I have been stuck at 200.2 or so the past 4 days, and while that wouldn't normally drive me all that crazy, I am desperate to see the one hundreds on the scale and this is like torture for me. I am about to go out with a friend I haven't seen in months to olive garden. My calories for the day will be about 1800-2000 which is a little higher than normal. I am going to get 2 breadsticks, and cheese ravioli. I feel guilty already but I haven't had a cheat day in almost 2 weeks and that combined with being stuck at a bad place on the scale has got me going crazy. I heard having a bad meal every once in a while is okay, and sometimes even jump starts weight loss again?? Anyone heard this before? I may just be giving myself an excuse, cause I feel guilty. I have been working out every day too, should I work out again today? I was planning to. Thanks.

Sometimes you just need a cheat. It might put you in a better mental place, I know it does for me if I am seriously dying about it. The ravioli and breadsticks are pretty salty though, so I think if you do see your weight go up it would probably just be water. I can't imagine that 1800-2000 calories for one day would do any permenant harm to your progress.

If it makes you feel any better I was in a bad spot 3 weeks ago, I was sick with bronchitis, sick of my diet, and feeling sorry for myself. I hate half of a medium Pizza Hut pizza, a couple of breadsticks, and a couple cinnamon sticks. The next morning I was braced for a crushing blow to my weight, I was exactly the same as the day before. I'm obviously not promising you'll stay the same or lose weight, but eating things you feel are "bad" is not always a bad thing. I do believe in the calorie spike thing, though. I do it every Saturday and I've been losing an average of 2lbs a week.

Just stay positive!

I think changing up your calorie amounts can get your body out of a rut, so a larger than usual mean at olive garden could do it. Have fun at dinner with your friend and then jump back on plan tomorrow and push through the 200lb barrier. You can do it!

I heard that upping your cals can help you release water weight, which is why some people lose a couple lbs afterwards. It might happen, its never happened to me before, so if that doesn't happen do you, don't be discouraged. When your weight does budge, you'll be happy that you trudged through despite not seeing results.

Cheat meals always used to help me lose. I'd be really good for days and days, sometimes up to two weeks, and not have any progress. Then, after a cheat meal, my weight would usually be down a little by a day or two later. Not sure why it works, but it does (you just have to be good most of the time).

I'd say if you wanna eat ravioli and bread sticks.. go for it! But remember that once you eat your cheat meal, it's over.

Pack half of the ravioli away in a to go plate before beginning to eat and have one bread stick. While I do believe that cheat meals help weight loss ruts, I just think about how many calories are in food at restaurants. Also the fact that really those nutrition facts are just estimations. Could the cook have been heavy handed with olive oil in the sauce? etc.

After being stuck at 200.0 for 4 days..eating 2 breadsticks, soda, cheese ravioli, 2 chocolates, 2 mints, and a chocolate cake filled shot at olive garden, I am OFFICIALLY 199.6 today!!! I don't know how or why it worked but I hope I am not stuck here anymore!!

Yay! It often works! Just keep on track again though

Good to know that, thanks guys.

After Olive Garden, get yourself back to the basics, and stay off the scale a full week. That daily weighing will drive you crazy. Also, after OG, drink plenty of water to flush out the sodium.

Congrats! I'm so glad it worked out for you! =)