My problem is that i have to eat a cheat-meal like every 10 days !!

Hello all: I can diet pretty strict for about 10 to 12 days, but then after 10 to 12 days of strict dieting eating green vegetables and chicken for lunch, a protein shake and fruits for dinner, I get sort of weak, down and without any motivation, so i would make like a big pancake at night, with syrup, butter, and snack on some fig-bars.  Then i would take some laxatives to burn those extra-calories.

Is there a way to avoid this so i could stick to my goal of losing weight and dieting without breaking my diet and falling off the wagon?

binge_eater

Honestly, from what I've read on these forums, and from my own experience, just about everybody has a day like that.  I don't think it's a big deal for most people, you just get on with it.  And as far as I know (and I might be wrong?), laxatives don't burn off calories, so you might want to rethink that part.  Just accept the special treat for what it is and don't stress on it.

Sweetie, I have a cheat DAY every week.

It helps me stay on track the other 90 percent of the time, gives me something to look forward to, and I'm still losing 1-2 lbs every week.

If you're body is telling you you aren't getting enough calories, (i.e. you're feeling run-down) you should listen. You might need to up your calories, over-all, and remember: a cheat meal every now and then is not going to ruin or even slow-down your weight loss goals, if you're being realistic about them.

Good luck with this!!

Your best bet is to allow yourself some more "decadent" things all through the week so that you don't feel so deprived.  "Decadent" doesn't have to mean bad for you.  It can be as simple as half an avocado.  The fat is healthy fat, and they're full of fibre and vitamins, and you'll feel mentally more satisfied from the fat.  Similar are nuts.  Unsalted, dry roasted nuts will provide you with necessary fat, while giving you a nutritional boost.  For something sweet, try dried figs or raisins.  If you want a dry, crunchy snack, roasted chickpeas are a filling, guilt free indulgence that can be cooked with any seasoning of your choice.

If you're feeling run-down, this might mean you're not eating enough calories. Are you currently losing weight? Because if you're not (but you're trying to) you need to up your calories by a few hundred gradually.

Hello: u mean that i could add 200 extra calories of protein and good carbohydrates to my day in order to feel more energized and not so deprived? coz i really think that one of the reasons of why i am so weak is that i train with heavy weights doing between 3 repetions and 10 repetitions combined with a very low calorie diet, and 50 minutes of walking around my house, 5 to 6 days a week.

I train at home because i am antisocial, i own a home-gym and i walk around my house.  I do get so bored and depressed because i think that my diet is too low in calorie

 

 

 

 

Original Post by icat_7:

If you're feeling run-down, this might mean you're not eating enough calories. Are you currently losing weight? Because if you're not (but you're trying to) you need to up your calories by a few hundred gradually.

Ok how many calories are you consuming and what are your stats?

Hello: this is what my diet looks like

Breakfast:

A protein pancake:

1 scoop of whey protein powder, 1/2 cup of egg beaters, 1/2 cup of water: 160 calories

Lunch: green vegetables, 8 oz of baked chicken: 450 calories

Dinner: a whey protein shake with 2 scoops of whey protein powder, 1 cup of milk.  3 apples: 550 calories

My diet has about: 1210 calorie

 

 

Original Post by icat_7:

Ok how many calories are you consuming and what are your stats?

Wow this is nowhere near enough! Certainly not enough for weight loss! Sounds like your body is in starvation mode, where it holds onto fat "just in case." Sorry if you're tired of them, but I have a few more questions to ask.  1) How tall are you and are you male?  2) Are you trying to build a fair amount of muscle? Cuz you're eating loads of protein.  3) Do you exercise ofter?  4) How much weight are you looking to lose?

This should all determine how many calories you should be eating to maintain vs. how many you should have to lose weight. Also (which would be much easier) you can use this site's calorie calculator and see what it says.

Hi again: i eat high in protein because i lift weights, and i read that high protein diets increase glucagon levels, (The fat burning hormone) and a higher carb diet is not good, because it increases insulin levels (The fat storage hormone).  My diet is not really a low-carb diet, but it's like the zone. and South Beach.  However i don't eat starchy-carbohydrates, my carbohydrates come from green vegetables and apples.

By the way i am 6'1" and 175 lbs. My goal is 158 lbs.

