What is considered a cheat?

GeddesFit
GeddesFit Posts: 75 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Is it still cheating if it fits in your calorie deficit or does it require going over?
What about junk food and candy?
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Replies

  • ashleesaid
    ashleesaid Posts: 50 Member
    I'd say things with little nutritional value that are high in calories. But I think the term "cheat" is subjective.
  • YorriaRaine
    YorriaRaine Posts: 370 Member
    edited September 2015
    The only thing I consider cheating is not being honest in your diary. If you choose to have a meal or day every now and then you don't record cuz it's a special occasion that is not cheating. That's just living, as long as you get back on the saddle and continue the journey, the only thing these days do is set you back another day from your goal. A long as they don't happen all the time it's not a big deal in long run to have a moment to enjoy yourself.

    Also any deficit will result in weight loss, does not matter what food it is.
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    What "cheating" means depends on what you think the "game" is.

    The "game" for me is to be honest about what I put in my freaking mouth. So a "cheat" to me is something I don't log. If I log it-- even if I go over my calorie goal, and even if it's junk--is not cheating in my game because I am still being honest about what and how much I eat.
  • debsdoingthis
    debsdoingthis Posts: 454 Member
    YorriaRaine wrote: »
    The only thing I consider cheating is not being honest in your diary. If you choose to have a meal or day every now and then you don't record cuz it's a special occasion that is not cheating. That's just living, as long as you get back on the saddle and continue the journey, the only thing these days do is set you back another day from your goal. A long as they don't happen all the time it's not a big deal in long run to have a moment to enjoy yourself.

    Also any deficit will result in weight loss, does not matter what food it is.
    Agree, especially with the bolded statement.

  • TheBeachgod
    TheBeachgod Posts: 825 Member
    I think it could be two things, one of which causes a major doo-doo storm in the forums when it is brought up.

    1. the previously mentioned not being honest in your diary.

    2. having a day or a meal where you have so-called junk food.


    and for extra credit, people who joined here: https://ashleymadison.com/
  • Ashleigh_91
    Ashleigh_91 Posts: 22 Member
    I used to have cheat meals once a week on the weekend but unfortunately I used to binge on the weekend with "cheats" now I use my calories to have that cheat and I know I'm not over eating by logging everything using my fitness pal.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    i dont consider anything a cheat...

    its all just... food.
  • jenlo1971
    jenlo1971 Posts: 49 Member
    I don't really consider anything a cheat. I do occasionally eat junk food- had some little Debbie brownies this week- however they fit into my calorie allotment. Even when I go "over" I just call it going over. If I were to consider anything a cheat- it would probably be if a took a day and just threw all caution to the wind, ate whatever I wanted in large amounts with no thought of what I am putting in my body.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I've been here for three years and I still don't know...

    I just eat food...most of it's highly nutritious...but I have some pizza now and then...to some I guess that would make me a cheater...IDK...I just eat and hit my calorie targets the vast majority of the time. Seems to be working out ok...lost 40 Lbs and have maintained for over two years.
  • glitzy196
    glitzy196 Posts: 190 Member
    i consider cheating not logging. I do log 99% of the things. I have a 3 year old, she feeds me random stuff. most days I have a at least 50 calories left, so I figure that is where the single gold fish, maybe a gummy bear, whatever go. If it is anything substantial I log it. she fed me a pretty big bite of her cookie at sams club the other day. I guessed it was about 1/4 of a cookie and took the 50 calorie beating.
    I eat foods i love every day. If i didn't there is NO WAY I would have any sort of longevity. I had rice krispies for breakfast (my fave) I am having a single serving deep dish pizza for lunch, and I am having tacos for dinner, and probably ice cream for dessert. I don't have to 'cheat' my diet is YUMMY in my TUMMY
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    It's whatever you want. It's your diet. You get to decide what cheating is or is not, and whether to call it cheating or not. There are no rules except those you set.
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    I think we should ban the term 'cheat' when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle. Incorporating those foods you love but probably shouldn't have all the time is just PART of the lifestyle. You're human, of COURSE you're going to eat a pizza on a special occasion. Of course you're going to have a bit of cake on someones birthday. If you're aiming for a calorie deficit - work those 'cheat foods' (eeek I've said it again!) into the deficit. There are also days when you won't be under or hitting your calorie deficit - you'll be over. Make up for it the following day. Moderation is the key.
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    To me, a cheat (used to love the word, now I hate it) is eating something and not logging it because you KNOW it is going to be bad. And really you are only cheating yourself in the process. I am not a fan of cutting out anything. I still eat my sweets and carbs and log them and meet my goals.

    And lets be honest, it isn't cheating. It is willfully ignoring what you know is a better choice. What matters is how you handle the choice.
  • myheartsabattleground
    myheartsabattleground Posts: 2,040 Member
    Konami-Code.jpg
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    myheartsabattleground wrote: »
    Konami-Code.jpg
    Not select start? You're playing single player?
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    edited September 2015
    Ashleigh_91 wrote: »
    I used to have cheat meals once a week on the weekend but unfortunately I used to binge on the weekend with "cheats" now I use my calories to have that cheat and I know I'm not over eating by logging everything using my fitness pal.

