What are your cheat day 'rules'?
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My "binge" of a 3000 calorie meal is probably still under, or at least very close to, maintenance. It just so happens that it's far, far above my calorie goal for a regular day.bennettinfinity wrote: »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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OP never said that though, and that's who people are replying to when freaking out over the word "cheat". OP said she eats at maintenance one day a week, and also referenced people like me who reserve some calories most days to use up once a week or so. And I never call it "cheating" but I know what OP means so I don't need to lose my head over the word.bennettinfinity wrote: »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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DeguelloTex wrote: »My "binge" of a 3000 calorie meal is probably still under, or at least very close to, maintenance. It just so happens that it's far, far above my calorie goal for a regular day.
I'm salivating at the thought of a 3000 maintenance! Mine is somewhere between 1600 and 1650!
EDIT: Before I do my exercise that is!0 -
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.
And here we see how it's possible to not like the word yet still manage to express yourself clearly and without insulting anyone.0 -
I think part of the difference might be that you're 4'9" and I'm 6'9".NotQuiteNorm wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »My "binge" of a 3000 calorie meal is probably still under, or at least very close to, maintenance. It just so happens that it's far, far above my calorie goal for a regular day.
I'm salivating at the thought of a 3000 maintenance! Mine is somewhere between 1600 and 1650!
EDIT: Before I do my exercise that is!
Per IIFYM, my TDEE is 3169. So, my "binge" is also "maintenance" if I also have a Dr Pepper.
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I think that's the problem with the word 'cheat' (much like the word 'clean') there is no standard definition. I don't think anyone has a problem with the eating at maintenance or slightly over if you've banked calories. It's the people who equate 'cheat' day to 'free-for-all' day and then wonder why they aren't seeing results.
If you've been on MFP long enough, you know they're out there.
Two distinct scenarios, two distinct results; same descriptor.0 -
I think that is why the OP asked what ppls rules were.0
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bennettinfinity wrote: »I think that's the problem with the word 'cheat' (much like the word 'clean') there is no standard definition. I don't think anyone has a problem with the eating at maintenance or slightly over if you've banked calories. It's the people who equate 'cheat' day to 'free-for-all' day and then wonder why they aren't seeing results.
If you've been on MFP long enough, you know they're out there.
Two distinct scenarios, two distinct results; same descriptor.
"Cheat" is like "binge" in that way. You'll see these two posts right next to each other:
OP1 "I had a little cheat day, nothing big just a couple of pizzas and a twelve pack and a gallon or two of ice cream but then I walked around the block which burned off all the calories so WHY DID I GAIN WEIGHT?"
OP2 "OMG I totally binged I can't believe it I'll never make up for it I ate three almonds, two rice crackers and then my gross self topped it off with half an apple WHY CANT I STICK TO MY DIET?"
*boggle*
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bennettinfinity wrote: »I think that's the problem with the word 'cheat' (much like the word 'clean') there is no standard definition. I don't think anyone has a problem with the eating at maintenance or slightly over if you've banked calories. It's the people who equate 'cheat' day to 'free-for-all' day and then wonder why they aren't seeing results.
If you've been on MFP long enough, you know they're out there.
Two distinct scenarios, two distinct results; same descriptor.
"Cheat" is like "binge" in that way. You'll see these two posts right next to each other:
OP1 "I had a little cheat day, nothing big just a couple of pizzas and a twelve pack and a gallon or two of ice cream but then I walked around the block which burned off all the calories so WHY DID I GAIN WEIGHT?"
OP2 "OMG I totally binged I can't believe it I'll never make up for it I ate three almonds, two rice crackers and then my gross self topped it off with half an apple WHY CANT I STICK TO MY DIET?"
*boggle*
Good point... great point, actually.
