Cheat DAY works!!! did they work for you too?
Replies
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I used to have cheat days, and eventually they ended up hindering my progress.
So now we have a n=2 observational study, and the results are inconclusive. Yipee.0 -
I suspect that you are either not eating nearly as many calories as you think on your cheat day. I would also suspect that you are not in a calorie surplus for the week. I would finally suspect that you don't have enough data to make the implication that this is a good strategy for others.
I also said it may not be for you if you don't like cheat days, but it is true that I can only speak for myself. I also have roughly a 3000 calorie deficit by Saturdays (not including the 3500 weekly deficit to lose 1 lb) from working out since i wait to eat back the burnt calories on my cheat days
If you're saying that you've built a massive deficit during the week, and then you eat back the majority of this deficit on one day and still lose weight, then yes, that should work. If you're eating so much on your cheat day that you're averaging a surplus intake, you are not going to lose fat long term.
It's important to clarify this so that people don't think that they can disregard energy balance entirely, and just eat whatever at no cost to their progress.0 -
IMHO eating 8000 to 13000 calories in a "cheat day" binge is really not representative of a healthy relationship with food. Food should NOT be a reward for disciplined eating. There are plenty of other ways to reward yourself.
I personally don't take "cheat" days because in reality I believe I'd only be cheating myself out of progress. I do occasionally eat a couple scoops of ice cream or something on particularly hard workout days to catch up on my calories. However, you've obviously lost a lot of weight and if it works for you then so be it, but I think you should explore your relationship with food a little deeper.0 -
Since I stopped eating candy/cookies/cake because I was too addicted, I don't even want a cheat day. There's nothing I want to eat. :grumble:
I'm right there with you! I can't even force myself to want to cheat right now.....0 -
I never deny myself during the week, if I want something I have it - but one day a weekend I let myself eat just as much cheese/pasta as I like. I always find that I can run further and longer the next day. I feel more energetic.
I don't believe in denying myself and taking the joy from food. I couldn't imagine eating 8000 calories in one day though.0 -
I feel this philosophy has kept me from hitting a plateau. For the record, I'm female and 38, so definitely don't have a teenager's metabolism.
I also don't call them cheat days, just "no count" days. I certainly don't eat 8k worth, but just don't worry about measuring or counting for a day or two. For me, I still eat less than what I did before I started losing weight, but don't have craving induced binges anymore, either.
I did this last weekend, and included a milkshake, belgian waffle, tots, bacon, etc. I lost 2.2 lbs last week too.
This works for me, even if it doesn't work for everyone.0 -
IMHO eating 8000 to 13000 calories in a "cheat day" binge is really not representative of a healthy relationship with food. Food should NOT be a reward for disciplined eating. There are plenty of other ways to reward yourself.
I personally don't take "cheat" days because in reality I believe I'd only be cheating myself out of progress. I do occasionally eat a couple scoops of ice cream or something on particularly hard workout days to catch up on my calories. However, you've obviously lost a lot of weight and if it works for you then so be it, but I think you should explore your relationship with food a little deeper.
I get what you are saying, and this is great advise. I feel as though I've found a good relationship with how i eat at this point though. I do also fit in healthy foods like fruit and vegetables on my cheat days along with my ice cream. though i eat the ice cream by the carton... i do feel energized for the entire wrek after though. I'm an avid runner and I like to do about 10 miles every morning and lift in the afternoons.0 -
Yes. It's because it shocks your system. I don't necessarily agree with a once a week cheat day but once every 2 weeks isnt bad.0
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I feel this philosophy has kept me from hitting a plateau. For the record, I'm female and 38, so definitely don't have a teenager's metabolism.
I also don't call them cheat days, just "no count" days. I certainly don't eat 8k worth, but just don't worry about measuring or counting for a day or two. For me, I still eat less than what I did before I started losing weight, but don't have craving induced binges anymore, either.
I did this last weekend, and included a milkshake, belgian waffle, tots, bacon, etc. I lost 2.2 lbs last week too.
This works for me, even if it doesn't work for everyone.
I've taken to calling them "Metabolism boost day," or "Metaboost day" for short. i figure "how is it a cheat day if I'm still losing weight?"0 -
I would probably throw up if I ate that much. I agree a cheat MEAL works - if you go over 400 calories a couple times a week you can rev up your metabolism - that's how I got through a plateau and lost the last 5 pounds.0
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my cheat day is called the weekend, and I don't think it's working
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I prefer the 'zig zag' method to rock off a plateau - and this is what has worked for me.
go from my usual 1200/day to maybe 1800 for one day, back down to 1500 the next, back to 1200 the next etc... etc.. until the plateau breaks. thats what works for ME - but i suppose everyone will be different. i guess whatever works for each individual.0 -
Cheat days are nice, I agree that we all need to have a cheat day or at least a cheat treat for one day of the week. I always say I'm going to have one whole day to cheat and I tell my hubby that, then he makes fun of me because I'm still careful. But seriously, I cheated last Friday and had the ribs he cooked on the grill and ate til I was full (4 ribs worth), but my big cheat was having cotton candy from the fair, it was the first and only time this year, I swear. It's our anniversary this week and I will cheat maybe once or twice this week. But, I do notice that when I do cheat it seems to boost my metabolism a bit. So I have to workout a little bit harder, oh well it will be worth it.0
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IMHO eating 8000 to 13000 calories in a "cheat day" binge is really not representative of a healthy relationship with food. Food should NOT be a reward for disciplined eating. There are plenty of other ways to reward yourself.
