What do people think about cheat days?

Slacker16

Hi, been using myfitnesspal for a few months but first time posting.

For a bit of background, I'm a 27- (nearly 28- :frown:) year old male, not really overweight but trying to get rid of the last few kilos in excess and make healthier dietary choices. I'm trying to do a slow, sustainable cut at 1800-1900 calories a day with light exercise.

However, since I have no intention of counting calories at the pub or giving up the occasional take-out (life is, after all, meant to be enjoyed), I pretty much have to have a day (sometimes two) a week when I pig out a bit. I usually don't log those days, but did so yesterday and the results were... disturbing.

Had my usual breakfast (500 cals) and a big lunch (900 cals) before going out. In between the beer, the cider, the brandy, the fish&chips afterwards and some almonds when I got home, dinner was over 2000 cals and the day's total around 3500...

Rest of the week (and today) was consistent at 1800-1850 cals/day. Do you think last night's binge was enough to undo the week's progress?

Thanks.

Erithil

I have "cheat days" I guess they are called, when I don't worry about my mfp calorie level very much. However, I always make myself log what I eat, so that I can still be conscious of my choices, even when I'm purposefully letting go and going over. Usually for me, 500-1,000 calories over is enough twice a week, or 1,000-1,500 once a week. What I learned in my nutrition class was that ~ 3,500 calories = 1lb. (:

kirkor

At 1800/day that would put you at 12,600/week.
With a 3500 day included into your weekly average, that makes 14,300 for the week.

So in theory you'll lose 1/2lb less over the week than you'd planned to.

Not a big deal, don't stress too much.
Next time you have a night out planned, skip breakfast and have a small protein-emphasized lunch.

> (life is, after all, meant to be enjoyed)
IIFYM