What are your cheat day 'rules'?
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I think it's fun, so at least there's that.NotQuiteNorm wrote: »@svbrand It's all about how you wanna do it! I'm just curious and was dumb enough to think it would be fun to ask everyone for their personal version of it
clearly not
I can picture some of these people responding to a kid who says a cloud is a whale: "Why are you calling that a whale? That implies that it's a marine mammal. No. No. It's a mass of water vapor droplets condensed around seeds of some sort, typically dust particles."
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
Does having goosebumps also imply that you're a goose? Or is it just a term used to describe a commonly understood phenomenon in a shorthand rather than literal way?I don't cheat. If I want something, I work it into my calories. If I go over by going out to eat, I'll cut a bit off the next couple days. Cheating implies that I'm doing something I shouldn't.
If I want a burger, why should I tell myself "oh, no, you have to wait until cheat day" to have it? If I have the calories, I'll eat it. Granted, except fast food burgers, I rarely consume hamburgers anymore, but I'm not going to limit myself.0 -
I call it a refeed day, but I eat to maintenance. I usually eat 1650-1700 calories per day (currently cutting), but on Saturdays I eat 2000-2200. My rules are 1) hit at least 100 g protein and 250 g carbs, and 2) don't eat a single meal at home. Then on Sundays I'm back to my original macro goals (170c/57f/128p).
I don't call it a "cheat day" because I've always eaten more on weekends because I prefer it that way. I go by weekly goals rather that daily goals when it comes to calories, so I typically eat a little less during the work week so I can enjoy myself and eat out with my husband on weekends. It's worked for me so far - I've been under my original goal weight of 125 lbs since November.
While maintaining, I'll occasionally have a cheat weekend and there are no rules - IHOP and Outback are hard to fit into daily and/or weekly goals unless I plan to eat nothing else the whole weekend or order something off the "light" menu, and that isn't how I roll. Again, I've never gained weight from one of these weekends.
Oh, and calories don't count on holidays unless I'm doing a strict cut. Thanksgiving and Christmas are epic calorie intake days.0 -
Rules? Screw that. It's a cheat day dam it! (smile)0
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
Does having goosebumps also imply that you're a goose? Or is it just a term used to describe a commonly understood phenomenon in a shorthand rather than literal way?I don't cheat. If I want something, I work it into my calories. If I go over by going out to eat, I'll cut a bit off the next couple days. Cheating implies that I'm doing something I shouldn't.
If I want a burger, why should I tell myself "oh, no, you have to wait until cheat day" to have it? If I have the calories, I'll eat it. Granted, except fast food burgers, I rarely consume hamburgers anymore, but I'm not going to limit myself.
Call me crazy, but I find burgers fairly easy to fit into my calories. I'd never wait for a cheat day for a burger. A huge milkshake is much harder to squeeze in.0 -
I never claimed you should tell yourself that. Besides which, you beg the question with your "if I have the calories" caveat. I'd never have the calories for the kind of meals I'm talking about because that meal alone is more than my daily calorie total.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Does having goosebumps also imply that you're a goose? Or is it just a term used to describe a commonly understood phenomenon in a shorthand rather than literal way?I don't cheat. If I want something, I work it into my calories. If I go over by going out to eat, I'll cut a bit off the next couple days. Cheating implies that I'm doing something I shouldn't.
If I want a burger, why should I tell myself "oh, no, you have to wait until cheat day" to have it? If I have the calories, I'll eat it. Granted, except fast food burgers, I rarely consume hamburgers anymore, but I'm not going to limit myself.
However, since you bring it up, one reason I could think of would be that it would foster better planning of such meals and make it less likely to go careening off course with more spontaneous overeating. Another reason might be that planning and looking forward to a meal such as that might be part of the enjoyment of actually having it. Another might be that you determine that it just isn't worth the effort to try to fit in those extra calories, so you forego such meals.
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NotQuiteNorm wrote: »Jesus4Mayor wrote: »The guidelines I have for myself are to stay within my calorie goals and to have reasonable portion sizes. I eat whatever I feel like eating. I'm just reasonable about it.
Not having cheat day is fair enough if you like it that way
I decided on cheat days as I like to be able to eat 1/2 a rack of BBQ ribs in one sitting every once in a while without guilting myself about it, rather than having either 2 ribs and feel moreish or having the rack and possibly going hungry later! I have a binge problem too which I control better with little things. Like once a week I consciously let myself have a certain boundary of bigger portions or higher calorie foods that usually aren't worth it. This way I eat 500 or so extra calories rather than 2000!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it that way. I feel like I'm the crazy one reading threads where people swear they have ice cream daily only to look at their diaries and see it's a few tablespoons. Give me a pint or get the F off my obstacle!!!!!
