how many calories do you eat a day/ on your cheat day/weekend?

13

Replies

  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    Machka9 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Hornsby wrote: »
    I don't have cheat days cause my TDEE is pretty high so really no need. A day where I might go over my calories is usually around 4-5K. I don't consider anything a cheat day though as it implies I am doing something wrong. That being said, if you aren't active which would be about the only reason be on a 1200 calorie diet, I could see the need to "cheat".

    It's a matter of perception. Your TDEE must be less than 4K based on your response, which I'm not sure I would consider to be "pretty high." Mine on average is around 3K and I consider that to be pretty low. So "pretty high" / "pretty low" are going to be a matter of perception.

    As to the OP: My appetite is insatiable. I rarely have cheat days because it takes way too long to recover from them. It would be unusual to eat less than 10K calories on a cheat day, but normally is right around 20K +/-8K. So a typical cheat day is somewhere between 12K-28K calories. Again... I can't do that very often.

    Really? That's an awful lot of food to stomach in one day. Wow.

    It erases so much progress, I can't afford to do that very often. OP is talking about a cheat day every weekend... that sounds like a good way to gain weight to me.

    Am I reading that right ... 12,000 to 28,000 calories in one day?

    This is only if I eat what I want without restriction.... which is what I define as a "cheat day."

    I realize some people call it a "cheat day" when they eat at maintenance / TDEE. As others have pointed out earlier, there are differences of definition - both denotative and connotative definition - among MFP users of the phrase "cheat day."

    How is 12,000 to 28,000 calories in one day even possible? I'm in awe!

    I've been told I have a huge appetite, but I'm stuffed to the gills if I eat over about 3000 calories in one day.

    And when I was cycling long distance events ... 24 hour events and longer ... it was all I could do to eat an average of about 250 cal/hour (6000 cal/day) which was what was recommended to keep riding with any degree of energy.

    3K is not a huge appetite at all... that is only 1 large taco pizza from my favorite local spot. But then what would you have for dessert? What about breakfast and lunch or dinner? What about when you get hungry in between meals? When I'm restricting calories, I have to say no to delicious foods like pizza and I have to say no to hunger. When I'm not restricting, I can have those delicious foods. Isn't that the point of a cheat day? To not say no to hunger? And to eat the foods that are delicious?

    Sounds like a recipe for weightgain and constant failure. I think the point of "cheat" days is to allow you to not feel deprived while losing weight, not to eat ALL the food you can, just because you can. If you find you're not losing, this is probably why.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    The Excuse Diet never worked for anyone...
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    The Excuse Diet never worked for anyone...

    I was just thinking something similar!
  • shrcpr
    shrcpr Posts: 885 Member
    I am not hungry at the end of the day on 1300 to 1400 calories. It is interesting to me that everyone is always pushing to eat at the top end of what you can to lose weight. If I hit 1300 and I am full and it is bedtime should I stay up for an hour and snack? Doesn't make any sense to me. That being said, I haven't had a cheat day yet since I started in August, but I have had meals. I went to eat at the melting pot with my guy, and didn't look up what it would "cost" me because... um delicious! Or if I want an extra beer on Friday night I will have it.

    This is me, too. I go under a lot because exercise actually acts as an appetite suppressant for me which seems opposite of what it should be (but I'm not going to argue with it!). The only reason I go over is when I drink. Food is just not a big deal for me.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    edited December 2015
    No "cheat days" for me, either. If I feel like a treat (pizza, chocolate, cake, cookies, etc), I'll fit it into my calories.

    A 'cheat day' or even a 'cheat meal' can definitely interfere with goals if you're not logging the cheat day.

    A cheat day/meal always makes me think "Oooh, I am cheating on my diet. How naughty". Eventually, it'll catch up with you.

  • starwhisperer6
    starwhisperer6 Posts: 402 Member
    shrcpr wrote: »
    I am not hungry at the end of the day on 1300 to 1400 calories. It is interesting to me that everyone is always pushing to eat at the top end of what you can to lose weight. If I hit 1300 and I am full and it is bedtime should I stay up for an hour and snack? Doesn't make any sense to me. That being said, I haven't had a cheat day yet since I started in August, but I have had meals. I went to eat at the melting pot with my guy, and didn't look up what it would "cost" me because... um delicious! Or if I want an extra beer on Friday night I will have it.

