How often do you "cheat"?

taso42_DELETED

Yea you have to burn more than you eat for the day.

I am so confused when I hear this! This concept means I would either have to burn more than 1300 calories per day or practically starve myself.

Can someone please clarify this for me!

You burn a few thousand calories just from being alive and doing your daily activities. Just as a random example, a 30 yr old woman, who is 5'5", 140 lbs and lightly active, burn appx 1868 calories per day. (this is per http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-metabolism-calculator; other online calculators may vary, but they should be in the same ballpark).

Now suppose she exercises and burns 300 more calories today.

1868 + 300 = 2168 total calories burned that day

So, on this day, if she eats less than 2168 calories, she will have burned more than she ate. Tada.

If she was shooting for 1 lb lost per week, that should be a 500 calories per day deficit. 2168 - 500 = 1668. Assuming the 300 calories is typical, this fictional woman should be eating 1668 calories per day to lose a lb per week.

See this link for a more in depth explanation.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

rodneyderrick

If I enjoy some ice cream at the end of the week, I don't consider that cheating. I log everything I do, and I have days where I make a point to go into the red. For example, Saturday I will go into the red because I plan on going out to eat. Sunday, however, I'm back to business. I don't worry about that one day that I go into the red because I've done the math.

How many people question if they will workout tonight? This isn't a question for me. I will workout tonight unless I die or a family member dies. And if a family member dies, I will get a workout because I'll clean the house until it's spotless because I'd plan on having company on Friday to help me mourn.

Will I workout on Friday? It's not a question unless I die or a family member dies. I won't come home until I've gone to the gym or the track. I sum up my day with a workout. If I haven't worked out, then I know my day isn't done.

Will I workout on Saturday? It's not a question unless I die or a family member dies. I'll run somewhere between 8 to 10 miles at the park in order to give me enough calories to eat like a pig when I go out with the family.

Will I workout on Sunday? Hell no. I'm still human and need a break every once in awhile.

Will I workout on Monday? It's not a question unless I die or a family member dies. I will devote at least an hour to me everyday. It's like this every day unless I've scheduled a day that I've decided to rest.

rodneyderrick

I wish I could delete a second post.

JustBreathSB

I just read this thread and it has made me feel much better about going out for lunch tomorrow (it's my birthday, what better day to have a "cheat day"?)

jen0619

I used to "cheat" and well after months and months that eventually lead to binging because I wasn't allowing myself to eat the foods I know I will not give up forever. I couldn't just take one day either and eat whatever i wanted and go over. I eat the foods I want that people consider "bad" or whatever whenever I feel like it. If it fits into my caloric goal why worry about it when it all works out in the end. This way I don't have to take one day to "cheat" I enjoy my life everyday not just once a week.

melaniecheeks

I don't call it a cheat day, but if there's an occasion I'm going to (business conference, wedding, family get-together) then I'll make healthy choices from what's available, but not stress too much about going over on my calories that day.

fteale

I have gone over my calorie allowance maybe 5 times in the 5 months I have been here, but only by 100 cals or so, so I guess that's the closest I get to a cheat day (though I don't really get the concept if you are only cheating yourself). I do leave calories occasionally for little things like a glass of wine or some chocolate, but make sure I fit those within my daily calorie allowance.