One cheat meal is not going to hurt you

tsh0ck

I don't cheat...I EAT. I do not understand this cheat thing. What exactly is one cheating on... Do people plan on going the rest of their lives without eating out or eating cake or whatever else. That is why diets fail. You need to work these things into your lifestyle. All things in moderation. It works.

I couldn't agree more. I don't like the concept of a "cheat" day, either. Just the name encourages a person to feel guilty about what they eat that day, and guilt is never a good emotion to have about food. I strongly feel that if I want a food that is not part of my normal daily food plan then I simply have to earn the extra calories for it.

yup. blogged on this very thing this morning. hate the term.

( http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/tsh0ck/view/time-to-come-clean-249205 )

ckmama

I don't cheat...I EAT. I do not understand this cheat thing. What exactly is one cheating on... Do people plan on going the rest of their lives without eating out or eating cake or whatever else. That is why diets fail. You need to work these things into your lifestyle. All things in moderation. It works.

I couldn't agree more. I don't like the concept of a "cheat" day, either. Just the name encourages a person to feel guilty about what they eat that day, and guilt is never a good emotion to have about food. I strongly feel that if I want a food that is not part of my normal daily food plan then I simply have to earn the extra calories for it.

Ditto this

angiechimpanzee

The thing about planning cheat meals is that it can definitely get out of hand for some people, regardless of how well you "planned it". The problem with most "cheat" foods is that they are very unhealthy, full of processed, highly concentrated fats and sugars and things that should just not go into your body period. Those things are quite literally addictive for some people, especially those struggling with their weight (how do you think they became overweight in the first place? it definitely wasn't by having "one treat a week") With some people, certain foods lead to a strong, almost insatiable desire for MORE MORE MORE. And if it was that easy for them to just stop at one bite or one meal, they probably wouldn't be overweight now.

mcdonl

Yes it will. It will hurt me, and it does every-time I cheat. I do not drink, smoke or do drugs but I have a serious addiction to food. It is like telling a drug addict that smoking some crack every now and again will not hurt them. It may not hurt someone who does not have an addiction, but it can derail someone like me and the next thing I know I have put on 15 pounds.

Fieldsy

Yes it will. It will hurt me, and it does every-time I cheat. I do not drink, smoke or do drugs but I have a serious addiction to food. It is like telling a drug addict that smoking some crack every now and again will not hurt them. It may not hurt someone who does not have an addiction, but it can derail someone like me and the next thing I know I have put on 15 pounds.

I was talking about the general consensus. Most people who are super strict will fail. I didn't mean to offend anyone.

Again, if you hate the word "cheat". You don't have to name it anything, or if you do...hows super rainbow funday sound?

People should know its not like cheating as in on a spouse or someway in life. Its a nickname.

pboroaddick

I don't have a cheat day, but every so often you go out with friends for a meal, birthday bash or just a few drinks. I have been surprised that an odd day has not harmed my weight loss. Last weekend I was well over my calorie limit but back on the plan rest of the week and lost a pound at my weigh in today. So, you should not be domotivated by an odd day as that is life, it is how you react afterwards that is important.

mrmanmeat

I have seen so many people who went on this hardcore diet, have a cheat day, and totally fell off the wagon. This has happened to me so many times when I yo-yo'd.

I feel like the best way to go on a diet and stay with it, is baby steps and moderation. Pick out one cheat day a week where you are not worrying about what you are eating. You don't even have to track. If the other 6 days are well planned out, this one cheat day will not hurt you. It will keep you sane.

Weekly cheat days are stupid. They also become habit forming, then it's 2 days a week. then 3.

jfaure23

I cheated every Sunday for months, don't do it now.

I think the biggest reason people freak is due to the gain they see on the scale the next day from water retention.

Id gain anything from 6-9lbs over a weekend (2 cheat days). It used to scare me, but I know that its just water weight. For some reason I carry a lot of it if I have a huge sodium day. It comes right off and then some by the next weigh in.

i think this is me. can go out to dinner and put on five pounds over a weekend, with normal eating and then a large meal out. frustrating that then i take the first few days of the week reversing the damage from the weekend. any advice?