I can't have one of some things. Nevermind chocolate - even on my cheat/treat/refeeds I try to have a 'chocolate covered biscuit' or something or it's just too morish and whoops! I eat the whole pack of bars!DeguelloTex wrote: »
Does having goosebumps also imply that you're a goose? Or is it just a term used to describe a commonly understood phenomenon in a shorthand rather than literal way?I don't cheat. If I want something, I work it into my calories. If I go over by going out to eat, I'll cut a bit off the next couple days. Cheating implies that I'm doing something I shouldn't.
If I want a burger, why should I tell myself "oh, no, you have to wait until cheat day" to have it? If I have the calories, I'll eat it. Granted, except fast food burgers, I rarely consume hamburgers anymore, but I'm not going to limit myself.
Cheat/treat/refeed days don't have to be scheduled really, I personally do as I have a problem controlling my binges! It's all about how you wanna do it!0 -
DeguelloTex wrote: »
I never claimed you should tell yourself that. Besides which, you beg the question with your "if I have the calories" caveat. I'd never have the calories for the kind of meals I'm talking about because that meal alone is more than my daily calorie total.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Does having goosebumps also imply that you're a goose? Or is it just a term used to describe a commonly understood phenomenon in a shorthand rather than literal way?I don't cheat. If I want something, I work it into my calories. If I go over by going out to eat, I'll cut a bit off the next couple days. Cheating implies that I'm doing something I shouldn't.
If I want a burger, why should I tell myself "oh, no, you have to wait until cheat day" to have it? If I have the calories, I'll eat it. Granted, except fast food burgers, I rarely consume hamburgers anymore, but I'm not going to limit myself.
However, since you bring it up, one reason I could think of would be that it would foster better planning of such meals and make it less likely to go careening off course with more spontaneous overeating. Another reason might be that planning and looking forward to a meal such as that might be part of the enjoyment of actually having it. Another might be that you determine that it just isn't worth the effort to try to fit in those extra calories, so you forego such meals.
These. You and I are on a wavelength.0 -
Everything in moderation0
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I dont have cheat days because I dont cheat. If i want to eat more than my alloted calorie allowance for the day thats fine. I accept it, log it and move on. I'm mindful of eating in excess so I tend to make sure i do extra exercise either before or after to minimise the impact, if any. The idea of cheating seems a bit immature to me, be a grown up take the hit and realise nothing comes for free. Deal with the consequences, log it and move on.0
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
I never claimed you should tell yourself that. Besides which, you beg the question with your "if I have the calories" caveat. I'd never have the calories for the kind of meals I'm talking about because that meal alone is more than my daily calorie total.DeguelloTex wrote: »
Does having goosebumps also imply that you're a goose? Or is it just a term used to describe a commonly understood phenomenon in a shorthand rather than literal way?I don't cheat. If I want something, I work it into my calories. If I go over by going out to eat, I'll cut a bit off the next couple days. Cheating implies that I'm doing something I shouldn't.
If I want a burger, why should I tell myself "oh, no, you have to wait until cheat day" to have it? If I have the calories, I'll eat it. Granted, except fast food burgers, I rarely consume hamburgers anymore, but I'm not going to limit myself.
However, since you bring it up, one reason I could think of would be that it would foster better planning of such meals and make it less likely to go careening off course with more spontaneous overeating. Another reason might be that planning and looking forward to a meal such as that might be part of the enjoyment of actually having it. Another might be that you determine that it just isn't worth the effort to try to fit in those extra calories, so you forego such meals.
Hell yeah. My typical meal at my favorite restaurants contain more than my maintenance calories. Appetizer, entree, and dessert - I go all out.
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I dont have cheat days because I dont cheat. If i want to eat more than my alloted calorie allowance for the day thats fine. I accept it, log it and move on. I'm mindful of eating in excess so I tend to make sure i do extra exercise either before or after to minimise the impact, if any. The idea of cheating seems a bit immature to me, be a grown up take the hit and realise nothing comes for free. Deal with the consequences, log it and move on.
Except that you're doing the exact same thing, only you just call it "day I went over and logged it". Cutting someone down for using a word you don't like seems immature to me. Also nasty.
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I allot myself two "days off" a month as I call them. No logging, no workouts and no limits. They are synced up with my ToM and that way I can give into the cravings a bit, not have to medicate to workout and give me something positive or fun during a not so fun time of the month.0
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I dont have cheat days because I dont cheat. If i want to eat more than my alloted calorie allowance for the day thats fine. I accept it, log it and move on. I'm mindful of eating in excess so I tend to make sure i do extra exercise either before or after to minimise the impact, if any. The idea of cheating seems a bit immature to me, be a grown up take the hit and realise nothing comes for free. Deal with the consequences, log it and move on.
