Well, it depends on your daily average. I cycle my calories, so although I eat 1700 some days, 2400 other days, and even have some 3000 calorie days, the average weekly total is 15,400 (which averages out to 2200 per day). So, when I dine out, I do eat an appetizer (usually a salad), an entree, and usually dessert if there is something that's worth having, so one fine dining meal might "cost" me 1700 or more calories, and with my Breakfast & Lunch calories added in, I usually exceed my 2200 calories. So, yes, I cut back the next day or on some day during the week. If I did not,then I would, of course, exceed my maintenance calories for the week and would eventually gain.
FWIW, I don't try to compare myself with others who don't/never have had a weight or eating issue. When I do that, I tend to get the "woe is me" attitude, which leads to consistent overeating and regaining. I know what I must do to maintain my weight, and that may be completely different from what "naturally thin" folks do, and that's okay. I know my limitations.
I've heard of calorie cycling working well - but me personally, I don't count calories anymore because it drove me nuts...so if I overeat at a restaurant, I usually make sure that I'm super good the next day. And sometimes the day after a big meal I'm not that hungry, so it works out. If it was like a late night meal, or a holiday dinner, etc, then for breakfast I'll probably go low on carbs and up the protein, and eat fiber throughout the day to get the junk moving through my system as well as keeping hydrated.
But really, the occasional restaurant dinner is not bad at all. It's actually good if you go over your usual calories once in awhile, as it jumps your metabolism a little. No worries :)
Original Post by elizajjane16:
Thank you! Maybe I will try cycling my calories- it sounds like it gives you a lot more freedom.
Yes, it does. If I didn't calorie cycle, I don't think I could keep the weight off.
Great! Planning ahead works for me. I usually know that I'll eat more on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so I try to be a bit stricter Monday thru Thursday.
I also don't want to always keep track in the calories that I intake. It make me upset whenever I fail my target calories. So I'll just concentrate more in eating healthy foods keeping my healthy lifestyle and avoid things that upsets me.
