Thanksgiving Recovery? page

[Primalsaber]

This is actually my first post on the MDA forums (I've lurked for months now) so let me intro this.

I'm currently 16 years old and I started a diet about 6-7 months ago. I was 174 pounds and very unhappy with my body at the time. Naturally, I asked my bodybuilder brother how to lose weight, and shortly went on my way doing a CW calories-in, calories-out diet. After losing about 10 pounds, I hit a pause in weight loss and looked for answers. My mother (who has been into Low-Carb style diets for a very long time) let me read her old copy of The Primal Blueprint. I burst through it in a few days and instantly converted to Primal living (barefoot walks in nature, Crossfit, Sprints, eating MEAT AND VEGGIES) and lost another 8 or so pounds in addition to many other health benefits. After about a month (and a stressful move), I had another pause in weight loss. It took me quite a few weeks to realize that I had to crack down on the carbs/fruit and incorporate extended I.F. eating habits. Well, I finally hit 149.8 lbs and 14.6% bodyfat yesterday, and this went along perfectly with my plan to start "bulking" up after Thanksgiving (even if I can do many more dips now, my bench press is lower than it was in the fat days).

Last night, however, I was out with family and binged on McDonald's, Cookies, Peanut M&M's, the works. This morning, I had a several thousand calorie carb-fest and will do so again shortly (for the actual Thanksgiving meal - the entire family is NOT Primal). My question is this:

What is the best way to recover from this all? I was considering doing an extended fast (24-48 Hours, seeing as I'll have consumed around 10,000 Calories today) but don't want to do so if it's not the right thing to do. Obviously I'd like to lose.... SOME of what I'm about to gain, but I don't want to obsess over it for days. Several members of my family already think I have some kind of eating disorder as it is. Any advice on how to recover from extreme binges?

Thanks in advance.
-Matthew (Grok On!)

[Troglodyte]

First of all, you need to be realistic. There will be pitfalls. If I consumed the stuff you ate, I would get ill from it. If you tolerate it, that says a lot about your state-for instance, you are probably far from *clean*. Just dig back in-don't obsess and learn from it. it's all a day to day thing. We move forward.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

I say eat, sleep, and be merry! Get right back on the horse tomorrow and enjoy today. Life's too short to feel guilty about delicious food. If you're really concerned, have a keto day tomorrow, but for pete's sake! Relax. You're 16, bro. Live it up. Your metabolism is probably faster than a jack rabbit on speed. Enjoy this quality time with your family and friends

[sbhikes]

If you need to bulk up, a 10000 calorie day might just help. You could fast tomorrow if you are feeling uncomfortable or you could just forget about it and carry on with your primal ways.

[Primalsaber]

Thanks for the quick responses! I guess I kind of knew this stuff on the inside, I just needed to have this affirmation. And as for the "clean" part, yeah.... I don't exactly have THE most Primal lifestyle. My parents have to feed several kids and while we're not poor, I can't see ever being able to eat organic everything/frequently have varied meals. For monetary purposes (and we don't have a grill) 90% of my diet for about two weeks has been eggs, so I've really been feeling the lack of vitamins/nutrients from veggies and fruit. I can't wait to get back into a normal eating pattern. Anyways, Thanks again, and happy Thanksgiving!

[Drumroll]

I'll be on vacation until Monday with family, so fasting will be tough for me. I do plan on skipping breakfast and lunch and keeping as primal as POSSIBLE (might not be very) with my dinner tomorrow.

When I get home on Monday evening I will be starting a 48-56 hour fast to get the crap out of my system and then resuming the primal eating. Just my personal plan. If you're in a bulking phase though, you are probably ok as long as you go back to your primal eating habits as soon as you can. Just relax and go with the flow!

[Damiana]

My preferred method of recovering from a binge is to do my usual 22/2 fast and crazy amounts of cardio to work off the water bloating.

[Drumroll]

My preferred method of recovering from a binge is to do my usual 22/2 fast and crazy amounts of cardio to work off the water bloating.

Water bloating? Tea or yerba mate can help with that as well. As for everything else, I hear ya!

[counterpuncher]

I say eat, sleep, and be merry! Get right back on the horse tomorrow and enjoy today. Life's too short to feel guilty about delicious food. If you're really concerned, have a keto day tomorrow, but for pete's sake! Relax. You're 16, bro. Live it up. Your metabolism is probably faster than a jack rabbit on speed. Enjoy this quality time with your family and friends

Agree with this.
I boxed today, then we went to my mom's house, where I ate like a horse.
All primal, but lots of food.
Turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, mashed caulliflower, carrots, olives, ect...
3 Plates of food. Now you see it, now you don't. Haven't eaten that much in a long time, but it felt good to let loose for a change, and the boxing earlier today had me ready for some serious chow.
I felt a bit uncomfortable at first, but I feel pretty good now. Not hungry...not even close. No bloat or gas. Awesome.
Now I'm looking foward to a great night's sleep, lots of energy for a great day, and a killer workout tomorrow.

[reynoldrraine8]

So it might be helpful but it certainly isn't NECESSARY.