is it good or bad to have a cheat day?

helenlovesjosh

Today is my cheat day its my break from exercising and I can eat foods I don't normally eat.. but not too much.

Is it good to have a cheat day or not?

0PhAtDaDdY

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<I had a Cheat Day see....

Shoechick5

I have found in the past that if I have a complete cheat day, it's the start of a downward spiral. I find, for me, if I'm truly wanting something just to have a small piece and move on.

Kim28dav

i cheated today too!!! But I know that I'll be back in the gym this week so maybe a cheat is ok?

laurastrait21

Cheating, like everything, in moderation! I can usually handle one cheat day but won't go past that.

em9371

its always worked for me, i used to have a set 'cheat' day on sundays and eat well all week, now i have1 or 2 'cheat' meals per week rather than all in one day (still meet my weekly cals), both ways i lost around 2lb per week.

cheat days may slightly slow down your weight loss, but i think they help you stick to your diet the rest of time as you dont feel deprived!

TheGlen

Today is my cheat day its my break from exercising and I can eat foods I don't normally eat.. but not too much.

Is it good to have a cheat day or not?

I think that if having a cheat day, and eating within reason, is a good idea if it helps you stay on track the rest of the week.

CommandaPanda

I have found in the past that if I have a complete cheat day, it's the start of a downward spiral. I find, for me, if I'm truly wanting something just to have a small piece and move on.

Agreed. Rather than one massive cheat day, I will just spread it out and not indulge too heavy. I tried to have a cheat day 3 weeks ago... I gained 4 lbs in a single night, went 3000 calories over my limit, and it took me over 4 days to recover and get back to where I was on the morning of that cheat day.

So, in shorter words, treat yourself but don't go crazy!

elcieloesazul

I think it depends on the type of person you are. If you can have restraint and maintain moderation throughout your cheat day, it's healthy and there isn't anything wrong with it. If you use this day to binge and make severely unhealthy choices, it could be detrimental to your emotional and physical health. I think as you continue on your journey, you'll have less and less "need" for a cheat day, as making different food choices and exercise will become more commonplace. What works for me is not having cheat days. I allow myself to eat what I WANT, whenever if I can fit it into my calorie and exercise goals. If I go a little over, it's not horrible, I just pick "it" up at the gym the next day. Good luck and it really depends on you, whether or not these days will work.

Nemlein

For me, having a cheat item is a little bit better than a whole day I'm going to feel guilty about. Without a treat herewith and there it would be too difficult to stay disciplined!

captainrosieosie

with christmas/my bday/new years all in the same week i had a cheat week haha so dont feel to bad...as long as you know you'll go back i think its okay

beautyreaps

You don't need a cheat day. The best thing to do is to allow yourself to have a food you crave but in a portion. Restricting yourself from it will lead to future binges (uh oh!). If you do decide to go on with a 'cheat day', then I would suggest you drink more water, it'll keep you fuller so you don't over do anything and it'll aid with digestion. Also, add an extra 15 minutes to your exercise regimen for the following day.

amberpickens

well it depends..do you still count ur calories? i feel that maybe 1 day everyone once in a while it maybe ok to go over but make sure you log it on here. so you know how often you do it. and like shoechick5 said that may make you start to downward spiral and you really dont want that

Bigmomma0u812

I am so conflicted by this question. I want to say its ok because this is a lifestyle change and you are going to be faced with a lot of food in your life and you have to be able to handle it.... BUT that being said I had two consecutive cheat days when my sister visited and it was so hard to get back on the straight and narrow. (which I still haven't completely done). Cheat days make it hard on you but I really enjoy them. I guess it depends mostly on how you handle them and bounce back afterward.

Jorra

"there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so"
-Hamlet

SLT4273

You don't need a cheat day. The best thing to do is to allow yourself to have a food you crave but in a portion. Restricting yourself from it will lead to future binges (uh oh!). If you do decide to go on with a 'cheat day', then I would suggest you drink more water, it'll keep you fuller so you don't over do anything and it'll aid with digestion. Also, add an extra 15 minutes to your exercise regimen for the following day.

i totally agree with this. i saved some calories a few days ago strictly for a mexican pizza from taco bell. i did not go over my allotted cals and do not feel a bit guilty about it.

UpEarly

I do what some people would call 'cheating' every single day... only I call it 'eating in moderation'. :-)

Since joining MFP in April, not a single day has gone by that I have not had pizza or a cupcake or a cheeseburger or cookies or french fries - or some other food labeled 'bad' or 'a treat'. I just watch my portion sizes and total calories.

It's worked really well for me! I've lost 45 pounds and am just seven pounds from my ultimate goal weight.

mhankosk

I had a "cheat" day yesterday too. I think its just important to not OVER indulge. Even though I didn't care how many beers I had, I still took into consideration my portion sizes when eating. If I go too far, its just the start of the end for me. Just make sure that you enjoy that day but that you have the intention of being better the next day!

traceracer

I try to have 1 day where I dont worry about what I eat or eat things that I wouldnt normally within reason. But if I go over, I go over and dont fret about it:)

gracechild

I think one cheat day a week is good. When I totally deprive myself, watchout! because I then want to eat everything. Been watching "diet" commentators and all have said that it is ok to treat ourselves one a week. Cant' wait until next Sunday!

