Thoughts of cheat days?

cneb

Everyone is always telling me, "Oh you need to have cheat days or you will go crazy and pig out later on."

So I followed their advice and had a cheat day...which then went on for two weeks. I gained almost 5 pounds from that!

For myself, I need to stick to my diet and eating lean meat and lots of greens. I honestly don't mind it and after a week I actually look forward to a salad.

Has anyone found cheat days to actually work?

Vexicat

I do not do "cheat days" -- they throw me. But I make sure I really LOVE a lot of what I am eating, every day. I can;t lose weight quickly or be too regimented or I rebel by eating everything that has a sugar in it.

Escape_Artist

I'm not for them personally. Just have what you want and fit it in your calories.
Cheat days for me lead to binging and next thing you know all your deficit has been eaten back and you get nowhere.

I know people for whom it works well though, everyone is different

SNLover87

I don't do cheat days but rather cheat meals. I don't have one very often...I originally set a limit for two per month, but I've found that I really only want one per month. The change I've made to what I eat on a daily basis has been very satisfying, so it's only an occasional need to eat outside the box lol That being said, if I told myself I could never eat ____ again, that would not work for me. I like having the option there, even though I don't partake very often.

Beckboo0912

I'm not too into them, although that being said if something is coming up like going to a Patriots game, wedding...ya know things that I know I will drink more at or whatever then I don't worry about calories too much and if I'm craving something then I fit it into my calories. I think cheat days are good for some and not for others, you need to find what works for you.

GKoz004

I used to do "Saturday Faturday" and it started out with having some ice cream, then over time, it evolved into an entire day of poor choices, later became an eat until you're sick, bloated, and dying and finally evolved into binge eating.

So no, I don't do cheat days haha.

If I want an ice cream bar or chocolate now, I'll have it. I'd eat absolutely perfect the entire week, looking forward to a pig out day, go way overboard, binge, and restrict the following one or two days

Marley112586

I do cheat days. It's not actually a cheat DAY. I save them for when im going out and dont eat anything else that day but that meal. But I have whatever I want at that meal. If I dont let myself indulge every once in a while ill binge.

SLLRunner

The way to not do cheat days is to stop thinking you are on a diet. You can have anything you want as long as you stay within your calorie goal. By logging calories and exercise, you are making a lifestyle change.

I don't believe in cheat days because I am not on a diet.

Mcgrawhaha

Well, if its part of your plan, its not cheating! I had a high calorie day every OTHER SATURDAY when i was actively losing. I would never have made it without doing it this way!

Bobbie8786

Cheat "days" mess with my head. I can have 1 cheat meal every now and then, like every 6 weeks or so. However, I like what I am eating on a daily basis. I simply cook my favorite meals in a lower calorie way. I don't really feel deprived enough to think a "cheat day" is necessary. In the end this is a lifestyle change, which for me means I need to eat like a reasonable human being 99% of the time, which is actually how most people who have never struggled with weight live their lives.

NYCNika

I have cheat days pretty regularly. Twice a week at least. Though I mostly try to keep it to "cheat meals" -- it is not a cart blanche to eat non-stop all day long.

But occasionally I have days with 2-3 cheat meals in one day. I try not to.

There is no way to work into my calorie budget going out for ribs, beers and fries loaded with bacon, ranch dressing, real cheese and pickled jalapenos. That one meal is bigger than my daily recommended allowance. But I do love it. So I eat reasonably the rest of the day, and go and enjoy it. If I think that I can never have this meal again, than I would be miserable.

And there is a number of things I love (narrowed down greatly from my before days), and I do have all of them pretty regularly.

wjstoj

No more than 6 a week

samammay

If you eat at a 500 calorie deficit 6 days a week then have a cheat day where you are over 3000 calories, you have a net deficit of 0.

For me, I have a goal every day. Usually I make it. Some days I dont. I have not lost any sleep over not making it. I am going away this weekend and will not make my daily goal. I also am not approaching it like I have 3 days off my diet... I'll make the best choices I can, but I am not going to deny myself something I want while on vacation either. Then next monday its back to my 1850 net.

