When you say "cheat day", what *exactly* do you mean?

cardsfanlv

For me, its Sundays. I have what I want. I try not to go overboard and lately I find I'm craving some of the bad stuff less than I used to, like soda for example.

I typically take my daughter to this place here in Vegas that serves up organic burgers for lunch. High calories but better quality and not as heavy as say Five Guys or In n Out. And then my wife and I go out to dinner for something we are craving, like pizza or crab legs or whatever.

rachelbethany

I think people use the term really loosely-- I know I do, anyway. I never PLAN cheat days into my weekly routine; that wouldn't work for me, since I have certain trigger foods that would really just make me continue to "cheat" (binge) for the following days. But a cheat day for me could be having a piece of cake on my birthday, eating a higher amount of carbs than normal if I'm really hungover (which is SUPER rare, but did happen recently!), or maybe going a little over on the calories for a special date night with the boyfriend. I'd never just allow myself a whole day to pig out on whatever I want, though. I've eaten like that in the past, and it's definitely not a method that works for me, since I have major portion issues!

jenniferdances1

Every other weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, I eat whatever I want and don't log it. It keeps me from getting burnt out.

TrailRunner61

I'm trying to eat more on one day, every 2 weeks, to keep my metabolism up. It is an increase in calories, not a 'eat anything I want all day' deal. I only have 12-13lbs left to lose so I'm doing anything I can to get there. If it works, I'll keep doing it, if not, I wont.

runnerchick69

Everyone has their own version of a 'cheat' day. Mine is one day where I don't log calories and I eat what I want. I'm usually pretty good throughout the day if we are planning on going out to dinner that night. If we do go out I let myself order what I want and don't really worry about the calories. Doing this has not only kept more than 100 pounds off for a five years but it also keeps me sane

bcampbell54

I go to Vegas, cheat at blackjack, and wind up in an underground tunnel, with some guy that looks like Joe Mantegna standing over me with a baseball bat.
It doesn't do much for a headache, but it's hard to gain weight with your jaw wired shut.

TrinaJ11

I don't do a cheat day every week but when I do it's usually so I can go out to dinner or a gathering and enjoy myself.

MissGeorgiaPeachy

my cheat day is easily in excess of 4000 calories as id have 2 bottles of wine which is about 1000 calories then easily 3000 if not more on food its amazing how much more you eat and drink when in a big group of people.. hasnt done me any harm though still lose every week

I agree with one of the other commenters about how you have to indulge sometimes if you want to make it a lifestyle change. If you enjoy your company and wine, there's no way you should have to give that up and it's great to hear it hasn't impeded your progress!

Shelbert79

For me, it's usally a meal. I still log it though.

SmartAlec03211988

I don't call it a cheat day. I deliberately eat whatever I want on the weekend. Lifestyle change and all that.

I do log the day, though. It is quite terrifying to see 5,000 calories logged for a single day. :P

HannahJDiaz25

I usually eat out about once a week...or order pizza or whatever... that would be my cheat day. So I guess its more of a cheat meal :laugh:

MissGeorgiaPeachy

on my cheat days I start the day with a dozen donuts, then for lunch have a rack of ribs with all the sides, and for dinner an entire large pizza

Haha I would yak all over the place if I attempted this.

AlyssaJoJo

My cheat day is more of a " Eat whatever." Sometimes this can go way over - but that's more for a speical occasion. State fair happens, giant family get together, wedding, etc. But mainly it's just to eat the things I've been craving like bread or red meat. I just find that letting my self have that one day where I can eat what I really want to eat makes a "diet" way easier for me. Sometimes a girl needs dessert and some chips and dip in the same day. I'm just TOO much of a foodie to every give up some of those unhealthy things I love so much.

reinadelaisla

Good question... I usually just log what I have to the best of my ability and see where I'm at. All things considered, I usually stay within the boundaries, but I don't stress it if there are things in red. This Sunday I didn't log at all, lol, but I try to stay on track with my logging every day, because I find it keeps me a little more disciplined.

DavidCHobby

Okay waitaminnit. "Cheat" days are about calories? It has nothing at all to do with marriage and fidelity?

