How not to eat when you can afford to?

LovLeigh416
LovLeigh416 Posts: 17 Member
edited November 26 in Motivation and Support
So, you eat a little, you workout a lot, and at the end of the day you still have like 1,000 calories you can technically eat. How do you NOT go to McDonalds or eat pizza or something you know is bad but totally have the calorie budget for?
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Replies

  • I just remind myself of the great progress I've done so far and that if I'm not hungry then I'm not gonna put that stuff in my body especially late at night. If I really am craving it I'll eat it in the day where I know I can burn it off better. Also for using those calories at night if I'm really craving some munchies I'll look for a healthy snack I have that can be just as delicious good luck! :)<3
  • ARC1603
    ARC1603 Posts: 113 Member
    If you have the calories for it and want it, then eat it I say!
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    I don't believe in bad foods, only bad portions/frequencies. I wouldn't eat fast food every day, but I do certainly eat it sometimes. Although it wouldn't be McDonalds, we have much better fast food burger joints around these parts.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    You are supposed to eat what MFP tells you to. What are you logging for burns? For example, 30 minutes of running at x speed for 300 cal
  • cdudley628
    cdudley628 Posts: 547 Member
    If I have 1000 extra calories late at night, you better believe I'm ordering a pizza or picking up some fast food!
  • robertw486
    robertw486 Posts: 2,401 Member
    So, you eat a little, you workout a lot, and at the end of the day you still have like 1,000 calories you can technically eat. How do you NOT go to McDonalds or eat pizza or something you know is bad but totally have the calorie budget for?

    It's easy. For me, I eat less in the morning, work out a little harder sometimes, and have 2,000 calories I can eat before the end of the day. And I usually do eat most of them. Not at McDonalds, but that's up to you.

    If you have calories to eat, you can eat them. My today included cake... big pieces of cake. And sometimes my days include all kinds of other stuff people want to label as "bad". On top of that, I usually eat at LEAST 50% of my calories at dinner time or later.
  • Whitezombiegirl
    Whitezombiegirl Posts: 1,042 Member
    I don't use food as entertainment or rewards. I dont eat if im not hungry as that just propegates a bad relationship with food imo. Id bank the calories for when im really hungry. I go by weekly cals not daily btw as it allows for more flexibility.

    Are you sure you are not over estimating your burns? Or only counting half the estimated burn?



  • dramaqueen45
    dramaqueen45 Posts: 1,009 Member
    Agree with a lot of above- if you have that many calories and you are craving pizza or McDonald's- go for it.
  • Kane68
    Kane68 Posts: 14 Member
    edited November 2015
    My biggest problem is, I feel I can't trust MFP calorie use for exercise. It just does not add up. I can often have 1000+ calories at the end of the day, but I know if I eat them, there is no way I'm going to lose weight. I wish there was a more accurate way to count your calorie burn. Personally If I’m not super careful what I eat, it does not matter what exercise I do.
  • kristen6350
    kristen6350 Posts: 1,094 Member
    I plan my day so I don't have that happen. Pre-log, then you won't have that huge gap and you won't have the temptation. If I know I'm going work out and burn let's say 300 calories I have a bigger lunch/breakfast. It may take a few more minutes the day before to make sure you are getting what you need, but it's worth it.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,689 Member
    So, you eat a little, you workout a lot, and at the end of the day you still have like 1,000 calories you can technically eat. How do you NOT go to McDonalds or eat pizza or something you know is bad but totally have the calorie budget for?

    If I do have a lot of calories available from a workout, pizza and tacos are my first two choices!! :grin:

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,689 Member
    Kane68 wrote: »
    My biggest problem is, I feel I can't trust MFP calorie use for exercise. It just does not add up. I can often have 1000+ calories at the end of the day, but I know if I eat them, there is no way I'm going to lose weight. I wish there was a more accurate way to count your calorie burn. Personally If I’m not super careful what I eat, it does not matter what exercise I do.