    This is me, too. I go under a lot because exercise actually acts as an appetite suppressant for me which seems opposite of what it should be (but I'm not going to argue with it!). The only reason I go over is when I drink. Food is just not a big deal for me.

    It is an appetite suppressant for me too... if I work out early in the day I have to make myself eat after. So I go later in the day so I have most of my calories eaten before I get there. I am glad it isn't just me!
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    Machka9 wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Hornsby wrote: »
    I don't have cheat days cause my TDEE is pretty high so really no need. A day where I might go over my calories is usually around 4-5K. I don't consider anything a cheat day though as it implies I am doing something wrong. That being said, if you aren't active which would be about the only reason be on a 1200 calorie diet, I could see the need to "cheat".

    It's a matter of perception. Your TDEE must be less than 4K based on your response, which I'm not sure I would consider to be "pretty high." Mine on average is around 3K and I consider that to be pretty low. So "pretty high" / "pretty low" are going to be a matter of perception.

    As to the OP: My appetite is insatiable. I rarely have cheat days because it takes way too long to recover from them. It would be unusual to eat less than 10K calories on a cheat day, but normally is right around 20K +/-8K. So a typical cheat day is somewhere between 12K-28K calories. Again... I can't do that very often.

    Really? That's an awful lot of food to stomach in one day. Wow.

    It erases so much progress, I can't afford to do that very often. OP is talking about a cheat day every weekend... that sounds like a good way to gain weight to me.

    Am I reading that right ... 12,000 to 28,000 calories in one day?

    This is only if I eat what I want without restriction.... which is what I define as a "cheat day."

    I realize some people call it a "cheat day" when they eat at maintenance / TDEE. As others have pointed out earlier, there are differences of definition - both denotative and connotative definition - among MFP users of the phrase "cheat day."

    How is 12,000 to 28,000 calories in one day even possible? I'm in awe!

    I've been told I have a huge appetite, but I'm stuffed to the gills if I eat over about 3000 calories in one day.

    And when I was cycling long distance events ... 24 hour events and longer ... it was all I could do to eat an average of about 250 cal/hour (6000 cal/day) which was what was recommended to keep riding with any degree of energy.

    3K is not a huge appetite at all... that is only 1 large taco pizza from my favorite local spot. But then what would you have for dessert? What about breakfast and lunch or dinner? What about when you get hungry in between meals? When I'm restricting calories, I have to say no to delicious foods like pizza and I have to say no to hunger. When I'm not restricting, I can have those delicious foods. Isn't that the point of a cheat day? To not say no to hunger? And to eat the foods that are delicious?

    Sounds like a recipe for weightgain and constant failure. I think the point of "cheat" days is to allow you to not feel deprived while losing weight, not to eat ALL the food you can, just because you can. If you find you're not losing, this is probably why.

    Yes, a cheat day is a day to "not feel deprived" - exactly why I so rarely have cheat days. If I had a cheat day every weekend, I would gain weight. And I am losing at the moment, while feeling deprived.
  • dn0pes
    dn0pes Posts: 99 Member
    Don't have cheat days.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    edited December 2015
    Three meals of that pizza, cheese sticks, beer, and brownies doesn't even get you 2/3 of the way to 28,000.

    It does put me squarely within the earlier stated range of 20K +/- 8K.

    With 3 meals conservatively estimated at 5K-6K, that's 15K-18K, which is in the range of 12K-28K. If I eat even 1 single snack (very conservative) of a bag of chips (1K-1.5K) and 1-2 tubs of dip (1K-2K), that brings the total to 17K-21.5K. Does that alone get me to the high end of the range of 28K? No, it doesn't. The conservative estimates wouldn't be expected to add to the high end of the range... they should be closer towards the low end of the range... and 15K is pretty close to that.

    Look, I don't really care whether you can comprehend what it is like to have a truly insatiable appetite. It really isn't fair because I have to be hungry all the time in order to avoid weight gain. I have to feel like I'm starving in order to lose weight. I wish I could be like those who can be satisfied with tiny portions because if I decide to have a true cheat day, I erase so many weeks of feeling like I'm starving myself and I end up satisfying my hunger for just 1 single day. This is why I just can't have a true cheat day.

