alright, so if i'm planning on going out to eat on friday.....

okay, so tonight i was asked if i wanted to go out to dinner with a group of people friday night. so, i know that instead of my usually 1300 cal limit that day, i'll most likely end up eating around 1800 or 1900 (which is pretty much my maintain limit).

will this amount of calories on friday be alrigh tif i switch tuesday wednesday and thursday to like, 1100 cals + i workout on friday? i don't wanna screw up my weight loss for the week, but i'd like to be able to go out. (i'm not planning on limiting myself that greatly at dinner, i mean i'm nto going to go for anything crazy like deep fried - but i may venture away from the salad page on the menu is what i'm trying to say, lol.)

from what i understand, it's not your daily intake, but your total weekly intake that matters. so i think it's okay to restrict a few days before you plan to go over.. but why 1100? 1200 is the minimum calories (you probably already knew that though)

You'll probably be better off not restricting yourself to 1100 the next 3 days because that will just mean that you're starving when you get to the restaurant and are more likely to go past your maintenance calories.  I'd just eat your normal 1300 the next 3 days and then call friday a reward or cheat day and try to stay within your maintenance calories.  One day isn't going to significantly slow your weight loss.  Espcially if you stay within maintenance, but even if you go slightly over you'll still be fine.

thank you both. yeah, i did know the 1200 minimum, but iiii dunno. alright. 1800-1900 just seems like so high compared to lately - i haven't eaten out forreal in like a month and a half, haha. but thanks, this makes me feel better/more reassured.

well eating 1100 a couple days isn't going to kill you. if it's really what you want to do it's okay but, obviously, don't make a habit of it. actually eating 1800-1900 one day will shock your metabolism a bit, and if you eat 1300 again the next day (and drink lots of water to flush out excess sodium) you'll likely drop a pound.

I think either approach would work.

When I know I'm going out to eat, I'll either eat less during the day of the going out OR if I know it's likely I'll really end up blowing my calorie budget, I'll dial back my intake by say 100 to 150 calories for a few days AND dial back my eating slightly the day of the event.

Think of your calories just the way you think of your money. You have a budget so you need to plan how and where you want to spend those calories. When you are out, you are done eating :-)

alright. thank you so much again, ewwxroflzz. good info.

and thank you contrary, also. that's a very good way of thinking about it. :)

I look at it long term and have come to grips with the fact that I am not going to eat perfect every day. I am going to go out and have fun every once in a while and I deserve it. If you are in this for the long haul (lifestyle change) then go have fun. Don't go crazy but have a good time. You are doing the right thing and should be proud of yourself.

JMHO.

thanks very much jake. yeah, i guess i just have to realize it can't be perfect every single day (because i am in it for the 'long haul' :) ).