New here! Have a question....

jdm1726

Started using MFP on 2012 03 03 and have lost 16 pounds already...It made me realize exactly how much I was eating, and how little food I actually needed to go for the day..

My question is, does anyone else have planned 'cheat days' I've read about it '4 hour body' and I've done it a couple times...I don't go waaay overboard for my calories for the day, I usually go 200-300 cals over my goal. I read that it prevents your body from thinking that there is a shortage of food and slowing down it's metabolism....

What does everyone else think about this??

Dawna954

I always incorporate a "cheat meal." I normally don't do full days because I find it very difficult to get back into eating clean after a full day of crap. The other side to that is every time you start putting garbage into your mouth you feel like crap.....so it's a no win.
I think if you look around at some other peoples logs you will see that most people incorporate what we like to call "spike days"
They are the days we earn. We still have to live and feeling deprived all the time isn't living.
Good job on the weight loss. Awesome work!

TrueBlueBruin78

First of all welcome to MFP and congrats on the weight loss so far.

Secondly, I incorporate "refuel days" every saturday where i go way over my daily intake, its almost like a reset button for the folling week. It not only helps me physically but most importantly helps me mentally.

good luck to you

xraychick77

your metabolism doesnt slow down..it is what it is..that is a big myth spread around the fitness world.

i dont do cheat days. they can ruin weight loss. some may tend to binge on cheat days or meals and then ruin any calorie deficit they had for the week.

personally, i make sure i get enough nutrients from my food each day, with enough calories to maintain my muscle while burning fat. i eat what i want. i eat cookies, pizza, beer whatever i want, no cheat days. today i had a pudding cup and chips and salsa. yesterday i had beer and french fries. i of course ate very healthy the rest of the day. lol i still lose weight, and have actually increased my strength. i eat around 1700 cals a day though, lift very heavy weights and do cardio (running). i'm training for a mud run and another 5k.

DAMNCHARLIE

I try to eat normally but within my cal intake. I am a junk food junky but I have not had any yet. If its a small portion and within your cal goal I would sneak a little, if your like me you will think about it all day. I have had Mc Donalds french fries within my cal goal

amie0724

It is good to have a cheat day once a week . I like to have mine on friday or saturday and have a pizza . I believe it tricks the matabolism too

jdm1726

Thanks everyone!

I found that for the next day after my first cheat day that I felt 'bleah' until after lunch....The last cheat day, I ate a healthy breakfast and lunch and ate what (and how much) I wanted for supper...felt better the next day than overeating every meal on the cheat day....It can be difficult planning calories when you work shiftwork, are up most of the day to spend time with the kids, grabbing a nap, a small meal (200 calories) and then being awake all night...I tend to eat a 'supper' type meal for 'breakfast' after midnight on the nightshift..mmm...Chicken Vindaloo tonight!!

I've tried low carb before this which worked quite well for me, and I lost a bit of weight, but I just gained it back..I'm determined NOT to let that happen again..I'm very happy that with MFP it allows me to have those comfort foods...even if they are in smaller quantities....

I try to keep a log of what I crave over the week. That way when cheat day comes around, I know what I want...