    I think the "conservatively estimated" part is where the difference is. If you're guessing everything high, then your calculations are going to be different than someone who uses the average since it would balance out. In this case, I believe you are eating less than you think you are.

    Now that doesn't mean you don't have a big appetite. We still understand your struggle with that. However, if it is really that bad, you need to see a doctor about it. There could be something going on that is making you feel that hungry.
  • mommarnurse
    mommarnurse Posts: 515 Member
    Calling something a "cheat" meal/day/weekend/anything is putting it in our minds that there is GOOD food, BAD food, etc. which is just not true and it is counter-productive overall to us seeking a whole, healthy relationship with food. FOOD is FOOD. Some food is more delicious/calorie-dense than others, sometimes we eat MORE than what will keep our bodies in balance (maintenance). If we seek to not gain weight, we must seek to find balance of our input and output. It's not found in one meal, one day, one weekend. It's found over a period of time. It takes many days, weeks even to physically build a pound of FAT from caloric surplus. This is avoided by balancing out a higher-than-average-for-maintenance meal/day/weekend/whatever with lower-than-average-for-maintenance meals. Therefore, if one has self-control over their eating, then carry on.
  • Dreysander
    Dreysander Posts: 294 Member
    Right now my goal is 1375 cal a day but I dropped it to like 1250 this week to save some cals up for Christmas day.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    VeryKatie wrote: »
    Three meals of that pizza, cheese sticks, beer, and brownies doesn't even get you 2/3 of the way to 28,000.

    It does put me squarely within the earlier stated range of 20K +/- 8K.

    With 3 meals conservatively estimated at 5K-6K, that's 15K-18K, which is in the range of 12K-28K. If I eat even 1 single snack (very conservative) of a bag of chips (1K-1.5K) and 1-2 tubs of dip (1K-2K), that brings the total to 17K-21.5K. Does that alone get me to the high end of the range of 28K? No, it doesn't. The conservative estimates wouldn't be expected to add to the high end of the range... they should be closer towards the low end of the range... and 15K is pretty close to that.

    Look, I don't really care whether you can comprehend what it is like to have a truly insatiable appetite. It really isn't fair because I have to be hungry all the time in order to avoid weight gain. I have to feel like I'm starving in order to lose weight. I wish I could be like those who can be satisfied with tiny portions because if I decide to have a true cheat day, I erase so many weeks of feeling like I'm starving myself and I end up satisfying my hunger for just 1 single day. This is why I just can't have a true cheat day.

    I think the "conservatively estimated" part is where the difference is. If you're guessing everything high, then your calculations are going to be different than someone who uses the average since it would balance out. In this case, I believe you are eating less than you think you are.

    Now that doesn't mean you don't have a big appetite. We still understand your struggle with that. However, if it is really that bad, you need to see a doctor about it. There could be something going on that is making you feel that hungry.

    I'm comparing what I've actually eaten on cheat days, having looked up those foods in the database in addition to small estimates for foods not listed or generically listed in the database or for which I don't recall the brand, etc. such as one of my cheat days last year where for lunch, I cooked 2 boxes of spaghetti (2 lb. boxes, so 4 lbs. of spaghetti, but I don't recall the brand to get an exact calorie count), 2 bags of frozen meatballs (again, I don't recall the brand or whether each bag was 10 oz., 12 oz. etc.), and I don't recall how many cans or what brand of sauce or parmesean cheese.

    For the evening meal that same cheat day, I know the exact size, brand, and kind of pizza. I baked 2 cakes at home, and I don't recall the brands of cake or frosting and such... so I take the 2,894 calories from the taco pizza (which I had rounded off at 3K figuring the taco sauce would get me pretty close to 3K), and figure 1K-1.5K calories for each box of cake mix and tub of frosting combined, then 5K-6K is about right. That ignores the beer, so I still think I'm being pretty conservative at 5K-6K for that meal. Other cheat days where I might have eaten only 1 cake and cheese sticks, or cookies and cheese sticks, or some other combination of foods would likely be within around that same range. So while I admit there is some estimation as to exactly how many calories I eat on cheat days, I really don't think my estimates are too high.

