how often do you have a "cheat" day/meal?

missikay1970

my husband has encouraged me to have a "cheat" day or cheat meal about once per month, and so far since Aug 1 when i started my new fitness plan, i have had one cheat meal. (James Coney Island, chili cheese dog + fries + double cheeseburger + coke) i am planning another meal for the beginning of Oct. does anyone have cheat days/meals, and if so, how often do you allow yourself to have an indulgent meal? thanks for sharing

Qarol

cheat day...once or twice a month

veganjeanie

A few times a month. It helps me stay on track, to know I can have a cheat day. Sometimes it helps me break a plateau, too.

MrsPeavley

To me it is a matter of self control. If you cheat you only cheat yourself is the way I look at. Hope it helps.

rjbrowne82

I cheat about twice a month, but even then I don't go crazy. Still try to stick under my cals and do extra work out to prevent that. LOL i guess that defeats the purpose of a cheat day

Kristhin

Probably like once a week if I had to estimate but I don't plan them they just sorta happen. I don't feel too bad about it because I think having one high calorie day here and there kinda helps plateaus.

Maryvel_chan

Once a week... and I cheat heavily without feeling guilty. I still lose the pounds I want to lose, I just avoid the scale the day after. ;o)

sc1572

Once a week I allow myself frozen yogurt, and every so often I go out to eat...maybe once a month or so.

Kristhin

I still 90% of the time track my calories on here on those days, I just go over.

missikay1970

To me it is a matter of self control. If you cheat you only cheat yourself is the way I look at. Hope it helps.

well this isn't a matter of self-control...this is more a matter of resetting the body, and also just allowing yourself to not feel deprived forever. i'm not cheating as a way of saying "ahhh, no one knows! i'll eat a chili dog!" it's just a meal that will allow me to eat something that i actually used to eat at every meal. so i still get to taste that wonderful food, but my arteries aren't clogged from it! LOL

jamie1888

I don't look at it like cheating! Look at the big picture... you eat well and exercise most of the time: is one high calorie meal going to undo all that? NO! I don't plan for those days, I just roll with it when it comes. If I happen to be out all day and can't prepare my food, a family function, holiday, a craving, whatever! Enjoy the meal and get right back on track!

Edestiny7

Never.

Menene

Couple time a month. Helps with the plateaus and the craving. When I know I can have it in couple of weeks, it keeps my craving at bay.

missikay1970

Once a week... and I cheat heavily without feeling guilty. I still lose the pounds I want to lose, I just avoid the scale the day after. ;o)

i agree! the weekend i "cheated" i actually lost the following week.

jamesdelong

To be honest I don't ever deprive myself from what I want. I just balance it out. If I want a piece or cake or something I just make sure do my exercise part to offset it.
that's why at times I say to myself is it worth it and then I just put the cake down and walk away.. just walk away

joehempel

I cheat all the time. I don't worry about it because in the grand scheme of things, if you are working out hard, it's not going to matter much as long as you aren't eating like 3000 calories a day (unless your workouts need you to).

That doesn't mean eat fast food every meal though.

jamie1888

Once a week... and I cheat heavily without feeling guilty. I still lose the pounds I want to lose, I just avoid the scale the day after. ;o)

i agree! the weekend i "cheated" i actually lost the following week.

Ditto!!!
My son's 3rd birthday party set off a few days of eating a lot of things that I normally wouldn't, and in MASS quantity! I waited a couple of days & stepped on the scale to find a 2lb loss! I had been stuck at the same weight for a few weeks!

sdwelk11

Honestly, I used to allow myself a cheat day or meal but now if I see something that I want I eat it. i don't deprive myself and I eat in moderation. Its not an everyday thing, or once a week, or once a month but I dont deprive myself or force myself to wait til that special day either. Do what works for you

YukonJoy

I don't consider having a treat a "cheat". This is a long term life style change. It has to be sustainable. If I was really strict on myself I would never last. I would just fall off the wagon, give up, and gain it all back.

missikay1970

I cheat all the time. I don't worry about it because in the grand scheme of things, if you are working out hard, it's not going to matter much as long as you aren't eating like 3000 calories a day (unless your workouts need you to).

That doesn't mean eat fast food every meal though.

i was eating around 3,000 calories per day (mostly fast food) before i started my healthy lifestyle. no exercise, nothing. i was cheating myself more back then.

Jessicaruby

usually about once or twice a month. i dont really plan them out but i usually use them for dinner dates with my fiance. If i know i am going then i try to workout a bit more that day so i am not over my an insane amount, and i only do a cheat meal (dinner with dessert) and eat healthy the rest of the day. i always feel bad afterwards though! lol i know its ok and i should enjoy it but then i feel bad for eating bad food

JediMaster_intraining

I try to have no more than one cheat day a week. Sometimes I fail on weekends but it definitely helped me with a plateau I was on for awhile! :P

puggleperson

Never.

yeah sure, that's realistic and I totally believe you

amyelizbradley

Personally, I think it's really about how you look at food; I no longer look at food and use the word "cheat"- if I do not make the healthiest of choices, I get back on track the next day. Health/ fitness is all about balance: food, exercise, & attitude (quantity & quantity of each one matters too). My true successes began when I changed my attitude towards food, exercise, & myself.

That would be my recipe for success!

Maria_Goose

Once a week... and I cheat heavily without feeling guilty. I still lose the pounds I want to lose, I just avoid the scale the day after. ;o)

i agree! the weekend i "cheated" i actually lost the following week.

Ditto! I ALWAYS lose more that week after I've had something naughty that weekend!

Loko_Ino

I don't consider having a treat a "cheat". This is a long term life style change. It has to be sustainable. If I was really strict on myself I would never last. I would just fall off the wagon, give up, and gain it all back.

This!!

ameyc2002

i never have a cheat day i just eat whatever i want as long as i can budget it into my calories.. im glad some people do though i just feel like if i do ill be letting myself down so i dont.

lizziebeth1028

Every Sunday is my eat whatever the heck I want day. I've followed this routine for years with success. Come MOnday I'm back on the fitness wagon and stick to a very disciplined healthy diet and fitness program.

missikay1970

I don't consider having a treat a "cheat". This is a long term life style change. It has to be sustainable. If I was really strict on myself I would never last. I would just fall off the wagon, give up, and gain it all back.

this is a fabulous way to view it! i will stop calling it a "cheat meal" and start calling it a TREAT meal!!! i agree, if i was super strict and never allowed myself one of those days, i wouldn't make it.

missikay1970

sorry double post

billsica

I don't consider having a treat a "cheat". This is a long term life style change. It has to be sustainable. If I was really strict on myself I would never last. I would just fall off the wagon, give up, and gain it all back.

This!!

+1