I just a had a HUGE gyro (and olives, and a dolma) for dinner, and I totally feel like I binged. Daily Plate tells me it's a 700-calorie sandwich - yikes! On the other hand, that puts me right around 1500 calories for the day. As long as I don't eat anything else today, I'm "within limits."

I've been doing this a lot lately - eating less than half of my daily calories before dinner time and then blowing the rest on things that I probably shouldn't be eating (Friday it was pizza, Saturday it was ice cream...you get the picture). Does anybody else do this?

Just needed to come clean. Even if I'm not going over calories, I know this is bad behavior that *could* lead to bigger, badder binges. It stops today.

YES. The first week I started work, I was bringing TINY lunches, and would eat like 800 calories before I got home (breakfast and lunch), and then have another 700 left for dinner, and I would eat it all really fast because I was so hungry from not eating enough during the day. I've started adding small snacks during the day (granola bars or fruit or whatever) so I'm never too hungry at any one point.

I think scheduling is part of the problem. I'm working very long weeks (50+ hours right now) and it's hard to plan meals. It's hard just to find time to EAT before dinner. Guess I need to stock up on some nutritious snacks!

I'm doing the calorie counting thing too. But I tend to only eat Lean Cuisines for several reasons. One they're quick and easy..just pop them in the microwave and I'm done. Two I like how they taste. And three they're filling. I also bring 100 calorie packs with me and granola bars (and watermelon if there is any good deals at the store). And then when I start to get hungry just pop one of those open. That way I'm not hungry throughout the day and I'm using up my daily calories a little at a time.

But as long as you're within your goal for the day, it's not so horrible to reward yourself every once in a while. Might I suggest a Lean Cuisine pizza (350 calories depending on the kind) or Flatbread sandwich? I know I sound like an advertisement for them, but seriously it's the foods that I love at a controled portion for way fewer calories than if i go to a pizza place. Which is why I'm suggesting it. Bc then you wouldn't be eating 1/2 your calories in one place, ya know? I'm not sure if this is helpful or not. But congrats on your sucess so far! You're doing awesome.

I do this too! I don't like breakfast so it ends up small-ish (200-300 cals). then a snack for lunch a couple hours later. Then some veggies. the a huge dinner! lol. Today was pizza... homemade delicious recipe I found!

Rachie - thanks for the suggestions! I can do Lean Cuisines as long as they're vegetarian (I'm not a vegetarian, but there's no meat allowed in my house). I'll definitely check out the pizzas.

Flutestar - at least you're eating veggies! I was SO good about eating them in the beginning, but my veggie intake has begun to taper off...

I just need to get my butt in gear and make time to make nutritious food. I don't want to undo my progress...

I too am guilty of this! Thank goodness I am not the only one, I feel guilty that I do this more often than I should. I have odd hours work nights only. Sometimes I don't even eat my complete daily calorie limit if I'm working and come home at 8am. Will this come back to haunt me later and I won't loose as much??

I'm a little worried that it might mess with my metabolism somehow, but then I also think it's calories in, calories out - if we're burning more than we're taking in, we should be losing weight.

I'm more concerned about the poor food choices I'm making, since part of this journey is about making sustainable, healthy dietary changes. I don't want to make a habit of eating junk food just because I've got calories to spend, ya know? It's not hard to imagine it spiraling out of control.

I'll be going to the grocery store tomorrow in search of quick, portable, healthy foods.

I'm not a big time calorie counter so I don't really know but have you checked Calorie Counters forum and see if anyone there may have some answer or advice...?

I often wondered about this topic, too. If I have the calories left for the day, especially at dinner, is it ok to eat the portion of pizza or a corn dog, etc? as long as I keep it within the correct portion size and don't overdo it, is it that detrimental? I mean, 1500 calories is 1500 calories, right? Somehow, the guilt overtakes me, but then I rationalize that it's ok because I totally had room for it and I've already worked out and had more than enough calories alloted for it. It's such a tricky situation...

Did you actually binge, or did you just eat the whole thing at one time and feel heavy and full afterwards? I think binging and overeating are essentially different, though they have some similarities. Imo, finishing off an entire sandwich isn't necessarily binging (even a 700 cal one), especially if you ate it because you were genuinely hungry and hadn't eaten so much earlier in the day.

But like you said, I'd agree that the concern here isn't so much how much or when you're eating, but rather what you're eating. I think probably some gyros are pretty healthy -- you have vegetables, protein, bread and dairy all in one plate. One the other hand, depending on how it's made, it could be terrible and very fattening. I would be more concerned with the ingredients than the calorie content.

I don't see a problem with this on occasion. I wouldn't suggest eating too little during the day so you can have pizza for dinner every night (but I'm sure that's not what you meant anyway, so...), but a calorie is a calorie, and you shouldn't feel guilty for treating yourself! Now if only I could take my own advice...

I do it sometime. I dont count calories so but I know when I eat something sweets or anything like that I feel like Im cheating but I dont feel bad about it because I think it helps me because I dont do it ALL the time. Once in a while is ok if you can control it but there was a time when I had no control and it was really bad...LOL

Swimming: Oh I totally don't make a habit of it! But, if I know that there's a dinner out on a weekend, or a trip to the bar or the BBQ, I'd rather prepare and partake, rather than deprive myself when I know it's still within my limits. Before, I was an uneducated eater- now I know better! I still can't help but feel a hint of guilt when it's not a boneless, skinless chicken breast:-0

If only we could all heed our own advice!!!!! I'd be amazing..hehe