Have I ruined everything going nuts on junk food lately?

Ugh.  I have eaten like pure CRAP for 2 weeks now.  In the last week I had McDonalds twice and pizza on another day.  The week before I had chinese takeout and mexican food.  While I'm staying within my alloted calories for the day, eating this junk has to make me gain weight, right?  You just can't eat a Big Mac and Fries and think that going to the gym will negate that, right?

I'm really upset with myself.  I know it's because I've entered that phase in anyone who starts a weight loss journey's life when you get all excited and do great at first, eating great and overexercising, then you burn out and go back to old habits.  I'm still going to the gym about 3 times a week, but I can't help but feel like these horrible foods I've been eating are ruining what progress I've made so far.

How do I get back into the swing of things?

I think you're all good. Calories are calories - it might be harder to get to the gym with the fat content in the Big Mac, but that's just an energy thing - which it sounds like you've got under control. I've been doing Chicken and Broccoli from the local Chinese place probably 3 times per week, and we eat pizza at least once or twice a week at home, and it's worked out fine for me - I've consistently lost 1-2 pounds per week. I wouldn't sweat it - I told myself I wouldn't freak out about what I was eating, and just generally want to be healthier, so I think working in my favorites into the calorie allowance is a big part of making that happen long term.

That being said, I've never had the scale go down the day after those salt-fests . But it still consistently comes off, whether or not I eat Chinese and pizza or whole wheat bread and turkey breast. The trick is to eat it in moderation (do you really want all that rice), and keep in your overall calorie budget.

Girl, I knooow how you feel.  This week has been a bad week for me too.  I do well in the mornings, only to ruin it in the noontime.  This week I've had about five slices of pizza in a night, and last night I went crazy with pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread) it was only fifty cents! Then we went out for Indian food, and had the late night munchies and went out to 7/11 and bought lots of sugary snacks. Anyway, yes we did bad this week.  But you know what? We have to continue and keep going.  We need to be serious about this, it does feel good to see progress but if this track continues, all of the progress would be for nothing.

Just don't go overboard (like I did) and choose healthier options whenever you can.  Eat your junk food once in a while, maybe once a week if you really need it but whenever you see those jalepeno popper just remember how hard it was to get your butt to the gym on some days, and how some things can negate that. :] You can do it!

If you are staying within your daily calorie limit, you won't gain weight.

That said, You must've eaten very little the rest of the day in order to eat those foods, because a big mac and medium fries contains 930 calories! Try to remember to spread your calories out throughout the day to keep your metabolism steady.

I ate really bad last week too, and I went to the grocery store yesterday and bought some fresh veggies and healthy ingredients so that I can start making dinner at home again. Shopping always makes me get enthusiastic about cooking when I'm in a rut.

Its hard to resist delicious take-out, but it's never too late to make a change and jump back on the bandwagon! You haven't ruined everything, just try to get back on track so you don't have to start all over again.

Original Post by eatlessmovemore:

 

I think you're all good. Calories are calories - it might be harder to get to the gym with the fat content in the Big Mac, but that's just an energy thing - which it sounds like you've got under control. I've been doing Chicken and Broccoli from the local Chinese place probably 3 times per week, and we eat pizza at least once or twice a week at home, and it's worked out fine for me - I've consistently lost 1-2 pounds per week. I wouldn't sweat it - I told myself I wouldn't freak out about what I was eating, and just generally want to be healthier, so I think working in my favorites into the calorie allowance is a big part of making that happen long term.

That being said, I've never had the scale go down the day after those salt-fests . But it still consistently comes off, whether or not I eat Chinese and pizza or whole wheat bread and turkey breast. The trick is to eat it in moderation (do you really want all that rice), and keep in your overall calorie budget.

 I disagree. The way in which your body processes different calories absolutely affects the way they are burnt or stored. Fat, especially saturated and trans fats, are extremely difficult for the body to process, but are incredibly easily stored in adipose tissue. Protein on the other hand require 30% of its calorie content just to be digested.

To the OP: remember these two sayings:

"You are what you eat" and

"Nothing tastes as good as being healthy and lean feels"

Allow yourself ONE cheat meal per week so you don't go utterly insane.

If nothing else, feel sorry for the 1000 cows that were involved in the making of your Big Mac.

I'm right with you...like rowing in the same boat.  I hope I havent erased all my progress.

We are sailing in same boat.......dont worry its a past now and today is a new day .

Well, I know how you are feeling...kind of. I usually allow myself one or two not so healthy options during the weekends as long as they fit into my calories. However, I am not losing weight! I do so good all week long, cardio 5 times a week, I weigh and measure EVERYTHING and eat between 1300-1700 calories a day and still, no luck. All my food choices during the week are good, lower calorie low fat, high fiber foods. I am beginning to wonder what the point of trying is. I have been at this about a month. At first I thought I was losing weight, cause that's what my scale was telling me, but now it's registering that I actually GAINED 3 pounds!...what is a girl to do? GRRRRRR...

Don't worry Biscuitmcnally, your not going to wake up obesed for your slip up.

Boy, I do have to say, some of the comments are hilarious and I believe laughing is definitely healthy.  Seems like everyone has an opinion, because we can all relate to this moment of weakness, especially once you start to see your truimp.  But to answer your question, I either binge or endulge in bad food almost every wknd (the only time I take a break from CC).  I have done this for a couple of wknds.  I can only tell you how it affects me.  I won't gain (like you I incorporate it in my calorie intake) but I don't lose either and I end of killing myself in the gym on Monday as a punishment.  No more.  I think you should promise yourself to do all that you can not to go on one of your binges.  Summer is right around the corner!!  Or better yet, I dare you eat that Big Mac standing Naked in front of the mirror. lol!!! If that don't to deter you, nothing can. (Not that we know what u must look like naked). 

P.S.  How can anyone consume McDonalds/Burger King meat.  What the hell is in that meat?? Once u find out, trust you won't want to eat there again, missy. 

Good Luck!