How often does everyone "cheat"?

TAWoody

I already allow myself 10% of my daily calories to be from whatever I want. So I have a cookie with breakfast, another cookie with lunch, and maybe some chocolate with dinner. Makes things a lot easier when you don't to worry about it.

leavingfat

I plan for one cheat meal every week, but I'd do two or even three--or none at all--depending on how I feel. Recently I didn't feel like treating myself to anything special, so I just stayed home and went with the same kinds of things I eat everyday on a day I planned to treat myself to something delicious.

Honestly, though, it doesn't really feel like a cheat to me. I think my favorite term for it (mentioned by thatsnumberwa earlier) was treat. Last week I did dinner with my in-laws (we ordered pizza and sides). The week before that, hubby and I went out for our one-year anniversary. I think it was Chipotle or something the week before that. It hasn't affected me at all.

I always enter everything into my food diary so I can go back and see what's happening if I hit a plateau or something.

Mandizzlelephant

I don't ban anything, but eat it in moderation instead. If I stay under my calories I can eat what I want and never "cheat"

Jill_newimprovedversion

Personally I don't consider it "cheating" nor do I consider it a "treat" either.

One cheats on their spouse- hardly the same thing as me eating a brownie. I'm fully aware that it's empty calories.

But I also have food issues, and "rewarding" myself with having a brownie because I've been "good" or "bad" is counterproductive.
Someone once reminded me that I'm NOT a dog- and I don't need to "reward" myself with "treats."


So, to answer your question- how often do I cheat?
Never. I didn't marry my refrigerator.

CoraGregoryCPA

Chocolate isn't cheating! There is nothing wrong with chocolate. I think cheating would be going over calorie goal. The "bad" foods are your choice, hopefully they fall under your calorie goal and don't make for sluggish workouts.

What do you mean by cheat? Just a "no no" food but not going over your calorie count for the day? Or do you mean blowing it calorie wise?

I have chocolate every day but just a tiny bit. So I guess I cheat daily. But I never go over my calories and have a big cheat (or at least I haven't so far).

PlunderBunneh

Going over my calories and "cheat" days are different in my book. Cheat days I don't log, and because of that, I end up eating a lot of crap food that I very much regret the next day. Like if I don't log it, that means it didn't happen. Because of this, I'm really trying to limit my no-log days.
If I am too ashamed to even admit to myself what I ate, maybe I shouldn't be eating it.
That said, I'm not swearing off burgers, pizza, chocolate, or french fries. And if I go over my calories, it's okay, tomorrow is a new day full of jogging and ellipticals. But I need to hold myself accountable for what I am putting in my body, or it spins out of control.

jody664

I'm loving these answers. My problem with food is that I am either "dieting" or eating everything in sight. I know if I'm going to be successful, I need to figure out a balanced attitude toard this. In the past, when I've had a bad day and gone off my "diet," I've said to myself, "Well, see you obviously can't stick with the plan, so you may as well give up and go eat that quart of ice cream in the freezer."

I'm working hard on gaining a new attitude about food. The world is not ending today because I went over on my calories. I just need to get back on track tomorrow. I did record all of my meals today, but I'm not going let it get to me. Moving on.............

Thanks to all of you for demonstrating a moderate, healthy approach to food that I can strive toward.

wftiger

I do not think of any food as off limits. With that I don't feel that any day/time is a cheat as I can eat that food whenever I have the calories or carbs left to eat them.

I track every day without missing one bite of food. If I go over it is because of poor choices or planning and it rarely happens. To me losing weight is not a game or hobby, it is a new way of living and I need to know my boundaries and stay within them at all times.

I no longer use food as a reward as it got me this way. I have new non-food items for rewards now.

Luvlynamazing

I love to bake so I find something sweet and delicious to make during the weekend so that i can reward myself, then i can give the rest away to family and friends to enjoy:)

shovav91

There's no such thing as "cheating" in my way of life. I don't deprive myself of anything I love so there is no way or reason to cheat. The best way to stick to this lifestyle change is to handle everything in moderation!

bpurc22

Hmm pretty much half the week, lol. I'm young it doesn't matter (my excuse)

Jazzyrose77

I cheat the whole weekend. I try to make up for it by exercising.

thatsnumberwang

I'm loving these answers. My problem with food is that I am either "dieting" or eating everything in sight. I know if I'm going to be successful, I need to figure out a balanced attitude toard this. In the past, when I've had a bad day and gone off my "diet," I've said to myself, "Well, see you obviously can't stick with the plan, so you may as well give up and go eat that quart of ice cream in the freezer."

Good for you for getting back on the horse! I think being able to get back on when you fall off is just as important (maybe even more important in the long run) than staying on in the first place. There will always be days when you make unhealthy choices or eat too much or don't exercise or whatever -- the important thing is to keep it in perspective and keep working toward your goal.

jody664

I'm loving these answers. My problem with food is that I am either "dieting" or eating everything in sight. I know if I'm going to be successful, I need to figure out a balanced attitude toard this. In the past, when I've had a bad day and gone off my "diet," I've said to myself, "Well, see you obviously can't stick with the plan, so you may as well give up and go eat that quart of ice cream in the freezer."

Good for you for getting back on the horse! I think being able to get back on when you fall off is just as important (maybe even more important in the long run) than staying on in the first place. There will always be days when you make unhealthy choices or eat too much or don't exercise or whatever -- the important thing is to keep it in perspective and keep working toward your goal.