XTSH

My non-gym day often becomes my "mini cheat day". When I'm not at the gym and stay home after work, I tend to get bored easily and snack a lot.

That is why I don't plan cheat day.

nikkiclaire123

i dont do cheat days, i could easy eat 5000 calories in that day and then what would be the point of the rest of the week?

i have one cheat meal. my saturday morning bacon sandwich with lurpak and ketchup mmmmmmmmm

Cindyinpg

The way to not do cheat days is to stop thinking you are on a diet. You can have anything you want as long as you stay within your calorie goal. By logging calories and exercise, you are making a lifestyle change.

I don't believe in cheat days because I am not on a diet.

Yep, ditto. Treat yourself everyday, enjoy the journey. :drinker:

Mongognom

Cheat days for me is weddings and birthday and other big family events where not eating would be strange, and I usually save up a little for them. On a normal week I try to eat healthy, but Saturdays I still keep within my calorie goals but I will have a soda or some chocolate.

ChristinaOfDecember

I have one day per week that I eat whatever I want without counting calories. I dont consider it as a reward though. I just like to think I can have it.

t1954

I haven't had a cheat day in over 14 months. My results should be enough evidence of the reward. What ever you decide good luck.

TamaraKat

I don't do it - I'm all for moderation! :bigsmile:

trogalicious

I eat what I want. When I want. As long as I can make it fit in my day and I'm hitting goals.

If you don't deal well with cheat days, then don't do them. I still eat pizza, drink beer, have ice cream.. whatever... but I make it fit.

mtnhiker1

Yes, cheat days seem to work for me but within limits/rules I originally set up.

1. absolutely count all calories

2. Do not add back exercise calories (I never even put them on MFP)

3. Keep a running total of number of calories not used (number under)

4. On weekly weigh in day, subtract 30% of the calories not used - these are calories available for a cheat day ( cheat days should be rare).

This works for me.

N0EXCUSE

I have one cheat meal a week or one cheat night out per week. Usually the night out, because alcohol has LOADS of calories!

Itsallbs15

I did the "cheat day" for awhile and it turned into a cheat month. So, I don't limit what I allow myself to eat, I just eat in moderation and stay within my calories so I don't have a need for a cheat day.

Aparz1

I do a cheat meal but I think it depends on what your normal day looks like..., most of my MPF friends while they stay under the cal goals eat less clean foods so their norm food would be a cheat meal to me. Guess there should be some point if reference?

suzyfj8

I have a cheat meal not cheat day, as then I add in extra calories every week but its not too many to ruin the rest of the week's work.

gringuitica

I have a cheat day about once a month. Since this is a lifestyle, not a diet, it's a cheat because I don't count calories, not because I binge. This is the day I go out to eat with my husband, to a nice restaurant. I act like a normal person (again, lifestyle not diet) and order a moderate meal. I don't go overboard, but it's a restaurant and I know the cals are much higher than making my own food.

I make sure to "bank" a few calories (100-200) in the days leading up to the restaurant meal, and try to get in an extra workout or two. I don't stress about it. And if I lose less than my target 1 lb/week, I forgive myself. I went out, had a great time, lived my life, and didn't gain. That's different from who it was just a few months ago.

For me, a cheat day is not the same as a binge day. I think that makes a difference.

mamadon

Some people can do them and some cant. I have one once a month. I do the entire day and eat whatever I want. I dont conserve calories in the week prior either. For me, I think I would have failed at this whole process long ago, if I didnt have them. It helps me.

elisa123gal

Go to the maintenance thread and there's an awesome post.. "in defense of cheat days" ...read that.

ritalvsfer

I don't have cheat days. I eat what I want and record all my calories! Then I bust my butt on my elliptical! This works for me!

Francl27

I have a cheat meal once in a while but I still keep it under 1500 calories (usually much less than that) and eat almost nothing else the rest of the day. The key for me is to have it in the morning or at lunch.

Cheat days are way too dangerous, it's like going back to your old eating habits or something...