Cheat Day Questions

lmkelly679

Ive seen on here how people have cheat days either for their own sanity or to just shock their system. How often should we have cheat days and how many extra calories should we be able to have? I don't want to have a cheat day more than i should or eat more than i should and end up gaining weight back.

rcramer7

I like to call it a treat day not a cheat day.
I'll treat myself to some ice cream, or chips or pizza. I don't pig out all day, I still change my underwear, shower exercise...
I just try not to feel stuck or forced to eat perfect. I try to like it.
If your honest with yourself you'll know when you should grab the treat.

lmkelly679

I was thinking more like a meal or treat too. I don't want a pig out day and undo everything I've done! Thanks for the help

dg09

I'd say at most -- once a week.

I ate whatever I wanted on my cheat days. Log all the food and get a rough estimate as to how much you went over your TDEE to know how much you could possibly gain. It's almost impossible to gain anything significant, the worst I ever did was maybe like +.4lb worth of calories. Despite the water weight, a cheat day may sound scary to some but it really isn't all that bad.

Aureilie

I do a cheat meal rather than a full day. I try to keep the overage within 1000-1500 calories of my regular daily goal and I have one a week. My reasoning is it takes 3500 calories to gain or lose a pound so at max I'm setting myself back less than half a pound. The ability to have my favourite pizza on Friday is worth it to me.

lmkelly679

I'd say at most -- once a week.

I ate whatever I wanted on my cheat days. Log all the food and get a rough estimate as to how much you went over your TDEE to know how much you could possibly gain. It's almost impossible to gain anything significant, the worst I ever did was maybe like +.4lb worth of calories. Despite the water weight, a cheat day may sound scary to some but it really isn't all that bad.

Thats great advice, and congratulations on your 137lb loss! Thats just amazing!

ConcordPhil

Dude, a buck thirty seven! That is amazing. Nice job!

drmattski

I learned I can't cheat. I can earn anything I want, but I gotta pay in calories or exercise! Problem for me is that cheating opens the door to bad habits. My problem is not the cheating per se, but the dubious calorie counting (OK, denial) that goes on afterwards. That said, we should all feel great about earning a treat. I feel much more motivated when I know I deserve and I am not try beat the system. Just my .02 cents :-)

Matt