Cheat meal??

amandastamey

Anyone plan on a cheat meal once a week?
At bodyforlife.com they suggest having a cheat day or cheat meal (Sundays eat whatever you want with in reason).
I decided since 7days straight with out an ounce of "cheat" I would treat myself to a hot dog on whole wheat bun with the works, a large portion of french fries ( fried in olive oil conola oil mixture) and about a 1/2 cup of ice cream and now I am freakin out. (I made this at home no fast food)
I didnt go over my calories much... about 150. I sure didnt work out but I saved up for it, yesterday I had calories left over. You think this is okay???
:ohwell:
It sure was good though! Anyone else do it?

amandastamey

Anyone plan on a cheat meal once a week?
At bodyforlife.com they suggest having a cheat day or cheat meal (Sundays eat whatever you want with in reason).
I decided since 7days straight with out an ounce of "cheat" I would treat myself to a hot dog on whole wheat bun with the works, a large portion of french fries ( fried in olive oil conola oil mixture) and about a 1/2 cup of ice cream and now I am freakin out. (I made this at home no fast food)
I didnt go over my calories much... about 150. I sure didnt work out but I saved up for it, yesterday I had calories left over. You think this is okay???
:ohwell:
It sure was good though! Anyone else do it?

Healthier_Me

Oh yeah...

I do it once a week.
I try not to deprive myself.
A "cheat day" is good for you.
But don't go over board.

~Joanna:flowerforyou:

jbuehrer

i did today.. i had mashed potatoes and a T-bone steak... My mom made it.. couldn't resist

julieofthewolves

Yeah - I cheat too. I know there are people who just can't cheat one tiny bit. But for me, I would fall off the wagon hard if I didn't allow myself a slight indulgence once and a while.

lifesaver

I basically have chocolate every day. Not a lot, but I can't help it!

mildrede40

I had chicken wings today but they made my stomach hurt and very upset, I haven't had any fried food for 16 days. I guess I will find another cheat meal. Also my workout was terrible. :sad:

mandakay

Anyone plan on a cheat meal once a week?
At bodyforlife.com they suggest having a cheat day or cheat meal (Sundays eat whatever you want with in reason).
I decided since 7days straight with out an ounce of "cheat" I would treat myself to a hot dog on whole wheat bun with the works, a large portion of french fries ( fried in olive oil conola oil mixture) and about a 1/2 cup of ice cream and now I am freakin out. (I made this at home no fast food)
I didnt go over my calories much... about 150. I sure didnt work out but I saved up for it, yesterday I had calories left over. You think this is okay???
:ohwell:
It sure was good though! Anyone else do it?

That sounds so freakin good! And yes I do allow myself a cheat meal....or drinks. No worries. Enjoy it.

Amanda

loman13

I wouldn't even call it a cheat meal if you don't go over your calories for the day. Also if you know you are going to eat something high in calories work out more and burn more calories so you won't go over. I know it's really tough to eat right and stay fit but it has to become a life style or it will never work. If you look at everyone who has failed and gained the weight back it's because they go back to thier old habits that put them at risk in the first place. Eat something if you want it, just don't eat a gallon or pound of it. Portion control is the real key to weight management.

praire

tonight i made my husband and daughter deep fried chicken wings and there were 3 left and i ate them i entered them and i was still under my limit of calories so i was happy and i had a taste. I t was well worth it, I will say though after i ate them i looked at my husband and said that was stupid, and then i realized i am not dead, and those 3 wings are not going to kill me

praire

i forgot to add i knew there was a reason i walked 3 miles on the treadmill lol to make room for the chicken wings. lol

Cowboy

Hey I think we should rename that our "reward meal" for being so on target and doing good things for ourselves. Why do we have to think we are "cheating" to have something that we choose to have. As long as we don't make that the habit and the healthy eating the exception, we aren't cheating at all...we're simply enjoying a reward for our hard work.

amandagreen1980

Yeah i agree!
It really helps me to stay on track throughout the week!

I either have one meal out (at a restaurant) per week, where i will still choose something fairly healthy but gorgeous and will take me over my calories but i will be having a great time with my hisband or friends. OR if i haven't been out, on a saturday night i cook my husband and i a gorgeous chicken curry and pilau rice and huge naan bread!!