I'd grow up, but I've been 4'9 since I was 13. So upset that my fun little way of making conversation has turned into 60% people just telling us that it's not okay to be a little immature (I personally think it's very grown up to work around the need for some extra cake) or say "Cheat" as just a metaphor/term even if it's widely accepted.
Personally if I didn't act so 'terribly immature' I think I'd revert to thinking of a diet as me sitting alone and dressing my salads with tears, haha!0 -
I don't really have a cheat day... for me that's like structuring a day where I will eat as much bad crappy stuff that I can get my hands on that day and I will EAT IT ALLLLLL!!!! muahhhhahhahahaaaa LOL I actually just eat what I want with better portion control than I did when I packed on the 100lbs in the first place I also try to stay within my calories, which isn't always the case with that being said I just make sure that I don't use that a reason to be out of control...I have learned to get out of the mind set of "well you are already over so the whole day/week/month/year is shot... LOL I went out last week and instead of eating dinner I had a few beers (ok maybe more than a few). Hungover the next morning or not I was back on schedule. I made my self a promise that no matter what I do I will not fall back into those bad habits... I will own it and move on! I owned those few too many beers and felt like *kitten* the whole day! 0
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My "rules" for my "cheat" day are as such:
-at or below maintenance
-not paying attention to macros in the least
- make sure I am in the green by my next weigh in
- Every Saturday
This arguing over semantics is ridiculous. I am a grown woman. I log every little morsel that goes in my mouth cheat day or not. I don't let it control me. It brings me happiness to know I can have more than 2 ounces of my parmesan pasta without doing an hr of exercise. My size pasta is more than my deficit. I call it a cheat because I dang well please all you snobs can go suck an egg.0 -
AmberSue09 wrote: »My "rules" for my "cheat" day are as such:
-at or below maintenance
-not paying attention to macros in the least
- make sure I am in the green by my next weigh in
- Every Saturday
This arguing over semantics is ridiculous. I am a grown woman. I log every little morsel that goes in my mouth cheat day or not. I don't let it control me. It brings me happiness to know I can have more than 2 ounces of my parmesan pasta without doing an hr of exercise. My size pasta is more than my deficit. I call it a cheat because I dang well please all you snobs can go suck an egg.
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AmberSue09 wrote: »My "rules" for my "cheat" day are as such:
-at or below maintenance
-not paying attention to macros in the least
- make sure I am in the green by my next weigh in
- Every Saturday
This arguing over semantics is ridiculous. I am a grown woman. I log every little morsel that goes in my mouth cheat day or not. I don't let it control me. It brings me happiness to know I can have more than 2 ounces of my parmesan pasta without doing an hr of exercise. My size pasta is more than my deficit. I call it a cheat because I dang well please all you snobs can go suck an egg.
Macros can bite my enormous slice of cake - oh wait, no, I already did! And via the arguing I know
I just wanted to have some fun, some food, and occasionally a happy meal 0 -
Except that you're doing the exact same thing, only you just call it "day I went over and logged it". Cutting someone down for using a word you don't like seems immature to me. Also nasty.
Not really because because I go and create the calories by burning them with exercise. I think the whole notion of cheating gives the idea of being naughty like a child and a lot of people use it to give them some form of special permission without accepting it has consequences. By all means go and scoff your extra meal, but if you havent earned it then accept the fact you are undermining your previous efforts and will be going backwards, which only cheats yourself.
If I go over in a day, then thats simply weighed against my exercise calories which put me substantially in deficit. Lol@ nasty people can do what they like. I just have a view on cheat meals and the excuses people make for having them.
Oh and going over by x amount of calories because you had an extra serving wouldnt really constitute a whole meal.0 -
My "cheat" days usually just involve me maxing to 1,400-1,500 calories instead of 1,200, but I make sure to do it on a day when I'm gyming.
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Only one rule. CICO
I do not have scheaduled or regular days where I deviate from my goals However I do occasionally have days where I add more body fat.
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Except that you're doing the exact same thing, only you just call it "day I went over and logged it". Cutting someone down for using a word you don't like seems immature to me. Also nasty.
Not really because because I go and create the calories by burning them with exercise. I think the whole notion of cheating gives the idea of being naughty like a child and a lot of people use it to give them some form of special permission without accepting it has consequences. By all means go and scoff your extra meal, but if you havent earned it then accept the fact you are undermining your previous efforts and will be going backwards, which only cheats yourself.
If I go over in a day, then thats simply weighed against my exercise calories which put me substantially in deficit. Lol@ nasty people can do what they like. I just have a view on cheat meals and the excuses people make for having them.
