Any wild 'Body for Life' Free Day binge stories?

sengseng74
sengseng74 Posts: 35 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hey, everyone!

One of the things I love about Body for Life is the "Free Day", where as long as you keep yourself in control during the week, you get one day to take a break and to enjoy the foods that got you into trouble to begin with.

I've heard a few stories in the past by people who have really gone off the deep end with their Free Day calorie consumption, and I thought this would make an interesting place to hear a few stories from MFP members who also enjoy comatosing themselves during their day off.

To kick it off, I used today (Saturday) as my Free Day, and from 2:30pm to 10pm at night, I was able to hammer down 3000 calories of sugars and fast foods that I refuse to touch during the week. Bill Phillips mentions that this one day "hall pass" helps a lot of people who are emotionally tied to eating, as it allows them to feel as if they are not withholding the pleasure of eating all sorts of foods, whether the foods are healthy or not.

I probably will get tired of binging as I start to notice that slamming my body with calories will bring on an uncomfortable "stuffed" feeling for the rest of the day. But I thought it could be interesting to hear what people are doing. I logged my foods for the day, if anyone is interested:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/sengratt?date=2012-05-19

-S

Replies

  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    I know a lot of people do this, but just I let myself have most of what I want during the week in small portions.
    And I am an emotional eater.

    I don't see the point of a binge day. If you're set to a calorie rate that allows you to lose 1.5 pounds a week, then eating 3000 calories on one day adds nearly a pound and negates most of your effort.
  • njmp
    njmp Posts: 277 Member
    I don't do Body for Life, but I do have "those days". I must say OP, I can put you to shame just this week, and I'm a 140lb female! 3000 is NOT a binge IMO...but the fact that you aren't overdoing it is an NSV of sorts!
    I logged over 4000 on Wednesday...normal breakfast, out for lunch and dinner +cocktails.
  • SmartAlec03211988
    SmartAlec03211988 Posts: 1,896 Member
    I do a free day every Saturday. I go buck wild, and then go right back to eating properly until the next Saturday.

    I ate 5115 calories today, and enjoyed it. Sunday through Friday I will stick to my 1760 limit, then do it all over.
  • sengseng74
    sengseng74 Posts: 35 Member
    Smantha, you make a good point, if you break calories down mathematically and make the assumption that the body is treating and metabolizing each calorie the same way, no matter whether you are eating properly during the week or stuffing your digestive tract within a 12 hour period.

    For some reason, if I eat 3500 calories in a day, I'll drop back down to my previous week's weight in about a day or two, depending on how much sodium I consumed during my binge (as too much sodium typically causes people to hold extra water weight).

    Perhaps Bill from BFL recognized this anomaly with the body, and made it a part of his program for that reason. And like you said, you know many who do binge once a week, and we still see examples of those who are still dropping down and/or maintaining their desired weight levels from 6 days of great, nutritious, balanced eating.

    But otherwise, you are right.. It would be pointless to eat great the entire week, shaving off 3000 calories, only to put it back on within 30 minutes from one "Viva La French Toast" dish from IHOP! (breakfast chain) :-)

    Thanks for your thoughts on that!
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    Smantha, you make a good point, if you break calories down mathematically and make the assumption that the body is treating and metabolizing each calorie the same way, no matter whether you are eating properly during the week or stuffing your digestive tract within a 12 hour period.

    For some reason, if I eat 3500 calories in a day, I'll drop back down to my previous week's weight in about a day or two, depending on how much sodium I consumed during my binge (as too much sodium typically causes people to hold extra water weight).

    Perhaps Bill from BFL recognized this anomaly with the body, and made it a part of his program for that reason. And like you said, you know many who do binge once a week, and we still see examples of those who are still dropping down and/or maintaining their desired weight levels from 6 days of great, nutritious, balanced eating.

    But otherwise, you are right.. It would be pointless to eat great the entire week, shaving off 3000 calories, only to put it back on within 30 minutes from one "Viva La French Toast" dish from IHOP! (breakfast chain) :-)

    Thanks for your thoughts on that!

    It doesn't work that way for me. :)
    If i binge I don't lose. I wish it did! :happy:
  • sengseng74
    sengseng74 Posts: 35 Member
    I just posted a blog entry about this topic... I find it really interesting, and I think there might be some points to make the argument that eating 3500 calories in one sitting does not mean you lose the 3500 calories you cut during the week.

    Give it a read if you have time, and let me know what you think. As I said at the bottom of the blog entry, I wrote it for fun, so I'm definitely not looking to start arguments or anything. Just some thoughtful banter for those who enjoy understanding our bodies.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/sengratt/view/3-serious-thoughts-on-one-day-binging-262149
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