Its yummy and a lot better than going to the take away! Sio like you, i have a taste of my favourite foods without having to go for the fast food option!!

I thinks its great, and only over by 150 calories!! Well done!! :flowerforyou:

amandagreen1980

Yeah i agree!
It really helps me to stay on track throughout the week!

I either have one meal out (at a restaurant) per week, where i will still choose something fairly healthy but gorgeous and will take me over my calories but i will be having a great time with my hisband or friends. OR if i haven't been out, on a saturday night i cook my husband and i a gorgeous chicken curry and pilau rice and huge naan bread!!

Its yummy and a lot better than going to the take away! Sio like you, i have a taste of my favourite foods without having to go for the fast food option!!

I thinks its great, and only over by 150 calories!! Well done!! :flowerforyou:

dmflynt

Remember that the goal is to live a healthier lifestyle, not to deprive yourself of all things wonderful and tasty! Weight loss and fitness does not have to be about deprivation.....it's a matter of "calories in, calories out". Since I started with My Fitness Pal in Sept., I have lost the 16 lbs I was aiming for. Yes, I altered some meals to healthier, lower calorie choices, but for other meals I practiced portion control (mostly measuring servings sizes or going with a lower calorie option). BUT....I have eaten some chocolate or had an ice cream treat nearly every day [Weight Watchers bars are great!], I have a cocktail when I want it, have ordered pizza or Chinese takeout, and have other treats.

Have a splurge now and then so you don't feel deprived......if you eat the "I wanna have..." instead of forcing your self to eat the "I should have..." once in a while, you will save yourself from eating BOTH when you go back for the "wanna"! <hope that makes sense....>

rem1979

I was under my calories and had some Girl Scout Cookies and was still under. Nothing wrong with having a little something "bad" once in a great while. :drinker:

girlaskew12

I allow myself 2 cheat meals a week. But on those days, I make sure to eat a little less at the other meals, so I can really enjoy my cheat meal.

For instance, tonight I am going to Texas Roadhouse and getting steak and a baked potato. But, this afternoon for lunch, I'm having chicken soup. And I am working out twice today.

If you allow yourself to cheat once or twice a week, you can look forward to that and are less likely to feel deprived and slip up the rest of the week.

In my mind, food is meant to be enjoyed and can be a beautiful part of life. Eating healthy all the time wouldn't be as fun.

songbyrdsweet

I have been eating clean for so long, I don't give much thought to the food I 'can't' have. Every couple of weeks I'll go out to eat, and I count that as my reward meal even though it's clean and I don't go over on calories. Last night I got grilled shrimp with wild rice and veggies and a salad from Outback. It's what I normally eat at home, but the reward is that someone else cooked it so I didn't have to :bigsmile:

lotusfromthemud

I intentionally go over my calories one day a week. This sometimes involves "cheating" and sometimes involves just eating more, or taking an "unauthorized" off day from exercising.

Sunday is my usual day. I portion control my treats. I used to just "go crazy" one day a week, but found that over time, I don't feel the need for it psychologically and physically it makes me feel awful. (I had one particular incident with chicken salad and potato chips that finished me off).

It's not "cheating" in my book. There are foods I eat only rarely, and foods I eat everyday. No food is completely forbidden. I have to think this way, as I've changed my relationship with food. Otherwise, the "binge, guilt, starve, eat, repeat" cycle rules my life!

:flowerforyou:

watch48win

I had a big salad from Cheesecake Factory and split a slice of cheesecake with my husband and still lost weight this week!

riveraphx

I had chicken wings today but they made my stomach hurt and very upset, I haven't had any fried food for 16 days. I guess I will find another cheat meal. Also my workout was terrible. :sad:

I know what you mean...After eating really clean and healthy, the greasy stuff just makes me feel awful. I now realize that I am one of those people that can't cheat ever or else I'll just continue to blow my diet. So now I treat myself with a new pair of jeans or a tee shirt after reaching a big goal.

songbyrdsweet

I intentionally go over my calories one day a week. This sometimes involves "cheating" and sometimes involves just eating more, or taking an "unauthorized" off day from exercising.

Sunday is my usual day. I portion control my treats. I used to just "go crazy" one day a week, but found that over time, I don't feel the need for it psychologically and physically it makes me feel awful. (I had one particular incident with chicken salad and potato chips that finished me off).

