Do You Have Treat Days? Yes Or No?

DropItLikeItsHotx

Do They Un Do Everything You Have Done Or Do They Ramp Up Your Metabolism??

elphie754

For me, treat days turn into treat weeks which turn into treat months etc. I just try to fit "treats" into my daily calorie allowance.

Sued0nim

Gosh, how much effort did it take you to capitalise every first letter

No, I don't have treat days - every day I have calories to eat what you might consider 'treats' though .. meaning I work what I like to eat into my calories - I don't believe in deprivation diets

For example yesterday I had a packet of Quavers and a Crunchie Blast Ice Cream which accounted for 300 of my calories (my MFP base allowance is 1560 plus I gained an extra 400 with a training session .. 550 by HRM but I knock it down)

Tomorrow I shall be having Cava for around 2-300 calories

When I have more willpower I might eat a little less to fund the days when I have more

Today I am going to the gym for an extra session to boost my weekly average calorie allowance as my consumption this week has not left me enough calories for both Friday night out and Sunday lunch with friends (been PMT starving)

cincysweetheart

I have days where I allow myself to eat whatever I want in moderation without weighing and measuring or counting… if that's what you are referring to. But that ends up being maybe 4 days a year. Otherwise… I fit treats into my daily calorie goal. I've managed to lose 135 pounds still eating chocolate, ice cream, brownies, etc.

Laurend224

I eat treats every day. I work them into my diet and account for them. They don't undo anything because I log them, and this is how I plan on eating for the rest of my life.

maddyk91

nope. i don't get why those are seen as a thing... treat days = binging... which is super unhealthy in the first place and on top of that, they make me feel guilty. i just work treats into my daily calorie goal and that knocks out the craving to binge for a full flippin' day.

callsitlikeiseeit

elphie754 wrote: »

For me, treat days turn into treat weeks which turn into treat months etc. I just try to fit "treats" into my daily calorie allowance.

that's why i dont do it. i eat what i want, i just plan for it. i dont feel bad when i do have a 'bad' day, because i know the next day will be better, but no, i dont deliberately give myself cheat days. Holidays, special occasions are a different story but are pretty few and far between most of the time. I'm going to a party Sunday and know I'm screwed food wise, but I'm not worrying about it. one day in a month of doing awesome isn't going to mess me up, and I'm going to the gym that morning and will take an extra walk Monday.

I'd rather save my 'cheat' days for stuff like that, that happens once a month or every two months, than a random day every week.

PeachyCarol

I treat myself every day to delicious food. I love to cook and make sure that what I eat is tasty. If I decide I want to eat something, I work it into my calories. There's nothing that ever gets undone if you plan and account for it.

E_Ashton

I agree last week was my treat week (accidentally) and it was hard to get back out of! Try and stick within your calories so maybe eat extra healthy with a few treats as well or go slightly over your limit - don't over do it because trust me it's so hard to get back out of and your will power diminishes a lot!

damiend1985

I wouldn't say it's wise to give yourself a treat day - instead if a social event comes up, take it as a chance to loosen the rules a little - for the sake of sanity its worth giving the regime a night off - just be wise to get back on it again the next day

Substance over form - its the same idea - but you're not actively sitting waiting to treat yourself!

Live life, have fun - health and fitness is all about working towards a better lifestyle - a lifestyle of chicken and brown rice ain't for me!

tracie999

I'm following Chris Powells carb cycling which every saturday i can have a guilt free day, most days i have between 1200 - 1500 cals but on saturday i can have up to 2500 cals. works for me so far lost 66lbs.

zoe_mfp

No, but I have days when I eat something I shouldnt and call it a "treat day"

scottacular

Yes, Christmas day, my birthday and Easter. Usually I fit something into my macros as and when I feel like.

cw106

no.never.

NoelFigart1

I'm totally into whether or not food fits my calories. My exception to that is Traditional Feast Days. (Thanksgiving, Christmas...) Even by the most generous count, there's only eight or ten in most cultures.

But if I have an extra 79 calories floating around, hell YEAH, I'm going to have a Lindt truffle! If it fits my calories, it's part of my diet.

malibu927

Every day I fit a treat into my calories

kristen6350

I've been here for 51 days, lost 8lbs, 2lbs from goal. I've had 1 day where I didn't log, but more than likely didn't go over. Tomorrow my BF and I are doing a Beer Fest for his birthday, we got the highest level tickets that provides food. I'm not logging the entire day. Not worth it. I'll be back to normal on Saturday. Oh, and this past Sat - Tue this week I've been about 400+ calories under since I was sick, so I consider that banked calories.

Other days, the non-special ones in between, you better bet I'll log. And I'll be under my goal. What's why I'm here.

Liftng4Lis

I have a treat everyday!

RaspberryTickleChicken

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

I have a treat everyday!

+1

I am eating a variation of the 80/20 method (90/10 for me) and regular indulgence is built in because it is simply humanly impossible to eat on target 100% of the time. I have been able to maintain w/relative ease going on 2 yrs now.

Having said that when I 'indulge' I portion out ONE serving of whatever it is. I NEVER grab the entire bag and sit down somewhere and mindlessly go to town on it. THAT is not the kind of indulgence I'm referring to. lol

If you indulge within reason (portion size) then you should be fine because the alternative of self deprivation is binging.