    Always estimate low ... so if you went for a bicycle ride, don't log it as a fast ride, log it as one of the slower options. I log mine as between 16 and 19 km/h no matter what I actually did. I'll also only log rolling time, not the total time I was out there, and I round down.

    Then, I aim to eat about half my exercise calories back.

    So last Sunday, I cycled a fairly hilly 100 km over 5 hours, burned 1800 cal (in theory) ... and then sat down to pizza and sorbet. :)

  • Big5BigChange
    Big5BigChange Posts: 56 Member
    Wish I had this problem. Having 1000 calories "spare" in a day? Man, if only!!!!
  • amgreenwell
    amgreenwell Posts: 1,267 Member
    I try to remember why I'm eating well and counting calories to begin with, a healthy lifestyle. Going to any fast food would make me feel as though I'm giving up on all my good progress. If you have that many calories left at the end of the day you probably need to eat more during the day to fuel your workouts.
    If you really want to eat your 1000 calories at McDonald's go for it...but will it make you feel good?
  • Kane68
    Kane68 Posts: 14 Member
    Kane68 wrote: »
    My biggest problem is, I feel I can't trust MFP calorie use for exercise. It just does not add up. I can often have 1000+ calories at the end of the day, but I know if I eat them, there is no way I'm going to lose weight. I wish there was a more accurate way to count your calorie burn. Personally If I’m not super careful what I eat, it does not matter what exercise I do.

    Always estimate low ... so if you went for a bicycle ride, don't log it as a fast ride, log it as one of the slower options. I log mine as between 16 and 19 km/h no matter what I actually did. I'll also only log rolling time, not the total time I was out there, and I round down.

    Then, I aim to eat about half my exercise calories back.

    So last Sunday, I cycled a fairly hilly 100 km over 5 hours, burned 1800 cal (in theory) ... and then sat down to pizza and sorbet.

    Thanks for that, halfing my exercise calories, is pretty much what i'm doing now.
    BTW, Nice burn. :)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    maybe you should plan out your days better...
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I agree with others:

    1. Make sure the exercise burn is accurate
    2. Log/and or eat back only a portion of it if you think it is not completely accurate
    3. Plan your day out to eat some of those extra calories earlier in the day (fuel your workout)
    4. Use some of those extra calories for an indulgence - if McDonalds or pizza sounds good, get some. Doesn't have to be 1000 cals worth.


  • LovLeigh416
    LovLeigh416 Posts: 17 Member
    I try to remember why I'm eating well and counting calories to begin with, a healthy lifestyle. Going to any fast food would make me feel as though I'm giving up on all my good progress. If you have that many calories left at the end of the day you probably need to eat more during the day to fuel your workouts.
    If you really want to eat your 1000 calories at McDonald's go for it...but will it make you feel good?

    Of course it will, that's why I gained weight to begin with. McDonald's always feels good lol
  • LovLeigh416
    LovLeigh416 Posts: 17 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I agree with others:

    1. Make sure the exercise burn is accurate
    2. Log/and or eat back only a portion of it if you think it is not completely accurate
    3. Plan your day out to eat some of those extra calories earlier in the day (fuel your workout)
    4. Use some of those extra calories for an indulgence - if McDonalds or pizza sounds good, get some. Doesn't have to be 1000 cals worth.


    Vote this as best answer. I suppose eating earlier in the day and still being reasonable is the main takeaway I'm getting. Also not to trust MFP? So how can I estimate what I've burned from, say, 45mins weightlifting?
  • serouppet
    serouppet Posts: 18 Member
    You could always "bank" them for the weekend. A couple days a week of being significantly under can give you a damn good planned splurge.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I agree with others:

    1. Make sure the exercise burn is accurate
    2. Log/and or eat back only a portion of it if you think it is not completely accurate
    3. Plan your day out to eat some of those extra calories earlier in the day (fuel your workout)
    4. Use some of those extra calories for an indulgence - if McDonalds or pizza sounds good, get some. Doesn't have to be 1000 cals worth.


