Moderating cheat days
Replies
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I go with overall moderation. It just works better for me. Anything that feels like a restriction on what I can eat... I will just go nuts! If there is something I am craving that I really want -- I'll have it and just plan out the rest of my day around it.0
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I personally prefer to call my 'cheats' indulgences. They are pretty much always planned and when i decide to indulge a little i will prelog what i want to eat (usually anything Reese's and my beloved chilli) and i'll workout beforehand to counteract the damage. If the indulgences go out of control i use my mantra... Eat it, enjoy it, log it and forget it. I do the 6:1 version of the 5:2 as i am maintaining but if i feel really bad i will have 2 fast days instead.0
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I LIKE calling them cheats. Because the negative connotation helps remind myself that it really should be a rare occurrence.
But again, we got to stop arguing semantics. Focus on your ideas instead of how you call them... Just IMO.0 -
I LIKE calling them cheats. Because the negative connotation helps remind myself that it really should be a rare occurrence.
But again, we got to stop arguing semantics. Focus on your ideas instead of how you call them... Just IMO.
Enjoy your negative lifestyle! :flowerforyou:
cheat
transitive verb
1 : to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud
2: to influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice
3: to elude or thwart by or as if by outwitting <cheat death>
intransitive verb
1
a : to practice fraud or trickery
b : to violate rules dishonestly <cheat at cards> <cheating on a test>
2
: to be sexually unfaithful —usually used with on <was cheating on his wife>0 -
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I don't make cheat days, I make cheat meals. If I'm about to have a cheat dinner, I'll go with lighter and health-conscious breakfast and lunch, and if I'm going out for brunch, I eat healthy for the rest of the day. I am currently trying to not cheat at all, by working out a lot before any cheat meals, but in the future, they're will be meals that won't be loggeg at all. Those will be real cheat meals, but they don't happen very often. I probably won't log my wedding dinner or my 30th birthday party, but that's it.
This, and also the bit about unplanned (or I'd add unsatisfying) cheat meals. If I'm going to have a meal that's hard or impossible to fit into my calories for the day, it had better be worth it and intentional.
I'm tempted to argue for a different name, also, since I hate when women refer to themselves as "being bad" or "naughty" when eating something indulgent--I think it connects with generally unhelpful attitudes about food and shame and blah, blah, but of course I know what people mean and sometimes it's just easier to accept it.0 -
For me, it's only cheating if I don't log it.
I _routinely_ have days where I go over my daily calorie allotment, but I save up for them ahead of time by going under on other days or by not eating back my exercise calories. It's a _planned_ cheat.
I like this. As well as the "cheat meal" rather than day, if you want to start off slow.
I'm still working on it. I have a tendency to have more than one cheat in a row.
I'm doing the Ultimate Accountability Challenge here on MFP where I stay in my calories every day in March- it's teach me a lot about what I crave and my eating patterns.0 -
The entire concept of "cheating" is stupid in my book. You can eat whatever foods you want, every day as long as they fit your calorie and macro nutrient goals. A cheat day isn't needed. If you crave ice cream eat it, count it, and move on. A cheat day, or even a cheat meal can ruin a full week of dieting. Lets say you maintain on 2000 calories a week. You eat 1500 calories so you lose 1 lb a week. You have one cheat day where you eat 3000 calories as a cheat day. Congrats, you just ate away 1/3 of your week's worth of dieting. Why not just eat foods you enjoy every day in moderation?
I'm glad you're perfect.
For some, moderation is not an alternative.
Except the OP stated this:I'm trying to follow a 'moderation is key to all' diet0 -
"Cheating" is a loaded word. I don't really like it. That being said, I've been experimenting with a new "calorie intake management" strategy over the last month or so, and it's been working out really well. (I'm basically at maintenance right now.)
On each weekday (M-Th, and sometimes Friday), I maintain a net calorie debt of 200-250 calories. That gives me an extra 800-1250 calories to "play with" over the weekend. Popcorn at the movies? No problem. Cupcake at the mall? Yes, please. This allows me the freedom to eat pretty much whatever I want, within reason, on the weekend when we're out and about. But, I keep my weekly net calorie intake right at my goal for the week.
I do see my daily weight fluctuate a lot, but this is mostly glycogen and water storage. On a weekly rolling average basis, I'm staying right where I want to be.0 -
I want to continue supporting him as best I can, and I'm not being so strict with myself that the occasional burrito or biscuit is so terrible. But that works much better on a day-to-day basis -- craving salty deliciousness one meal? eat a greener, lighter next meal. have a bit extra cheese at lunch? skip the moderate amount I was going to have at dinner -- than on a 'MUST GET EVERYTHING IN AT ONCE' weekly basis. Especially since I just felt gross the next day, this week.
