The "Cheat Day" (?)

JMQT44

Hey folks -
I've visited the boards several times in the last month, but I can't get a sense of how people feel about the concept of a "cheat day (6 days a week)." When I got married four years ago, I was at the height of a "health craze." I ate under 1500 calories a day, exercised 1.5 hrs. a day...but always took Saturday off to eat whatever I wanted. In less than 12 months, I dropped from 250 lbs. to 195 lbs. and I felt great. Well, since then I have let the "real world" get in the way (can't get to the gym everyday) and have gained all the weight back.
Long story short, I'm trying to get a healthy lifestyle back, but I am leary of the "cheat day" (maybe it contributed to my downfall?) Some people swear by it...others run from it. What is the general consensus on this board?

LavenderBouquet

If I didn't have a cheat day, then every day would be a cheat day.
I find it helps me stay on track when I know I can have what I want on my day off.
And a lot of the time, by the time that day comes, I don't even crave some of it anymore.

jrich1

My theory is that if you completely cut out junk food its going to be that much harder to stick to eating good. I think a cheat day is good, I actually change mine to a cheat MEAL (1 meal) about every 2 weeks to have something I kinda crave. Think of it, its long term so it wont be a big deal to make up for it

heathersmilez

Most people on this board agree that a cheat day is a great idea and that it helps control binges and enjoy your life. The one recommendation I and others have is to ensure this is just a treat (much better than evil "cheat" word lol) and not an all out binge. So have a fast-food meal, dessert or potluck at work on your treat day but don't eat EVERYTHING b/c today is the only day you can.

Good luck – be sure to eat enough based on the workouts you can fit in. 1500 calories is the minimum for adult males so be sure to eat more on days you work out.

lawkat

I don't really have a cheat day. If there is a big occasion, I try to eat in moderation, but never deprive myself of anything on a daily basis. Over the last year, I have made it a point of knowing my limits when it comes to food. Sometimes I overindulge, but that isn't very often. I refuse to wait until a special day to eat certain foods because then the temptation to eat those foods all the time is too much for me. For me, that has helped me to keep my weight at an even keel for so long. Yes I would love to lose the last 10 pounds, but I think I am really okay if I don't, so long as I keep my weight the same.

Robin66

I think you have to have a cheat day, if you don't allow yourself to have something indulgent once in a while you will inevitably fall off the wagon and not get back on. I don't have an all day cheat day, just a cheat meal, I eat whatever I want once a week. I swear that is what has kept me on track. I say have your cheat day.

Clew

One "rule" I swear by: An occasional in-control cheat day (or cheat meal, whatever works for ya) will keep you sane!

I have a theory I call the stinky shoe theory. If you go on an eating plan that absolutely forbids eating stinky shoes, you will pine for stinky shoes until you cave and eat every stinky shoe you can find. Okay, so it's not a *realistic* illustration, but you get my point: forbidding yourself things will only make you crazy. If you know you'll be able to enjoy them in the near future (within reason of course) suddenly it's not such a big deal.

Good luck

Tuckersn

My husband swears by it . . . sweet tooth junky that he is . . . he'll do pretty hard core workouts/eating habits and one to two days a week he just eats whatever (he's a fireman so he's got to stay in shape for the most part). I can't take a whole day because I have a really hard time getting back on track. Not totally planned, but I gotta slip in a cheat here and there . . . it shouldn't derail the whole venture . . . but truly, this is for life, a lifestyle, not just to dump a bunch of weight and then . . . ?? Hard core with a cheat day works for Justin. A little more easy going but steady works for me. It really depends on your personality.

ellykay7

In my opinion, if you are trying to get healthier and lost weight you are in the process of changing your lifestyle. If you have one day that you look forward to simply because you get to eat whatever you want then that is like hanging onto the past lifestyle instead of moving forward. It's not good to deprive yourself either, but everything in moderation. If you really want something then have it, just have a smaller portion of it or even just a bite or two. But if you are constantly thinking about the day you can have anything that is bad for you, then you aren't really moving forward and changing your mentality and that is why people yo-yo with their weight. Just something to think about. Best of luck to you!

hawkfanhh

:happy: YOU HAVE to have a cheat day!! Working out even if for only 30 min a day and eating healthy 6 days a week is still great! You have to have one day a week to just relax and enjoy but dont over-induldge!

sweetoblivion314

I don't really understand the concept of a "cheat day" or cheating in general. I don't really deprive myself of foods i crave but I also don't really crave unhealthy food. I have not had a soda in 4 or so years and I never would to drink one. Not a big fan of chocolate. Couldn't care less if i had a beer (and i used to drink 5 nights a week). Cookies are my downfall but I never crave them, just eat them if they are around. So to solve that I just never buy them.
I know that if i am craving something it just means I am really hungry and any food that fits with the crave will do. If i want something sugary i eat fruit instead. salty i eat meat. etc.
I don't consider eating healthy depriving myself of good food either, because some of the healthiest food is the most delicious!
And as long as you know how to do your portioning then you can eat almost anything you want. All about moderation.

mworld

i think its better to think in terms of meals.....for instance:

I just ate that whole pizza for breakfast?!?!?! maybe I shouldn't BBQ tonight as well?

versus

I just ate a whole pizza for breakfast but its a cheat day so I am going to have some beers with lunch and get ready to BBQ later.

needamulligan

My cheat day has a tendency to turn into several days. I stop logging and am derailed for a few days - or worse!. It may be psychological but I think that, for me, fitting a few treats into my calorie budget works better. I'm still not back on track from my cheating on Saturday. :frown:

marlenia

Must have a cheat day! I wouldn't make it without one!

hollyroode

I wasn't allowing myself a cheat day at all. But now that I've hit my goal weight I think that 1 day a week of treating myself will be okay. After all what's the point of working so hard if you can't relax and enjoy yourself once in a while!

