the planned and purposeful spurge

dr_tina
dr_tina Posts: 225 Member
edited November 8 in Food and Nutrition
I have been really strict with everything for the last month. Staying right at or below my calorie allotment. I have been reading a lot of planned spurges and how to use them not only to lose more weight, but also to keep it at a lifestyle change that you can live with long term.

There is significant info I have found that suggests that a planned, high calorie spurge once per week, or once very other week is actually a good thing because it will increase your metabolism, and keep your body from maintaining a homeostasis state that could stall weight loss, as the body adapts to everything. I did a similar thing with a low carb diet years ago where I was in a deficit most the week, then had high carb spurges on Saturday night and lost a ton. However, I am not a person that can do that now as I realized that cutting out carbs to that degree is not my thing!

I am considering trying it with calories, going at or below my normal allotment during the week, having a spike in calories on Saturday, and then a great deficit on Sunday. I would like to hear others opinion on this? I am not talking about going crazy, just a 500 calorie increase on what I want, then a significant deficit the next day to keep my body guessing.

I must admit that this also seems great to me because I am having more cravings for the high fat and high carb foods that I love, but I think if it can work, then that is killing two birds with one stone. Thoughts???

Replies

  • tig_ol_bitties
    tig_ol_bitties Posts: 561 Member
    spurge? If you mean splurge, I say don't do it...just enjoy the foods you like, but use portion control and moderation!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I think it's a grand idea. I have a splurge day once a week (well, sometimes more :wink: ). It's a great way to maintain balance and sanity, especially if your regular daily diet is somewhat restricted.
  • jlewis2896
    jlewis2896 Posts: 763 Member
    You never know until you try!! A lot of people on here swear by splurge days. I personally can't do them because I would just use it as an excuse to roll myself in a vat of crisco and chocolate, after which the downward spiral of my demise would be sure to follow....

    You know yourself best, try it out and let us all know how it goes!
  • dr_tina
    dr_tina Posts: 225 Member
    Yes, I meant splurge!!!! Geesh! and I actually typed it several times that way....I am spelling impaired, always have been! LOL
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    I have a weekly splurge - "free day" - anything I want, and as much as I want.
    Breakfast and lunch.

    And monthly I have a whole day set aside for a total 24 hour food orgy.
    LOVE IT!
  • PrincessLou71186
    PrincessLou71186 Posts: 741 Member
    Personally I don't but that has more to do with my issues rather than anything else.

    You can only try it to see if works for you, if it does, brilliant, if it doesn't go back to normal.
  • xcrushx28
    xcrushx28 Posts: 182 Member
    Depends on how your relationship with food is. Not many people can handle only increasing 500 cals. Usually that ends up turning into much much more.
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    You never know until you try!! A lot of people on here swear by splurge days. I personally can't do them because I would just use it as an excuse to roll myself in a vat of crisco and chocolate, after which the downward spiral of my demise would be sure to follow....

    You know yourself best, try it out and let us all know how it goes!
    The hardest part of "free day" is turning it off once complete.

    "One more mint, Mr Creosote"?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlK62rjQWLk
  • dr_tina
    dr_tina Posts: 225 Member
    I think I can do it with out derailing, I just don't want to mess up my hard work during the week. There is really a lot of research to suggest this is really good for your metabolism. It makes a lot of sense, I guess I just have to trust it won't end up with me gaining weight. I have worked too hard to sabatoge myself
  • CosmicBella
    CosmicBella Posts: 195 Member
    spurge? If you mean splurge, I say don't do it...just enjoy the foods you like, but use portion control and moderation!

    This!... I eat foods I love in smaller portions, that way I never feel deprived! :)
  • KBGirts
    KBGirts Posts: 882 Member
    I've heard every ten days.... sounds reasonable to me. Mine is tomorrow. We are going out for sushi!
  • dr_tina
    dr_tina Posts: 225 Member
    I do eat small amounts of what I want at times, as I eat a little bit of chocolate daily, and I have one light beer on weekend nights.
  • Rachiepie6
    Rachiepie6 Posts: 423 Member
    Enjoy life! But there's no need to completely splurge. If you feel like having something, compromise with your cravings and have a little bit of it.

    You won't stick to it if you can't enjoy yourself :D
  • sherrybaby81
    sherrybaby81 Posts: 257 Member
    My husband and I do a slpurge evening once a week (always Wednesday). Every other week includes going out for a date night dinner, where we get what we want. Then, after dinner, we go to Applebee's to play trivia (only we do trivia every week, not every other week). We always get a snack at Applebee's and a couple drinks. It is always harder the weeks we go out for dinner, but that is only twice a month and we find it really helps. It gives us a chance to feel like we are still able to live like we used to, and I think it will help us later when we are maintaining. I still try to stay as close to my calories as I can, but I always go over. I also work out to burn extra calories, giving me more to eat.
  • maryjay51
    maryjay51 Posts: 742
    once im a blue moon i order a good solid beef hamburger from a quality restaurant ..with fries ..i enjoy every morsel too. and at another time i crave toast with a ton of butter on it .. sometimes pizza and chicken fingers ..it varies i guess but i do indulge on occasion and try to plan it so i dont indulge the entire day and regret it the next two weeks
  • dr_tina
    dr_tina Posts: 225 Member
    what I am more curious about is the impact of the using the calorie/carb cycling as a way to increase metabolism. I get that I need to splurge occasionally to stay on the diet, that is not a question. I just want to know if anyone has effectively used this cycling of calories to increase weight loss, as it makes perfect sense that the body is going to adjust by lowering metabolism after awhile to meet the amount of calories your eating a day.
  • EbbySoo
    EbbySoo Posts: 267 Member
    I have a weekly splurge - "free day" - anything I want, and as much as I want.
    Breakfast and lunch.

