Cheat Day Or No Treat Day?

WinoGelato

kimerfy wrote: »

Do you have a treat day?? Or not? If So how often? Life's boring behaving all the time...

If your approach to this is so restrictive that you feel like you have to "behave all the time" then you are doing it wrong. Many people like the idea of a cheat day/cheat meal. I personally think that perpetuates this "bad food/good food" mentality, like it's all or nothing.

I prefer to continue to eat all the foods I love, in moderation. That means a glass of wine and some dark chocolate pretty much every single day. Pizza or a restaurant meal maybe once a week. If I know I'm going to have an event that is more indulgent, like tonight is my book club which will include lots of wine, appetizers, and desserts - then I will save up a few calories in the days leading up to it, but I still don't consider that cheating. Just a higher calorie day that I need to figure out how to work into my week.

liliana8199

I do on the weekends.. but I don't go crazy eating everything on my way lol..

RachelElser

I work in what I am craving- but I also try to keep portion sized down. If I really freaken want McD, then a home baked tender isn't going to cut it. But I get the kids meal instead of the adult meal. I find if I don't get what I am really craving I over eat on the substitute food which completely defeats the point. Luckily I also have an elliptical at home so if I am over I can run some extra minutes and burn off the surplus.

erinc5

I bank calories during the week so I feel better about eating treats when I want them.

My goal is 1400 per day. Fitbit/exercise usually gives me 100 to 300 on top of that during the week, depending on the day. And I will try to stay at 1300 or 1400 so I am "earning/banking" calories all week so that I can have an extra treat on the weekends.

Or, I will go for a long walk on Saturday morning so that I am able to "cheat" that night. It isn't really cheating, as I have the calories for it, but I am able to have more when I save some calories up. What's the point of being "good" all week and then ruining it on Saturday?

Asher_Ethan

My birthday I have myself a day of unlimited calories, butt that's about it. I usually try and work a 3000 calorie day into my week when I want it.

srecupid

I just try and work what I want in. Of course if it's thanksgiving or a holiday i just say *kitten* it. I tried to log on thanksgiving but, after 3 sam adams on an empty stomach I kinda just gave up

GsKiki

I tried cheat days before, and it just didn't work. I would not recommend it. If you're interested in full story I posted it here : youtu.be/5zyz1kT7cxY?list=PLDcedYCe2jr79BRkJn7K7tjJPQx7P_gn6

I don't restrict my self from anything, I simply make it work in my food schedule and my calories.

vczK2t

i am like many and i just work it into my day. my main focus is being more active and exercising regularly. i know that my food and drink will take care of itself once i am more active and exercise regularly.

happyscruffy

Never again over eaten about 1000+ ccalories (takeout) today and now feeling rubbish. In the future I will control my self better.

ElizabethOakes2

My husband and I had been very good, working really hard, and each lost about five pounds. That's it! We deserve a treat! We went to our usual steak place, ordered our usual meals and were only able to eat about half of what was on our plates. Onion ring appetizer, 10 oz of prime rib, baked potato, steamed veggies and... I ate two onion rings, less than half my meat, half my baked potato, all of my veggies and I was so full that I didn't want any dessert after. I came in under my calorie count for my "splurge". Now, I don't worry about it. I go out, I eat what I want, and if I go over a bit, I don't stress about it.

Sarahb29

I have one cheat meal a week, usually on the weekend since I can exercise more. Last week I had a lot of pizza for dinner, 3 pieces but on the flip side, I was out shopping all day. The best exercise. I also have small treats every day if they fit into my macros, like 90% dark chocolate or SF jello.

I never have an entire cheat "day" where it's a free for all, lol.

size102b

Your body doesn't understand days weeks months it simply loses weight when your eating less than your burning off
I'd only have a cheat day once a month until goal as you can eat a load calories on s cheat day tbh is also count cheat day calories as if you have s cheat day weekly you can easily blow your burned up calories as you have to burn 3500 calories to lose 1lb fat so if on a cheat day you ate 7000 calories that's 2lbs
You need to change your mindset life isn't more exciting over eating life shouldn't be happier more fun as food, food is to live not to use to make your life happier. Yes we all enjoy social side of eating but that shouldn't be the food that should be the company. If your finding life boring eating healthily then maybe counselling is good as otherwise a life of yoyong is infront of you I know I've been there.

walkywish

I have a cheat meal VERY occasionally - like once a month. I did it last night. It's my TOTM and I had given blood. I was just craving nice food. So I had it. Will now be good all week and weigh in 7 days

trjjoy

No, I can't have cheat days. A cheat meal? Sure. But it's never a planned cheat meal. I made pie crust with lard last night for a chicken pie and that, together with other snacks I'd had, pushed me about 500 calories over my limit. So now I have to restrict myself for the next couple of days to compensate.

ck763074

I know a lot of people will have a cheat MEAL and not a cheat day. This can help satisfy cravings without undoing multiple days of calorie deficits. Also you can plan to eat less that day if you know you might have an 800-1000 Calorie dinner.

zoomtech16

I have cheat days like once a week, and then again every few months I take a week off. I think it helps my metabolism go from sluggish back to being a little faster.