So, for those of you that have weekly 'cheat' days (including people on the 5-2 diet), how do you stop from going completely overboard? What guidelines do you follow on your cheat days, if any? What are your opinions on cheat days vs. cheat meals vs. overall moderation? I'd love to hear from you all! Thanks!!
(Oh, another mitigating factor -- he's over a foot taller than I am, and weighs about 30% more, so I have to be careful not to just match him bite-for-bite, or even bite-for-every-other-bite, anyway, or I will want to keel over and die at the end of every meal)
I don't do planned cheats or unplanned...I agree eat in moderation. I couldn't go a complete day and induldge all day either I would be ill. My husband and son both are big eaters and love love love fast food chips cake cookies etc. I eat with them but choose my food carefully. I prefer my method of eating what I crave and fitting it in.
I have on occassion had meals that were a bit more than I would like or evenings out where the drinking came into play. But as long as my weekly is in line I am all good.
I do however want to say support goes both ways...I understand his eating habits are different than yours but perhaps he could support your lifestyle as well...it's all a give and take...compromise.0 -
Now, while losing weight, I don't have "cheat" meals or days. I have gone over my planned deficit. The most I've eaten since I started this journey is a little under 2000 calories on my birthday back in January, which is probably just a little over maintenance.
When I get to maintenance, I doubt I'll have a weekly cheat day as I'm not really a foodie and I've never been a sweets fiend. My faults are mostly mindless snacking and laziness. If I continue logging (as I plan to do) and I don't get complacent, I probably won't need cheat meals very often.
What I suspect I'll do is mostly eat at maintenance, and then once in a while have an all-out, no-holds-barred, extravaganza meal, and not worry about it.
I'm guessing a lot of the variation in answers you'll get on her can be attributed to the variation in how much a person likes food.0 -
Hi all,
I know this is a somewhat controversial topic, and I'd love to get everyone's thoughts on it. I'm trying to follow a 'moderation is key to all' diet, but my boyfriend -- whose goals are sleep-health-related, rather than purely fitness/thinness-related -- follows a much stricter plan, which includes an eat-all-the-****-you-can day off to help curb cravings during the rest of the week. It's been working really well for him, and we've been using the day off ('faturday') as an excuse to explore the city, and its culinary delights.
I want to continue supporting him as best I can, and I'm not being so strict with myself that the occasional burrito or biscuit is so terrible. But that works much better on a day-to-day basis -- craving salty deliciousness one meal? eat a greener, lighter next meal. have a bit extra cheese at lunch? skip the moderate amount I was going to have at dinner -- than on a 'MUST GET EVERYTHING IN AT ONCE' weekly basis. Especially since I just felt gross the next day, this week.
So, for those of you that have weekly 'cheat' days (including people on the 5-2 diet), how do you stop from going completely overboard? What guidelines do you follow on your cheat days, if any? What are your opinions on cheat days vs. cheat meals vs. overall moderation? I'd love to hear from you all! Thanks!!
(Oh, another mitigating factor -- he's over a foot taller than I am, and weighs about 30% more, so I have to be careful not to just match him bite-for-bite, or even bite-for-every-other-bite, anyway, or I will want to keel over and die at the end of every meal)
I personally follow overall moderation; I used to use the word "cheat" and have "cheat days" and "cheat meals", but I stopped using that mindset because I wanted a good relationship with food. I personally don't like the idea that I am "cheating" at something, because that implies I'm doing something bad.
If I want a piece of greasy pizza, and it fits into my macros, I don't consider it cheating. I consider it calories.
Overboard wise, measuring everything out ahead of time can help curb going overboard. Eg: want cheezits? Portion them out into individual bags. I really do like your idea of balancing out your choices with greens if you eat a heavy meal, or reducing the amount that you eat of a certain item later on if you had a lot earlier in the day. I think that's a pretty good mindset that you have going!0 -
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The entire concept of "cheating" is stupid in my book. You can eat whatever foods you want, every day as long as they fit your calorie and macro nutrient goals. A cheat day isn't needed. If you crave ice cream eat it, count it, and move on. A cheat day, or even a cheat meal can ruin a full week of dieting. Lets say you maintain on 2000 calories a week. You eat 1500 calories so you lose 1 lb a week. You have one cheat day where you eat 3000 calories as a cheat day. Congrats, you just ate away 1/3 of your week's worth of dieting. Why not just eat foods you enjoy every day in moderation?
