How do you feel about cheat days/meals?

Shelby814

Personally I don't have "cheat days/meals". After 6 months of healthy eating, it has become my lifestyle & I don't feel good if I eat crap. I literally feel sick & it's just not worth it. I did go to my favorite pizza joint on my birthday, ate pizza & garlic bread for lunch which is out of the ordinary for me, but went right back to my normal routine for the next meal. It was what I would consider a special occasion, but I don't plan cheat days into my week or even month. It's not for me, but each to their own. You've got to do what works for you, what's realistic & what makes you feel good, overall, not just for the moment.

warshahn

I read an article that recommended going on a "binge" but keeping the binge under 400 calories. I just don't have that kind of control.

babebabeba

Omg. If 'cheating' is having a single piece of cheese pizza, I think you are doing it wrong.

My view is you should focus on getting your nutrition into your body, you should get plenty of exercise, and if that nutrition happens to include awesome yummy things? So be it.

This is a life thing, not a think about what will be on the scale thing.

sunnyskyjb

Yeah, my binges would never be under 400 cals!

here_I_go_again

Ok, so I have heard a lot of people talking about cheat days or meals and just wondered peoples opinions. My biggest concern for trying them myself would be not having the self control to stop after my meal or day and falling off the wagon.

If you have tried them do they affect your weight loss? How?

If not why?

Thanks in advance!

Can't do cheat days. I slip back out of control and start eating unhealthy again.For me, I have to stick to clean eating 24/7. That's just me.

gleechick609

This is a lifestyle. There are no cheats. If I want something, I calorie budget and fit it in to meet my macros. I can eat up to my TDEE without gaining fat.

samandlucysmum

Personally I think cheat days are horrible. It is so much easier to say "I can eat that today and tomorrow I'll be back on the wagon". If you haven't cheated then I suggest not to. Stay strong and stick to your diet because it does make a difference when you eat bad again, even for just one day, it makes a difference! Good luck!

Totally agree, it's a state of mind thing, it's better to go over a little, and be able to work it off the next week, I used to get into the habit of saying 'i'll start again monday' but 'monday' never came, then I joined this site, and I log everything, and I am doing ok now, no more starting mondays for me, just a constant battle to lose the weight, albeit with a few slip up days, but I feel as strong as ever at sticking to my diet.

Kahlan_sw

For me personally I don't look at them as cheats. I think it is a normal healthy diet to eat really well most of the time and have the occasional treat. It's not cheating in my mind, it's rational and normal. If you try to hold yourself to too high of a standard you risk horrible guilt and falling of the wagon if you have something you feel you shouldn't. You shouldn't feel guilty about a piece of birthday cake or for having that slice of lasagne as long as it is the exception and not the rule.

All that being said, I often also go more by my weekly food intake rather than my daily and I aim to keep my weekly under the calorie limit line. I also know that typically Saturday are higher calorie days so I ensure I get in a longer workout those days as well to help keep the food in check.

just my opinion of course.. and it took me a long time to find this balance. I used to feel horrible on days where I didn't eat as healthy until I accepted that I wasn't doing something wrong and didn't need to feel any guilt. as soon as the guilt stopped my probability of my cheat meal turning into falling off the wagon just stopped completely.

samandlucysmum

don't have planned cheat days, all I do is, if I have a day where I am really hungry, or say on a sunday, with sunday roast, I do go over, but don't beat myself up over it, I just try to cut down a little over the next few days, or exercise enough to gain back what I went over by.
I am human after all, with hormones that make me crazy at times, but it is not a sin to go over your allowance, as long as it is not a longterm thing, and just something that happens once in a while.
At the end of the day, you have to find a system of weight loss that works for you, and if that means you give in to temptation, but then get back on the wagon straight away, then so be it.

sfoster3171982

I started with cheat days and now I have cheat meals because after a day of eating bad I would feel so horrible. My stomach hurt and I would get a bad headache. Start with a day see how you feel and if u feel like I did go to a meal. It varies from person to person

cmayfield3

Someone posted a really interesting thread about how little it takes to undo a week of hard work. I have my MFP set to 1/2 pound a week... so 1750 calories. I could EASILY overeat by more than that on a cheat day and end up gaining. So, no. I do eat treats but I work them into my calorie allotment.

Ladyiianae

agree to disagree on this point. Some people have a cheat day, some people don't. There is no right or wrong. I do have a "spike" day where nothing is restricted and calories are not counted. I've been slowly and steadily losing. It works for me. It helps me combat weekly cravings at work where there is so much food that I should avoid. When these "spike" days started for me I would go hog wild...these days not so much. I enjoy my spike day and eat whatever I want, just it doesn't seem to be nearly as much as I used to and even THAT is progress.

I don't post this to be flamed, just stating what works for me personally.

Have a great day all!

getfitnow33

Hey doll, I understand ur fears i use to have them but ive been doing real well and losing weight steadily. I wanna say i have a cheat day at least once a week and its not the whole day for me. My cheat days i still try to stay in my calorie goal intake for the day. If i have fried chicken i know to have a salad with it and i try and stay within my goal. I do this once a week and try not to get to crazy. like friday i have chicken taquillos i think thats how u spell it and they are fried and salsa and chips and i stayed within my zone and it was ever so good!


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JENNIBABE08

I think they are ok as long as its just a meal not a whole day. Think of it more as a reward meal, you are rewarding yourself for all your hard work, and remind yourself that to keep you on track.

