Thoughts on "treating yourself"?

PearlAng

I just enjoyed a brownie about 4 inches long, maybe 2 inches thick. It was topped with chocolate chips. And I washed it down with a glass of light soy milk. And I did this because that's what I really wanted. It wasn't because I've been "good" but just because I was hungry and I was craving it. I knew that would satisfy me. And later, I'll be on my way to the gym, just as I had planned, whether I ate the brownie or not.

Personally, doing things like this keeps me in balance. Yes, sometimes I still overindulge, but maybe if I give myself what I really want more often, those foods regarded as "off limits" won't be as dangerous.

But I want to know what other people think: how often do you do it, when do you do it, etc. I personally am an advocate of dessert, and I see no reason why I cannot enjoy my salad and my brownie as well.

Phoenix_Warrior

I treat myself every night. Wait, that sounds wrong

PearlAng

:laugh:

JoRocka

I just enjoyed a brownie about 4 inches long, maybe 2 inches thick. It was topped with chocolate chips. .....


But I want to know what other people think: how often do you do it, when do you do it, etc. I personally am an advocate of dessert, and I see no reason why I cannot enjoy my salad and my brownie as well.

I'm not willing to discuss that aspect of my life on the internet.


LMAO.

I eat ice cream every night- "treating myself" means I'm going to do dinner- and a glass of wine/beer and a big dessert with a frothy cappachino at the end.

It's a much bigger to do than one individual "treat" I eat those all the time regardless.

WhiteRabbit1313

I make semi-healthy muffins (lower sugar, replace butter with applesauce or bananas, and/or add other fruit) and have those as my treat almost daily.

paleojoe

Nothing is wrong with it as long as you are achieving your fitness and health goals.

miss_jessiejane

seltzermint555

I treat myself every night. Wait, that sounds wrong

Nope. NOTHING wrong with that actually ;-)

But yeah, I'm with the OP. I don't beat myself up over "treats". I work them into my calories.

I have noticed though that I do a lot better with just a couple of moderate treats (Clif Z bar, noosa yogurt) a couple of times a week and never more than one "major treat" (mini DQ Blizzard, boutique cupcake) in any given week. When I start doing too much of that I find that I crave it more!! But I still don't think it's BAD or anything :-)

avskk

I do it all the time. Almost everything I eat is something I find enjoyable, pleasant, whatever. I don't see the point otherwise. I'm not going to stick with it if eating is a miserable or unpleasant experience.

Of course, it helps that I actually really like vegetables, chicken, fish, etc. and don't particularly like sweets, fatty meats, or baked goods. Still, even if I was a junk food fiend I'm sure I could find ways to make my diet satisfying while still hitting my calorie & nutrient goals.

loriq41

This never gets old...I love it!

cwolfman13

I ate desert, drank beer/wine/booze, etc pretty much every day while I was losing...I fit it in...I lost 40 Lbs pretty easy. The idea that you have to deprive yourself and eat only celery or something is just stupid.

ItsCasey

I don't think of it as "treating" myself. I feed myself. Generally, I eat 140-150 g protein, 50-60g fat, and 110-120 g carbs a day. It doesn't much matter to me if that comes in the form of what society has deemed "clean" food or not. I like red meat, I like cheese, and I like dessert. And I have lost over 100 lbs and built an outstanding posterior chain while eating those things. So I'll keep doing what I do and not care at all if someone else thinks I should be eating lettuce 24/7.

vacherin

It depends on your personality - I'm afraid I still struggle to shake the mindset that one tiny morsel of something naughty has "ruined everything". I would LOVE to be able to enjoy certain things in moderation, but they sort of send me down an all-or-nothing path that I always regret.

Luckily I am on a low carb diet where my favourite thing - cheese - is allowed, so I feel very lucky to be able to have it every day. I do miss carbs though ...

PearlAng

:drinker:

PearlAng

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! :flowerforyou:

fbmandy55

AH! Beat me to it.

