cheat meal

jenb8529

Does anybody here have a cheat meal each week? Do you still log it? And does it derail your overall goals? I struggle the most on the weekends, I wonder if having one set cheat meal would help or hinder.

Cynsonya

I don't do a cheat meal per say. But if I know I'm going out with friends for a special meal that I don't want to have to restrict too much I bank calories the rest of the week. So I basically eat about 200 less (or more if needed) the first 4-5 days of the week so I can have extra calories for the meal out. I always log everything.

hiyomi

I usually have cheat meals on the weekend, if I eat like 2000-2500 calories (a day, not in one meal!) I'm fine and my weight loss does not get derailed, but if I eat more than that, I will usually see a small stall in my weight loss. It fluctuates and goes up for 1-3 days, but actually gaining weight from weekend cheat meals, no.

murp4069

I don't schedule a cheat meal, but I tend to eat more on the weekends when I eat out more often. I try to keep my calories a little lower during the week to make up for additional calories I'll have over the weekend. I still log everything I eat even if it's just an estimate and try not to go too far over goal on Saturday and Sunday. So far this strategy has worked well for me. I also still eat what I want during the week, but in appropriate portions to stay within my goals, this way I don't feel deprived and it doesn't lead to a binge meal. You have to find what works for you no only for weight loss, but long term when you go into maintenance.

hhazzouri

I used to have a cheat meal every weekend but then it became an obsession and id spend the whole week thinking about it and that mind set is not constructive.

pebble4321

The whole "cheat" concept doesn't work well for me. Sometimes I eat more, sometimes I eat less. I don't set myself up with a specific goal to eat more on one day, but when the occasion arises (eg going out for a special occasion) I enjoy it, then aim to go back to regular eating the next day.
Having said that - you need to find what works for you.

85Cardinals

There's a sausage mushroom medium pizza with my name on it once I hit my next goal, baby.

But in general I don't take regular "cheat" days or meals as a matter of course. It does seem to work for some people, probably not me.

kasparkid

I log everything, good or bad. Being able to track a generally very positive trend takes the sting away from days in which I choose to go over my calorie goal.