Cheat days broke my plateau!

gashinshotan

So I was stuck at around 157-159 for almost two weeks... well last Sun/Mon I gorged... badly (6000+ cals over two days) not out of desire but out of stress from something... anyway I've eaten my target calories since and I finally broke the plateau and lost 2 lbs this week .... messing with cheat calories really does work

Lokisul

It was really weird the first time this happened to me. I was on a plateu for over 2 weeks, and I did this by accident and it happened.

But since I have used it every time I get annoyed with zero weight loss, always seems to work. Takes about 1-2 days going over, and then you have to slightly undereat the next day, then hit your calorie goal every day after and it should go down.

Cant do this too frequetntly though, or you just gain weight lol

thirtyandthriving

I tell people this all the time when they complain about their plateaus, but hey never listen. Good job on breaking your plateau!

Ilovedrinkingtea

Great news, good on you!!! xx

amymaria91

Good for you! I've had this happen to me before, I got so fed up with no weight loss that I went out for a MASSIVE dinner and a couple days later I lost a couple pounds

bigbugboo

Funny how I always get a good loss in the week after a day's off splurge! Just had a heavy Saturday where I ate a piece of cake that had 600+ cals and lots of bread and butter, and this morning saw a drop of 1/2 lb!

Lokisul

I wonder if this will work after christmas dinner....

BobbyClerici

Same here!
I lost 64 lbs from 262 to 198, and my walls were 230, 211 and 200.
For some reason when those weights were reached, I'd stall and start creeping back up.

Anyway, it was the weekly feedings that kept me focused and shocked my body's stifled metabolism.
And success is now MINE!

It's a great feeling to fit in normal clothes, be complimented by those around you and feel like something other than a fat, unlovable slug. Being fat was miserable, but I denied it until a saw what a hog I looked like in a picture somebody took.
Anyway, 13 more lbs to go to peak fitness!

Have a "free day" folks! It's fun and it helps you reach your goals.

bigbugboo

Anyway, it was the weekly feedings that kept me focused and shocked my body's stifled metabolism.
And success is now MINE!

Have a "free day" folks! It's fun and it helps you reach your goals.

This is so true. I plan my days off (every 4 weeks or so). It gives me something to look forward to, and helps me keep focussed on the clean eating inbetween times. You don't need to cheat when you've a 'free day' that comes around pretty frequently.

bigbugboo

I wonder if this will work after christmas dinner....

Only time will tell. I plan to have 2 days off over Christmas, and then strictly low carb and high protein for the week following. It'll be worth it. Let's face it, 2 days isn't going to negate all the hard work I've already achieved, so I'm feeling no guilt here : )

sammywil

I wonder if this will work after christmas dinner....

Im banking on it working

BerryH

I often lose after what I call my beer and pizza diet! I'm probably due one soon, actually...

AlwaysWanderer

To explain why it happens: There is a hormone called Leptin, which is responsible for fat burning (besides other things). Eating on a calorie deficit for a longer period of time decreses Leptin levels. Increasing your calories for a day or so brings leptin levels back to normal. Simples

Lokisul

To explain why it happens: There is a hormone called Leptin, which is responsible for fat burning (besides other things). Eating on a calorie deficit for a longer period of time decreses Leptin levels. Increasing your calories for a day or so brings leptin levels back to normal. Simples

Hmm thats actually very interesting, I will have to remember that

knato3

Trainers at my gym encourage me to do this. I've even heard them plan their cheat meals!! From what they've said it should only be once a week.

My opinion - make it count. If I know I'm heading out for dinner with the girls on weekend it makes it much easier to say no to the biscuits in the staffroom. I try to plan my cheat meals.

I also prefer to call them Treat Meals - cos psychologically a cheat is a negative thing, which for me would lead to guilt. A treat is a positive thing - I've worked hard so I deserve it - no guilt.

summer827

I wonder if this will work after christmas dinner....

I'm hoping it does! Or at least that I don't gain! I'm going to loosen up the reigns for a few days around Christmas, when there will be many of my favorite homemade foods around!

skateboardstef

True story. My diet has been crap this past week! I've been preparing for an exam and not focusing on my eating, and I've lost weight without even trying.

melainemelaine

I've done exactly the same last week and whooop, I lost - like a miracle - just makes me feel better about having been naughty LOL

spgabby86

So I was stuck at around 157-159 for almost two weeks... well last Sun/Mon I gorged... badly (6000+ cals over two days) not out of desire but out of stress from something... anyway I've eaten my target calories since and I finally broke the plateau and lost 2 lbs this week .... messing with cheat calories really does work

BUMP....

I will try this myself...