That explains a LOT. I kept hearing people talking about having cheat days once a week (usually on Saturdays) and that sounded TOTALLY excessive to me...

brenda4life

I agree with KMS. I follow a plan called Body-For-Life that encourages a free day once a week. The thing about that free day is that once you start eating right and exercising you really don't want the things you once did. This past Sunday I bough Starburst Jelly Beans, I could eat an entire bag...well, I used to eat an entire bag. Now it just tasted like chewing sugar. That being said, it allows you for a treat you want without the guilt of many diet plans.

SWilkins75

I tried having a day where I ate whatever I wanted, but after behaving myself so much, I just couldn't do it. I eat WHATEVER I want everyday as long as it doesn't go over my daily calorie goal. I kind of plan it before hand and behave myself to allow it to fit in

MissGeorgiaPeachy

I go to Vegas, cheat at blackjack, and wind up in an underground tunnel, with some guy that looks like Joe Mantegna standing over me with a baseball bat.
It doesn't do much for a headache, but it's hard to gain weight with your jaw wired shut.

HAHAH This. This made my day.

SWilkins75

The thing about that free day is that once you start eating right and exercising you really don't want the things you once did.

This.

char_char_piper

My cheat day is pre-planned; usually twice a month and I eat whatever I want without thinking about it. I don't log, but I still try to workout. I usually plan extra high intensity cardio the day before and the day after to compensate for the extra calories/carbs.
I refuse to let myself feel guilty as I'm pretty on track with my fitness goals and bust my a** whenever I workout!!
So that's my definition of a cheat/free day...

dakitten2

I dont do cheat days. However, when I went on vacation, I ate a nutritious breakfast and then didnt calorie count the rest of the day.

If I am planning to go out to eat at night, I preplan my dinner menu from the restaurant's online nutrition info and enter it first thing in the day and then just work the rest of my day around it so I'm still under goal. Also keeps me from opening the menu and being tempted by other options. I dont consider it a cheat meal because I just shifted most of my calorie intake to dinner instead of spreading it thru out the day.

It's just become habit for me to stay within my goal and still get some goodies in every day.

RunFarLiveHappy

I don't ever consider anything I do as a "cheat" because I log EVERYTHING! The good, the bad & the ugly lol. I do allow myself to indulge in cravings--but I usually try to earn them or at least make them up with exercise & good choices! I think "cheat" is used for a lot of different meanings, but I think we're all here to be honest about our habits & getting healthy so let's learn from our choices, make the best decisions we can & try to improve our lifestyles & our health! (:

grayprae

I don't think of dieting at all on cheat days eat whatever I want and don't log it

liketoyak

I don't have a cheat day, but I do plan a treat meal once a week. I record everything and move on.

MissGeorgiaPeachy

Okay waitaminnit. "Cheat" days are about calories? It has nothing at all to do with marriage and fidelity?

That explains a LOT. I kept hearing people talking about having cheat days once a week (usually on Saturdays) and that sounded TOTALLY excessive to me...

Haha Well.. I'm sure there are other groups out there who would condone this as well... but you know, sex does burn calories, so whatever tickles your pickle I suppose?

Scott277

I have one cheat MEAL a week, for example if im out for dinner I will just get something unhealthy if I fancy it. But i still eat my regular foods the rest of the day. If im not out for dinner I will normally just have a cheat meal if I see friends and we get a pizza or something on a fri/sat...nice little reward for the weeks hard work.

to be honest it makes me feel stronger and motivates me to get cracking on the next weeks workout!

bulbadoof

I have a very successful bodybuilder roommate and he takes an entire day once a week to eat whatever he wants. This usually consists of 2 meat-loaded frozen pizzas and a whole tub of ice cream. Then again, he's in maintenance, not trying to actively lose weight, so take that with a grain of salt.

andreamelo1

i dont have a cheat day i work too hard to be screwed at the end of the week because of weakness

ptak1sm

I don't log anything that day, I don't even exercise (re: I don't go to the gym). I might go out for dinner, go out to the bar, eat some ice cream, etc, without measuring my intake. It hasn't hindered me at all...I've lost 20+ pounds thus far, and I'm a mere 10 pounds away from my goal

MissGeorgiaPeachy

i dont have a cheat day i work too hard to be screwed at the end of the week because of weakness

I have cheat days for the exact opposite reason. I know I have weaknesses despite working hard... and I also know that personally if I don't let myself enjoy treats now and then I will stop working towards my goal and eat anything I want every day and gain back all the weight I worked so hard to lose just because denying myself foods that make me happy would make me even weaker than if I just gave in to them now and then.