Advice for "Cheat Days"

snickerscharlie

Zellyrus wrote: »

Thank you for all the math and the overall perspective.

AnnPT77 wrote: »

If it's extreme, I calculate the impact as above and decide whether it was worthwhile, and if not, I think about how to modify my behavior in the future. If I see an over day coming, I sometimes fit in extra workouts or cut 100 calories for a few days in advance, so I come out OK for the day or week despite the splurge. (I wouldn't cut much more below 1200, by the way - I'm currently at 0.5lb/week loss so I have more wiggle room). But if something comes up, and I go over, and I'm keeping it rare, I just get back on track without worrying about it.

The idea of counting calories.....long term....is new for me. I tend to just think day by day (which is why I probably had so much drama from so many calories!) Glad I did have a bad cheat day though, so if nothing else I know what NOT to do!

I think I'm going to have to avoid beer personally, if only because I get drinking munchies like crazy.

Cutting something out of your diet for a while is fine if you recognize that the particular item is currently an issue for you. But if you're thinking more along the lines that this is a lifestyle change as opposed to a diet, in the long term it's better to re-introduce that item into your repertoire at some point and learn to deal with it in the context of your overall nutrition unless you're willing to give it up forever.

AnnPT77

snickerscharlie wrote: »

Zellyrus wrote: »

Thank you for all the math and the overall perspective.

AnnPT77 wrote: »

If it's extreme, I calculate the impact as above and decide whether it was worthwhile, and if not, I think about how to modify my behavior in the future. If I see an over day coming, I sometimes fit in extra workouts or cut 100 calories for a few days in advance, so I come out OK for the day or week despite the splurge. (I wouldn't cut much more below 1200, by the way - I'm currently at 0.5lb/week loss so I have more wiggle room). But if something comes up, and I go over, and I'm keeping it rare, I just get back on track without worrying about it.

The idea of counting calories.....long term....is new for me. I tend to just think day by day (which is why I probably had so much drama from so many calories!) Glad I did have a bad cheat day though, so if nothing else I know what NOT to do!

I think I'm going to have to avoid beer personally, if only because I get drinking munchies like crazy.

Cutting something out of your diet for a while is fine if you recognize that the particular item is currently an issue for you. But if you're thinking more along the lines that this is a lifestyle change as opposed to a diet, in the long term it's better to re-introduce that item into your repertoire at some point and learn to deal with it in the context of your overall nutrition unless you're willing to give it up forever.

Ohso +1 to that!

camdoyle8906

I say have fun. Go get that beer and taco. Just don't lose yourself. It's an easy thing to do

brittyn3

You've gotten a lot of great feedback on here! The best thing you can do is find out by trial and error what works for you. An entire day of cheating? A singular meal? or just work in smaller portions whenever the craving hits?

First, don't think of it as cheating, just think of it as being slightly less strict on yourself. Either workout extra to account for the calorie bomb, eat at a bigger deficit in the day, or account for your splurge during your week.

I don't like "cheat" days, I feel like I'm undoing the hardwork I did during the week, and that's not worth it to me.

Personally, having small tastes here and there scratches my craving itch enough to still order a salad while out with my friends. I'm content with snagging a fry here and there and just remind myself I know what it tastes like as I've had millions before. Sometimes after a particularly hard week, I find myself steering towards extra chocolates - I let myself in moderation. Put the box away and go do something else to stop from wanting more.

For me, my end goal is more important than the immediate satisfaction, so it's easy for me to say no to high calorie foods at least for the time being. The more into a workout plan I get, the less I feel the need to eat the foods I used to before. My relationship with food has definitely changed. Now, I see it as something to refuel my body, not an emotional fulfilling comfort.

harrybananas

Best advice for cheat days is to have them everyday. Thank me later.

Mavrick_RN

My wife and I are in this thing together so we look forward to our Bonus Meal. It's always a meal out so no one cooks or cleans and we alternate who picks the place. I like BBQ and she is all Mexican all the time! We thus avoid the counter-productive "I'll never be able to eat that again" whine. After a week of mindful, healthy eating that one meal is a treat for us both. No take home, no left overs. Done is done.

Our home is a safe zone with no trigger foods. If a former safe food (can eat in moderation) becomes a trigger food (must consume entire package) then it goes.

I usually try to log as best I can, I'm not sure what wife does, she's on Weight Watchers.

Of course you haven't actually gained anything fat or otherwise. Your body can't manufacture tissue that fast. It's the combination of water and the physical weight of the food working its way through your digestive tract.

If you really feel you have "cheated" and that sets off a cascade of more "cheating" then it's not working for you. One relaxing meal of ANYTHING is not gonna make you fat. You can use that bloated feeling for good if you can remember what it feels like and try to order a medium pizza, one taco, one beer, telling yourself I can have more if I want it.