It's not "cheating" in my book. There are foods I eat only rarely, and foods I eat everyday. No food is completely forbidden. I have to think this way, as I've changed my relationship with food. Otherwise, the "binge, guilt, starve, eat, repeat" cycle rules my life!

:flowerforyou:

That is actually a GREAT strategy, especially if it's all healthy food. And everyone should always take one day off of exercise a week (mine is also Sunday).
When you go over calories with healthy food, that's called a 'refeed'. It is important to keep fat low for the best results. It helps to refill glycogen stores and prevent leptin levels from falling and causing a plateau. I do that if I see a stall in my fat loss or I'm feeling really pooped in the gym.
It sounds like you have a great relationship with food. I also try not to call foods 'cheats' or 'dirty', but 'clean' and 'dirty' is a bit of bodybuilding jargon I have picked up along the way. I still don't view them as harmful, I just don't view them as helpful. Now I don't mean something like a burger or pizza...that still has benefits. I mean stuff like Hoho's and Twinkies...those are some dirty foods, no redeemable value whatsoever

Cowboy

Songbyrdsweet. I totally agree...they should not even be called food. There is nothing remotely foodlike about them.
Cowboy

brunion

i have one meal a week chinese no matter what orange flavored chicken & rice oh its so good i dont eat the junk food like candy or cup cakes and stuff like that. so i dont look at it as cheating its good to splurge once a week just dont get to wild..lol. good luck all

Healthier_Me

Hey I think we should rename that our "reward meal" for being so on target and doing good things for ourselves. Why do we have to think we are "cheating" to have something that we choose to have. As long as we don't make that the habit and the healthy eating the exception, we aren't cheating at all...we're simply enjoying a reward for our hard work.

Reward Meal it is!

~Joanna:flowerforyou:

rodeoruss

If the good Lord gives us rewards for our obediance to Him, why can we at least give ourselves a small reward for being obediant to our get heathy and slim commitment. Just be careful and watch the numbers as not to upset the apple cart.

Smilineyes

Haha I had a cheat day today It's all good. You shouldn't deprive yourself. As long as you limit yourself, you should be fine :happy:

Kelsey

jessjess

Cheats are a must!

I don't PLAN on having a specific day (one day a week)...but if the opportunity arrises...sure, I'll have a (small) piece of birthday cake. I had some delicious carrot cake yesterday. MMmmmm......

If I don't "cheat" every now and then...I'll end up losing my mind and eating the ENTIRE cake when no one is looking. :laugh:

hgd1212

At least once a week I "reward" myself. Living where I do, going out to eat is not always an option. (The few restaurants in town can't exactly be considered a reward. ) I LOVE Starbucks frappacinos, so if we're not planning a trip for anything else, I grab one of those at lunch. It's not much, but they taste that much better.:laugh:

NJBeachgirl

I cheat once in awhile, but for me I found that it triggers me, and I want more, and more. Then the next day is rough cause I still have the craving. So for me, I have to hold myself strict, or I really screw myself up. But I guess everyone is different, some people can take a taste and leave it at that, but unfortunately for me I can't. For example some people can eat 1/2 C ice cream and leave it at that, not me, I'm not happy unless I have the whole pint. So if you can cheat, and get right back on your program thats wonderful, I'm jealous!!!:grumble: Best of luck

deanea

I cheat once in awhile, but for me I found that it triggers me, and I want more, and more. Then the next day is rough cause I still have the craving. So for me, I have to hold myself strict, or I really screw myself up. But I guess everyone is different, some people can take a taste and leave it at that, but unfortunately for me I can't. For example some people can eat 1/2 C ice cream and leave it at that, not me, I'm not happy unless I have the whole pint. So if you can cheat, and get right back on your program thats wonderful, I'm jealous!!!:grumble: Best of luck

I too have a bit of a problem with cheating...I find it difficult to jump back on. I have far more strict days than not. I too also find that a cheat meal becomes a cheat day and so on. For me I think it because, the "cheats" that I want are always high in carbs (not so good ones) and it puts my insulin into craziness, and it is hard for my body to regulate itself for a while afterwards.

I am hearing you.....