One thing to keep in mind is that 2 days of binging in the grand scheme of
life is not gonna destroy you.  Afterall, I'm sure you'll end up going to
parties, events or other things that will also give you the opportunity to
eat and drink and consume that many calories again.

But, learning to control eating and cravings will help you out in the long
run.  Make today a fresh sstart and get back to your 1800 calories.   Drink
extra water to help with the retention.

If nuts and cheese are a weakness for you, don't have them around.   Only
buy portions of the stuff that you would normally be allowed to eat.   But,
allowing yourself he occasional indulgance of your favorite foods might save
you in the long run.

Some people cannot handle certain trigger foods and make part of their
lifetime WOE to keep those foods out.   Period, end of story.    My sister
swore off sugary sweet foods 6 yrs ago when she lost weigt and hasn't had a
brownie, cookie, candy, cake or icecream since, not even stuff made with
splenda.   As she knows that even a bite of the stuff might cause her to go
back to eating it.   That is what has worked best for her.

For me, I have learned that moderation is best.   I can still have my
sweets.   I try to only have dessert a couple nights a week - not every
night.   I try to stick to my normal woe week in and week out.   But a few
weeks back while I was on vacation - forget it - I didn't stress, I didn't
worry, I ate what I wanted.   When I returned I had a 2lb bloat gain that
went away in a few days.  After getting back on track I actually found I'd
lost a pound.

For me the occasional slipup for a day or few actually helps in the long
run.  It renews my vigor for weight loss and all goes well.

But the trick is to stop the eating and get back on track.   Afterall - if
you stick to the heavy eating you know you will gain the weight back.

Find what works for you and stick with it.

Jake, cheese is my downfall, also. Unlike sweet stuff, it is one thing
that I do want to eat and it always makes me gain weight, for reasons
that I do not understand.

Are you slim at this point?

i

You're right, it's only two days. Also, 2100 calories isn't really a
binge in terms of excessive food, especially if your normal intake is
1800. So really, you had one day where you might have completely fallen
off the wagon. Maybe you were tired or lacking some nutrient the nuts
and cheese have.

I'm not sure how to help you with cravings because everyone is
different, as jay was saying. When I have serious cravings, I try to
give into them (I mean eat a small-moderate amount of what I want, like
1/2 cup of ice cream, or go out to maybe buy the one thing I've wanted,
like a bagel, or whatever). But I think you mean you've had the craving
to *overeat* them, right? Maybe the best way to fend off cravings to
'binge' on nuts and cheese is to not worry that it might happen or that
you can't have more than one serving or whatever. Take a handful and a
slice, put them back, and if after 20 minutes you're still hungry, eat
another serving or eat something else that's healthy. Honestly, I think
the key is just to NOT WORRY or play mind-games with yourself-- trust
yourself and your body. Just eat what you want, but at the same time be
completely aware of your hunger-full feelings. Maybe don't count the
calories as an exact science (I'm trying to get away from that myself,
as it's causing me to play mind-games). Just know how much a handful of
nuts is, or a slice or two of cheese. Eat them slow, etc.

Jake,

I go through exactly the same thing. But what I find works best for me
is out of sight out of mind. If I dont have it in the house I dont eat it.

I dont know what your stats are but 1800 might be a tad on the low side.
   2100 sounds more like what I eat but I also exercise a lot. And I
like my food :)

k