^^ Thank you for this! I really needed to hear that today......

BarbiNay

I think "cheating" is a word when dieting that is purely psychological. If we deny ourselves of what we want then we will binge and never turn back or just quit. I take everything one day at a time. I make sure I get good exercise in during the week so that when situations arise I have calories from earlier in the week or later in the week to make up for it. It is what works for me.

pmiller0324

Stop saying the "d" word. Lifestyle. Change your outlook on food. I have lost about 60 pounds in 18 months. Not breaking any records in time, but it has all stayed off! I find the longer I eat healthier, the less I truly gorge myself. My "cheats" today would have been my proud choices then! Hang in there-don't deprive yourself totally, just reward yourself responsibly!

Adelphia

Everything in moderation. Example. I could consider yesterday's cinnamon roll pancakes at IHOP a failure, catapulting me into a binging/self-loathing cycle for who even knows how long, OR I could consider it a night out with friends where I let myself enjoy something nice. As long as you portion it right and exercise, it's not going to kill you or your diet plan. Stress is just as bad for your health as sugar. o(≧ω≦o)

PlunderBunneh

I'm loving these answers. My problem with food is that I am either "dieting" or eating everything in sight. I know if I'm going to be successful, I need to figure out a balanced attitude toard this. In the past, when I've had a bad day and gone off my "diet," I've said to myself, "Well, see you obviously can't stick with the plan, so you may as well give up and go eat that quart of ice cream in the freezer."

This is me. Exactly me. I lost 50 pounds in 2010, and put back on 30 when I gave myself permission to eat "normal" for a few weeks while moving. This of course led me to eating like I was starting a diet the next day for 6 months. "oh, well I'm starting my diet tomorrow, I'd better go out for wings and nachos tonight." And then failing the next weekend "oh well, guess I'll just restart my diet tomorrow. In the mean time, italian buffet!" On and on.

I'm working hard on gaining a new attitude about food. The world is not ending today because I went over on my calories. I just need to get back on track tomorrow. I did record all of my meals today, but I'm not going let it get to me. Moving on.............

A great approach. We are working on it, all of us, one day at a time. But we're here for each other. Keeps me motivated, and my friends keep me from falling into bad habits again. Way to go on recording, it's pretty hard some days. Tomorrow is a new day, and you are going to rock it. :drinker:

Dawn_is_getting_healthy

So, to answer your question- how often do I cheat?
Never. I didn't marry my refrigerator.

Jill, that's hilarious!!!

_Kate_P

everyday :happy: but it's not really cheating because I always make room for it in my calorie budget and its usually healthy. Like today, I'd say I had TWO treats. 1 was nonfat plain greek yogurt + 1/2 packet of strawberry banana crystal light (that *kitten* is AMAZING) and for dessert, which I haven't actually had yet, I plan on blending some 2% cottage cheese to make it fluffy and smooth with 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/8tsp vanilla extract, and however much 0 cal sweetener it needs (and maybe some crushed up teddy grahams to give it an extra dessert feel It should be pudding-y! When I allow myself on a daily basis things that I LOVE, I don't have binges and go crazy with oreos. Its a VERY rare occasion that I go over my calorie limit, and I'm never hungry/craving:happy: OH YESSS

Gshepmix83

Once in a while I do but I do exercise. On my weekends. (My rest days) I don't exercise but I try to watch what I consume.

asgard825

1 day a week out to dinner with no boundaries but I show restraint--1 night of drinking (usually) I record those now too.

Savyna

I don't call it cheating rather that I stay within the boundaries of my calorie goal but I eat closer to it than I usually do. My goal is about 1760 before net and I usually eat around 1250-1300 but on the higher days I eat about 1500 or so. But I never cease exercising so I usually have a net within 600-900.

MaximalLife

I call them "Free Days", and I do this weekly which allows my cravings fulfilled. It's a great day psychologically and even physiologically in that a good feeding shocks a stifled metabolism.

slayerdan

On my diet once a month, on my girlfriend, every 3 days.
Priorities.

KemahSunshine

I cant say that I call it cheating... Its more realistic to allow myself a few morsles of what Im craving as long as it falls within my alloted calorie intake for the day... Most days I make heathier choices but, some days I do choose foods from the not so healthy side... lol! Its all about balance. If I truly felt deprived then I would end up binging on something I shouldnt. And... Im not dieting... Im making permenant lifestyle changes.... Its a totally different concept & frame of mind!

ccnjc4e

I guess this is your perception on "cheating." I have a little bit of ice cream or some other kind of dessert every night. I have found, for me, it is easier for me if I have a little every night. If I try to do a weekly basis or never, that just does NOT work for me.

Doizaki2012

your co-worker is dead on. You need to shock your body so that you wont plato. I lost 7 pounds my first week and if I continue doing the same thing all the time I will end up not loosing anything or even gain a little weight. I treat myselt once a week to keep my body in order as well as change my exercise every 2 weeks. Both go hand in hand and will give you better results.

mamamc03

It's only cheating if you don't log!! If you go over...it's not game over....just keep plugging away and make up for it.

jfluchere

One or two days a week I eat whatever I want...im not stuffing my face with twinkies and Ho hos but ill eat chips and guac, beer, cheese whatever I feel like