    Vote this as best answer. I suppose eating earlier in the day and still being reasonable is the main takeaway I'm getting. Also not to trust MFP? So how can I estimate what I've burned from, say, 45mins weightlifting?

    Others who lift more regularly can probably comment on the best tools to estimate calories burned from lifting - I use a FitBit and I know others use an HRM, but these are more for steady state cardio and not great for lifting. In general - lifting is less about a calorie burn and more about building strength, preserving lean muscle, etc. In fact if you are actively trying to build muscle, you can't do that in a calorie deficit.

    I would probably recommend using a TDEE calculator like this:
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/

    To figure out your TDEE, this will help you plan ahead with a constant goal. Please note, if you do the TDEE method, you don't eat back the exercise calories, they are already factored in.

    If you haven't, you should read this thread, and some of the other stickied posts at the top of the forums

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1235566/so-youre-new-here/p1
  • VanillaGorillaUK
    VanillaGorillaUK Posts: 342 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I agree with others:

    1. Make sure the exercise burn is accurate
    2. Log/and or eat back only a portion of it if you think it is not completely accurate
    3. Plan your day out to eat some of those extra calories earlier in the day (fuel your workout)
    4. Use some of those extra calories for an indulgence - if McDonalds or pizza sounds good, get some. Doesn't have to be 1000 cals worth.


    Vote this as best answer. I suppose eating earlier in the day and still being reasonable is the main takeaway I'm getting. Also not to trust MFP? So how can I estimate what I've burned from, say, 45mins weightlifting?

    Yup, MFP uses an outdated method. We can't possibly know how many calories get burnt during weight lifting or cardio.

    So, the best way is to calculate your maintenance is through a TDEE calculator. Here is one: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    This calculation will take into account everything, including how much exercise you do and intensity.

    To lose 1lb minus 500 from your TDEE, to lose 2lbs minus 1000. Input that goal number into your MFP settings and you no longer need to track exercise, just log your food.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I agree with others:

    1. Make sure the exercise burn is accurate
    2. Log/and or eat back only a portion of it if you think it is not completely accurate
    3. Plan your day out to eat some of those extra calories earlier in the day (fuel your workout)
    4. Use some of those extra calories for an indulgence - if McDonalds or pizza sounds good, get some. Doesn't have to be 1000 cals worth.


    Vote this as best answer. I suppose eating earlier in the day and still being reasonable is the main takeaway I'm getting. Also not to trust MFP? So how can I estimate what I've burned from, say, 45mins weightlifting?

    Weightlifting ..1 calorie

    Best way
  • ncfitbit
    ncfitbit Posts: 1,058 Member
    Wish I had this problem. Having 1000 calories "spare" in a day? Man, if only!!!!

    Yep. Never happened to me. Not once!
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I agree with others:

    1. Make sure the exercise burn is accurate
    2. Log/and or eat back only a portion of it if you think it is not completely accurate
    3. Plan your day out to eat some of those extra calories earlier in the day (fuel your workout)
    4. Use some of those extra calories for an indulgence - if McDonalds or pizza sounds good, get some. Doesn't have to be 1000 cals worth.


    Vote this as best answer. I suppose eating earlier in the day and still being reasonable is the main takeaway I'm getting. Also not to trust MFP? So how can I estimate what I've burned from, say, 45mins weightlifting?

    Yup, MFP uses an outdated method. We can't possibly know how many calories get burnt during weight lifting or cardio.

    So, the best way is to calculate your maintenance is through a TDEE calculator. Here is one: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    This calculation will take into account everything, including how much exercise you do and intensity.

    To lose 1lb minus 500 from your TDEE, to lose 2lbs minus 1000. Input that goal number into your MFP settings and you no longer need to track exercise, just log your food.