Kdingo

So I was stuck at around 157-159 for almost two weeks... well last Sun/Mon I gorged... badly (6000+ cals over two days) not out of desire but out of stress from something... anyway I've eaten my target calories since and I finally broke the plateau and lost 2 lbs this week .... messing with cheat calories really does work

:bigsmile: That's what I'm doing too.

It's been two weeks.:grumble: So the last couple days I've been having a free for all. Of course I'm going to be seriously depressed if I just end up gaining more but since nothing else is working..:drinker:

timingsands

If I don't see a weight change by Sunday I'm really gonna have a cheat day.

CoraGregoryCPA

Now, I can't wait to hit a plateau!!! Never thought I'd be sooo excited!

bhaktinstella

Trainers at my gym encourage me to do this. I've even heard them plan their cheat meals!! From what they've said it should only be once a week.

My opinion - make it count. If I know I'm heading out for dinner with the girls on weekend it makes it much easier to say no to the biscuits in the staffroom. I try to plan my cheat meals.

I also prefer to call them Treat Meals - cos psychologically a cheat is a negative thing, which for me would lead to guilt. A treat is a positive thing - I've worked hard so I deserve it - no guilt.

i too work best with positive labels like treat days! i have also found this to be true to break plateus, but even on a treat day i try to not go TOO over the count (never over 400 extra), but rather have bread and butter within my count. it feels so much a treat that i am satisfied.
i think this time my loss program is working because i let the positive reinforcements outweigh any guilt. guilt never works for me. i WILL be having chocolate on Christmas day! YAY! .....good forum. really true! Marry Holidays everyone!

aussie_nic_getting_fit

i will definatly have to try this, i have lost and gained the same 200grams for 9 weeks.

im working out hard, having high calorie burns and am always within my calorie goal and the weight just wont budge....

i am going to try a free/treat day/meal.

How many calories over my daily goal would you recommend??? (obviously i'll still be logging )

knato3

Trainers at my gym encourage me to do this. I've even heard them plan their cheat meals!! From what they've said it should only be once a week.

My opinion - make it count. If I know I'm heading out for dinner with the girls on weekend it makes it much easier to say no to the biscuits in the staffroom. I try to plan my cheat meals.

I also prefer to call them Treat Meals - cos psychologically a cheat is a negative thing, which for me would lead to guilt. A treat is a positive thing - I've worked hard so I deserve it - no guilt.

i too work best with positive labels like treat days! i have also found this to be true to break plateus, but even on a treat day i try to not go TOO over the count (never over 400 extra), but rather have bread and butter within my count. it feels so much a treat that i am satisfied.
i think this time my loss program is working because i let the positive reinforcements outweigh any guilt. guilt never works for me. i WILL be having chocolate on Christmas day! YAY! .....good forum. really true! Marry Holidays everyone!

Yay!! I'm not the only one hefting a side serve of guilt through life!!

PS. Just to eliminate any extra guilt - Treat Meals are allowed to be more than some bread and butter

kyle4jem

I wonder if this will work after christmas dinner....

Im banking on it working

To be honest... that's kind of how I work week-in, week-out.

I watch what I eat and I exercise regularly, but there are days when I way go over my calorie target and I accept that that's part or normal life. It would be really boring if we ate the same calories every day without any variation.

I'm really looking forward to Xmas as I always do, but I'm not going to get hung up on what I'm eating or how many 1000 Calories it contains... it's Xmas !!!! :drinker:

LuciaLongIsland

Wow..I gained 2 pounds!!!

Kimblesnbits

I have a question for everyone who this worked for! Did you happen to gain weight the next day or couple days after your huge cheat meal then lose that plus more? Cuz I had a cheat day on Saturday and I'm still up a lb and a half this morning! How long did it take for you to lose those lbs (if gained) plus more???

Abbey70

I have done this and expected to see a weight gain on the scale the next day but remained the same. I have had weight loss by this also.

bigbugboo

I have a question for everyone who this worked for! Did you happen to gain weight the next day or couple days after your huge cheat meal then lose that plus more? Cuz I had a cheat day on Saturday and I'm still up a lb and a half this morning! How long did it take for you to lose those lbs (if gained) plus more???

I had my day off on Saturday, was up by about 2lbs on Sunday, up 1lb yesterday, and down 0.5 lbs today. I cut carbs (to approx 50g or a little less) and upped the healthy proteins like nuts, seeds, yoghurt, cheese and lean meats. Do a good bit of exercise, I do circuits, cardio, strength and abs, and drink plenty of fluids.

Works every time.

withoutaname

I broke a plateau by upping my cals a little bit and I completely changed my exercise routine - and bam, suddenly my weight was going down again.