Treat days?
Jayj180894
Posts: 286 Member
I have the occasional treat day (Usually after I've had a few glasses of wine the night before) I seem to have no issue with that. I seem to be averaging losing 3lbs a week so far and I don't go crazy crazy over my calories. But the next day after my "treat day" I am starving hungry! I wake up and could eat a horse! Why does this happen? I still get my protein and my veg in, which for me is my most important. So why am I so hungry? It does go by the end of the day. I just want to know why it happens. Very strange I think.
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Replies
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3lbs per week is way above what's considered healthy weight loss. For how long has this been going on? How high is the calorie deficit that you've chose and how high is your current weight and goal weight? Asking because I'm concerned.
It might not seem like a problem, but your body can only burn a certain amount of fat per day. The rest comes from muscles, and you don't want to burn through those as it's damn difficult to build new muscles and look good and be healthy. Also, you might feel great now, but your body won't forget. Think of loss of hair, looking sickly, loss of menstruation as just some of the downsides.
But yeah, with this loss: do have a treat every day!5 -
Like I said it's averaged out. Some weeks I lose nothing other weeks like the week I came off of my period I lost nearly 6lbs. I know this isn't all fat. So I don't think you should be concerned. I only started January the 17th and to my understanding you lose a lot when you first start due to water retention. I started at 15st.1lbs and now I am at 13st5. I eat on average between 1200-1900kcal on my "good days" and this depends on my exercise and whether I'm working or not. I just want to know why my body feels so starving when I've had so much to eat the day before lol!3
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i make room in my daily calories for treats. i have some sort of sweet nearly every day. had Mexican out for dinner last night. do it weekly, pretty much.
how much are you losing in a month on average? if more than 6-8 pounds at your current weight, you need to eat more.
as far as hunger after a cheat day... i imagine its mostly mental. our bodies say ' oh,we used to eat like this all the time! this is great! do it again! again!'
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So that's 2.75lbs per week. Even with a bit of waterweight at the beginning of the weightloss this is very fast. I would eat some more, and if you like use this for snacks or treats. Nothing wrong with that.5
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Hunger is very individual. Some people are hungrier after eating a higher volume meal, some after eating more simple carbs, etc.
After the Christmas holidays for example, I am more hungry for a few weeks, as my stomach readjusts after those high-volume high-calorie family dinners.
It could also be linked to exercise: some people are hungrier after high intensity cardio, some are hungrier after resistance training,... If you have your treat days on days when you exercise, there could be a link there too.1 -
Jayj180894 wrote: »Like I said it's averaged out. Some weeks I lose nothing other weeks like the week I came off of my period I lost nearly 6lbs. I know this isn't all fat. So I don't think you should be concerned. I only started January the 17th and to my understanding you lose a lot when you first start due to water retention. I started at 15st.1lbs and now I am at 13st5. I eat on average between 1200-1900kcal on my "good days" and this depends on my exercise and whether I'm working or not. I just want to know why my body feels so starving when I've had so much to eat the day before lol!
On average you are losing too fast, fast weight loss is rarely the best way. You are risking failing when it all gets too hard or if you push hard all the way to goal weight being terribly disappointed in how you look and feel if you do get there.
