Cheat Days

derbygirl90

I think cheat days are a way to fall off the wagon. So I try to allow one cheat meal a week (i don't always adhere to it though!) Maybe I'd better think about upping it to two cheat meals a week....?

hedgertiger

I never believed in a cheat day but I do now. Last few weeks i was struggling to lose any weight despite being very disciplined. Last thurs I went out with the lads and had a total drinking session (about 15 beers!) and had a huge McDonalds at the end of the night. My weekly weigh-in was next morning and surprisingly I lost 2lbs (and remain lost so wasnt dehydration!)

A cheat meal every week can really help!

karensoxfan

Allowing myself "Cheat days" (or meals) would be a real "slippery slope" problem for me. I already have enough challenges & hurdles that I face in this effort. What if I took a cheat day (or meal) and then the next day had an unexpected challenge pop up. The cheat day/meal would put me at a disadvantage facing the truly unexpected hurdle.

For me, it would just be asking for trouble. To each his/her own though. If some people are structured enough to make it work for them, then more power to them, but it's not for me at all.

stuvb12

I'd say more of a cheat meal on a weekend day. That cheat meal ends up being as much as my whole normal day so having 2 cheat meals in a day would be way overboard. Depends on what a cheat meal or day is to each person though.

crystalDRA

I have a cheat "day" in which I'm over on my calories, but technically it is really only a cheat "meal." I pick one meal a week that I am going to just eat what I want without thinking about the consequences. Doing this almost always puts me over in calories within reason whereas a whole day of eating what I want puts me way over my calorie/fat beyond what is a reasonable overage (in my opinion). The cheat "meal" does help me stay on course through the week and it also gives me something to look forward to...similar to a reward for being so diligent.

amandapucheu

I don't do cheat days. Instead, I do reward meals. For example, if I've made all my workouts and stuck to my calorie limit all week, then I'll celebrate by getting something that I really love but that is absolutely not good for me. My personal favorite is Chinese takeout, if you really want to know. I don't do reward meals if I haven't completed my workouts and eaten clean the remainder of the week, though. I like the reward mentality because I feel like I'm getting something I've earned rather than cheating.

At the same time, listen to your body. If you're really craving a particular food or a glass of wine, then have it. But don't let that become a slippery slope into having a huge portion of it or having it on a regular basis.

GlutenFreeWench

Cheating days don't work for me. I'll do one meal a week that's out, 1 meal a week fast food.

Otherwise, it turns into a free for all.

500 calories extra a week to eat whenever has also done the trick:)

cnash81

I personally cannot do a cheat day because I am far too prone to just falling of the wagon completely. I would have too much trouble going back to eating healthy after an entire day of debauchery. I have historically had a problem with too easily falling back into my bad eating habits. Thus, I have to be pretty strict about it and only allow myself a cheat meal once a week.

kimmerroze

My whole thing is that I dont "cheat" persay. I "maintain" my maintainence level of calories is 1750 so I just try to stay under that on saturdays. THat is my hardest day to be good. If Im under I am good. I know that I wont lose any weight but I most certainly wont gain any.

sjdoman

I don't have to cheat because my number one rule is I can eat anything I want. If I really want a doughnut, I'll eat one. But I make sure I stay within my calorie allowances. And 95% of the time I'm eating healthy, I just always know I can have a treat if I want to. So its not a temptation.

milehighcritic

I can't trust myself with a cheat day. I am afraid I will fall back to bad habits. If I where to have a cheat day it would be maybe one a month.

jjjghoffert

I don't. There are days when friends come over or I go out to eat that throw me off so I just follow the diet as much as possible and then I don't stress over the occasional spontaneous meal out. If you go ahead and take a cheat day on Friday and then suddenly decide to go out on Saturday you've kind of thrown yourself off. I just take them when I need them for fun occasionally and try to stay in line the rest of the time.

jennymaree05

I like the way you think! This helped me a lot -thanks!

mattcoop

I finally started having cheat days ... It was hard because I've been so good after having a heart attack last April 2010... I've lost 60 lbs... but I'm not a "ghost"... I can "touch" the naughty food once in a while.. : )