So the subjectivity of the lexicon generally results in MFP forum topics (like this one) to devolve into arguments in semantics... and then kitteh GIFs... and occasionally a 'mean people' thread.0 -
bennettinfinity wrote: »bennettinfinity wrote: »I think that's the problem with the word 'cheat' (much like the word 'clean') there is no standard definition. I don't think anyone has a problem with the eating at maintenance or slightly over if you've banked calories. It's the people who equate 'cheat' day to 'free-for-all' day and then wonder why they aren't seeing results.
If you've been on MFP long enough, you know they're out there.
Two distinct scenarios, two distinct results; same descriptor.
"Cheat" is like "binge" in that way. You'll see these two posts right next to each other:
OP1 "I had a little cheat day, nothing big just a couple of pizzas and a twelve pack and a gallon or two of ice cream but then I walked around the block which burned off all the calories so WHY DID I GAIN WEIGHT?"
OP2 "OMG I totally binged I can't believe it I'll never make up for it I ate three almonds, two rice crackers and then my gross self topped it off with half an apple WHY CANT I STICK TO MY DIET?"
*boggle*
Good point... great point, actually.
So the subjectivity of the lexicon generally results in MFP forum topics (like this one) to devolve into arguments in semantics... and then kitteh GIFs... and occasionally a 'mean people' thread.
Truth! And one in which I am invariably labeled a 'white knight" <g>
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bennettinfinity wrote: »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.
Exactly this. I think there is confusion as to what is meant by cheat meal. I wouldnt classify going to maintenance as cheating. Its in your allowance fo goodness sake.
I am more directed towards people who diet all week and then choose to blow it all at the weekend by stopping logging and thinking all that unaccounted food somehow goes missing. Its ultimately undermining anyones diet plan if done on a regular basis and there are people when the topic comes up that use that as their strategy. If thats what they want to do thats up to them, but they are going to make much slower progress to target by only doing their diet part time. Its a flawed strategy imo
I have no problem if people decide to have an extra meal if they have good reason i.e birthday, they have reached a target, they are depressed. Those arent going to happen often and you can plan for them.
OP no im not saying what you said in your 9:36 post. People can do what they like and in this post I confirmed I wouldnt class that as a cheat meal anyway. Stick around and you will see this topic comes up all the time and it was in that context I posted, it wasnt really in direct reference to you, if you read my post its about cheat meals in general and the part time dieting. Whats the point of working hard all week only to give yourself a free pass on the weekend and undermining all the calories you burned or didnt eat? Seems a crazy way to do things..0 -
bennettinfinity wrote: »bennettinfinity wrote: »I think that's the problem with the word 'cheat' (much like the word 'clean') there is no standard definition. I don't think anyone has a problem with the eating at maintenance or slightly over if you've banked calories. It's the people who equate 'cheat' day to 'free-for-all' day and then wonder why they aren't seeing results.
If you've been on MFP long enough, you know they're out there.
Two distinct scenarios, two distinct results; same descriptor.
"Cheat" is like "binge" in that way. You'll see these two posts right next to each other:
OP1 "I had a little cheat day, nothing big just a couple of pizzas and a twelve pack and a gallon or two of ice cream but then I walked around the block which burned off all the calories so WHY DID I GAIN WEIGHT?"
OP2 "OMG I totally binged I can't believe it I'll never make up for it I ate three almonds, two rice crackers and then my gross self topped it off with half an apple WHY CANT I STICK TO MY DIET?"
*boggle*
Good point... great point, actually.
So the subjectivity of the lexicon generally results in MFP forum topics (like this one) to devolve into arguments in semantics... and then kitteh GIFs... and occasionally a 'mean people' thread.
I agree, I merely think that my explanation of what I meant by cheat was pretty clear - giving the example of me going to maintenance and another of people who eat less throughout the week so that their overall deficit would be the same if they'd stuck to their 'calorie goal'. Therefore those who attacked the use of word "cheat" were often being very rude when they knew they had no reason to be!
Whether they were 'expressing their opinion' or not, they did it in a mean and hurtful way and those people need to understand that picking on someone for using a word they don't like (even if they have a reason not to like it) is immature and the kind of cyberbully I usually only hear about from my 13 year old niece.