If you ate more on average you might not be so starving hungry after a refeed day. Being hungry is a normal thing when you are consistently under-eating.3 -
I really don't understand how I am undereatting. I eat 1200kcal to 1900kcal a day, depending on the exercise. If Im sat on my *kitten* all day I tend to have around 1200 cos I'm just not that hungry, but if I have worked or exercised it's usually between 1500-1900kcal. On my "good days" I don't feel hungry and when I do I eat. I read water fluctuations can go up to 10lbs. I don't feel I'm pushing myself too hard. I'm doing c25k and I walk a lot. MFP has estimated me 1500kcal and that's what I go off of. When I've asked before exercise. I eat some of my calories back each day but I've been told the calories between MFP and my fitbit aren't just exercise calories, so I don't eat tonnes back. After changing my diet I feel I have more energy than I have had before, my body is changing and I feel more confident. My fitness is improving, so I really don't understand why you think I am undereatting2
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It's 1500 calories plus exercise calories. Thus if you use MFP as it's meant to be you should eat 1500 calories every day plus the exercise calories.0
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And eat only 25-50% exercise calories. I was told that MFP and fitbit calories aren't just exercise calories hence why I'm not eating 600 more calories each day. And I always thought if you are FAT likke me you lose a lot of weight in the beginning and then in slows right down?2
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Not with everyone, and not over a period of 8 weeks. How has your weight loss changed over time? How much have you lost in the last 4 weeks? If it's still more than 2lbs per week then you're way undereating.4
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On the 14th of February I weighed in at 13st12 I was yoyoing between 13.12 and 13.10 until around the 7th of March and I weighed in at 13st5. But this was only a few days after my period. So in the last 4 weeks I have lost 7lbs max.0
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Surely the knowledge that you can eat more and still lose weight is a good thing?3
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Just curious, what do you consider a treat? Because you stated you have a treat day and the next day you’re ravenous, and in another post you say “I just want to know why my body feels so starving when I've had so much to eat the day before lol!”.
Just trying to understand your definition.1 -
thisvickyruns wrote: »Surely the knowledge that you can eat more and still lose weight is a good thing?
I'm not undereating though? In the last 4 weeks I've lost under 2lb a week on average. It's just a case of the whole 8 weeks it averages to 3lbs.0 -
Just curious, what do you consider a treat? Because you stated you have a treat day and the next day you’re ravenous, and in another post you say “I just want to know why my body feels so starving when I've had so much to eat the day before lol!”.
Just trying to understand your definition.
When I over eat. Stuff myself silly. I wake up in the morning and I feel very hungry. Whereas normal days I don't.0 -
Because that treat day will make your blood sugar spike sharply. This is likely the reason you feel hungrier.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Jayj180894 wrote: »Just curious, what do you consider a treat? Because you stated you have a treat day and the next day you’re ravenous, and in another post you say “I just want to know why my body feels so starving when I've had so much to eat the day before lol!”.
Just trying to understand your definition.
When I over eat. Stuff myself silly. I wake up in the morning and I feel very hungry. Whereas normal days I don't.
Okay so something closer to a mini binge. Gotcha.
A treat or treat day, for me, would be having a higher calorie food item, such as dessert, or possibly going out to dinner instead of making something at home in a controlled calorie setting. Tbh, I pretty much have a treat every single day. As long as it fits in my calories, why not?
If I had a really high calorie day, I’m typically hungry the next day as well. I feel like the more I eat, the hungrier I am, it’s like opening the flood gates. I’m sure there’s a scientific explanation, and I wish I had it for you. But you’re not alone.3 -
Because that treat day will make your blood sugar spike sharply. This is likely the reason you feel hungrier.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
That makes sense. Thanks0 -
Jayj180894 wrote: »thisvickyruns wrote: »Surely the knowledge that you can eat more and still lose weight is a good thing?
I'm not undereating though? In the last 4 weeks I've lost under 2lb a week on average. It's just a case of the whole 8 weeks it averages to 3lbs.
I haven't commented on whether you're under eating or not... but for me, the more I can eat (when I was trying to lose weight) and still lose, the better... after all food is yummy, or you wouldn't 'stuff yourself silly' would you?1 -
Jayj180894 wrote: »And eat only 25-50% exercise calories. I was told that MFP and fitbit calories aren't just exercise calories hence why I'm not eating 600 more calories each day. And I always thought if you are FAT likke me you lose a lot of weight in the beginning and then in slows right down?
I'm not sure what you were told, but your MFP adjustments from Fitbit are showing how much more you're burning that MFP would have estimated given your activity level. It's irrelevant whether or not they're actually from "exercise," you're burning those calories anyway. If you weren't losing or losing slower than expected, you might need to eat fewer of them because that would indicate they were over-estimates. But you're losing faster than you expected and you're experiencing days when you're really hungry so . . . why NOT eat the calories you're obviously burning?7 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Jayj180894 wrote: »And eat only 25-50% exercise calories. I was told that MFP and fitbit calories aren't just exercise calories hence why I'm not eating 600 more calories each day. And I always thought if you are FAT likke me you lose a lot of weight in the beginning and then in slows right down?
