Special treats - yes or no???

T_Marie4

Hey all, I have a question. . .or two or three: Do you allow special treats once in a while or are you strict with your healthy eats? If you do have treats, do you work out extra to make up the difference? I typically eat within my 1200 calories, leaving the deficit from my workout - occasionally I will eat a few of those calories, but not by more than 100 - 150. If I already have a deficit, would I need to worry about working off the extra 'treat' that I ate? I'm only asking as my son is going to be celebrating his 7th birthday this week and we always have DQ ice cream cake - YUM! So I'm curious and seeking some tips/advice. . .thanks for the help!

seekingstrengthX2

Treats? Yes, always. Enjoy the DQ ice cream cake. Don't think twice about it. LIVE.

kparks2

Give yourself a treat meal once a week. I fight my cal cravings with skinny cow or fruits or jello pudding sugar free. Personally, I do try to work out to make up for it and I portion size it and I count it in my cals. So have your DQ cake...one day will not kill you but I would work out so it will not be too bad.

BackTatJIM

everyone has to treat themselves on occasion ... if you check your estimated bmr you will see how many calories you burn doing nothing all day a few extra calories will not make you gain any weight




http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator

shellgirl144

I work them into my calories. I don't deprive myself of what I want to have, but I do take smaller portions of it. As a matter of fact, I have something sweet nearly every day and I've lost about 25 lbs in about 4 months.

laughingnome

I restrict nothing just work it off

gpstrucker

Since I am not on a diet I have whatever I want, I just make sure it will fit within my calorie goals.

barney50501Missy

I agree with everyone else. If I am going to have something I know will be high in calories (like bday cake last week) I adjust whatever else I am eating that day so I stay within my numbers. I am like you, I don't usually eat back my exercise calories so I am always between 1200 and 1300. Enjoy the little man's birthday and have some ice cream cake.

robot_potato

If it's in your calorie allowance then yes. I may or may not be eating an ice cream sandwich while typing this.

Immaskinnycow

For me, I don't restrict anything. If I crave something, I'll eat it. For me the "no, you cant have or eat that diet" doesn't work. Work it into your calories. I eat ice cream every night. Its the last thing I eat for the day. It's the only vice I have left, and I have no plans to ever stop eating ice cream. Best of luck to you!

shaelataylor

for me its a lifestyle change, not a diet...so nothing is completely off limits. i have a small treat of some sort quite often as long as it fits into my daily calories. eat some cake, and enjoy, even if you go over as long as it doesnt become a habit i think youd be fine.

LesIsMoreXX

Sometimes I'll allow myself a big treat once or twice a week ie. dinner out at a restaurant or a bag of chips or something.
I try to eat healthy all day everyday but if I'm craving something and if I can't get rid of that craving within about an hour, I just eat it but a smaller portion than I used to.
Some people have the willpower to eat well all the time but I've come to realize I'm just never going to be that kind of person who can munch on lettuce all day. I love my carbs and my fat. I just try my best to limit my portions now rather than deny myself of it all together.

T_Marie4

If it's in your calorie allowance then yes. I may or may not be eating an ice cream sandwich while typing this.

LOL

Sabine_Stroehm

I give myself treats every day. Sometimes it's wine. Sometimes it's extra nuts. Sometimes it's something else. This is life.

DeanneLea

I give myself treats every day. Sometimes it's wine. Sometimes it's extra nuts. Sometimes it's something else. This is life.

This! I treat myself daily to the things I love!

taunto

I have to give myself a "cheat/spike/treat" day once a week. Sometimes a day + 1 meal a week. I typically try to even it out with working out extra. At the very least I would try to make up for the cheat meal. If I go hardcore strict, I know I cannot stay on the path and will get off the track.

I plan to have my spike day tomorrow where I will most likely eat 1,000 calories more than I usually do. I will probably burn that 1,000 calories either tomorrow or day after and even it out

JB5349

I figure that the whole point of learning to eat like this is so that we can eat healthy and join in every day functions. I allow myself to eat whatever I want to but I make sure that it is a portion size and if I over do it I always make sure to exercise to try to offset it

taunto

I give myself treats every day. Sometimes it's wine. Sometimes it's extra nuts. Sometimes it's something else. This is life.