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: the longer I eat only healthy foods, the better I feel and the less I crave non-healthy food.....some days I can't avoid going over on calories due to long meetings that keep me from being active and burning calories along with restaurant meals......but I've successfully lost weight and kept it off by staying focused on a healthy path :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Ellem86

I agree that a cheat meal works. If I were to allow myself to eat whatever I wanted for an entire day I have a feeling I would just eat cr@p food for the sake of it!

xTattooedDollx

I never have an entire cheat day. I'll have one cheat mean a week, but that's it.

ErrataCorrige

i think its better to think in terms of meals.....for instance:

I just ate that whole pizza for breakfast?!?!?! maybe I shouldn't BBQ tonight as well?

versus

I just ate a whole pizza for breakfast but its a cheat day so I am going to have some beers with lunch and get ready to BBQ later.

Hilarious!

My cheat meal is Friday dinner. If there is something I just can't get out of my head I will look forward to Friday all week, knowing that I will eventually get it. It helps me hold out from cravings I have everyday. Which i would otherwise give into, every day!

nehtaeh

I try to just eat in moderation. My biggest issue is fast food and too big of portions. I try to stay away from fast food and I work hard at limiting my portions.

However, there are days I just can't stay away from fast food. I then try to pick healthier options.

There are days when we dont' want to cook so we get pizza - I stick to 2 slices.

I wouldn't say I have cheat days, but I don't forbid anything. If I really wanted a donut, I'd get one. I would just try to eat half of it or get donut holes and limit myself.

naturebaby

for me I don't really have a cheat day, I eat healthy (mostly), if I eat something that may be too high in fat or calories, I account for it somewhere else within my week of tracking. If I go overboard on monday I will be more careful for a few days afterward. I also agree with the mentality that this is a life plan, it's just not realistic to think that I may NEVER have another glass of wine or a plate of mexican food! I just account for it with more excercise and/or a bit less fatty food for a day or two. :drinker: cheers

lobster888

When I am trying to lose weight I limit it to a cheat snack/treat once a week. When I am maintaining my weight then it is a cheat meal - once or twice a week. (spread it out rather than all in one day - like for a party or going out to eat) But whichever way you do it, I believe in a cheat day/meal /snack for sure!!!

kimmie0627

I do a cheat meal, within good judgement, once a week. Plus I do low calorie snacks once in a while. Breyers has a 160 calories ice cream sandwich that is pretty good.

pniana

I though the height of the fitness craze was back in the 80's with Jane Fonda?!?

panther87

sunday's are my 'cheat days'. i usually go out to eat with my family and i dont usually track on this day. i try to enjoy their company and not try too worry over too much of what I'm eating. I do usually try to pick a restaurant that i can control my eating at.
a cheat day could just be something that your looking forward too- a dinner out with friends, a cook out at the neighbors, or anything special like that, that comes into our lives. Good luck to you.

lutzsher

I save my calories for BEER! Seriously, I never cheat on food . . . I just have accepted that there are certain things that are just not healthy so why subject my body to them???? Twice per month on "payday weekend" I practically twitch for a beer . . . so I tend to use that as my occasional "cheat".

faithstephenson

I try not to think of it as "Cheating". If I know something is coming up that I want to eat more than my goals allow, I change from my current deficit (1000/day) to maintaing. That gives me some extra room, but I'm still needing to be accountable and honest with myself about what I'm eating. I also don't rule foods out on daily basis. If I have room for it, I eat it. Last night I decided to have ice cream as my snack instead of the rice I was planning on. It fit my goals, and I enjoyed it. Later, when I was hungry again because ice cream doesn't really fill you up, I had to have control of myself and say "That's the choice you made." Last thing with the "Cheat Day" would be that you might find that when you eat the stuff you don't eat regularly anymore, you don't feel well after. I find that I feel better, and not deprived if I eat half the burger and split fries with my kids, and then my numbers aren't as out of whack as if I ate the whole thing.

needamulligan

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: the longer I eat only healthy foods, the better I feel and the less I crave non-healthy food.....some days I can't avoid going over on calories due to long meetings that keep me from being active and burning calories along with restaurant meals......but I've successfully lost weight and kept it off by staying focused on a healthy path :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

I want to be just like you! I've, also, found that eating clean reduces cravings. This seems to prove that some food is addictive. I seem to have the most trouble with social occasions.

roadchic18

I try to have a cheat "meal" and not a day. I feel like if I'm eating clean 95% of the time it's okay. Plus when I'm working out and feeling good a cheat meal is usually not that bad, things like Subway, a pita, or a slice or 2 of margherita pizza feels like a huge indulgence. I'm about to go get me a margherita pizza right now. Happy weekend everyone!

mebras3775

I have a cheat day every sunday because I go to eat at my parents house and all her food is made from scratch so i cant really tell how many calories I am eating plus my dad makes an assortment of desserts so I allow myself a cheat day every sunday as long as I exercise and eat well every other day before sunday.

cbirdso

I'm on the same page with the posters that DO NOT have a cheat day or meal for all their same reasons. I do not feel deprived because I always eat my exercise calories. I have never been a binger, nor do I want to start now. I just really, really, like all food and was lazy about portion control and empty calories (like beer and wine).