    As far as a medical issue, I don't make amylin, but I'm not convinced that explains it. I have mentioned to doctors that I'm trying to lose weight and I'm frustrated because I feel like I'm starving myself all the time, but I think they understand that as a normal part of weight loss. I see it the same way. Either I can be fat and happy or fit and hungry. Cheat days only help make me happy for a day, so the result is that I'm still fat and I'm still hungry. It's the worst of both worlds. THAT is why I no longer do cheat days.
  • percolater
    percolater Posts: 55 Member
    I want to party with you, buddy. I didn't think anyone loved dip like I do.
  • salembambi
    salembambi Posts: 5,585 Member
    i have days even weekends where i have much higher calorie days they are rarely ever planned just kinda happen cause thats life

    i typically stick to 1800-2200 a day though excluding holidays next thursday-next year will be a "i dont care" period
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,693 Member
    28,000 calories.

    There are 160 calories in a 74 gram serving of Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate ice cream.

    28,000 calories is 175 servings. There are 16 servings in a half gallon. There are 11 half gallons (10.9375) in 175 servings. That's five and a half gallons.

    28,000 calories is one of:

    5 and a half gallons of chocolate ice cream.
    400 Double Stuf Oreos.
    112 52.7 gram Snickers.
    45.75 pounds of roast turkey breast without the skin.
    2,923.5 pounds of broccoli.

    Yes ... I was thinking about the Godfather pizzas I like (the ones I mentioned above). They're 1188 cal for an Australian "large", which is about 12 inches in diameter.

    In order to consume 28,000 calories, I would have to eat 23.5 of those. BLERGH! I would be so incredibly sick.

  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    VeryKatie wrote: »
    Three meals of that pizza, cheese sticks, beer, and brownies doesn't even get you 2/3 of the way to 28,000.

    It does put me squarely within the earlier stated range of 20K +/- 8K.

    With 3 meals conservatively estimated at 5K-6K, that's 15K-18K, which is in the range of 12K-28K. If I eat even 1 single snack (very conservative) of a bag of chips (1K-1.5K) and 1-2 tubs of dip (1K-2K), that brings the total to 17K-21.5K. Does that alone get me to the high end of the range of 28K? No, it doesn't. The conservative estimates wouldn't be expected to add to the high end of the range... they should be closer towards the low end of the range... and 15K is pretty close to that.

    Look, I don't really care whether you can comprehend what it is like to have a truly insatiable appetite. It really isn't fair because I have to be hungry all the time in order to avoid weight gain. I have to feel like I'm starving in order to lose weight. I wish I could be like those who can be satisfied with tiny portions because if I decide to have a true cheat day, I erase so many weeks of feeling like I'm starving myself and I end up satisfying my hunger for just 1 single day. This is why I just can't have a true cheat day.

    I think the "conservatively estimated" part is where the difference is. If you're guessing everything high, then your calculations are going to be different than someone who uses the average since it would balance out. In this case, I believe you are eating less than you think you are.

    Now that doesn't mean you don't have a big appetite. We still understand your struggle with that. However, if it is really that bad, you need to see a doctor about it. There could be something going on that is making you feel that hungry.

    I'm comparing what I've actually eaten on cheat days, having looked up those foods in the database in addition to small estimates for foods not listed or generically listed in the database or for which I don't recall the brand, etc. such as one of my cheat days last year where for lunch, I cooked 2 boxes of spaghetti (2 lb. boxes, so 4 lbs. of spaghetti, but I don't recall the brand to get an exact calorie count), 2 bags of frozen meatballs (again, I don't recall the brand or whether each bag was 10 oz., 12 oz. etc.), and I don't recall how many cans or what brand of sauce or parmesean cheese.

    For the evening meal that same cheat day, I know the exact size, brand, and kind of pizza. I baked 2 cakes at home, and I don't recall the brands of cake or frosting and such... so I take the 2,894 calories from the taco pizza (which I had rounded off at 3K figuring the taco sauce would get me pretty close to 3K), and figure 1K-1.5K calories for each box of cake mix and tub of frosting combined, then 5K-6K is about right. That ignores the beer, so I still think I'm being pretty conservative at 5K-6K for that meal. Other cheat days where I might have eaten only 1 cake and cheese sticks, or cookies and cheese sticks, or some other combination of foods would likely be within around that same range. So while I admit there is some estimation as to exactly how many calories I eat on cheat days, I really don't think my estimates are too high.