Best of luck to you.

julieannmcgeever

Sorry I don't have a pic yet. Yes I eat treats and work them into my count for the day or work it off. It is really nice to see others like myself here where a diet should be about quality of food and life and not always feeling low because you are doing with out.

llUndecidedll

Honestly every day is like a treat day because I pretty much eat what I want. I rather sweat and die than be deprived of food.

runnerchick69

I have a day off every week I've kept all this weight off for several years by eating in moderation and eating healthy most of the time. Once a week I get a break where I don't log calories and I eat what I want. It gives me a great boost and sets me up for success throughout the week. What I have seen personally is those that stick to a stringent diet and never allow themselves to step outside that box will eventually give in and when they do it won't be one donut, it will be one dozen. I had to learn some of this the hard way but these kind of failures were a good thing because I learned so much from each one!

jenilla1

I don't do treat days because I don't need to. I eat whatever I want within calories, so there's no need to treat or cheat or any of that other stuff.

I don't log on major holidays (because it's really only a few days out of a whole year and it's a pain to try and figure out what's in all the stuff other people are cooking) but I wouldn't consider that a treat day. It's not like I go hog wild on those days - I just don't happen to bother logging. I've been on maintenance at goal weight for almost 4 years now, so I must be doing something right.

But I have known plenty of people who do fine with treat days. Others feel like cheat days encourage their tendency to over-restrict and then binge. Try it and see. Do what works for you.

SingRunTing

Every once in a blue moon I'll have a "zero counting all bets are off day" for special occasions like my birthday or what I consider major holidays (Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, to name a few). It's less than one day a month that this happens.

Sometimes if a special event comes up (like my work Christmas party or the Superbowl this weekend since the Patriots are in it & I'm going to a party), I won't do a "cheat" day, but a "cheat" meal. I'll eat light for breakfast & lunch (leaving ~1000 calories for later) and will eat without tracking for that meal. But I still keep tabs on myself and don't binge. It's usually one serving of stuff (including dessert) and that's it. Even if I wanted to, I can't actually eat that much in one meal anymore. I don't do this often (I only did it once last year for my work party & I've been tracking since May) and it's only for special occasions that I really don't want to stress over tracking. Most of the time I will still track (family bdays, out to eat, etc. I still track) and will stick to my calorie goal if possible, but don't freak out if I go up to maintenance.

Other than that, I fit treats into my life on a daily basis. I save enough calories on most days to have a treat in the evening when I watch tv. Usually one serving of ice cream, chips, or some candy (still working through my Christmas candy right now).

Basically, I don't believe in the weekly "cheat" meals/days that some people do. Some people who keep large deficits and can't eat that much in one go have success with it, but I think most people can do too much damage (eat too many calories) and will wipe out their deficit. I think the better approach is to work it in when you can during your "normal" life. I also believe in living life even when trying to lose weight and on super special occasions (like big holidays) you should be able to let loose a little more. But, these special occasions should be decided on in advance (not "oh well, I've blown it today. I'm going to make this a special day!") and should be a handful of times throughout the year.

Revonue

I don't see the harm in having a meal at a restaurant that doesn't fit into your daily deficit, or whatever floats your boat. There's no need to binge completely- that's obviously not very helpful. However, it's probably best to have these types of days only once or twice a month. I've been known to have a day like this once a week, but I stopped treating it as a one-meal indulgence and more as a free-for-all, so I'm on a strict deficit and then I'm limiting myself to twice a month.

However, I still lost weight even with the once-a-week indulgences. You go with whatever makes you happy

softblondechick

When I started my diet, I decided Valentines would be my "treat" weekend. But now, I am doing so well, I just don't want the momentum ended. Having a large fancy meal with dessert just is not even appealing to me any longer.

But, I might eat a few extra dark chocolates, just for health reasons...of course.

GoingBrowntown

I don't have treat days on any kind of regular basis, but I did take time off for my recent birthday weekend. It was kind of a test for me to see if I could easily slip back in to the diet plan on Monday - I managed it and I've never really been able to take a break and return to my plan before. So I feel good about it and have no regrets. Not something I'd do on a regular basis though - kind of contradicts the 'not a diet, this is a lifestyle' ethos.

I'm looking for new motivation buddies at the moment, so if anyone wishes to add me they're very welcome

qpmomma1

For me what I have found is if I tell myself I cannot have something and then I crave it it will be all I will think about. I will obsess over it! What I am doing now is if I crave something I will let myself have it. This morning I was craving a chicken biscuit from Chick-Fil-A, so I went and got one. I just got the sandwich though, no drink, no hashbrowns. I got my "fix" and I didn't ruin my day and I don't feel guilty.

earlnabby

I do not have treat days. I do, however have the occasional day where I overeat, but I do not plan for it. I plan the best I can for special occasions like holidays, birthday dinners, book club (those nasty little M&M's are always calling out with that siren song) and don't sweat it if I go over a little.

To me (and this is how MY mind works, not necessarily anyone else's) treat days or treat foods make it sound like you are having something illicit and makes the cravings for that food stronger. I would rather eat normally and work everything in to my macros, and accept the fact that I will sometimes not be able to control my impulses but work with that.

ruqayyahsmum

nope but if i want a bit of something and i have the calories for it then ill fit it into my day

KANGOOJUMPS

all weekend,, I work my butt off hard all week and eat well, but come weekend, ITS PARTY TIME!