Overall: one does not tell me how to diet (or talk)! Especially if my way is already working!
(see what I did there ^)0 -
I personally prefer being 'flexible' with my calorie intake than the term cheating. cheating makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong amd should feel guilty. Personal preference in the language but I get the concept you're describing.
I tend to aim for a weekly calorie goal over a daily one and try and average out a higher intake day with 6 slightly lower ones.
I prelog what I can and often use exercise calories to give me extra calories for special occasions. It's working for me as I have lost 14.7kg in 13 weeks.
My daily allowance is 1610 calories but on my flexible day I'll have 2300-2400 and others around 1400, about every 1-2 weeks I'll have a higher day0 -
I tend to pig out on Fridays. Like two Fridays ago, I had (on top of what I had already eaten for the day):
*24oz of Silver City Fat Scotch Ale
*3 slices of homemade pizza Margarita
*2 or 3oz of O'Mara's Irish Cream
*4-5 Mars miniatures
*Large, single serving bag of baked Lays
*Half of a New Belgium Abbey
*2 squares of Cadbury's Royal Dark
I want to say I drank some gin and Sparkling Ice, but not surprisingly, I really don't remember.
But it ultimately meant nothing, because I have continued to lose weight anyway even though I am supposed to be in maintenance.
All that matters is the general overall trend. Most days this week, I have been under 1600 cals (yesterday was 1300...), but my maintenance is between 1800-2000. No surprise I keep losing weight even though I really need to eat moar or stop doing 30-40 minutes of high intensity cardio 5-6 days a week.
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My Cheat Day Rule #0 :
If you have to cheat, you're doin' it wrong.
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I don't really know if it's possible for some of the people in this thread to be more annoying, condescending & petulant than they're being. YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT WHEN SHE SAYS "Cheat Day". It's irrelevant whether or not you agree with the term. That's not the question she asked, & even if you did want to put in your input about you not living life like that you could've done it nicely!!! Everyone's approach is different. Plenty of people indulge in weekly cheat days and/or meals and are just as successful as those who choose to have small indulgences whenever they float their boat.
As for me, I'm trying to figure this out now. I used to think that "every thing goes" was okay. But now I KNOW I need limits. I'm thinking of making sure I hit the gym & eating at maitenence level & eating back the exercise calories from that day LOL. That would put me around 2500+ ... But hey, my favorite are heavy hitters (Chicago deep dish, fried bbq chicken, Chinese, etc)!
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Cheating insinuates I'm doing something wrong. I'm not.0
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No cheat DAYS. Only two cheat MEALS per week. Any food is ok with REASONABLE portion control.0
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I do 1200 cal per weekday - Monday through Thursday, actually. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday means no caps on what I eat. That's how I maintain.0
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-One of the best pieces of advice I've read is to have cheat MEALS, not cheat DAYS. Low calorie options for all other meals of the day
-Do loads of exercise either in the morning or day before your calorific meal to earn yourself extra calories!
-Intermittent fasting works well to earn extra too- even if you don't want to do the full on 500 cals version then what I call a "lite" version of switching to 1200 cals instead of 1400-1600ish helps balance things out for eating at maintenence or slightly above.0 -
kristenveganvixen wrote: »-One of the best pieces of advice I've read is to have cheat MEALS, not cheat DAYS. Low calorie options for all other meals of the day
-Do loads of exercise either in the morning or day before your calorific meal to earn yourself extra calories!
-Intermittent fasting works well to earn extra too- even if you don't want to do the full on 500 cals version then what I call a "lite" version of switching to 1200 cals instead of 1400-1600ish helps balance things out for eating at maintenence or slightly above.
Thanks - I generally save most of my extra calories on cheat/maintenance days for the end, but do have more all over! I think changing to "cheat meals" is a good idea.