    And monthly I have a whole day set aside for a total 24 hour food orgy.
    LOVE IT!

    This ^^ :) But instead of splurges I call them something with less guilt, "Refeeds" heheh.
  • feliciapeters
    feliciapeters Posts: 525
    i eat what i want most of the time, i just try to maintain a healthy diet, but if im having a "day" at work, i will have an extra cup or coffee & maybe chocolate
    usually thats not an issue since i eat alot of protein most days & not alot of carbs
    i do splurge on thursday which is weighday
    IF i lost, i allow myself a massive bowl of pasta
    have to have pasta or life isnt worth living
  • Keegansmum6
    Keegansmum6 Posts: 193 Member
    Had my splurge/cheat day today =)
  • Tia_N_Mac
    Tia_N_Mac Posts: 181 Member
    I call it Treat Day. It's Saturday which is my weigh-in day. I have a little of everything I don't eat during the week: french fries, twizzlers, pancakes, milkshake,etc. Then Sunday, I'm back on board.
  • EbbySoo
    EbbySoo Posts: 267 Member
    what I am more curious about is the impact of the using the calorie/carb cycling as a way to increase metabolism. I get that I need to splurge occasionally to stay on the diet, that is not a question. I just want to know if anyone has effectively used this cycling of calories to increase weight loss, as it makes perfect sense that the body is going to adjust by lowering metabolism after awhile to meet the amount of calories your eating a day.

    Calorie cycling yes, it works, because on rest days you do nothing, it makes it easier to stay in a larger deficit, workout days you eat at maintenance and eat back your exercise calories by all or a bit (because your already in a deficit) this is a win. You don't get burned out from eating low calories steadily throughout your weeks as some people do, workout performance is higher, strength stays high, IMO it works wonderfully. Carb cycling is starting to be touted as broscience in the bodybuilding community, because it's calories in/calories out, cycling carbs really only helps people lose water retention, not actual fat unless they are in strict ketosis for more than a few days time, in which case, can really poop on your energy/moods.
  • mjok31
    mjok31 Posts: 84
    I think that it is a good idea...why not try it and see how your body reacts to it. I personally have been giving myself one day a week, ushally fri. night or Sat., to have one meal that would be high in calories. But at the same time I plan for it....so I would have 2 small meals and one meal that was really high in calories. Then at the end of the day I am still close to my goal, but feel like I really got a treat. Everyone's going to respond differently, for me it works and it may for you too. Good luck!
  • swimmchick87
    swimmchick87 Posts: 458 Member
    I have a "cheat meal" on Fridays. I usually end up going about 500- 800 calories above my normal allotment. I make sure it's only one meal and not a whole day, as a whole day could add up to 3-4 times my allotment! I would not recommend doing a deficit the next day, as that sounds like it could set you up for a binge-starve mode. It's best to go back to normal the next day and stick to your plan.
  • edmoulaison
    edmoulaison Posts: 36 Member
    bump for later...
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    I have a weekly splurge - "free day" - anything I want, and as much as I want.
    Breakfast and lunch.

    And monthly I have a whole day set aside for a total 24 hour food orgy.
    LOVE IT!

    This ^^ :) But instead of splurges I call them something with less guilt, "Refeeds" heheh.
    Wow, that actually sound scientific.
    MY NEW TERM!
  • walterld
    walterld Posts: 19
    weight watchers allows you to have 49 extra points a week. you can eat a few at a time or all at once. that equals to almost 2 days worth of food. so it must be ok to do that.
    they go more on a weekly deficit i think.
  • dr_tina
    dr_tina Posts: 225 Member
    Yes, from all I have read, the weekly deficit is more important than the daily.
  • chachita7
    chachita7 Posts: 996 Member
    I think I splurge every day - I can't restrict myself to a diet, I just eat in moderation no matter what it is I am eating - then again mfp recommended 1200 and I upped it to 1500, lol
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    I am not over weight by any means of the word, I am playing with that "last 5 pounds" that most women in their 40s struggle with. I have to splurge at the very minimum of once per month in order to trick my metabolism back to not being used to low calorie. I hate to admit it but I look forward to it then feel guilty the next day for some reason. But I have seen the value of the results first hand.
  • Allegi32
    Allegi32 Posts: 302 Member
    Not that I recommend doing it this way, but I used to do this by accident in college when I was anorexic. I ate very little all week and exercised like crazy, then went to visit a friend every weekend and ATE. I mean ATE. Giant steak & cheese calzones all to myself, ice cream, the works. Then back to my old ways the next day. And I lost a ton of weight.

    Now again, please don't take this as a recommendation to starve and binge. It was horribly unhealthy and I was very sick. However, a toned-down version of this is what I do now. I eat my calories every day, sometimes going a little over one day and a little under the next, and I have one day per week that I don't track, I eat what I want, etc. But I don't go so crazy that I can't "reset" myself the next day.

    I think it's important both physically and mentally to have that day. Physically it shocks your body and doesn't allow your body to get used to the lower calories and revs up your metabolism a little more. Mentally it helps me stay on track for the rest of the week, knowing that I get a day to eat those foods I'd been craving all week.

    YMMV, but why not try it and see how it works for you?
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