    I used to be the same way. It was only when I started really logging those "cheat" meals/weekends that I was like "Dang so that's why the scale doesn't move much!"
  • z_vette
    z_vette Posts: 35 Member
    To echo what most everyone else has already said, I believe a "cheat" is just not being honest in your logging / diary.

    I'd also consider a cheat eating something you know you shouldn't be eating, given your weight loss goal.

    For example, I've already decided that at my 50 pound lost mark (hopefully about 2 weeks away!) I'm ordering pizza. I haven't had pizza since I started 3 months ago, as I do and will consider eating pizza a cheat (and I've also never rewarded my loss with food, but dangit I want pizza!).
  • glitzy196
    glitzy196 Posts: 190 Member
    For example, I've already decided that at my 50 pound lost mark (hopefully about 2 weeks away!) I'm ordering pizza. I haven't had pizza since I started 3 months ago, as I do and will consider eating pizza a cheat (and I've also never rewarded my loss with food, but dangit I want pizza!).

    eat pizza. I could not imagine thinking about a food for THREE months before i ate it. And don't reward yourself with food, you are not a dog!

    eat pizza because it is yummy, i have it probably 3 to 4 times a week. rewards are for something else.
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    GeddesFit wrote: »
    Is it still cheating if it fits in your calorie deficit or does it require going over?
    What about junk food and candy?

    I don't worry within a day or week. If I eat over, as long as I am on track the majority of the week, loss happens, or at worst I maintain one week. Just my way of looking at it.

  • myheartsabattleground
    myheartsabattleground Posts: 2,040 Member
    senecarr wrote: »
    myheartsabattleground wrote: »
    Konami-Code.jpg
    Not select start? You're playing single player?

    Nope, no select.
  • msiamjan
    msiamjan Posts: 326 Member
    No cheating exists in eating. It's not a morality issue. You cheat on your spouse, your taxes, a test. No moral judgment on what you eat. Just that some things are healthier for your body than others. Some things will work against a weight loss goal. But it doesn't make you "bad." IMHO
  • JessicaB523
    JessicaB523 Posts: 70 Member
    Cheating for me is breaking a promise or lying. Just like cheating in a relationship. And I do think that can apply in that you can make promises to yourself as to how much or what you will eat. For example, I have promised myself that I will average 1500 calories per day over the course of this week. If I do not keep that promise, I am "cheating" on myself. Promises are always negotiable, but lying never is. I just try not to make any promises I can't keep.
  • rosnigetsfit
    rosnigetsfit Posts: 569 Member
    I don't cheat especially to myself. If I go over my cal, then so be it. I don't consider it cheating because it's my choice. Life's too short. Let's just enjoy food moderately. Eat wisely!
  • GeddesFit
    GeddesFit Posts: 75 Member
    ❤️ the contra code! I log like 99.9% of everything and almost 100% of the time I stick within my calorie deficit but I just didn't know what everyone's consensus on cheating was
  • mrsmlkp248
    mrsmlkp248 Posts: 8 Member
    My 'cheats' are always worked in to fit my daily calorie goal. For example I love hot chips so if I want hot chips then I log it and if it means I eat less that day then so be it because I enjoyed my cheat meal but can be happy I am still within my calories.
    One day a week though I allow myself to eat more but again it's still within allowed calories just the higher end.
  • Ashtoretet
    Ashtoretet Posts: 378 Member
    Cheating to me means going over calories, since that's how I've seen most people use it. As long as your cheat doesn't put you into 'gaining weight' calories then it's not a huge deal as long as it's only once or twice a week.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    I've come to detest the description of a "cheat" meal in diet/fitness industry. You either stay within your calorie range or not. Regardless of the food choice.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    I've come to detest the description of a "cheat" meal in diet/fitness industry. You either stay within your calorie range or not. Regardless of the food choice.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

    Yeah I agree with this. I never feel bad about anything I eat if its within my calories for the day. Now that I'm in maintenance I only really regret it if I go over by like 500+ calories, because I know I'm gonna have to make up for it , and I hate being in a deficit anymore lol
  • kyrannosaurus
    kyrannosaurus Posts: 350 Member
    I don't really think of anything as a "cheat". Sometimes I eat a deficit, sometimes I eat at maintenance, yesterday I ate a 600 calorie surplus. It is what it is. I think that's just normal eating, sometimes we eat more, sometimes we eat less. I try to maintain some sort of balance by monitoring my intake (in line with my goals), but that doesn't mean I eat the same thing everyday!
  • OmarRakeen
    OmarRakeen Posts: 2 Member
    cheating does not exist. over eating on the other hand does. food is food no matter what form it comes in. who cares if you indulge in a piece of cheesecake and lose 1 lbs by the weekend? dont over think stuff. enjoy!

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