Really didn't matter much this week though as I am an insomniac and decided to do some HIT to get sleepy! Just under 300 extra calories burnt which I've added to the Friday list as I did start then! Means I'm all clear this week so you can all quit telling me off or not telling me off or being rude or seeming rude or whatever.
I'm sweaty, I'm tired and I'm considering doing my HIT at night more often (a bit earlier) as I'm feeling far more tired!0 -
I do not do cheat days. Occasionally I make a mistake: am forced to eat out by my poor planning, it is the one day a month my boss buys us doughnuts, or the meals just landed on the heavy side when totaled up. I will suck it up and move on. I do not let it get me down. But also, I do not plan ahead to fail by having cheat days.0
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NotQuiteNorm wrote: »hsmith0930 wrote: »There is no such thing as a cheat day. I can't "cheat" on life. I'm in it until I'm dead, there is no winning or losing and I'm not competing against anyone. If I consciously choose to eat more calories some days, then I do it.
Cheat day is just the most familiar term I know for "eating a little more than usual". Sorry if you misunderstood
I like your method and may do it myself. I like to call it a "treat" day, but the way you have it laid out in the original post, it's not really cheating. You've/they've banked the calories to have on Saturday and you can eat 1/2 rack and be satisfied, guilt free. It's a "mind" thing for me and as long as I get results, Yeah!! It's like me and Lasagna, if I'm going to have it I want two generous helpings and lots of parm! I will take a good amount of time to savor it, but I'm having two when I do!
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JimFsfitnesspal wrote: »But also, I do not plan ahead to fail by having cheat days.
If that works best for you! Well done by the way - we all know we have to suck it up sometimes, but it's still hard and I admire you for being able to do it! I certainly have a few hours of nervous "I should just quit" thoughts when I unexpectedly go over so to me it's amazing how strong you guys are sometimes haha!0 -
NotQuiteNorm wrote: »hsmith0930 wrote: »There is no such thing as a cheat day. I can't "cheat" on life. I'm in it until I'm dead, there is no winning or losing and I'm not competing against anyone. If I consciously choose to eat more calories some days, then I do it.
Cheat day is just the most familiar term I know for "eating a little more than usual". Sorry if you misunderstood
I like your method and may do it myself. I like to call it a "treat" day, but the way you have it laid out in the original post, it's not really cheating. You've/they've banked the calories to have on Saturday and you can eat 1/2 rack and be satisfied, guilt free. It's a "mind" thing for me and as long as I get results, Yeah!! It's like me and Lasagna, if I'm going to have it I want two generous helpings and lots of parm! I will take a good amount of time to savor it, but I'm having two when I do!
OH don't get me started about parm! I may have a healthy but large portion of lasagna next week with mince as my main treat, putting a delightful heap of cheese on top!
For me it's all or nothing with certain things, plus I find I savour it more if I get to look forward to it! Mmmm, I think for my own safety I'll have to start using the term "treat day" - I only used 'cheat day' because it's the only way I've ever seen mfp users describe it and thought it was a generally accepted name! Apparently not, eek!0 -
NotQuiteNorm wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »How can it be a cheat if there are rules?
It's a cheat cause it's not your normal daily diet intake - usually above your deficit goal
I give myself rules because I'm a binge eater and need to learn to control the way I eat - I currently have the boundary rule of 500 calories but try to stay as far from it as possible too because I eat so excessively, and the rule to try to pre-plan that I am going to do it because my binges are spur of the moment and I can't let them control me
Sounds like a great strategy and you have something in your "safe zone" to look forward to. So you earned your "cheat" day. I would think banking a 100 calories a day for five days, to enjoy 2100 on Saturday is brilliant
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
I think part of the difference might be that you're 4'9" and I'm 6'9".NotQuiteNorm wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »My "binge" of a 3000 calorie meal is probably still under, or at least very close to, maintenance. It just so happens that it's far, far above my calorie goal for a regular day.