I personally don't take "cheat" days because in reality I believe I'd only be cheating myself out of progress. I do occasionally eat a couple scoops of ice cream or something on particularly hard workout days to catch up on my calories. However, you've obviously lost a lot of weight and if it works for you then so be it, but I think you should explore your relationship with food a little deeper.
I get what you are saying, and this is great advise. I feel as though I've found a good relationship with how i eat at this point though. I do also fit in healthy foods like fruit and vegetables on my cheat days along with my ice cream. though i eat the ice cream by the carton... i do feel energized for the entire wrek after though. I'm an avid runner and I like to do about 10 miles every morning and lift in the afternoons.
I hope you have. I would caution that I used to run A LOT and bike a lot as well. If you exercise habits ever change then you really need to review your caloric intake. I had a herniated disc which shut me down for 1.5 years and after not really getting back into it 3 years later I was 45 lbs overweight. That's about 145 calories per day too much or 2 chocolate chip cookies every other day.0 -
I feel like this would never work for me. Cheating would just make me feel bad about myself.0
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IMHO eating 8000 to 13000 calories in a "cheat day" binge is really not representative of a healthy relationship with food. Food should NOT be a reward for disciplined eating. There are plenty of other ways to reward yourself.
I personally don't take "cheat" days because in reality I believe I'd only be cheating myself out of progress. I do occasionally eat a couple scoops of ice cream or something on particularly hard workout days to catch up on my calories. However, you've obviously lost a lot of weight and if it works for you then so be it, but I think you should explore your relationship with food a little deeper.
I get what you are saying, and this is great advise. I feel as though I've found a good relationship with how i eat at this point though. I do also fit in healthy foods like fruit and vegetables on my cheat days along with my ice cream. though i eat the ice cream by the carton... i do feel energized for the entire wrek after though. I'm an avid runner and I like to do about 10 miles every morning and lift in the afternoons.
I hope you have. I would caution that I used to run A LOT and bike a lot as well. If you exercise habits ever change then you really need to review your caloric intake. I had a herniated disc which shut me down for 1.5 years and after not really getting back into it 3 years later I was 45 lbs overweight. That's about 145 calories per day too much or 2 chocolate chip cookies every other day.
I actually recently had surgery on my neck and couldn't work out for about a month. I actually lost weight faster in this time for some reason. even with the cheat day. not too sure why though. maybe it had something to do with the medication i had to take after the surgery or something.0 -
I've found pain killers will make you sick to your stomach. When I had knee surgery I decided just to deal with the pain as the percoset made me so sick.0
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^^This^^And no offense but you're male and 21 years old. You still have a teenage metabolism. Try that *kitten* when you're 40 and see how well it works. :P
When I was 21 I ate 7000 calorie meals with no problems, but I was extremely active in multi-sports and could easily burn the calories. I don't have "cheat days" I eat anything I want in moderation and choose healthier foods and it works for me. As Side Steel stated, you may want to be a little more careful with how you state your position because promoting bingeing may encourage people who haven't the means to burn those extra calories to engage in this behavior and expect the same results you've had.
Congratulations on your 100lb + weight loss, that's truly a commendable accomplishment.0 -
If you're calling it a "cheat" does that mean it's wrong? That's the implication that I get from what people post. I don't cheat, I eat what I want when I want to make it. Home made burgers over fast food burgers. I bake cookies from scratch. More because I'm a Kiwi living in the USA and I'm not really that fond of the cookies here. I miss my chocolate covered biscuits from Griffins. I totally get the whole boost to the metabolic system that eating a lot of food does. But 8k plus calories? Damn hard to get my head around. But as a lot of other posters have stated, you do what works for you. I love my fries and I will eat them when I want them.
