Cheat Day, yay or nay?

AnnPT77

I don't believe in cheat days, in the same sense that (as an adult) I don't believe in Santa Claus.

Sometimes I eat within my deficit goal, sometimes I eat at maintenance, sometimes I eat over maintenance (occasionally way over). I call it "a decision".

While I was losing, I always logged it, even if I had to estimate. That way, I knew the impact, and could look back and decide whether the impact had been worth it. Sometimes it was, sometimes it wasn't. In the latter case, I'd think how I wanted to better handle similar scenarios in future. Either way, it was usually only a few hours delay in reaching ultimate goal weight, a day or two at most.

Now, starting into year 3 of maintenance, I don't always log, but I have a pretty clear understanding at this point of what my decisions mean for my weight management.

All of that's happening within a context where I strive to eat nutritiously overall, but include some extra-tasty but less nutrient dense foods routinely, within my calorie goal, just for happiness.

hroderick

It isn't cheating because the CICO rule applies. You gain on any day you overeat. You lose on any day you undereat.
For myself, I'm losing a lot of weight by changing my eating behaviors. If I go back to eating cake with my breakfast cereal one day it would be like smoking just one cigarette after quitting and not end well. I do have a tablespoon of cake and tablespoon of ice cream at birthday parties, the portion size and frequency is my new behavior. What I've discovered is that I enjoy that tablespoon more than sitting down with a carton of ice cream.

Strongfitmama100412

shaf238 wrote: »

I don't have cheat days or meals but I allow myself to have treats. I just make sure I still hit my weekly calorie goal.

This exactly. I dont believe in cheat days. That can throw your whole week off. I work to damn hard all week.
Right now im in a competition so im super strict right now. But before i would have some of the kids ice cream or a cookie. But honestly i dont crave things anymore. Eating healthy is such a habit now. I usually feel sick after i eat something not good and thats not worth it to me.

elsie6hickman

I'm mixed. The other day I had a slice of pizza for lunch. So that was definitely a cheat day. I have lunch with two friends once a week and depending where we go, I might eat a little more than I would otherwise. But it worries me that it will knock me off my healthy routine now.

DoubleUbea

How is that a cheat? Count the pizza slice as 350 calories and work it into your daily goal.

perkymommy

I don't refer to them as cheat days. I do allow myself to eat a little more on weekends.

emmamcgarity

Who would I be cheating? This is my journey and my plan. If I eat over my calorie goal and don’t enter it in my log that just means inaccurate data. My body still knows what happened. If I want wine with a friend or pizza with the kids I expect to be over my calorie goal. I enter it. The world does not end. I just keep swimming along....

dewd2

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I don't believe in cheat days, in the same sense that (as an adult) I don't believe in Santa Claus.

And I used to respect you... #SantaIsReal