I'm salivating at the thought of a 3000 maintenance! Mine is somewhere between 1600 and 1650!
EDIT: Before I do my exercise that is!
Per IIFYM, my TDEE is 3169. So, my "binge" is also "maintenance" if I also have a Dr Pepper.
Holy crapola, six foot nine !0 -
Yep - I'd much rather lose weight slower than spend the next x number of weeks whining about how much I miss having a Chinese! I only eat half a Chinese anyway but to me it wouldn't be the same if I had to have less - half is exactly what I want but probably most of my calories!
EDIT: @jazmin220 I know! I actually have a friend who's brother is 6'8 and it's incredibly scary for me to stand next to him!0 -
I think it's a great strategy to manage the binge urge. Calling it a "cheat" day is perfectly fine. If it's working awesome! The whole journey for me and food is a "mind" thing and I have come a long way myself from the dreaded binge guilt cycle, starving, and trying to be what I thought was normal. My worst was at 87 pounds in 2010. I would binge and starve. It was sad and lonely. I like that the OP is finding fun ways to enjoy and manage food. I am and have been developing a good relationship with food. I need it every day to live and I want to be in control of it, not it of me:) Good on ya OP and ribs are good.hsmith0930 wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »
Because I don't want it to push me over some and if I have to give up three ounces of grilled chicken and an ice cream sandwich for four days so that I can have as much Mexican food as I want and not have it push me over some, that's a trade I'm willing to make now and again.hsmith0930 wrote: »Why not just be conscious of what you're eating and making the choice to indulge in a treat and either fit it into your calorie budget or be fine with letting it push you over some? That makes way more sense to me than trying to deprive yourself of treats for most of the week and cramming all your cravings into one day.
But how is that a "cheat"? You are making a conscious decision to keep your calorie counts low because you know you want to eat a lot of Mexican food on a certain day. What are you cheating at? Like are you cheating on grilled chicken and ice cream sandwiches for Mexican food? Are you in a committed relationship to those foods? No, you're a human. You eat like a human, by being conscious of what you eat and how many calories you're willing to eat of any given food. Sometimes the Mexican is a priority, sometimes it's not.
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I think it's a great strategy to manage the binge urge. Calling it a "cheat" day is perfectly fine. If it's working awesome! The whole journey for me and food is a "mind" thing and I have come a long way myself from the dreaded binge guilt cycle, starving, and trying to be what I thought was normal. My worst was at 87 pounds in 2010. I would binge and starve. It was sad and lonely. I like that the OP is finding fun ways to enjoy and manage food. I am and have been developing a good relationship with food. I need it every day to live and I want to be in control of it, not it of me:) Good on ya OP and ribs are good.hsmith0930 wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »
Because I don't want it to push me over some and if I have to give up three ounces of grilled chicken and an ice cream sandwich for four days so that I can have as much Mexican food as I want and not have it push me over some, that's a trade I'm willing to make now and again.hsmith0930 wrote: »Why not just be conscious of what you're eating and making the choice to indulge in a treat and either fit it into your calorie budget or be fine with letting it push you over some? That makes way more sense to me than trying to deprive yourself of treats for most of the week and cramming all your cravings into one day.
But how is that a "cheat"? You are making a conscious decision to keep your calorie counts low because you know you want to eat a lot of Mexican food on a certain day. What are you cheating at? Like are you cheating on grilled chicken and ice cream sandwiches for Mexican food? Are you in a committed relationship to those foods? No, you're a human. You eat like a human, by being conscious of what you eat and how many calories you're willing to eat of any given food. Sometimes the Mexican is a priority, sometimes it's not.
Oh and I want to enjoy and have fun with it! Oh btw to the OP i got inspired by a soup recipe you shared at 80 something calories a pop. I saved up calories today and worked out a lot, but it's not a day I'm going over goal. I don't want to today. The whole pot is 1020 calories and I can serve up as I want and it's yummy. My "all day soup" is in my diary and it's open:)
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