    As far as a medical issue, I don't make amylin, but I'm not convinced that explains it. I have mentioned to doctors that I'm trying to lose weight and I'm frustrated because I feel like I'm starving myself all the time, but I think they understand that as a normal part of weight loss. I see it the same way. Either I can be fat and happy or fit and hungry. Cheat days only help make me happy for a day, so the result is that I'm still fat and I'm still hungry. It's the worst of both worlds. THAT is why I no longer do cheat days.

    If I were you I would certainly be seeing a doctor, as needing to eat that volume to feel satiated is not normal or good. Out of curiosity, do you have small hands or feet, sleep issues, thyroid issues, or low muscle tone?
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    VeryKatie wrote: »
    Three meals of that pizza, cheese sticks, beer, and brownies doesn't even get you 2/3 of the way to 28,000.

    It does put me squarely within the earlier stated range of 20K +/- 8K.

    With 3 meals conservatively estimated at 5K-6K, that's 15K-18K, which is in the range of 12K-28K. If I eat even 1 single snack (very conservative) of a bag of chips (1K-1.5K) and 1-2 tubs of dip (1K-2K), that brings the total to 17K-21.5K. Does that alone get me to the high end of the range of 28K? No, it doesn't. The conservative estimates wouldn't be expected to add to the high end of the range... they should be closer towards the low end of the range... and 15K is pretty close to that.

    Look, I don't really care whether you can comprehend what it is like to have a truly insatiable appetite. It really isn't fair because I have to be hungry all the time in order to avoid weight gain. I have to feel like I'm starving in order to lose weight. I wish I could be like those who can be satisfied with tiny portions because if I decide to have a true cheat day, I erase so many weeks of feeling like I'm starving myself and I end up satisfying my hunger for just 1 single day. This is why I just can't have a true cheat day.

    I think the "conservatively estimated" part is where the difference is. If you're guessing everything high, then your calculations are going to be different than someone who uses the average since it would balance out. In this case, I believe you are eating less than you think you are.

    Now that doesn't mean you don't have a big appetite. We still understand your struggle with that. However, if it is really that bad, you need to see a doctor about it. There could be something going on that is making you feel that hungry.

    I'm comparing what I've actually eaten on cheat days, having looked up those foods in the database in addition to small estimates for foods not listed or generically listed in the database or for which I don't recall the brand, etc. such as one of my cheat days last year where for lunch, I cooked 2 boxes of spaghetti (2 lb. boxes, so 4 lbs. of spaghetti, but I don't recall the brand to get an exact calorie count), 2 bags of frozen meatballs (again, I don't recall the brand or whether each bag was 10 oz., 12 oz. etc.), and I don't recall how many cans or what brand of sauce or parmesean cheese.

    For the evening meal that same cheat day, I know the exact size, brand, and kind of pizza. I baked 2 cakes at home, and I don't recall the brands of cake or frosting and such... so I take the 2,894 calories from the taco pizza (which I had rounded off at 3K figuring the taco sauce would get me pretty close to 3K), and figure 1K-1.5K calories for each box of cake mix and tub of frosting combined, then 5K-6K is about right. That ignores the beer, so I still think I'm being pretty conservative at 5K-6K for that meal. Other cheat days where I might have eaten only 1 cake and cheese sticks, or cookies and cheese sticks, or some other combination of foods would likely be within around that same range. So while I admit there is some estimation as to exactly how many calories I eat on cheat days, I really don't think my estimates are too high.

    As far as a medical issue, I don't make amylin, but I'm not convinced that explains it. I have mentioned to doctors that I'm trying to lose weight and I'm frustrated because I feel like I'm starving myself all the time, but I think they understand that as a normal part of weight loss. I see it the same way. Either I can be fat and happy or fit and hungry. Cheat days only help make me happy for a day, so the result is that I'm still fat and I'm still hungry. It's the worst of both worlds. THAT is why I no longer do cheat days.

