Cheat days....

tarapin

I see people post this a lot and was wondering what y'all consider a cheat day. Is it a day where you don't keep track of calories and have whatever you want or you keep track but go over in calories or maybe it's just a lil something you've been craving to get it out of your system?? Do you feel comfortable with a cheat day and getting right back on track? Just kinda curious.

lkm111

I have had them in the past but have not had any lately. All I can tell you is that when I was using cheat days I lost weight. I haven't had any in awhile and I gained a few pounds (but I just added weight training). I'm thinking I may need to throw a cheat day in sometime........

arewethereyet

I really do not believe in cheat days.....like who are you cheating? Yourself and your program!!

BUT......(and my butt is bigger thanks to not sticking to mine! :laugh) I allowed myself certain foods when I craved them, but only if I worked for them.

If I had a bad day, where I ate stuff I know is not good for me, I logged every morsal.......what this did for me and my weight loss was show me in harsh numbers what I was doing to my body. After a few months, I really did not crave that pizza or choc cake. Why? Because I knew what the numbers were!

If you are just starting it may throw you off course if you give into those foods you love and adore and crave and dream off
for some ppl this is there biggest problem in an ongoing weight loss program.

Good luck to you!!

jeannie:flowerforyou:

tarapin

I follow a 1730 calorie no sugar/flour diet and plateaued about a month ago for 2-3 weeks after losing 26 lbs in 2 1/2 months. I researched plateaus and lot of sites said to eat extra calories one day and hold back on the calories the following days to keep the body guessing and it worked by losing another 6lbs. But I wasn't sure of how much I really cheated vs. just eating more. Been craving pizza and would LOVE to endulge. Guess I'm looking for validation on doing so I keep thinking, maybe when I lose 50lbs but hate to reward myself with food for weight loss :P

josparkle

There are some people who put in a day a week or a fortnight and permit themselves to eat whatever they like. For me that would be too dangerous so I decided to give myself an occasionalmeal when I can eat whatever I like. We went out last night for tapas and that was my cheat meal.

Funny thing is though that I still searched out the lower fat options and did sort of keep a check on myself - though I'm sure I blew my calories on the wine alone. It was a lovely meal and I really enjoyed myself and today I'm right back on my normal plan - no guilt, nothing. In factI feel great so maybe I wasn't so bad after all. Plus I really kept my cals slightly under the two prevous days and during yesterday day.

I've been doing MFP for 2-3 months now and this is only the 2nd time i've done it. Last time I wasn't so good with my choices and I think it slowed me down for a few days but in the long run hasn't really harmed me. I think the fact that it was going out for dinner helped too. rather than being at home.

6Janelle13

some cheat days i blew my calories big time and other days i just let myself eat a portion of a food or drink i had cut out of my diet. sometimes it was just a day i ate out. while eating out i still attempted to be healthy. today will fall under a cheat day for me but i am eating a health breakfast, eating out for lunch with friends and cooking dinner at thier place. (she is studying to be a dietician and i am eating healthy). since i only have so much control today i am leaving it as a cheat day so if i am over i can forgive myself for it. she lives 4 hours away so likely work out won't happen today. i tend to save cheat days for when i have friends or family that might be overwhelmed by the changes in mylife style. for me they tends to be days that i am less cautious but not careless in my food choices. hope that helps some.

arewethereyet

I follow a 1730 calorie no sugar/flour diet and plateaued about a month ago for 2-3 weeks after losing 26 lbs in 2 1/2 months. I researched plateaus and lot of sites said to eat extra calories one day and hold back on the calories the following days to keep the body guessing and it worked by losing another 6lbs. But I wasn't sure of how much I really cheated vs. just eating more. Been craving pizza and would LOVE to endulge. Guess I'm looking for validation on doing so I keep thinking, maybe when I lose 50lbs but hate to reward myself with food for weight loss :P

I am with you on the using food for rewards, very dangerous for me. After months of counseling I realized I was always making up for being hungry as a child.

I was off logging for a few months and gained back 5 pounds. Mostly from not exercising (had heart sx) but also from my rewards....Oh poor me, I had a surgery....I should get some choc caaaaake:sad: Like a druggie:blushing:

Now as far as pizza is concerned, I never stopped eating it in my weight loss phase. BUT I did make a healthier version. At our grocery store they have fresh pizza dough out each morning in bags.........fresh but also made with white flour (some stores have a wheat dough)

I would make the pizza at home with my homemade pizza sauce, veggies of my choosing, skim mozzerella and it satisifed my cravings and I knew what was in it!

Another favorite was to use fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzerella (aka buffalo or wet mozz) and fresh basil leaves. A bit of garlic or pepperflake kicked it up a notch. It was so good I never EVER missed the grease

Thank you for this talk.......

MLgarcia3

Been craving pizza and would LOVE to endulge.

I make my own little mini pizzas when I get that craving.. using biscuits, sauce, turkey pepperoni, and a lil bit of cheese.. yum!

patti1007

I don't typically do a cheat day but more of a cheat meal I guess. Every couple weeks I decide to eat something that I try to avoid, like pizza or a cheeseburger, fries...etc. I do try to plan for it. I always have it on a day I'm doing a decent amount of exercise and I try to be good for the rest of the day. I also make sure that I'm having the best of that cheat...so maybe the cheeseburger is a homemade one with the best beef I can afford, bread, cheese so I feel like my "cheat" was totally worth it and not "wasted" on like McDonalds. I also heard that if you "shock" your system every know and then you loose weight faster. I have no real resources for this information but I guess I believe it because I want to...LOL

kassiemeche

I just got started on my diet. I have been doing 30 mins a day on my elliptical for 3 weeks but no change on the scale. Did it take you a while to start noticing changes? What are some of things you eat for each meal....I need ideas. Congrats on your weight loss. I am 130 and I want to be 110 as well. I would greatly appreciate any pointers. Thanks

Levahna

I don't do cheat days, but I don't deny things I want either. If I want pizza. . . I'll have it. I just make sure that I have allowed the calories for it and that I am going to do some exercise that day.

BobbyDaniel

Having a cheat day today which means we decided to have pizza for the first time in a LONG time...and chances are i will be eating a lot less than what i was eating in the past since i do find myself eating less.
I think it is good to have these days from time to time, my understanding is that it it keeps our bodies in check and will help kick start our metabolism since it will change as you eat less calories. Even the Biggest Loser folks say that you can allow yourself to cheat from time to time, just don't do it too often or go crazy while doing it.
I've been under my calorie goal almost every day for the last couple of weeks, i'm actually looking forward to possibly going over for a change, lol.

mycharlie

I think if you crave something you should at least have it once in awhile or you feel deprived and if you do not a least eat a small portion it will be on your mind until you binge . so I say have what you want or crave just don't over do it . As long as you get back to what or how you were dieting before , So go on have a treat ! : )