I believe there is benefits to a cheat day.

chrisdavey

On this topic, check out this thread.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=133634471

I have been incorporating this method and it's great in that you really only seem to restrict yourself on your off days. Workout days are absolute feasting! Haha

OneBryteSmile

Interesting information. Thanks for sharing. I don't necessarily have "cheat days" because I don't feel like I'm deprived and need a day to "cheat". I try to eat healthy the majority of the time but if I feel like some frozen yogurt one day, I have it. If I go to a July 4th cookout and I want the burger or a cupcake, then I'll have it. As long as I'm not eating like that every day then I don't see an issue with it once in a while and in moderation.

MsLadyVirgo

Love It!

portexploit

thanks for the comments.

zeeeb

i call it a "treat" not a "cheeat". if I'm good all week, i can have my treat at the weekend. If I go to the gym 4-5 times in the week, i'm allowed my treat. It's been working for me. I've stuck at it since New Year, and feel like on the weekends, I'm allowed to have a drink, or go to the party and eat a bit of whatever without going to overboard, or sit on the couch on saturday night and eat some chocolate. I still feel human and normal, at the same time as achieving my goals.

hush7hush

This is one I disagree with you on.

For personal reasons.

And I feel like I'm probably going to edit this post before you actually see it.

hush7hush

And man, how I despise the phrase "cheat day"....

Ditto.

portexploit

This is one I disagree with you on.

For personal reasons.

And I feel like I'm probably going to edit this post before you actually see it.

I already saw it. You can disagree all you want to but the laws of science won't change. If you're talking about, if you have a free day, it can lead to a "free week" i'll agree with you on that. Self control has to be exercised.

portexploit

i call it a "treat" not a "cheeat". if I'm good all week, i can have my treat at the weekend. If I go to the gym 4-5 times in the week, i'm allowed my treat. It's been working for me. I've stuck at it since New Year, and feel like on the weekends, I'm allowed to have a drink, or go to the party and eat a bit of whatever without going to overboard, or sit on the couch on saturday night and eat some chocolate. I still feel human and normal, at the same time as achieving my goals.

That's good. Wheh I started my free days, i'd eat 4,000 calories a day, just gorge on pretty much whatever i wanted. China food buffet, with ice cream afterwards and beer. Now my days are not as intense, I stick to my diet half of the day, and then yeah have a free meal... yesterday was my free day, I ate some BK, onion rings, and some chocolate pie, with some pasta. I am pretty sure my calories where around 2,500, not even close to 4,000. I am toning it down a bit.

hush7hush

This is one I disagree with you on.

For personal reasons.

And I feel like I'm probably going to edit this post before you actually see it.

I already saw it. You can disagree all you want to but the laws of science won't change. If you're talking about, if you have a free day, it can lead to a "free week" i'll agree with you on that. Self control has to be exercised.

That's basically my reason.

Free days wear my self-control thin. Free meals are one thing. A whole day of **** would drive me into a hole.

portexploit

This is one I disagree with you on.

For personal reasons.

And I feel like I'm probably going to edit this post before you actually see it.

I already saw it. You can disagree all you want to but the laws of science won't change. If you're talking about, if you have a free day, it can lead to a "free week" i'll agree with you on that. Self control has to be exercised.

That's basically my reason.

Free days wear my self-control thin. Free meals are one thing. A whole day of **** would drive me into a hole.

I know sometimes you have that issue, like you get out of control., i know you feel bad about it too sometimes. Of course it may not be for you a "free day" that's fine. It might be possible that if you had a free day once a week, those binge episodes won't happen the way they do, and there won't be the emotional distress of going on a binge. That's 1 reason of a free day so you don't go on a binge, you get rid of all your desires and have a fresh successful week.

hush7hush

This is one I disagree with you on.

For personal reasons.

And I feel like I'm probably going to edit this post before you actually see it.

I already saw it. You can disagree all you want to but the laws of science won't change. If you're talking about, if you have a free day, it can lead to a "free week" i'll agree with you on that. Self control has to be exercised.

That's basically my reason.

Free days wear my self-control thin. Free meals are one thing. A whole day of **** would drive me into a hole.

I know sometimes you have that issue, like you get out of control., i know you feel bad about it too sometimes. Of course it may not be for you a "free day" that's fine. It might be possible that if you had a free day once a week, those binge episodes won't happen the way they do, and there won't be the emotional distress of going on a binge. That's 1 reason of a free day so you don't go on a binge, you get rid of all your desires and have a fresh successful week.

I'm sure there are benefits to some people.

I prefer not to take one day of the week to destroy all my efforts with fat/grease/empty calories.

Unless of course getting ****-faced counts. I like drunk.

melanie3103

My only criticism (despite agreeing whole-heartedly by the way!).. don't call it a cheat day. It's not cheating if you allow yourself it. Factor it in, and manage it. No-one is suggesting you eat your body weight in icecream or eat chips with everything for one day per week. If you "allow yourself" to enjoy it once a week and "relax the rules" a bit - you will find that you won't want to binge stupidly. Enjoy something you wouldn't normally but think about it. Don't undo all the work of the previous 6 days, just treat yourself for the hard work. I find I DO have a treat but don't go silly. I want to reward myself but don't want to feel guilty after. That's NOT the idea.

It's about rewarding yourself, not depriving and CONTROL. Keep in control - I find that 1 day feeling like this, and I'm back on it after. Although I'm new to MFP, I've been dieting/interested in fitness for many years. I have a tendency to 'beat myself up' if I fall off the wagon so to speak, this allows me slip off for a bit but jump right back on.

It works for me.. good luck .

Mel

sugarbone

I cheat every day with a fudgsicle =] light coconut milk, banana, and cocoa powder frozen together! I agree, although I personally try to cheat with manageable and healthy things (which sounds like it defeats the purpose...)

Bluestar083

When I am trying to lose weight I have a 'cheat' (or whatever terminology you want to use) meal and dessert and always for dinner as I have found it its lunch I have another cheat meal for dinner!
When it is maintenence I eat whatever I feel like on weekends (but try to stick to 80% healthy 20% not so healthy)
Works for me-most of the time!

Bluestar083

Oh and I have 6 squares of green and black's organic dark mayan chocolate a night-I nibble on it for about an hour so feel like I get a treat everyday-and for only 110 calories!

ButtercupSprad

One cheat meal a week is the reward you give yourself for a hard week..........(most of the time, you still monitor your cheat meal fairly hard on yourself....but EVERYONE deserves it!!!!)

siabevis

agree and disagree