I allowed myself a "cheat day" and holy cow...

I tend to look at the big picture and play the long game...thus, I'd personally just move on. In the grand scheme of things it's pretty irrelevant...and being 1000 calories over probably just put you somewhere around maintenance or a bit over maintenance which again is pretty irrelevant in the big picture.

I definitely bring snacks with me and a huge bottle of water. Baby carrots, celery, cucumbers, peppers all sliced and ready to eat in a zip loc, nuts and usually an apple. If I do stop for fast food it's subway or chipotle. Its hard sometimes, but having food in the car really helps especially when you are pooped from shopping and wrangling lil ones all day! When we go to a sit down restaurant we usually try to pick one that has healthy options/lower calorie options. Most places these days have a nice selection of fit meals! When we go to the movie theatre I smuggle in my own air popped popcorn in my HUGE purse lol! My husband laughs at me! Good luck, you got this

I just log it and move on, otherwise I can get into that unhealthy see-saw cycle of, "I ate too much, I'll eat a lot less today." Because then tomorrow - I'll be famished and over-eat again.

That 1000 extra is not a big deal. Eat your regular amount today.

I would just move on. One day is not going to hurt you. Go back to your normal menus and you will be just fine.

One thing I try to do if I know I'm going to be eating over my calorie budget is get in an extra workout, even if I don't burn all of the calories back at least it's something.

I actually factor in one cheat day a week, and I'm still losing steadily. And I don't call it a "cheat day" I call it a "treat day" and don't feel guilty at all. I'm trying to change my lifestyle permanently, not just until I get to my goal weight, and it's unrealistic to think I'll never go over my planned calories as long as I live.

I usually can fit eating out into my plan, I do have a few tricks that seem to help me.

Zero calorie drinks - eating out is usually more calories than home made food, so I go for coffee, water, diet soda, or unsweet tea and skip the extra liquid calories, I'd rather eat them than drink them.

No meal deals - honestly at most place a burger or chicken sandwich isn't going to put me over, but a sandwich, plus fries or hashbrowns, plus pie or cinnamon rolls, or whatever sides they offer is way too much...the extras are often as many calories as just the main item, and I can actually be satisfied with just the main item and a drink.

Go for the smaller sandwich if possible - a bacon cheeseburger instead of a bacon double cheeseburger...a 1/4 lb burger instead of a 1/3 lb or 1/2 lb burger, etc. Even the small sandwiches at most places are enough to make you not hungry, and you don't need to be stuffed if you are busy running errands and such, right?

Child meal - if you really want all the sides, go with a child size portion, you still get to taste everything and portions of each are smaller helping to curb calorie intake. If it's a place that offers a "child" and "kid" size, stick with the smaller option.

Delay temptation - sometimes I can tell myself I'll just get a sandwich now, and get that pie if I'm still hungry after I eat...and I'm never still hungry...I might still want pie, but it's not because I'm hungry, it's because I like pie, but it's easier to say NO to myself when I'm not hungry. So, I always start with just one thing and a drink...you can always get more if you are hungry, but it's not convenient, particularly if you are pressed for time, so that makes it less tempting. Also, if you figure out how to fit eating out into your plan better, you can eat out more, and you can delay things for the NEXT visit. Like, today I'm really hungry, so I'll get a bacon cheeseburger, but next visit, I'm going to plan to have just coffee and that new pie instead of a sandwich. Hope that makes sense it's kind of rambling on a bit.

fitanastasia1 wrote: »

kimny72 wrote: »

Just move on.

If that sort of a day happens regularly, you can have several options from the places you hit often saved on your phone and order from that list rather than choosing from that bright yummy looking big menu.

This is a great idea for me. That's exactly what gets me: I get to the menu with good intentions and start looking at those things I love that are just not good for me and I'm a total weakling. This would help me out tremendously, not even having to look at those options. Thanks!

Indeed. The CFA Grilled nuggets and Large fruit cup are a great low calorie option.

When my wife and I are out running errands ,and know we'll be out at lunch and/or supper, we'll take a protein shake as a cushion against hunger, or plan ahead of time where to eat out and what to get before we walk in the door. For me it isn't just about the calories, but sodium as well, even more so. Many supposedly "healthy, low cal" menu items have an unacceptably high sodium content, and I have to plan for that in my daily total. We are slowly building up an internal database of what we can eat, from where, in whatever part of town we are in on a given day. Planning is everything.

I totally agree with log it and move on. I pack snacks when I am going to be running around a bunch. It's also cheaper and I am on a pretty strict budget. That said, even starbucks has some decent meal choices. I will have one of their oatmeals for lunch, who cares?? They have all their food and drinks labeled with calories too which is super helpful. Or, like others have said, have the treat and relish it. One day won't derail your overall progress.