We all have those crazy craving and taking advantage of them for your reward meal will keep you from binging. Still keep track of your portion sizes. It also helps to take it on a cardio day so your body is charged, and you dont go over your daily calories. We all have different opinions I find this works best for me.

ninerbuff

Ok, so I have heard a lot of people talking about cheat days or meals and just wondered peoples opinions. My biggest concern for trying them myself would be not having the self control to stop after my meal or day and falling off the wagon.

If you have tried them do they affect your weight loss? How?

If not why?

Thanks in advance!

I "cheat" DAILY. There is no "I can't eat that" on my list unless the calories will cause me to go over my allotment. Get in your daily essentials and if you have calories left over to fill, then eat whatever you want to fill them.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

bjwbmw

I may have a special day where I eat more than usual because of a dinner or special occasion - that is my cheat day - but I do not support cheat days for myself.

chevy88grl

I don't have cheat days or cheat meals. I eat what I want, when I want it. I simply do it moderation. For me, having to wait for a specific meal or a specific day to eat something? Well, that is far too "diet-ish" for me. If I want something, I want it NOW. I do not want to have to wait or to set aside a day/meal when it is deemed "okay" to eat it. I don't consider any food "bad" or any food "good" - it is all just food. If I want a Reese's, I eat it. This is a lifestyle change... not a diet. Nothing should be considered "off limits".

marycmeadows

my 'cheat days' aren't that much of a cheat. I may eat something I normally wouldn't eat -- a couple slices of pizza out, or i may have a beer or two.... but I have almost always gone to the gym that day, and I typically stay within my calorie limits.

DavesKitten

I think to each his or her own. But, I don't count calories one day a week. I do NOT
go overboard and eat anything I want. I just watch what I eat, but don't count. That
is something my hubby and I agreed needed to be done! He is all for me losing
weight, but he wanted one day where I didn't count.

sg1982

I'm cheating today. :sad:
And Im no longer proud of myself.

Fattack

I don't think there's anything wrong with a cheat meal or even a cheat day.

Most of us got fat because we were making eating unhealthily / to an excess a HABIT, and eating sensibly and healthily a rarity. Doing it the opposite way round, making healthy, measured eating a habit, and a less-restrained day a rarity is how you can keep the weight down. Don't feel guilty over one rare meal / day.

But don't have a cheat day / cheat meal just because everybody else is doing it

kirbykez

I'm 54kg's lighter then 12 months ago..
Smaller portions.. More physical stuff.. Less eating cause I could..
If I'm hungry I eat.. If I want something I have it..
But I don't have certain days where I say ok Kira-kay today you can eat what u want and laze about..

BigBoneSista

I was ok with them at first....I would have a cheat meal....then a cheat day and eventually I just ended going back to eating whatever. So I'm officially back on my no cheat mode.

970Mikaela1

Ok, so I have heard a lot of people talking about cheat days or meals and just wondered peoples opinions. My biggest concern for trying them myself would be not having the self control to stop after my meal or day and falling off the wagon.

If you have tried them do they affect your weight loss? How?

If not why?

Thanks in advance!

dont like them for just what you have said! i tried i dont like the setbacks

Devlyn_P

Cheat Meal = Philly Cheese steak sandwich w/ everything on it. ( est. calories 1000)
vs.
Cheat Day = Chili cheese fries, Philly Cheese steak sandwich, Hot Fudge Sundae, Pancakes, bacon, biscuits and gravy, spaghetti, fried chicken etc. (est. calories 6000+)

I don't do cheat days, I do a cheat meal and go slightly over (100-300 cals.) I still try to stay within my daily goal. My point I was trying to make is you can easily go overboard with a cheat day vs a meal so it can be a form of regression.

Everyone's definition of a "Cheat day or Meal" is different. Just keep it within your calorie goals/macros and you may eat whatever.

MandaJean83

Hey there! I don't PLAN cheat days. Occasionally, I have plans to go out to a favorite restaurant (Mexican is my particular vice) and I will try to eat healthy the rest of the day, get in a good burn during my workout, and then go and enjoy my meal. And I mean SAVOR it, haha! If it puts me over for the day, as long as it's only one meal, it's okay! Life is not perfect, and you've gotta make allowances.

But after that meal, I'm back to the grind!

dasskinny

I have something i really love everyday, like one Godiva Gem Everday after my healthy lunch, if i don't i find my self binging later that week. I say have a little bit of "pick ur poisin" a day. That way you dont need cheat days. Cheat days usually end up being longer than one day in my experience! Not worth all your hard work! Think of it that way :-) Goood Luckk

daryls

I love the "cheat" meal. I usually make sure that I do 2 gym classes on those days. The more I restrict what I can have the more I want what I can't have. So, I just schedule it in!

Alonnea

Cheat days aren't for everyone. I personally do have one a week where I'm not so worried about if I go over my calories. I work my butt off all week and if I want to have a date night with my husband and not worry about everything I'm putting in my mouth I don't. I also don't beat myself up the next day for it. That kind of pressure is what makes it hard to stay with what you're doing.

Daniloveshockey94

I go both ways with cheat days/meals because it depends on my mood or how I am feeling that day!! Some people like one or the other and that's fine!! or some people don't do cheat meal/days! It depends on YOU!!!