FINE LEATHER GOODS.

vvvalentines

I keep my "treats" on the healthy side. A very small glass of red wine with a couple squares of dark chocolate and a few almonds feels really indulgent, but it also has a little fiber and good fat and a lot of antioxidants. Or I'll have a bowl of fresh berries with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or, to be a little healthier than that, some yogurt mixed with honey.

lmisskatie

I refuse to starve myself....now that doesn't mean those who don't have their treats are starving themselves. I only mean it as I will eat the food I want otherwise I will fail. One of the spices of life to me is to enjoy yummy food. I just do it in moderation.

JTick

Here lately I have been working entire pints of Haagen-Dazs sorbet into my day...I harbor no guilt.

BranMuffin86

Just because I'm just starting out I'm trying to stay away from sugar, but best believe if I get a craving that last longer than a day or 2 I'm gonna eat it guilt free. Otherwise I'll end up binging on it eventually. Nothing wrong with "treating yourself" as long as it's in moderation and it's not affecting your goals in a negative way. IMO

jpolinisse

Everyday.

lucyloutoo

I'm a big believer in treating myself.... why not if it helps me stay on track?
It goes into my calorie intake during the week.....and later I've just forced myself to take Sundays off...
Eat what I like and no excersize...
It works for me.

Mirelle82

I need a treat most days and chocolate is definitely my thing, especially in the evenings when its cold and dark. I feel less guilty if I know I've worked out at some point during the day and I've eaten as best as I can during the day. :bigsmile:

Eleonora91

I usually try not to "treat" myself that often. I got overweight in first place because, even though I was still growing up and wasn't very aware of that, I used to mistake treating myself with eating. Which meant that I wasn't eating just to fill my hunger, but also to release emotional stress, and generally because food tasted just good. I still have to learn what it means to eat enough without overeating. Even though I've been dieting and behaving fine towards food for the last 1,5 years, I still haven't managed to do it yet, if I had to be left to my own self I would be overeating all the time. Because of all of these reasons, I don't like to have many cheat days since I can't control myself. When I have to eat outside or just want to enjoy a meal with friends I always regret eating afterwards. So I just prefer to have my little treats everyday instead than having a whole cupcake and triggering a binge. I always try to make room for something tasty but healthy; for example, I like having some biscuits or cereals before going to bed. I love sweets and cereals are a real treat to me. Sometimes, at the end of a good day, I just end up in bed eating them randomly and barely thinking about logging them. Because I know a few cereals aren't going to ruin my whole day, or week. Once or twice a month I usually have a pizza, and I won't have my pizza if I haven't behaved well for long enough. But lately I feel reclutant to eat it even though I've been craving it for weeks, because I fear I'm going to regret it later, especially because I'm doing quite fine with my diet.

AlabasterVerve

I eat whatever and enjoy all the foods on special occasions but daily or frequent treats are out of the question. I need to eat a low carb diet in order to have a normal appetite (eat, get full, feel satisfied and stop eating is what I mean by normal) and that's more important to my quality of life than treats and desserts.

My diet isn't miserable though. I love my meals and every single thing I eat is something delicious I look forward to eating.

Francl27

I have treats every day, I just make better choices so it fits in my calories. Yesterday I had cheesecake for lunch. I had been craving it for weeks, trying to make some healthier ones, trying cheesecake ice cream bars to save calories... Didn't help with the cravings, so I had one. And it was totally worth it.

Typically my treats are protein bars nowadays though. Sometimes 100-200 calories worth of chocolate, ice cream or cookies. As long as it fits my calories, why not? I'm trying to develop lifelong habits here, and I have no intention of stopping eating those things.

Alissakae

I've seen a friend lose 90+ pounds by cutting out all forms of treats out of his life....and gain it back and more when he finally gave in and started going overboard with sugar, etc. Depriving myself of chocolate would be completely unsustainable. So, I do have the sweets and desserts I love by fitting them into my calories. I celebrate when there is a celebration. This weight loss thing will be a lifetime thing for me, and I intend to enjoy it.

MayaSPapaya

I treat myself every day, I just work it in. Like someone else said, a treat is when I go out to dinner and order a big fat burger and fries that I know will put me over, but I do it and enjoy every bite anyway :drinker: