I don't do that. I feel no guilt at all0
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Eh, op, if you're truly concerned about your eating style being unsustainable or unhealthy, talk to a professional for their opinion. I don't think you're doing anything wrong, but others may. If you think they're right, then you can probably change what you're doing. It doesn't sound like you're incapable of flexibility.0
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Protranser, you're right.. there is a difference between a planned weekend caloric surplus and a binge. I'm just used to using that word. I don't actually binge. I would consider a binge to be more eating uncontrollably, until your stomach hurts. I don't do that. I feel no guilt at all
I find it inconceivable that after eating 1000 cal per day for 6 days you could eat 4000 calories and not have your stomach hurt.
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kshama2001 wrote: »Protranser, you're right.. there is a difference between a planned weekend caloric surplus and a binge. I'm just used to using that word. I don't actually binge. I would consider a binge to be more eating uncontrollably, until your stomach hurts. I don't do that. I feel no guilt at all
I find it inconceivable that after eating 1000 cal per day for 6 days you could eat 4000 calories and not have your stomach hurt.
Most people who are overweight/obese have probably had a 4000 calorie day more than once. Perhaps not as easy if you're only eating high volume low calorie foods.0 -
If I ate it all at once I would, but this is over 18 hours or so. I feel full, but not overly full or sick.
I still don't see the problem with banking calories and eating them back on weekends. I listen to my body.. if I ever felt hungry or starved then I wouldn't do this, but I'm full of energy all the time and I feel great.
I'm just gonna eat less chips. Maybe. We'll see0 -
According to mfp, I need to eat 1400 cals per day to lose weight. I was doing this, but I was binging on weekends so I wasn't losing. I work 6 days a week and me and my close circle of friends go out on Sunday and go for a meal, drink all day and then eat loads of rubbish from the takeaway. Unhealthy, I know, but we have a great time and I really look forward to it. Anyway, a few months ago, I decided to try something different. 1400x7 days = 9,800, meaning I should consume around 9,800 calories per week. Instead of 1,400 cals per day, I've started eating a healthy 1,000 calories 6 days a week which amounts to 6000 cals. Then I've been going crazy on Sundays, consuming 3,500-4000 calories. I've been losing 1-2 pounds per week this way and I can enjoy myself without guilt. I've finally found something that works. Anyone else do this? I know it's unhealthy but I love having one day a week were I can go absolutely mental and eat whatever I want, whilst still losing at a steady pace.
Your OP is full of indicators that you are aware this is physically and mentally unhealthy, so yes, seek professional help.
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Shell, I'm pretty sure the main reason people have daily calorie goals is because one big weekly, monthly, yearly or lifelong goal would be hard to keep track of. Are you a doctor? Do you KNOW that you have to eat a certain amount every single day to be healthy? OP is still getting an average of 1400 per day. From what I understand, bodies don't really care about day to day stuff, and the important thing is to eat enough to sustain healthy weight loss. OP is losing a healthy amount of weight and is able to control herself, so I see nothing wrong with what she's doing. Do you have some studies you could share that might explain why you think what you think? Also, I noticed that you used the phrase "extended period of time" but refuse to understand when other people explain that you can't judge a person's diet with a single day as an example.
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If I ate it all at once I would, but this is over 18 hours or so. I feel full, but not overly full or sick.
I still don't see the problem with banking calories and eating them back on weekends. I listen to my body.. if I ever felt hungry or starved then I wouldn't do this, but I'm full of energy all the time and I feel great.
I'm just gonna eat less chips. Maybe. We'll see
After years of ignoring them, it's not unusual for hunger (and satiety) cues to no longer work.
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dankylosaur wrote: »Shell, I'm pretty sure the main reason people have daily calorie goals is because one big weekly, monthly, yearly or lifelong goal would be hard to keep track of. Are you a doctor? Do you KNOW that you have to eat a certain amount every single day to be healthy? OP is still getting an average of 1400 per day. From what I understand, bodies don't really care about day to day stuff, and the important thing is to eat enough to sustain healthy weight loss. OP is losing a healthy amount of weight and is able to control herself, so I see nothing wrong with what she's doing. Do you have some studies you could share that might explain why you think what you think? Also, I noticed that you used the phrase "extended period of time" but refuse to understand when other people explain that you can't judge a person's diet with a single day as an example.
OP mentions in her OP "going crazy" and "absolutely mental" on Sundays, so no, she's not in control.
And it's not a single day, it's a restrict/binge cycle.
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hahah kshama2001... don't take what I said literally
Don't worry.. I eat lots of kale. 0 -
Um...I eat like 1300-1400 on week days so I can enjoy a maintenance day. Not the same.0
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I tend to eat less during the week because I'm working and busy and it's easier to eat less. On weekends, it's a little more relaxed and easier to eat more. As long as from week to week you're consuming enough calories to fulfill your average daily recommended intake, I don't see where there is a problem.0
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The way op phrased their whole premise was different from the way a guilty person describes their eating style. The op recognizes they may be scrutinised for their high calorie day, and preemptively addresses this by including the highlighted terms. If there was guilt and powerlessness, then the op would've asked for help. I didn't interpret this as a "help me get my life back in control" post. Op also clarified there is no guilt or pain about how they're going about this.
Eta: Additionally, the terms healthy and unhealthy seem to be describing op's judgement of calorie sources, not introspective judgement of behavior.0 -
I think some people are reading too much into the OP'S choice of words. This is a young kid who probably didn't use the best words to describe what she's doing to still enjoy her youthfulness. She likes to party on the weekends with her friends without worrying about blowing her weekly deficit. Big deal. I do a similar plan although maybe not as extreme but the same idea. Early on in my weightloss journey I identified that my high calorie days tended to be Friday's and Saturdays. So I lowered my Sun-Thursday calories to 1200 which allowed me to eat 2200 on Fridays and Saturdays and still maintain my weightloss pace. That allows me to be able to go out to a nice dinner with my family on Friday night or have Popcorn and a coke at the movie theater. Planning ahead is responsible. Knowing what your faults are and addressing them is part of planning a healthier lifesyle. Knowing that you can't have 3000 calories without making up for it somewhere is being smart. Whether the OP can maintain doing a 1000 calories is what I would question. Sure you could probably pull it off for a month but it would be difficult to do long term. She may need to adjust and raise the weekday calories a bit if she begins to struggle. But that's also how we learn what our body needs. It's trial and error.0
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