27Sunrises

In my opinion, I believe that when you start a healthy diet the first two weeks is no cheating at all and after that once a week is good. If I fallow my routine, that is working out 6 days a week 1:30-2hrs a day and eat healthy then I get my free day. I eat my cake or ice cream....whatever I'm craving at the time but in moderation. Depriving yourself 100% in my opinion, I don't think is good, at least for me. Unless you are in a medical supervised diet like Optifast then you have to fallow it 100%.

mscoco10

Nothing wrong with a cheat day- I do it too some times. Plus it helps keep the body guessing. I say as long as you don't go over board your good.

kimmieruns

I agree with some others who say a whole day of cheating can completely derail you. In one day you can undo the calorie deficit you've worked so hard for all week. I let myself have one cheat MEAL a week, and always out at a restaurant, I don't like to bring cheat foods into the house - too dangerous for me! Then I can look forward all week to knowing that I will allow myself pasta or a burger on Friday and not feel an ounce of guilt about it because I ate healthy and worked out all week. Then I leave the restaurant behind, and once at home, it's right back on track. Increasing your calories a little one day of the week also keeps your metabolism from going into starvation mode, where your body will desperately hold on to fat. Good luck!!

Athijade

I do not do well with cheat days. What I do well with are cheat meals. So, for example, I will eat normal all day, but then splurge on a couple slices of pizza. Also, I can't go all out. Did that last night on snacks and I paid for it all night into this morning. UGH! My system hated me!

It's about moderation, self control, and portions. This is a lifestyle change... not just some fad diet. I want to live a happy, fun, and fulfilling life. For me part of that is enjoying awesome, tasty, and fun foods. If I had to deprive myself totally, there is no way in heck I would ever stick to this.

belinda_73

My trainer suggests one meal, instead of entire day, also make sure you log it, it really helps you stay on track. also, you need a rest day on exercise. i know it can be hard to take a break, myself i let myself do a walk instead of a run and call it a rest day if you feel tired or run down, you have to listen to your body.
sometimes if i let myself cheat too much i end up just trashing my efforts, so logging the meals or even just snapping a picture with the camera phone, helps me stay on track. this time of year is especially hard.

MissFuchsia

I have cheat meal occasionally but if I have a cheat day it's harder for me to get back on track

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

It's all about whether or not you can handle it. Personally I like cheat days-- they keep me on track and I don't feel deprived. But I don't cheat by thousands of calories; I'll just have one meal out where I don't worry about what I order. Or if I'm really cravings something and I've been really good the past few days, I'll indulge and not feel guilty. I don't have them often-- just on special occasions or every couple of weeks. If, however, one cheat leads to a downward spiral of cheating then it might be better not to. I know a lot of people just work the things they would normally "cheat" with into their daily goal so it's not really cheating. Like they plan 100 cals at the end of the day for a little bit of dark chocolate.

The bottom line is to figure out what works for you and do that.

miw14

I find cheat days to throw me off tracks. Here's what I do instead. I don't log as much on the weekends, and I allow myself a few treats, while still eating healthy for the rest of the day. It gives me a break from logging everything, allows me to eat a little more, and keeps me from burning out from being too strict on myself.

MaximalLife

Today is my cheat day its my break from exercising and I can eat foods I don't normally eat.. but not too much.

Is it good to have a cheat day or not?

I think it's good, or it sure is for me.
My results speak for itself, so there is no question in my mind.

I think there is a psychological and physiological advantage. A good pig out shocks the metabolism and also allows me to spurge on the foods I crave. Again, the proof is in the results, and I would not live any other way.

Free Days - YES!

CyberEd312

Never have nor will I ever have an entire cheat day. I have a cheat meal (sometimes 2 in one week when I am intentionally carb loading) once a week normally on Friday evening. We go out to a restaurant we choose and I have whatever I want off the menu. Only rule is, I have to eat it all there and nothing comes home with us.... Been doing this since I started my journey. The rest of the week we eat on point and weigh in on Wednesday mornings....

Teliooo

I do what some people would call 'cheating' every single day... only I call it 'eating in moderation'. :-)

Since joining MFP in April, not a single day has gone by that I have not had pizza or a cupcake or a cheeseburger or cookies or french fries - or some other food labeled 'bad' or 'a treat'. I just watch my portion sizes and total calories.

It's worked really well for me! I've lost 45 pounds and am just seven pounds from my ultimate goal weight.

I do sometimes but i do the above mainly. I eat snacks that I like so I don't have to have a huge blowout every week. No way I am giving up things that I want. Have lost over 110 pounds this way and I am relatively fit, so i don't see why I should change..