I would say keep your bingeing to one day rather than the weekend and don't make up for it. Keep the rest of your week at your targets. If you're doing this you shouldn't be damaging your efforts.

misssephy

If I really want something I will have it, depriving yourself of what you enjoy is soul destroying and just means you wan't keep to your regime. If I am going out for a meal or drinks I will up my exercise accordingly to balance it out.

tsh0ck

The thing about planning cheat meals is that it can definitely get out of hand for some people, regardless of how well you "planned it". The problem with most "cheat" foods is that they are very unhealthy, full of processed, highly concentrated fats and sugars and things that should just not go into your body period. Those things are quite literally addictive for some people, especially those struggling with their weight (how do you think they became overweight in the first place? it definitely wasn't by having "one treat a week") With some people, certain foods lead to a strong, almost insatiable desire for MORE MORE MORE. And if it was that easy for them to just stop at one bite or one meal, they probably wouldn't be overweight now.

the only unhealthy food is one eaten in excess.

mfpcopine

People should know its not like cheating as in on a spouse or someway in life. Its a nickname.

I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, but the manner in which different people conceptualize things is important. People like me are very sensitive to meaning (and I wasn't at all offended). For me, expression = thinking = behavior. Calling it a "Cheat Day" is entirely the wrong connotation.

No worries, you sparked a good discussion.

serenity216

BUMP!!! Couldn't agree more!

Starsighter78

I use the "cheat day" method, which in all actuality ends up being a cheat meal - usually Friday night. I weigh in Friday mornings and also make sure that I exercise to attempt to balance out any extra calories. I also still track everything. I'm still responsible for what I'm intaking. By still tracking, even though I know I'm going to be over, I tend to keep things at least reasonable. I lost 45+ pounds using this method a few years ago, and I will keep using it as long as I see results every week.

mfpcopine

I cheated every Sunday for months, don't do it now.

I think the biggest reason people freak is due to the gain they see on the scale the next day from water retention.

Id gain anything from 6-9lbs over a weekend (2 cheat days). It used to scare me, but I know that its just water weight. For some reason I carry a lot of it if I have a huge sodium day. It comes right off and then some by the next weigh in.

i think this is me. can go out to dinner and put on five pounds over a weekend, with normal eating and then a large meal out. frustrating that then i take the first few days of the week reversing the damage from the weekend. any advice?

<b>I would say keep your bingeing to one day rather than the weekend and don't make up for it.</b> Keep the rest of your week at your targets. If you're doing this you shouldn't be damaging your efforts.

I don't think that by Cheat Day people mean "license to binge." But the possibility of that happening is exactly why I don't like the concept for myself.

HarrietSabre

I actually cheat *every* day - I just eat less of my cheat foods than before! It's the best way for me, because I find if I cheat by a huge amount my stomach stretches or something so I want that much food every day! I've heard that if you stop eating "bad" foods then you stop craving them, so I'm trying to wean myself off processed altogether. Slowly.

Readytobedifferent

If a cheat day or meal works for you & doesn't hurt your progress then by all means keep doing it BUT it doesn't mean that it's for everybody.

I agree with what someone else said, it's like telling a drug addict it's ok to have drugs once a week or a recovering alcoholic that it's ok to drink as much as they want to once a week.

The same things will not work for everybody.

For me personally I just tell myself I can have any food I want as long as I count it, that way i'm not depriving myself. I do have a higher calorie day on the weekends but I still count everything I eat because that's what works for ME.

Wendyerickson

I do the same thing but it's usually just one meal instead of the whole day...thanks for sharing and keep up the good work:)

PinkShoe24

I tell myself that I can have a "cheat day" or a "cheat meal" or whatever you want to call it but the more I start moving and exercising and making healthy choices, the less I want to cheat... My weakness is Spicy Jalapeno Cheese Doritos but I believe that everything in moderation is the key to making it a lifestyle and I'm not going to beat myself up for allowing myself a treat.

angiechimpanzee

The thing about planning cheat meals is that it can definitely get out of hand for some people, regardless of how well you "planned it". The problem with most "cheat" foods is that they are very unhealthy, full of processed, highly concentrated fats and sugars and things that should just not go into your body period. Those things are quite literally addictive for some people, especially those struggling with their weight (how do you think they became overweight in the first place? it definitely wasn't by having "one treat a week") With some people, certain foods lead to a strong, almost insatiable desire for MORE MORE MORE. And if it was that easy for them to just stop at one bite or one meal, they probably wouldn't be overweight now.

the only unhealthy food is one eaten in excess.

but my point is, what is keeping someone who TRULY has a problem with junk food from eating it in excess? absolutely nothing. simple self control isn't even enough to keep a binge eater from grabbing another cookie, or another twelve cookies. Or having four more slices of pizza after their first.

yoovie

adamb83

I cheated every Sunday for months, don't do it now.

I think the biggest reason people freak is due to the gain they see on the scale the next day from water retention.

^^^ Yes! My cheat days are usually tacos or pizza, or something like it. It took a while for me to realize what was actually happening with the scale's next-day vengeance.