    If I were you I would certainly be seeing a doctor, as needing to eat that volume to feel satiated is not normal or good. Out of curiosity, do you have small hands or feet, sleep issues, thyroid issues, or low muscle tone?

    Yes, I have Hashimoto's and sleep apnea - both are being treated.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,693 Member
    For me, an ideal diet-break day would look something along these lines:

    Breakfast (approx. 800 cal)
    - a decent sized bowl of cereal, topped with fruit, and covered in real milk (maybe 600 cal)
    - a slice of raisin toast with honey (200 cal)

    Lunch (approx. 900 cal)
    - grilled cheese sandwich (300 cal)
    - cream of cauliflower soup (300 cal)
    - Tim Horton's donut (300 cal)

    Snack (approx. 700 cal)
    - DQ blizzard (700 cal)

    Dinner (approx. 1300 cal)
    - spaghetti with meat sauce (700 cal ... maybe a bit more) ... or maybe Mexican food ...
    - garlic bread (300 cal)
    - Nanaimo bar (300 cal)

    And maybe a little bit of salad and/or fruit in there as well.

    Total: 3700 cal (approximately)

    :sunglasses::sunglasses:

    But I'd want to be doing quite a bit of brisk walking and/or cycling that day ... just to help digest it all.
  • ZeroDelta
    ZeroDelta Posts: 242 Member
    jackidoll wrote: »
    I aim for 1200 a day m-f but on the weekend i allow myself a little more. what is everyones take on cheatdays

    No cheat days. The extra calories put me farther away from my goal.
  • I eat above a 1,000 calorie deficit and less than or equal to maintenance when I feel like I need to let loose a bit. I don't consider it cheating. There is no on or off - there's only the rest of my life.
  • I try to keep it in the 5-6,000 calorie range on those days where I just let go. That way my daily calorie burn of 3,000 calories plus my daily 1000 calorie deficit means I should only be set back maybe 3 days or so
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Don't do cheat days, but at the weekends I ate at maintenance cals when I was in my losing phase...
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    VeryKatie wrote: »
    Three meals of that pizza, cheese sticks, beer, and brownies doesn't even get you 2/3 of the way to 28,000.

    It does put me squarely within the earlier stated range of 20K +/- 8K.

    With 3 meals conservatively estimated at 5K-6K, that's 15K-18K, which is in the range of 12K-28K. If I eat even 1 single snack (very conservative) of a bag of chips (1K-1.5K) and 1-2 tubs of dip (1K-2K), that brings the total to 17K-21.5K. Does that alone get me to the high end of the range of 28K? No, it doesn't. The conservative estimates wouldn't be expected to add to the high end of the range... they should be closer towards the low end of the range... and 15K is pretty close to that.

    Look, I don't really care whether you can comprehend what it is like to have a truly insatiable appetite. It really isn't fair because I have to be hungry all the time in order to avoid weight gain. I have to feel like I'm starving in order to lose weight. I wish I could be like those who can be satisfied with tiny portions because if I decide to have a true cheat day, I erase so many weeks of feeling like I'm starving myself and I end up satisfying my hunger for just 1 single day. This is why I just can't have a true cheat day.

    I think the "conservatively estimated" part is where the difference is. If you're guessing everything high, then your calculations are going to be different than someone who uses the average since it would balance out. In this case, I believe you are eating less than you think you are.

    Now that doesn't mean you don't have a big appetite. We still understand your struggle with that. However, if it is really that bad, you need to see a doctor about it. There could be something going on that is making you feel that hungry.

    I'm comparing what I've actually eaten on cheat days, having looked up those foods in the database in addition to small estimates for foods not listed or generically listed in the database or for which I don't recall the brand, etc. such as one of my cheat days last year where for lunch, I cooked 2 boxes of spaghetti (2 lb. boxes, so 4 lbs. of spaghetti, but I don't recall the brand to get an exact calorie count), 2 bags of frozen meatballs (again, I don't recall the brand or whether each bag was 10 oz., 12 oz. etc.), and I don't recall how many cans or what brand of sauce or parmesean cheese.