I'm not sure what you were told, but your MFP adjustments from Fitbit are showing how much more you're burning that MFP would have estimated given your activity level. It's irrelevant whether or not they're actually from "exercise," you're burning those calories anyway. If you weren't losing or losing slower than expected, you might need to eat fewer of them because that would indicate they were over-estimates. But you're losing faster than you expected and you're experiencing days when you're really hungry so . . . why NOT eat the calories you're obviously burning?
But I'm not losing faster than I expected? In my second month I'm losing under 2lbs a week. The max is 2lbs a week right for a healthy weightloss? In my first month yes it was a fairly drastic drop but there would of been other factors contributing to that and it wouldn't of been just fat loss. So over the course of 2 months it's an average of 3lbs. When I finish my 3rd month cos I'm losing under 2lbs a week now the average will become less. I don't need to eat more of them back when I'm happy at the rate I'm losing.1 -
Jayj180894 wrote: »Okay so something closer to a mini binge. Gotcha.
A treat or treat day, for me, would be having a higher calorie food item, such as dessert, or possibly going out to dinner instead of making something at home in a controlled calorie setting. Tbh, I pretty much have a treat every single day. As long as it fits in my calories, why not?
If I had a really high calorie day, I’m typically hungry the next day as well. I feel like the more I eat, the hungrier I am, it’s like opening the flood gates. I’m sure there’s a scientific explanation, and I wish I had it for you. But you’re not alone.
It's whatever I'm in the mood for that day, whether it be a take away, a tub of B&J's or something hearty all throughout the day. My weakness atm has been homemade stews, dumplings, Yorkshire puddings 😋. I like to have a lollipop after my tea everyday but that's a very new random thing and I don't know why lol!0 -
Jayj180894 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »Jayj180894 wrote: »And eat only 25-50% exercise calories. I was told that MFP and fitbit calories aren't just exercise calories hence why I'm not eating 600 more calories each day. And I always thought if you are FAT likke me you lose a lot of weight in the beginning and then in slows right down?
I'm not sure what you were told, but your MFP adjustments from Fitbit are showing how much more you're burning that MFP would have estimated given your activity level. It's irrelevant whether or not they're actually from "exercise," you're burning those calories anyway. If you weren't losing or losing slower than expected, you might need to eat fewer of them because that would indicate they were over-estimates. But you're losing faster than you expected and you're experiencing days when you're really hungry so . . . why NOT eat the calories you're obviously burning?
But I'm not losing faster than I expected? In my second month I'm losing under 2lbs a week. The max is 2lbs a week right for a healthy weightloss? In my first month yes it was a fairly drastic drop but there would of been other factors contributing to that and it wouldn't of been just fat loss. So over the course of 2 months it's an average of 3lbs. When I finish my 3rd month cos I'm losing under 2lbs a week now the average will become less. I don't need to eat more of them back when I'm happy at the rate I'm losing.
For someone at your current weight, 2 pounds a week this month and 3 pounds a week average overall is a really fast rate of loss. That could be why you're having days when you're struggling with hunger.5 -
The days I wake up hungry are the days after I've eaten loads. That was reason for the question as there is a pattern. And I do eat on these days. Just tend to eat around 1500-1900kcal which for me is a nice lunch and a big tea cos that is what I like0
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Both my fiancé and I have done a good job of redefining what we consider a treat. We are following low carb / Keto as it's what we find works best for us and enjoy doing. And in the past, Say at a birthday party if we ate cake or Regular Full Carb Pizza etc, we would literally feel sick, bloated and usually get booted right out of ketosis, which would usually take a few days to normalize again. On top of all that, for us it seems that sort of treat day would lead to the flood cakes slowly opening at first and then eventually breaking them all together.
So this time around our treats are all both low carb and portion friendly. So far it feels right. In fact we have what we consider treats all the time.
Guests coming over for a get together party?
Keto Brownies with Halo Top frozen dessert or
Half a Melted Quest chocolate Chip cookie with more Halo Top or
Home made something in a mug with no sugar icing.
