Treat days! (not to be confused with "cheat days!")

[pbjenny]

Hi friends!

Right now I'm trying to feel more comfortable incorporating "treat meals" or "treat days" (not to be confused with "cheat meals / days".. which suggest guilty behavior). I'm just wondering what kind of training is best to do on days when I might be eating a surplus or calories / carbs. Is it better to doing cardio or strength training?

Thank you! and for those of you being effected by the snow storm, stay safe!

 

[Swimmer]

I don't think that treating yourself once a week requires that you try to "offset" the increased caloric intake, particularly if you eat healthy and exercising the rest of the week.

 

[nckfitheart2009]

Hi there,

Before kicking off the discussion, It would be helpful if you could clearly define what you call "treat day" how that day would be different compared to others!

 

[pbjenny]

You're good, nckfitheart2009! I should have clarified

For me a "treat day" might include a calorie surplus (currently eating 2300 calories a day... treat day might be anywhere from 2500 - 2800 ). I also eat primarily whole foods, so a treat day would include more processed and refined foods that are higher in carbs / fats. In other words, treat days are probably less protein than usual and more carbs.

Usually a treat day will only include on meal that's outside of my comfort zone, and I'm really trying to focus on eating as I normally do before the meal. I have a history of restrictive eating and used to starve myself all day leading up to a treat meal, which often lead to a binge. Not sure if that's relevant.. just thought I'd share

Thanks so much for all of your support!