    For the evening meal that same cheat day, I know the exact size, brand, and kind of pizza. I baked 2 cakes at home, and I don't recall the brands of cake or frosting and such... so I take the 2,894 calories from the taco pizza (which I had rounded off at 3K figuring the taco sauce would get me pretty close to 3K), and figure 1K-1.5K calories for each box of cake mix and tub of frosting combined, then 5K-6K is about right. That ignores the beer, so I still think I'm being pretty conservative at 5K-6K for that meal. Other cheat days where I might have eaten only 1 cake and cheese sticks, or cookies and cheese sticks, or some other combination of foods would likely be within around that same range. So while I admit there is some estimation as to exactly how many calories I eat on cheat days, I really don't think my estimates are too high.

    As far as a medical issue, I don't make amylin, but I'm not convinced that explains it. I have mentioned to doctors that I'm trying to lose weight and I'm frustrated because I feel like I'm starving myself all the time, but I think they understand that as a normal part of weight loss. I see it the same way. Either I can be fat and happy or fit and hungry. Cheat days only help make me happy for a day, so the result is that I'm still fat and I'm still hungry. It's the worst of both worlds. THAT is why I no longer do cheat days.

    You are all that food in one day? That is definitely a lot. The digestive issues would be horrible.

    As to the bold part: no, feeling like you are starving yourself is not a normal part of weight loss. Maybe at first, but it should not be that way through one's entire dieting journey. I think it's normal to get to a point where you feel satiated, and learn to make those food choices that keep you reasonably full.

    Really, it is not a choice between being fat/happy or fit/hungry. I'd push this one with your doctor because there really could be something else going on.
  • tabletmfp
    tabletmfp Posts: 53 Member
    In the last month I have been having 1 cheat evening on Saturdays. This is because 1 I enjoy it, and 2 if I don't have it I loose more weight which isn't good as I'm trying to maintain. So in total I have 3 light days of 650 cals and 3 days of 1600 cals plus this cheat evening where I don't count. The cheat evening consists of a few glasses of wine, Chinese take away and a desert. This plan is keeping me steady within 1 kilo. It took several weeks of trial and error to get here. I am now a happy bunny.
  • B_TEEN
    B_TEEN Posts: 95 Member
    I don't have cheat days and normally eat until I'm full (so as long as I'm hydrated and not consuming a lot of processed or high fat foods).

    Low activity day: 1400-1600 calories
    Moderate activity day: 1600-1800 calories
    High activity day: 1800-2300 calories
  • kamjz
    kamjz Posts: 1 Member
    I have been eating 1000-1100 kcals for too long,until my weight dropped to 45.then,i made lots of cheatdays-cheatweeks,and gained 4 kg. for now i'm eating 1350 on low activity days and 1500-1550 on moderate activity days, in order to loose 1 kg.im having cheatmeals 1-2 times a week.the highest was 3K,but mostly they are-2200-2800.btw,im not working out,only beating step goal;9-10K a day :smile:
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    When I do go over! It's usually by a lot. Like 3,000 over. Allowing myself between 1800-2000 per days helps keep the need in check. But not totally.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    jackidoll wrote: »
    I aim for 1200 a day m-f but on the weekend i allow myself a little more. what is everyones take on cheatdays

    My goal is 1810 and I do approximately the same every day. Sometimes less on Saturday because it is a less structured day than work days. Sometimes more on Sunday due to eating at other friends or family.
  • Running_and_Coffee
    Running_and_Coffee Posts: 811 Member
    I am on a reallllly slow plan (down to the last 4-5 lbs) and chipping it off at a rate of about .5 lb week, with some "off" weeks due to my travel schedule. I try to eat 1350-1500 calories a day, and 1-2 x a week, go over that by a few hundred calories (glass of wine one night, eating a dinner at a restaurant etc.) I work out 5-6 days a week, too. (The 1350-1500 calories is total--I don't add in extra for workouts.)
  • JessicaMcB
    JessicaMcB Posts: 1,503 Member
    I feel you @midwesterner85 , some of my more calorically ridiculous days (10k+) would have people looking at me and my log like I'm crazy too. Even as a little kid I could eat a stupid amount of food- I really missed my window as a competitive eater ;) . Do you find its rest days on your run schedule?
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