HMVOL7409

Having a scheduled cheat meal is not rewarding yourself with food. It's those people who constantly think well I just did a Zumba class and burned a supposed 600 calories now I'm going to McDonalds bc I have earned it! Yea ok. My cheat meals are not rewards; it is a way of controlling my food and enjoying a night with friends or whatever. Plus my body likes the break in calories. It allows some to reintroduce foods back into their regimens and learn moderation.

DeanneLea

Some people can't handle the cheat day because they consider it a "cheat". I know I had trouble doing it. Now, I have weekly bonus calories that I use for my splurges whether it's one day or two or three...I just make sure I'm within the amount I've set for myself. My daily average of calorie intake ends up at a healthy losing rate because it's planned ahead.

It works so well for me because I'm splurging and eating the things I love but I'm not cheating because I've allowed those calories beforehand. When someone cheats with anything in life, the initial feeling is guilt and that can go with dieting as well. Sometimes it's all in the word...I call them high days or spike days.

lmfbs

I don't cheat...I EAT. I do not understand this cheat thing. What exactly is one cheating on... Do people plan on going the rest of their lives without eating out or eating cake or whatever else. That is why diets fail. You need to work these things into your lifestyle. All things in moderation. It works.

This. Exactly. Yesterday, I wanted a muffin. I had a muffin and a hot chocolate. I was about 500cal over at the end of the day - but I've been good the rest of the week, I've burnt about 1000 cal extra this week, and my muffin was delicious. Tonight, I'm planning on having a 1200 calorie dinner, which, after lunch, a delicious Friday cookie snack and a good 90min at the gym, will still probably set me over my calories a bit. You know, that's fine with me - it's a couple of days in my month that aren't 'good'. I also had McDonalds twice yesterday (but made better choices).

That's still a MILLION times better than what I was doing before this, and my total calories over this week will still be under my 500cal/day deficit, so while I might lose less this week, I should still lose.

I'm never going to be a perfect eater who gets perfect macros every day. I don't care. I just want to do better than yesterday.

witchywillow

i dont have a cheat day as such, i stick to my mfp cals and save up my cheat day for if im goin out and i know im gonna be eating a meal out, which is once in a blue moon but i know i then dont have to worry and panick about where im gonna eat or where im gonna eat

DeanneLea

The thing about planning cheat meals is that it can definitely get out of hand for some people, regardless of how well you "planned it". The problem with most "cheat" foods is that they are very unhealthy, full of processed, highly concentrated fats and sugars and things that should just not go into your body period. Those things are quite literally addictive for some people, especially those struggling with their weight (how do you think they became overweight in the first place? it definitely wasn't by having "one treat a week") With some people, certain foods lead to a strong, almost insatiable desire for MORE MORE MORE. And if it was that easy for them to just stop at one bite or one meal, they probably wouldn't be overweight now.

I was the opposite. Once I started incorporating my trigger foods...I stopped binging. It's when I deprive myself that I end up binging. It took me a long time to learn that and now I've been binge free since December(which is HUGE considering where I was before)

hitmewitdarock

i really dont call it cheating... i workout hard everyday (1000 calories or more) and if i want something rich and creamy then i go ahead... i earn my snack time.. just not too much and not too often just enough here and there... i dont eat junk food or fast food or drink soda so when i get to have a high calorie snack i think i enjoy it more...

im almost always a 1000 calories under my goal anyway...

Fieldsy

I'm not a dog. I was a 423lb kid digging an early grave. This is a way of life for me, and many of others who I am friends with.

Fieldsy

I actually cheat *every* day - I just eat less of my cheat foods than before! It's the best way for me, because I find if I cheat by a huge amount my stomach stretches or something so I want that much food every day! I've heard that if you stop eating "bad" foods then you stop craving them, so I'm trying to wean myself off processed altogether. Slowly.

I will "cheat" also on most days....whether its chips, a few reese minis, a cookie or two. As long as I am within my goals then I don't think its cheating. What a cheat day to me is a day of not giving a care in the world of what I am eating/drinking.

ampa916

I think it all depends on the person, you know? I don't like have cheat days, I've tried them, where I scheduled them in. I have tried just having a quick meal, but for me right now, the only that works is restriction of the unhealthy foods. I am not the kind of person that can have just 1oz of chips, no i eat the whole bag, when we order pizza i can easily put away half of it. If I ever tell myself that it is ok, then I lose the control I need. I know some people who can't not have a cheat day. They eat what they like/love and still lose weight because they can do it moderation. i don't have that self control yet. I just can't tell myself that a little bit is ok and to go ahead because I mindlessly eat it all before realizing really how much I've had.