Cheat Meals vs Cheat Days

Angela_MA

I don't cheat... period.

I eat what I want, when I want. I eat the serving size of whatever I want to eat, I log it and I move on. For me, being able to eat whatever I want - whenever I want it is FAR better than having to wait for a certain day or meal.

I agree! Also sometimes people who wait or hold off on things they want, end up binging and eating more then an alloted portion, thus making them feel worse and guilty.

I am for eating things you love within reason whenever you want. Still eat healthy, but if you have a sweet tooth then allote within your calories for the day a treat. I usually have a fat free fudgsicle everyday or something sweet.
However, I would like to say do what is best for you and what works for you. I know some posts have been anti cheat meal or day; but that is what works for them...not you. So if a cheat day or meal will work for you then go for it! The goal here is to find an avenue that works best for you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. :drinker:

sambustem

Really good responses! I thank you!! Def gives me things to think about and consider.

shonasteele

ugh..cheating.

if you are trying to lose weight. its best to stay away from the cheat days and meals

whoa, not sure if I agree. i've been counting calories for a month and these meals, not days, help keep you motivated. twice now, because of special events, i said i would "cheat" and the days leading up to these events/meals were super intense and super good. i eneded losing more weight the days right before and after the cheat meals, alot of weight.

i think the bigger deal you make over a cheat meal the better. that way you can prepare for them, and really, really, appreciate them.

I take a day OFF every week or two where I don't worry about logging stuff and I eat whatever I want. It's not like I eat chocolate covered bacon all day, I just have what I want when I want (and it's probably less than what I would have eaten on an average day 5 months ago!). It helps keep me on track the rest of the time to know that I can still indulge without guilt on special occasions or have my favourite foods or be able to have popcorn at the movies occasionally. If it weren't for the days off I'd never have stuck with it this long.

I also believe it keeps your metabolism amped up. Going too low cal for any length of time can cause metabolic slowdown so a good feed can kick it back into gear. I can track a few times when I've lost about 1.5 pounds within 2 or 3 days after a good 'cheat' so I say GO FOR IT!