Do you give yourselves "cheat days" as a reward?

gypsyish

Nope, I don't use food as a reward or consider going over on my calories to be cheating. Small things like ice cream, burgers, etc I just fit into my 1200. Other times I know I will probably go over - like my birthday, thanksgiving, and sometimes dates with my boyfriend. That's just life. Eating this way - fitting delicious things into my diet and being okay with going over on special occasions - doesn't make me feel like I need a "cheat" day.

shoshkabob

I give myself a couple of cheat foods within a certain period of time. If I go too long without Reese's, donuts, or burgers, I go absolutely insane. :P Having these foods keeps me motivated and doesn't make me feel like I have to "say goodbye" to them, or that if I have them then I have to give up.

dabry05

Nope. I do things like meals with co-workers and friends, and if I'm on a date I'm not that person who is constantly looking at how many calories I'm putting in me. I do however log everything, and budget it in. When I do go get a bite to eat out, which is rare, it's either barbecue or chinese food (or pad thai), and I keep myself under the calories I have budgeted. Not so much a cheat day as welp, guess you can't have as much food as you normally do.

Debmal77

I believe that being at a healthy weight is a "reward" in itself.

1meeks123

Yes! I am not on a diet. I made a lifestyle change so of course I am eating cake at a birthday, bbq ribs on the 4th, too much food on Thanksgiving ect... I look forward to these moments. I just count my calories and stay under goal most of the time. I am one ounce short of a 45 pound lost so keep rewarding yourself when you pass those test. If you don't you will fall. Don't set yourself up for failure. Go for success!

Tafrio3rd

The body adapts ro everything that you throw at it and you will see people say "no I never take a cheat meal" which comes off hardcore but the fact is that you will be doing yourself a favor in keeping ur body at a certain state to burn calories if u do have a refeed (cheat day). The body will then revamp itself into burning mode instead of getting used to and adjusting to the "perfect" diet. It's not a reward it's to keep ur body on "it's toes"

fourterrys

I dont have "cheat days" In the past when dieting, I did and that diet would last about 1 month and almost everyday became a cheat day. For me it is so negative to say cheating. It makes me get down on myself and before I know it, the diet is done. Now I CHOOSE what I eat. Most times I choose not to eat the wrong thing. But sometimes I choose to eat it. I will save calories for it that day or will make up for it with extra exercise or fewer calories for the next few days. I have finally realized that this is something I need to do for the long haul. (started with 70 lbs to lose- 32 gone in 4 1/2 months) Being so restrictive would too unattainable for me.

Celebrate your victories however it works for you! But plan for it and make it work with your goal