Question about sort of cheating

mamax5

What I mean by sort of cheating is eating things that aren't so healthy but still within calorie limits...well today is friday and I'll be eating pizza, I'll still be right on with my calories...but the food isn't exactly good for me. I still have over 1000 calories to go today since exercising....and sometimes I exercise so I can eat something a little naughty.

idwoof

weight loss is ultimately about calories in calories out. Examples are the twinkie diet. It can be applied to pretty much anything, you could drink 1000 calories of Coke everyday, but if that is all you drank, and ate you would still lose weight.
I even believe the man who did the Twinkie diet actually got healthier in the process, lower blood pressure, lower cholestrol. Correct me if I'm wrong.

chevy88grl

I eat what I want, when I want it - I simply make it fit into my daily calories. For me, doing it this way vs having a cheat meal or a cheat day makes it feel less like a diet and more like a lifestyle I can follow for the rest of my life.

I'm sorry but I don't want to live the rest of my life never being able to enjoy the foods I love. I don't eat perfectly, but it works for me and honestly that's what matters to ME.

crazynay96

I don't think its cheating... I also believe that if you want to sacrifice another meal or skimp elsewhere to allot for a planned big meal or a nice dinner or lunch or whatever out then you can do that too. I eat whatever I want so long as I am within my calories and every week I loose 3-4 lbs! So its working, for me anyway! I say go for it!

hjames0486

Eating pizza is not cheating. For me one of the reasons why I failed at trying to lose weight was because I cut out all the "non-healthy" foods and I felt deprived and I would end up going on a binge. So, I agree with everyone else, eat what you want, I still do, as long as you count the calories and they are within you allotment for the day then you are fine. It's all about moderation.

KimmyEB

I eat what I want, when I want it - I simply make it fit into my daily calories. For me, doing it this way vs having a cheat meal or a cheat day makes it feel less like a diet and more like a lifestyle I can follow for the rest of my life.

I'm sorry but I don't want to live the rest of my life never being able to enjoy the foods I love. I don't eat perfectly, but it works for me and honestly that's what matters to ME.

Agreed. I tried cutting out everything that might be considered "bad" and ended up over-indulging on sweets and not-good-for-you stuff over my birthday...1 day certainly didn't do any damage, but it lasted a week. Now, I balance it. For the most part, I try to eat healthy, but I'm not going to refuse to eat someting I love that might not be 100% healthy. All in moderation.

glendeb

Everything in moderation is key for me. I still have 2 biscuits a day, and occasionally cake too! If I don't have something sweet I tend to binge. I'm not sure if I would binge as badly now that I know how many calories each thing is though!

I want to maintain this way of living for the rest of my life and this way is working for me. I've been a member of MFP for 6 months now and I've never had a gain, so I think my way works for me.

myfriendamy

I eat what I want, when I want it - I simply make it fit into my daily calories. For me, doing it this way vs having a cheat meal or a cheat day makes it feel less like a diet and more like a lifestyle I can follow for the rest of my life.

I'm sorry but I don't want to live the rest of my life never being able to enjoy the foods I love. I don't eat perfectly, but it works for me and honestly that's what matters to ME.

me too. i had a massive craving for mexican food last week (and not anything "healthy") - so i had it, though not in the quantity that i normally would have - i got full much faster - and still came in under my calories thanks to my 4mile walk that morning. it satisfied my craving and i didnt have to resent not being able to have it.

mamax5

weight loss is ultimately about calories in calories out. Examples are the twinkie diet. It can be applied to pretty much anything, you could drink 1000 calories of Coke everyday, but if that is all you drank, and ate you would still lose weight.
I even believe the man who did the Twinkie diet actually got healthier in the process, lower blood pressure, lower cholestrol. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I just googled this person and his name is Mark Haub...all I can think is wow....may be is all about portion control and calories in calories out. It just seems that people have made weight loss very confusing.

KimmyEB

It just seems that people have made weight loss very confusing.

They have. What works for one person, doesn't always necessarily work for someone else...and what DIDN'T work for one person, may work for another. IMO, unless there is a health issue, I stick with working with what my own body tells me.

Pappabacon

I agree with the calories in and calories out thing. Sometimes I hit my ratio and sometimes I don't. If I know I am going to have a high calorie meal, I take it easy the rest of the day. The difference between now and before is that when I had a not healthy meal for dinner, I had also had one for lunch and breakfast and snacks, etc.

JobasIsaacs

One of the reasons I'm convinced I'm going to succeed in losing the rest of the weight I want to lose (and then keeping it off) is that since being on MFP I've come to the realisation that I'm not dieting. Previous attempts to lose weight have all been diets.

Since being on MFP I've eaten ice cream, fried chicken, chips, chocolate, biscuits, cake, beer, wine and plenty of other things I'd never eat if I was "dieting". And I'm losing weight like I've never done before. But I've had all of those in moderation as rarities rather than staples. I've made sure that I've budgeted in my calorie count to allow for them and always ensured that I've balanced my nutritional needs as well as my calorie count.

Eating pizza isn't cheating. Just as long as it's a rare treat and not a staple.

dancingj2

I think making a diet and meal plan and true lifestyle change is understanding there are limits to what we can and should eat and drink while also realizing we need to enjoy life. I have days that my calorie count is OK but food choices were no so nutritional. As long as it happens occasionally and I aware of it, I think thats fine. Having day after of poor food choice I do not think will work out even if you are under your calorie goal.

So if you are doing this just once in a while, its not cheating. Its just part of your meal plan and thats ok.

crazynay96

One of the reasons I'm convinced I'm going to succeed in losing the rest of the weight I want to lose (and then keeping it off) is that since being on MFP I've come to the realisation that I'm not dieting. Previous attempts to lose weight have all been diets.

DING DING DING!!!!!!!!


People who are NOT looking at it this way are using the wrong approach! Diets are the WRONG way to go about it! Its not a DIET - its a LIFESTYLE CHANGE!!

cedarhurst2006

You can have pizza - it's not cheating. I had pizza last night - but I chose wisely. My pizza place makes a garden pizza during the summer which is a white pizza with basil, tomatoes, zucchini, onions and mushrooms. I ask for thin crust and I ask him to go light on the cheese. It's all about choices. I think the tough thing about pizza is that the cheese can be salty. If you get pizza with a meat topping and tomato sauce, could be pretty salty.

Sweet13_Princess

I don't think it's cheating, either. You're not binging and exceeding your calorie goal, so that's one reason. Also, eating healthy is all about adopting a healthy lifestyle. To say you're never going to eat a certain food again is simply ridiculous and it just sets you up for failure. I think it's wonderful that you plan for a cheat. This will keep you right on track to your ultimate goals. Keep going with it!:-D

Shannon