    I don't know if it's "outdated", per se. The TDEE method doesn't work for me because I know I would short my workouts if I didn't take account of each day independently, instead of just saying I'm "active" or "very active". The key to my mind is to figure out how many calories you are actually burning, and that takes time and effort to get right.
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
    One day last week, I had the calories for my favorite McD meal-- Filet O Fish value meal with large fries. So I ate it. And it was bleh. I didn't really enjoy it all that much. Now I really have no desire for McD's and doubt I will eat there for quite awhile. Maybe you let yourself have it. If you've been eating really nutritious, healthy food regularly, you might have the same experience I did. And if not, it fit in your calories, so enjoy and move on!
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    Jruzer wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I agree with others:

    1. Make sure the exercise burn is accurate
    2. Log/and or eat back only a portion of it if you think it is not completely accurate
    3. Plan your day out to eat some of those extra calories earlier in the day (fuel your workout)
    4. Use some of those extra calories for an indulgence - if McDonalds or pizza sounds good, get some. Doesn't have to be 1000 cals worth.


    Vote this as best answer. I suppose eating earlier in the day and still being reasonable is the main takeaway I'm getting. Also not to trust MFP? So how can I estimate what I've burned from, say, 45mins weightlifting?

    Yup, MFP uses an outdated method. We can't possibly know how many calories get burnt during weight lifting or cardio.

    So, the best way is to calculate your maintenance is through a TDEE calculator. Here is one: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    This calculation will take into account everything, including how much exercise you do and intensity.

    To lose 1lb minus 500 from your TDEE, to lose 2lbs minus 1000. Input that goal number into your MFP settings and you no longer need to track exercise, just log your food.

    I don't know if it's "outdated", per se. The TDEE method doesn't work for me because I know I would short my workouts if I didn't take account of each day independently, instead of just saying I'm "active" or "very active". The key to my mind is to figure out how many calories you are actually burning, and that takes time and effort to get right.

    I do the TDEE method because, after all, my workouts are for my fitness and I don't short myself. Plus I review my progress regularly and adjust if needed based on actual rate of observed loss. I like not counting exercise calories directly because I can better plan my days in advance. I do have different calorie goals for training days.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    Never got near the end of the day with a 1000 calorie allowance. Sometimes I have "shortfall" of over 250 calories. What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    rankinsect wrote: »
    Jruzer wrote: »
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I agree with others:

    1. Make sure the exercise burn is accurate
    2. Log/and or eat back only a portion of it if you think it is not completely accurate
    3. Plan your day out to eat some of those extra calories earlier in the day (fuel your workout)
    4. Use some of those extra calories for an indulgence - if McDonalds or pizza sounds good, get some. Doesn't have to be 1000 cals worth.


    Vote this as best answer. I suppose eating earlier in the day and still being reasonable is the main takeaway I'm getting. Also not to trust MFP? So how can I estimate what I've burned from, say, 45mins weightlifting?

    Yup, MFP uses an outdated method. We can't possibly know how many calories get burnt during weight lifting or cardio.

    So, the best way is to calculate your maintenance is through a TDEE calculator. Here is one: http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    This calculation will take into account everything, including how much exercise you do and intensity.

    To lose 1lb minus 500 from your TDEE, to lose 2lbs minus 1000. Input that goal number into your MFP settings and you no longer need to track exercise, just log your food.

    I don't know if it's "outdated", per se. The TDEE method doesn't work for me because I know I would short my workouts if I didn't take account of each day independently, instead of just saying I'm "active" or "very active". The key to my mind is to figure out how many calories you are actually burning, and that takes time and effort to get right.

    I do the TDEE method because, after all, my workouts are for my fitness and I don't short myself. Plus I review my progress regularly and adjust if needed based on actual rate of observed loss. I like not counting exercise calories directly because I can better plan my days in advance. I do have different calorie goals for training days.

    That's cool. I think this is really a case where personal preference and predilection comes into play. In the end the two methods are (or should be) equivalent if applied effectively.
  • nikanak2003
    nikanak2003 Posts: 6 Member
    Girl, you read my mind! Thanks for posting!
This discussion has been closed.