This! I treat myself daily to the things I love!

I tried doing that but I cannot keep goodies and portion control at home

kelzpop

I absolutely allow myself treats - but I'm not the healthiest eater in the world to begin with (shame on me). My philosophy is that I would rather get to my goal weight by eating things that I love and learn to control portion sizes. Plus, if I tell myself I can't have these things until I get to my goal weight it will a) be all I want to eat and b) when I do choose to eat it, it will likely wreak havoc on my weight loss. That said, I do try to watch my calorie intake the rest of the week and make sure I don't splurge too much.

I've had a ton of treats in the past month with two birthdays, mother's day, an anniversary and a road trip. I wouldn't suggest a month of treats, but one every once in awhile I don't think hurts.

T_Marie4

Thanks everyone! I've been trying really hard to be healthy and eat healthy, but also find balance in the not-so-healthy choices - which I haven't been able to do without the guilt, so I do find myself saying 'no' to some of the things I'd love to have. I agree that we shouldn't deprive ourselves of something we want - I think it makes the overall struggle that much more difficult when we do. I very much appreciate the advice and support from all of you - you've helped me realize that I can indulge without the guilt, so long as I don't go crazy and stay within my calories! You are all awesome! It's encouraging to know that even though some of you treat yourselves daily, you still lose weight!

momtokgo

I don't have treats every day, but if I want something I fit it into my calories. Not all the time, if I want a chocolate bar or candy while standing in line at the grocery store I almost always walk away. But today I fit in a bottle of pop, as well as a peice of cake that I baked. We only have dessert on Sundays, I wasn't missing out.

barney50501Missy

Sometimes I'll allow myself a big treat once or twice a week ie. dinner out at a restaurant or a bag of chips or something.
I try to eat healthy all day everyday but if I'm craving something and if I can't get rid of that craving within about an hour, I just eat it but a smaller portion than I used to.
Some people have the willpower to eat well all the time but I've come to realize I'm just never going to be that kind of person who can munch on lettuce all day. I love my carbs and my fat. I just try my best to limit my portions now rather than deny myself of it all together.

I'm with you sister! :drinker:

shaynak112

I regularly have lots of calories left over from my "daily goal" ... so I don't mind a treat here and there. Just account for it ... and eat it in moderation!

parkermegan

My treats for now are a jell-o cheesecake (the pre made ones) or a weight watchers candy (very good!!) once I am at my goal weight then I will start just maintenance so I will allow myself more normal treats (whatever I want) once a week or so. I will definitely work it off though!

bmalone62

As long as I stay within my calorie limit for the day I'll eat it.

ksstei

I have to give myself a "cheat/spike/treat" day once a week. Sometimes a day + 1 meal a week. I typically try to even it out with working out extra. At the very least I would try to make up for the cheat meal. If I go hardcore strict, I know I cannot stay on the path and will get off the track.

I plan to have my spike day tomorrow where I will most likely eat 1,000 calories more than I usually do. I will probably burn that 1,000 calories either tomorrow or day after and even it out

ksstei

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have a family event coming up tomorrow and my husband and I were quite concerned that I couldn't work a lot of things into my goals for the day, but I will moderately enjoy myself and compensate later! LOVE the support I find on these boards! :happy:

Umeboshi

I do a rest day around once a week where I eat between my calorie goal and maintenance. I also have whatever 'treats' I can afford within my calorie goals the rest of the week.

rextcat

treats?? yes please!

Crochetluvr

Yes I do. If I totally deprive myself, I get derailed. I bought a few mini cupcakes at the store when I got my weekly grocery order...they are 100 calories each. So I might have one as a treat....only one. I am keeping the rest in the freezer and when I have the calories to spend, I will thaw another one out.

Pebble321

Of course you should have birthday cake to celebrate with your son - just pay attention to how much you have, and resist the temptation to polish off any that is left after the party.

I don't think any food should be off limits, learning to eat a moderate portion and then walk away is a really healthy thing to do and the best way to set up good habits that will keep you at a healthy weight for a lifetime.