I'm glad you're perfect.
For some, moderation is not an alternative.
Except the OP stated this:I'm trying to follow a 'moderation is key to all' diet
People who say, "just eat all foods in moderation" don't understand that some people can't. It's not will power or discipline or anything else, I just don't have an off-switch. I don't feel full until I'm completely full. And that's a lot if calories later.
I can't just have one square of chocolate. I'm really glad that some people can do that. But, I eat the whole bar, and then subsequent bars if I bought more than one. So, abstinence works. Not buying that stuff, works. And, allowing a day to have at it, is worth it. And it solves the problem of binging when I don't want to, but gives me the freedom when it's allowed. It might wipe out 1/3 of my week, but that's ok. I'm not trying to lose weight. I'm trying to maintain and actually body recomping. But, the point is the same. Yes, some of my progress is lost, but I get back some mental satisfaction with a free day. I don't do it once a week, I do it whenever I feel like it, which is less than once a week. I think it's healthy. Lots of people do it. And, the admonishment here for it is idiotic when it's a practice by many athletes and people that are serious about diet and training.
If you don't understand it, read up on it before judging. Psychology is equally important as other aspects of nutrition and fitness.
You might want to read the OP again. None of what you are saying has to do with the question the OP is asking.0 -
The entire concept of "cheating" is stupid in my book. You can eat whatever foods you want, every day as long as they fit your calorie and macro nutrient goals. A cheat day isn't needed. If you crave ice cream eat it, count it, and move on. A cheat day, or even a cheat meal can ruin a full week of dieting. Lets say you maintain on 2000 calories a week. You eat 1500 calories so you lose 1 lb a week. You have one cheat day where you eat 3000 calories as a cheat day. Congrats, you just ate away 1/3 of your week's worth of dieting. Why not just eat foods you enjoy every day in moderation?
I'm glad you're perfect.
For some, moderation is not an alternative.
Except the OP stated this:I'm trying to follow a 'moderation is key to all' diet
People who say, "just eat all foods in moderation" don't understand that some people can't. It's not will power or discipline or anything else, I just don't have an off-switch. I don't feel full until I'm completely full. And that's a lot if calories later.
I can't just have one square of chocolate. I'm really glad that some people can do that. But, I eat the whole bar, and then subsequent bars if I bought more than one. So, abstinence works. Not buying that stuff, works. And, allowing a day to have at it, is worth it. And it solves the problem of binging when I don't want to, but gives me the freedom when it's allowed. It might wipe out 1/3 of my week, but that's ok. I'm not trying to lose weight. I'm trying to maintain and actually body recomping. But, the point is the same. Yes, some of my progress is lost, but I get back some mental satisfaction with a free day. I don't do it once a week, I do it whenever I feel like it, which is less than once a week. I think it's healthy. Lots of people do it. And, the admonishment here for it is idiotic when it's a practice by many athletes and people that are serious about diet and training.
If you don't understand it, read up on it before judging. Psychology is equally important as other aspects of nutrition and fitness.
I get from the OP that is the issue with the BF...but not hers...she can do moderation.
and from that stand point the BF has to be able to compromise as well...it can't always be just that one day for her...I get that...
If I indulged just one day and really got it out of my system on one day I would be off for days...sick, tired bloated etc.
How does one who can't do moderation compromise with someone who can...there in lies the rub.0 -
The entire concept of "cheating" is stupid in my book. You can eat whatever foods you want, every day as long as they fit your calorie and macro nutrient goals. A cheat day isn't needed. If you crave ice cream eat it, count it, and move on. A cheat day, or even a cheat meal can ruin a full week of dieting. Lets say you maintain on 2000 calories a week. You eat 1500 calories so you lose 1 lb a week. You have one cheat day where you eat 3000 calories as a cheat day. Congrats, you just ate away 1/3 of your week's worth of dieting. Why not just eat foods you enjoy every day in moderation?
I'm glad you're perfect.
For some, moderation is not an alternative.
Except the OP stated this:I'm trying to follow a 'moderation is key to all' diet
People who say, "just eat all foods in moderation" don't understand that some people can't. It's not will power or discipline or anything else, I just don't have an off-switch. I don't feel full until I'm completely full. And that's a lot if calories later.
