Over budget on calories

bluzegtr
bluzegtr Posts: 4 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'd like to see what others of you do - Last week I was on target each day and actually slightly under budget on calories each day. Last night we had a meal with friends and there was a great dessert. So good but so rich. I went over budget about 400 calories and did not walk when we got home. This happens once in while but not often. I address it by kicking up the exercise a notch and get the 400 calories (and then some) knocked out. I don't allow that exercise to affect the current day, so I really keep my calories in check while I "pay myself back". I exercise enough to actually make up for a 500-600 calorie overage because this was an evening and I did not go for a walk when I got home. So again, what do you all do when you go over?

Replies

  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    bluzegtr wrote: »
    I'd like to see what others of you do - Last week I was on target each day and actually slightly under budget on calories each day. Last night we had a meal with friends and there was a great dessert. So good but so rich. I went over budget about 400 calories and did not walk when we got home. This happens once in while but not often. I address it by kicking up the exercise a notch and get the 400 calories (and then some) knocked out. I don't allow that exercise to affect the current day, so I really keep my calories in check while I "pay myself back". I exercise enough to actually make up for a 500-600 calorie overage because this was an evening and I did not go for a walk when I got home. So again, what do you all do when you go over?

    Run a deficit the next day to equate for it. It all balances out if you micro-manage a bit.
  • shinycrazy
    shinycrazy Posts: 1,081 Member
    edited March 2016
    I would personally spread the overage out over the rest of the week. So if you had 400 extra calories divided by the remaining 6 days in the week, you should deduct 67 calories from your budget each day to make up for it. I try not to eat my exercise calories (not always successful). Mostly because the estimates are always higher than I think I actually burned. Good luck!
  • Lydilod
    Lydilod Posts: 135 Member
    I went over by 500cal yesterday (I blame my kids, they bought me chocolates lol) Its over, it done, just move on and use it to learn, that's what I'm ging to do.
  • murp4069
    murp4069 Posts: 494 Member
    I tend to stay under my calorie goals during the work week in order to have some extra calories for the weekend, when I know I'll eat out and be eating more. If I go over by more than the extra deficit I've created during the week, then the next few days I have a bit more of a deficit and add a mile or so to my nightly walks. TBH this very rarely happens though, usually my work week deficit is more than enough to make up for my extra calories on the weekend.
  • sourcandies
    sourcandies Posts: 42 Member
    If I go over by 400 Calories I usually just walk a little extra or make sure to burn 100 Calories working out the next couple of days. It's normal to slip up every once in a while, I wouldn't stress over it too much.
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,224 Member
    It depends on how much I go over and why. If it was a special event and I don't go over maintenance then I don't worry too much about it. I always try to get in a little more exercise when I go over. I am eating at 1300 calories so I don't usually eat less the next day, I just try to burn off more calories.
  • bluzegtr
    bluzegtr Posts: 4 Member
    If I look back over the last 7 days I was actually under budget by 1000+ calories so I guess it doesn't matter. I lost 2.8 lbs last week, and although that is more than the recommended weight loss, I don't want to lose that progress. I do appreciate the feedback and am taking it all to heart.
  • bluzegtr
    bluzegtr Posts: 4 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    It depends on how much I go over and why. If it was a special event and I don't go over maintenance then I don't worry too much about it. I always try to get in a little more exercise when I go over. I am eating at 1300 calories so I don't usually eat less the next day, I just try to burn off more calories.

    This is the approach I am leaning toward. That, or viewing the overage against the backdrop of my progress for a few previous days.
  • geneticsteacher
    geneticsteacher Posts: 623 Member
    I log it and forget it. It is usually only on special occasions, when entertaining, etc.
This discussion has been closed.

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