I haven't worked it out but 175 at 6'1" sounds pretty perfect and 158 on the low side. And 1210 cals definitely isn't enough. Have you used the calculator to work out how much you should be eating?

I allow myself one meal out of one day of the week where I can splurge and eat whatever I have been craving.  I'm very serious about my weight loss and have maintained an 85 pound loss while still allowing myself this guilty pleasure. 

Right go to http://www.phord.com/cc/ I've done it roughly for you but you need about 2000 calories a day. This will get you losing 1 to 2 lbs a week.

Original Post by binge_eater:

Hi again: i eat high in protein because i lift weights, and i read that high protein diets increase glucagon levels, (The fat burning hormone) and a higher carb diet is not good, because it increases insulin levels (The fat storage hormone).  My diet is not really a low-carb diet, but it's like the zone. and South Beach.  However i don't eat starchy-carbohydrates, my carbohydrates come from green vegetables and apples.

By the way i am 6'1" and 175 lbs. My goal is 158 lbs.

 

 I eat a cheat meal every week. 

...and you are NOT eating enough.

Original Post by binge_eater:

Hi again: i eat high in protein because i lift weights, and i read that high protein diets increase glucagon levels, (The fat burning hormone) and a higher carb diet is not good, because it increases insulin levels (The fat storage hormone).  My diet is not really a low-carb diet, but it's like the zone. and South Beach.  However i don't eat starchy-carbohydrates, my carbohydrates come from green vegetables and apples.

By the way i am 6'1" and 175 lbs. My goal is 158 lbs.

 

 Wow a guy like you needs at least 2,000 a day. What got you down to 1,200? Plus, you probably don't need quite as much protein as you think, and your body can only process so much at one time.

what makes you think that laxatives "burn calories?"  All a laxitive does is empty your bowels.  If you take laxatives when you are not constipated, you risk damaging your intestinal tract, throwing off your electrolyte balance (can be fatal) and ruining your health for good.  So stop using laxatives and educate yourself about good nutrition, as many have advised you already.

Eat more.  No wonder you crave pancakes - you are starving to death!

Original Post by binge_eater:

Hi again: i eat high in protein because i lift weights, and i read that high protein diets increase glucagon levels, (The fat burning hormone) and a higher carb diet is not good, because it increases insulin levels (The fat storage hormone).  My diet is not really a low-carb diet, but it's like the zone. and South Beach.  However i don't eat starchy-carbohydrates, my carbohydrates come from green vegetables and apples.

By the way i am 6'1" and 175 lbs. My goal is 158 lbs.

 

You are not eating high in protein, at your size 1200 calories is not enough, no matter where you get the calories from.  I got down to 158 eating 1800 and I am half a foot shorter than you.

Use the tools on this site to find out what a good wieght for you is and how much you should be eating.

You're depriving your body and your body is responding.

As a man, you should be eating no less than 1,500 calories - and that's if you sat around on the couch not moving.

I'm going to agree with the other posters and say up your intake to 2,000 calories. You might see some initial gain, but in the long run, it's better for your body. When you starve yourself, your body starts breaking down essential muscle and tissue.

your not a binge eater, you just have cravings- totally normal. you do need to eat more, but dont sweat that pancake even a drop cos your body needs it. i verymuch doubt that it sets you back what-so-ever. allow yourself more food and more cheat meals. if pancakes are a weakness fr you think about having pancakes on sunday mornings or something. if you have it in the morning you can still burn off those carbs, and you can certainly treat yourself once a weak. and ya, laxatives arent goingto do anything for you but empty your bowels, which is not a real weight loss, just temporary and its not a healthy habit either.

HELLO ALL: Sorry for my delay in answering this post.  What i will do is that i will eat break from my diet on saturdays by eating a pancake, with some butter and sugar-free syrup.  Instead of dieting strict, for weeks and then getting all crazy, weak and desperate and pigging out.  Which is counter productive and not very rational.  Because dieting strict for so many days is just too hard, too exhausting and leads to boredom.   So i will have that little treat on saturdays which is a lot better than pigging out on 5000 calories of junk fattening food

Make sure you up your caloric intake too!

Mrs. Buttersworth sugar free is 35 calories per 2 T and Kashi's waffles are really good for you!