I can't just have one square of chocolate. I'm really glad that some people can do that. But, I eat the whole bar, and then subsequent bars if I bought more than one. So, abstinence works. Not buying that stuff, works. And, allowing a day to have at it, is worth it. And it solves the problem of binging when I don't want to, but gives me the freedom when it's allowed. It might wipe out 1/3 of my week, but that's ok. I'm not trying to lose weight. I'm trying to maintain and actually body recomping. But, the point is the same. Yes, some of my progress is lost, but I get back some mental satisfaction with a free day. I don't do it once a week, I do it whenever I feel like it, which is less than once a week. I think it's healthy. Lots of people do it. And, the admonishment here for it is idiotic when it's a practice by many athletes and people that are serious about diet and training.
If you don't understand it, read up on it before judging. Psychology is equally important as other aspects of nutrition and fitness.
I get from the OP that is the issue with the BF...but not hers...she can do moderation.
and from that stand point the BF has to be able to compromise as well...it can't always be just that one day for her...I get that...
If I indulged just one day and really got it out of my system on one day I would be off for days...sick, tired bloated etc.
How does one who can't do moderation compromise with someone who can...there in lies the rub.
That was my understanding too.
And yes, the rub.....
You can't control someone else's diet. I do have a few things that I don't bring in the house because of my husband, like Oreos. I buy him a snack pack of them on occasion.0 -
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Hi all,
I know this is a somewhat controversial topic, and I'd love to get everyone's thoughts on it. I'm trying to follow a 'moderation is key to all' diet, but my boyfriend -- whose goals are sleep-health-related, rather than purely fitness/thinness-related -- follows a much stricter plan, which includes an eat-all-the-****-you-can day off to help curb cravings during the rest of the week. It's been working really well for him, and we've been using the day off ('faturday') as an excuse to explore the city, and its culinary delights.
I want to continue supporting him as best I can, and I'm not being so strict with myself that the occasional burrito or biscuit is so terrible. But that works much better on a day-to-day basis -- craving salty deliciousness one meal? eat a greener, lighter next meal. have a bit extra cheese at lunch? skip the moderate amount I was going to have at dinner -- than on a 'MUST GET EVERYTHING IN AT ONCE' weekly basis. Especially since I just felt gross the next day, this week.
So, for those of you that have weekly 'cheat' days (including people on the 5-2 diet), how do you stop from going completely overboard? What guidelines do you follow on your cheat days, if any? What are your opinions on cheat days vs. cheat meals vs. overall moderation? I'd love to hear from you all! Thanks!!
(Oh, another mitigating factor -- he's over a foot taller than I am, and weighs about 30% more, so I have to be careful not to just match him bite-for-bite, or even bite-for-every-other-bite, anyway, or I will want to keel over and die at the end of every meal)
OP, is it possible for you to just order smaller/lighter meals when you're out on the town? You need to do what makes you feel good, so eat the amount that is comfortable for you-- maybe take some of these "faturday" meals home instead of eating the whole thing? Or is your boyfriend pressuring you to eat too much when you're out? (That would be a very bad sign if that is happening-- I can't really tell from your post.)
Just eating less of the lovely out-on-the-town food you get would probably be the easiest and most sensible solution. I don't get the feeling that you're really enjoying having a full-blown cheat day, even though that's what works for your boyfriend. My advice is basically to exert portion control.
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The irony here is that "moderation" for most, is considered a "cheat day" for many.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
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The irony here is that "moderation" for most, is considered a "cheat day" for many.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
That is a really interesting spin on things. I never thought of it that way before!0 -
I do weekly refeed days. I like the term refeed rather than cheat because the connotation is just so different --- something I should be doing rather than something from which I'm deviating.
For me, that means that I eat at maintenance, which is usually 700-800 calories more than I would usually eat. It feels pretty decadent in many ways. However, I don't tend to eat a lot of things I normally wouldn't otherwise eat -- I just eat more of them, usually more dessert It also means I increase my carbs for that day whereas I'm usually restricting them to 100 g/day or less. On refeed day, I get 150+ and don't worry about my carb numbers.
Oftentimes, it ends up being a really nice French-style meal somewhere with a glass or two of wine. I'll retain a little water the next day from the extra carbs, but I lose it the following day. For me, I've found this to be essential to reset my hormones and give my body a break from the prolonged caloric deficit. It's also known as calorie cycling if you want to look into it more.
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/calorie-partitioning-part-2.html
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-hormones-of-bodyweight-regulation-leptin-part-the-last.html0
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