I eat below maintenance every time, but above my usual deficit goals so really I can't be going backward?
Are you saying that rather than finding a way that works for me which slows my weight loss a little, I should just do as you say and realistically be likely to quit completely because either I feel it's too exhausting (because I'm exercising every calorie into my deficit goals) or I'm too hungry or I am so hungry and deprived that I binge completely and recklessly???
Because I burn 600-900 calories every day (unless sick or unable) and I am pretty exhausted anyway!0 -
There are no rules. If I'm bad, I'm all in. Don't give a *kitten*, eat and drink whatever. Then I'm back to my normal routine the next day.0
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Except that you're doing the exact same thing, only you just call it "day I went over and logged it". Cutting someone down for using a word you don't like seems immature to me. Also nasty.
Not really because because I go and create the calories by burning them with exercise. I think the whole notion of cheating gives the idea of being naughty like a child and a lot of people use it to give them some form of special permission without accepting it has consequences. By all means go and scoff your extra meal, but if you havent earned it then accept the fact you are undermining your previous efforts and will be going backwards, which only cheats yourself.
If I go over in a day, then thats simply weighed against my exercise calories which put me substantially in deficit. Lol@ nasty people can do what they like. I just have a view on cheat meals and the excuses people make for having them.
Oh and going over by x amount of calories because you had an extra serving wouldnt really constitute a whole meal.
All OP is doing is picking a day and eating to maintenance instead of normal deficit. How is that going backwards or making an excuse or undermining her efforts or any of the things you've accused her of doing? Maybe some people enjoy feeling naughty. What's it to you?0 -
I dont have cheat days because I dont cheat. If i want to eat more than my alloted calorie allowance for the day thats fine. I accept it, log it and move on. I'm mindful of eating in excess so I tend to make sure i do extra exercise either before or after to minimise the impact, if any. The idea of cheating seems a bit immature to me, be a grown up take the hit and realise nothing comes for free. Deal with the consequences, log it and move on.
Except that you're doing the exact same thing, only you just call it "day I went over and logged it". Cutting someone down for using a word you don't like seems immature to me. Also nasty.
I disagree that it's the same thing... it seems like there are two distinct things going on - on one hand you have people who occasionally eat over their goal and maybe even over their maintenance calories and are OK with that; on the other are people that are 'planning' a regularly scheduled binge:DeguelloTex wrote: »I never claimed you should tell yourself that. Besides which, you beg the question with your "if I have the calories" caveat. I'd never have the calories for the kind of meals I'm talking about because that meal alone is more than my daily calorie total.
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This is the way I look at it. I got as big as I have ever been spending a lot of time feeling guilty for eating "bad" foods and "cheating". This led to eating more because I managed to depress myself to the point that eating even the slightest treat would send me in to a binge because I felt like I had already blown it. I realize that not everyone works this way, and calling something a "cheat" is commonly accepted. I have come to realize that there are no "bad" foods and it's not all or nothing anymore. Instead, most of the time, I eat under my calorie goal but I no longer feel bad if I go out and have it all. The next day, it's back to eating under my calorie goal again. Words have power if we give it to them, some people are ok with seeing a treat as a cheat, it doesn't effect them mentally, some like myself, aren't.0
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Except that you're doing the exact same thing, only you just call it "day I went over and logged it". Cutting someone down for using a word you don't like seems immature to me. Also nasty.
Not really because because I go and create the calories by burning them with exercise. I think the whole notion of cheating gives the idea of being naughty like a child and a lot of people use it to give them some form of special permission without accepting it has consequences. By all means go and scoff your extra meal, but if you havent earned it then accept the fact you are undermining your previous efforts and will be going backwards, which only cheats yourself.
If I go over in a day, then thats simply weighed against my exercise calories which put me substantially in deficit. Lol@ nasty people can do what they like. I just have a view on cheat meals and the excuses people make for having them.
Oh and going over by x amount of calories because you had an extra serving wouldnt really constitute a whole meal.
All OP is doing is picking a day and eating to maintenance instead of normal deficit. How is that going backwards or making an excuse or undermining her efforts or any of the things you've accused her of doing? Maybe some people enjoy feeling naughty. What's it to you?
Only if it's pissing someone off haha! I just though "Cheat day" was the best way for people to understand what I was talking about! I wouldn't in real life call it anything - because my mouth is too full of yummy food! 
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Words have power if we give it to them, some people are ok with seeing a treat as a cheat, it doesn't effect them mentally, some like myself, aren't.
I agree with this, even though I do feel calling it a cheat is okay! The reason I feel upset however is that I am to an extent being attacked purely for using a word even though I'd made it clear that I am still making sure that I am not actually negatively affecting any of my progress.0
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