Saving calories for "that day"

I was curious to see if anybody else does this...

So my target daily calorie intake for my height and weight to lose one pound a week is 2100, however, I've been hitting 1900-2000 instead because I like to have one day a week where I have a "free meal".  I try to avoid making it a bingefest, but instead I just take the opportunity to go to one of my favorite resturants an order whatever I want, within reason. 

I was wondering if anybody else does this.  I know one unrestricted meal doesn't really affect my weight loss, but I feel better about it knowing that 3000-3300cal "off day" I am giving myself each week has already been accounted for in my week to week calorie intake. 

I'm using at as an attempt to control my binge eating, since I noticed telling myself "no sweets/fast food ever" was just making me crave it more, and I'm such an all or nothing person that I can't just have a little sweets each day, I want the whole banana split.  :P.  Having one dedicated day where I just enjoy that banana split is making the week a lot easier for me so far, and I've been binge free since I started!

That sounds totally reasonable...  My weight-loss intake is meant to be 1400-1500. I'll go with that and have 1700-1800 maybe one day at the weekend just so I have a little extra flexibility to enjoy a glass of wine or a meal out.  If your strategy is preventing you from overeating and you're losing weight steadily then it's a good one.  As you lose weight you may find you have to trim the 'day off' intake to be a little closer to the usual one but that's a bridge you cross when you come to it.

Good luck

Yes this is a strategy that has worked for me...I always allowed myself a "free treat meal" on a Saturday - a day when I didn't have to count calories ( I usually order Indian takeaway and whilst I choose "healthier" options it can be difficult to estimate calories. I also allow myself some beers or some wine on that day. I use Saturday morning ( the furthest point from my "treat meal" as my weigh in point..I found I couldn't handle the inevitable fluctuation in weight after my "treat meal" even though I knew that this was a blip that would smooth out after a few days.

You need "soul food" as well as "fuel"...and a "treat meal" gives you something to look forward to and helps keep you sane. Some also argue that it helps boost your metabolism as in effect you are doing a form of calorie cycling.

Just don't turn it into a "binge-fest" and you'll do just fine. My treat meal last night was a Chicken Tikka Karahi ( cooked without Ghee ), a wholemeal Tandoori ( baked ) Roti, boiled rice, followed by a weightwatchers ice cream. Later on I enjoyed some oat crackers with half fat cheese and a few glasses of Shiraz. It was thoroughly enjoyable and won't kill a diet one night a week.

Original Post by gi-jane:

  As you lose weight you may find you have to trim the 'day off' intake to be a little closer to the usual one but that's a bridge you cross when you come to it.

Thats so true but interestingly I found my body "self regulated" as my stomach shrank, and hence my appetite reduced. I simply couldn't eat as much food in one sitting as I used to be able to.

Kezza- The same thing happened to me, now I find that I no longer can eat a whole chinese take-out meal and now opt for the $3 special which offers me the taste and much less calories as my "cheat" meal.

...that is a good idea... I've never really thought about that technique before. That is encouraging, frokus. I'm like you - I can't have just half of the dessert, I need to have a whole thing.

And tasteless alternatives to something I really enjoy (like substituting okra for meat or something - just an example - I've never done that before, but you get what I mean) are just as much of a waste of calories. You have to enjoy your food!

I will try your approach. It's a great idea.

When I lost weight after my first child was born - I counted calories - but allowed myself a free day where I could eat what I wanted - back then it was easier for me to lose weight because I was young (19). I do not know if I will be able to do that this time around (11) years later! I think it does help because the rest of the week you are less likely to cheat if you know that at the end of the week you can eat that particular thing - and when you do a planned cheat you are less likely to make it into a feast -

This time around I plan to choose my one meal that I get to splurge on at the beginning of the week and that way it is still a treat, but planned out a little!!!

I think this is a great idea!  I used to have the Body For Life book.  Part of the diet was to have one cheat day a week.  I guess if a spacific diet plan has it in there, then why not every one else.

I do this too, so I don't feel like I'm totally depriving myself of foods I love.  For example, yesterday on Mother's Day, I'm sure I went about 1000 calories over my 1500 calorie/ day limit.  So this week instead of 1500 a day, I'm going to try and only eat 1300 a day to make up for the extra calories consumed on Sunday.  Then I don't suffer any guilt trips either.  Usually Fridays are my "free" day where I tell myself I can eat whatever I want since my family usually eats out for dinner; but actually I have found myself making healthier choices at the restaurants now and not wanting to eat really fatty foods.  Good luck!

Yes, I also do this most of the time but I do it more with alcohol rather than food. I usually try to keep track of my calories and on the weekends I'll allow myself a glass of wine (or a few) or maybe a few beers (MGD 64 is great for staying within my calorie limit). Although it sounds great in theory, this method of doing it with food doesn't really work for me because I usually can't wait for the weekend to roll around so instead I allow myself a few bites of something that I'm craving and that usually satisfies me without me having to go overboard. I've also noticed that on the weekends as long as I don't go overboard with the alcohol my weight is not affected because I work out enough during the week to maintain. It sounds like this plan is working very well for you so if it ain't broke don't fix it and keep up the good work!

Yep I use this day for alcohol too, mainly because drinking usually loosens my ability to eat proper.  I don't use this as a "planned binge" though, like buying 3 bottles of wine and 2 tubs if icecream!  I usually get a 6pack and order a to-go from my favorite resturant, and then go home.  I don't keep much binge food in the house so I eat my meal and enjoy my beers and I'm good for another week!