One cheat day a week?

fleabandit

I was just wondering if people take one cheat day a week where you don't count calories? Or are you pretty strict at it 7 days a week? I'm in my first week and fine but I hear so much about taking a cheat day so you don't binge. What you guys think?

ReinaLorenz

depends on your goal.... one cheat meal a week is enough for me...but if I really want something I will cut down calories for the day... I have been sucessful at just having a bite of the cake my husband was eating...don't beat yourself up for having a cheat time...if it keeps you sane the rest of the week go for it...just don't get crazy and consume 4000 calories

curtnrod

I always count calories, every meal, every day. However, I don't restrict myself from any foods, so I never feel like I'm cheating. I just make better choices and manage my portions to meet my goals. I didn't get obese by cheating for one day or one meal, I got this way by by consuming too many calories every day for a long time. I'm only a month into my program but my early success and desire to achieve my long term goal overrides my desire for chocolate mint oreos or eating a whole extra large pizza. If I go over my intake goals, I make up for it the next day or throughout the week to stay on goal.

For me it's critical not to feel guilty or shameful for enjoying food. That triggers a feeling of failure (again) and despair, and will send me back into hopelessness.

Elliemage

I do not do a cheat day, but I do let myself have one cheat meal per week. It still amounts to being over my calories one day, but I do not indulge all day long, rather I try to at least make smart choices to compensate as much as I can. I do still count cheat meal calories and add them to my tracker, if it's possible. I will admit that sometimes if I'm out of town or having a crazy evening I'll forget by the time it becomes plausible to put them in.

I don't schedule my cheat meal and I try really hard not to make a big deal out of it. Part of my problem to begin with has been shaming myself over food- which almost inevitably leads me to binges. If a situation arises and I am in a position where I feel like going over is OK for an evening, then I do- and then hope right back on the bandwagon for the next meal. As I said, I do keep track of these however and will not do more than one per week.

LonLB

NONE for me for the most part. I view it as an addiction.....One cheat day may be all it takes to fall off the wagon entirely.

MrsRipdizzle

I typically do take a cheat day a week - I still count the calories - but I try not to exceed 2500 cals that day. I'm not trying to keep a large deficit right now so I eat about 1600-1700 during the weekdays and then Friday or Saturday (date night!), I go over. Keeps me sane and gives me something to look forward to. I've never really had a bingeing problem so it doesn't set off any terrible behaviors in me.

DaveMurphy6

I have been doing the body for life program for quite awhile and an "off" day is recommended. Including from exercise. Taking a week off from workouts every 90 days is also suggested. To think about

1. An off day is mentally relaxing..Most of us obsess too much every day about what we eat how we measure it and about our workouts ..not to mention any guilt you have because of something you ate or you didn't workout hard enough. This enables you to get away from this for one day and get mentally recharged.

2. I found I usually don' eat 4,000 calories. Because of the eating habits I've built up.I usually just don"t want to eat that much. And I may exercise..but I don't have to. big difference mentally

3.I do a 24 hour period from Saturday at 3pm til Sunday at 3pm. Most social events occur during these times so it helps with those situationas well

4. If you have been really reducing your calories,adding a few for a day keeps your system from slowing down and keeps your weight burning going.

Hope this helps and good luck