Craving some chips.
Quest Protein Chips scratches that itch. (Sour Cream and Onion and Nacho Cheese are Particularly good)
Love chocolate
Lily's Salted Almond Cholate bar - These are fantastic and a Half a large bar is only 190 calories and 3 net carbs
Did you like cheesey's?
Twin Peaks - Protein Puffs (Jalapeno Cheese) - Love em.
The down side is a lot of these treats are a bit on the pricey side, but you stop to think about it... Over all since were not stuffing our faces with crap anymore, or eating out at restaurants were actually saving a lot of money. But to be reasonable, we limit ourselves to one portion of Protein puffs, one Quest Chips or Cookie, or half a lily's chocolate bar to just once per week (each). And it's all within our daily macro's and if it's a particular big day, we don't mind all that much if we are a few 100 calories are daily normal.
And let's not forget that Loaf of fresh baked low carb bread that we bake each week..... It's always a treat.
But to answer your last question... I find higher carb count days especially when not following low carb, tend to cause higher insulin responses which signals to the body to dump all available nutrients to your cells.... Which at the end of which, your body will tend to demand a refeeding whether you require it or not.
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Jayj180894 wrote: »The days I wake up hungry are the days after I've eaten loads. That was reason for the question as there is a pattern. And I do eat on these days. Just tend to eat around 1500-1900kcal which for me is a nice lunch and a big tea cos that is what I like
Setting aside the question of whether you are undereating/should eat more for exercise cals, I think this shows that the pattern of eating relatively low cal and then one (per week?) day where you "eat loads" is not working for you. There are lots of reasons why restriction plus a big indulgent day could make you want to continue with the indulgent days or why your body could go from being used to eating less to wanting more. It's also not at all uncommon for people to perceive digestion feelings as hunger (including stomach growling or "pangs" and so on).
If you are adding in this big days (I'm assuming you mean above maintenance even considering exercise) and continuing to lose at the same rate, you probably ARE undereating on the other days. I'd try something different -- maybe figure out what your maintenance is (or maintenance when you are at goal) and use that as your treat day cals, and spread the remaining cals over the other days. Or, perhaps, instead of some high cal treat day, consider having a treat meal, and eat a bit less the rest of the day to fit it in. I think for most people it's fine to go over cals on a specific day or the weekend, but that's because for many of us it makes eating less on the other days easier. For you, I think I'd try either not having a high cal day or, again, a day no higher than planned maintenance, and then adding in some smaller treat type items on the other days with calories saved.4 -
Why isn't it working for me? I'm losing at a safe rate https://www.livestrong.com/article/457829-is-3-lbs-per-week-weight-loss-healthy/ I eat decent foods and meals everyday and I go over my calories occasionally. I don't know what the problem is..1
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Jayj180894 wrote: »Why isn't it working for me? I'm losing at a safe rate https://www.livestrong.com/article/457829-is-3-lbs-per-week-weight-loss-healthy/ I eat decent foods and meals everyday and I go over my calories occasionally. I don't know what the problem is..
So in your OP you wrote: " I just want to know why it happens. Very strange I think."
I think the point is that people are letting you know that what you are reporting is not strange for someone who in a two month period is undereating some days and overeating on others. Lots of people experience excessive hunger when they structure their eating as you have structured yours.9 -
Are you measuring your food portions to make sure you are eating the right amount?
How much exercise are you doing and are you eating any of those calories back?
If you are doing a weekly day where you admit to significantly over eating I would guess you are severely under eating if you are still losing 2-3 pounds a week.
I build calories into my day for an evening snack and once every few weeks I will have a treat MEAL (not day) where I will go over my daily calories but I try to not go too far over maintenance calories so I don’t undo my progress.2 -
Jayj180894 wrote: »Why isn't it working for me? I'm losing at a safe rate https://www.livestrong.com/article/457829-is-3-lbs-per-week-weight-loss-healthy/ I eat decent foods and meals everyday and I go over my calories occasionally. I don't know what the problem is..
Is this directed to me? I tried to explain in my post why I think it might not be working.0
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