I like that this post hasn't attracted too much negative nasty comments. More along the lines of a very interesting discussion. Happy journeys everyone.0 -
I use this method in my weightloss journey.... For those that say they don't deprive themselves so they don't believe in cheating, that is all fine and well... do what works for you but for me (not so much now) in the beginning at 560 lbs. and eating well over 8000 calories a day I was totally out of control.. I ate by the box (not the packages) of oreos, little debbies, etc. and by the bag fulls (not portioned servings) of chips, doritoes, etc... My Friday night standing order for supper was a 21 inch pizza with extra Pep and cheese, a 14 inch deluxe pizza with extra cheese, 2 boxes of little debbies swiss cakes, and a half gallon of chocolate milk and a 2 liter of Mt Dew.... I would not go to bed that evening until it was all gone because I was afraid my wife would then be able to tell me I had leftovers for Saturday... So when I finally hit rock bottom and worked with my doctors and they put me on a 2400 calorie a day meal plan.. We brought in 2 - 32 gallon trash cans and empty the house of ALL trigger foods and filled our fridge and cupboards with healthy options.... My nutritionist knew to keep me focus through out the week I needed to be allowed a couple cheat meals.. The rules for those meals was they had to be eaten out, I could have whatever I wanted of the menu, but it had to be eaten there and nothing was to be brought home... This concept work very well with me (well I had major social phobia so the first year we sat in the car and ate the meal because I just could not go in to eat..) Heck I had not stepped foot in a store in over 7 years back then) Now fast forward to today and I enjoy going out to eat with my wife, and the same system has worked through this whole process so I continue it today... I can now have things in the house and eat them in moderation if I so choose (most time I don't care for any of those foods anymore and prefer the other things I have come use to having) but Saturday is my cheat day and I will normally do a lunch and dinner on that day with a trip to the movies (popcorn) or to DQ for ice cream.. Pretty much my day off and then Sunday I wake up and am right back on point and ready to tackle my goals for the week... This isn't for everyone but I have lost an average of 100 lbs. a year for 3 straight years using this method so for me it works..... Best of Luck....0
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And no offense but you're male and 21 years old. You still have a teenage metabolism. Try that *kitten* when you're 40 and see how well it works. :P
Agreed!!0 -
And no offense but you're male and 21 years old. You still have a teenage metabolism. Try that *kitten* when you're 40 and see how well it works. :P
Age doesn't make someone exempt from thermodynamics.0 -
I use this method in my weightloss journey.... For those that say they don't deprive themselves so they don't believe in cheating, that is all fine and well... do what works for you but for me (not so much now) in the beginning at 560 lbs. and eating well over 8000 calories a day I was totally out of control.. I ate by the box (not the packages) of oreos, little debbies, etc. and by the bag fulls (not portioned servings) of chips, doritoes, etc... My Friday night standing order for supper was a 21 inch pizza with extra Pep and cheese, a 14 inch deluxe pizza with extra cheese, 2 boxes of little debbies swiss cakes, and a half gallon of chocolate milk and a 2 liter of Mt Dew.... I would not go to bed that evening until it was all gone because I was afraid my wife would then be able to tell me I had leftovers for Saturday... So when I finally hit rock bottom and worked with my doctors and they put me on a 2400 calorie a day meal plan.. We brought in 2 - 32 gallon trash cans and empty the house of ALL trigger foods and filled our fridge and cupboards with healthy options.... My nutritionist knew to keep me focus through out the week I needed to be allowed a couple cheat meals.. The rules for those meals was they had to be eaten out, I could have whatever I wanted of the menu, but it had to be eaten there and nothing was to be brought home... This concept work very well with me (well I had major social phobia so the first year we sat in the car and ate the meal because I just could not go in to eat..) Heck I had not stepped foot in a store in over 7 years back then) Now fast forward to today and I enjoy going out to eat with my wife, and the same system has worked through this whole process so I continue it today... I can now have things in the house and eat them in moderation if I so choose (most time I don't care for any of those foods anymore and prefer the other things I have come use to having) but Saturday is my cheat day and I will normally do a lunch and dinner on that day with a trip to the movies (popcorn) or to DQ for ice cream.. Pretty much my day off and then Sunday I wake up and am right back on point and ready to tackle my goals for the week... This isn't for everyone but I have lost an average of 100 lbs. a year for 3 straight years using this method so for me it works..... Best of Luck....
Inspiration right there! ^0 -
I'm glad it's working for you, but I'm just wondering how you eat 8,000 calories or more on this cheat day???
I ate 4000-5000 calories a day sedentary for about three years, hence where I am today. And back then, I ate a LOT of fast food, junk food, soda, etc. I guess if you're drinking a couple two liters of pop, it'll get ya there... :laugh:0 -
Agreed....... I am 42 years young and have no problems with the *kitten* working as you put it..... lol....And no offense but you're male and 21 years old. You still have a teenage metabolism. Try that *kitten* when you're 40 and see how well it works. :P
Age doesn't make someone exempt from thermodynamics.0 -
Bump.0
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bump0
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Agreed, however metabolism generally slows with age. Everyone is different, some people's metabolisms don't slow and others do. Depending on your choice of fuel and amount of exercise, you can raise your metabolism to a high level and burn large amounts of calories at any age. It's just much easier when you're 21...And no offense but you're male and 21 years old. You still have a teenage metabolism. Try that *kitten* when you're 40 and see how well it works. :P
Age doesn't make someone exempt from thermodynamics.0 -
I use this method in my weightloss journey.... For those that say they don't deprive themselves so they don't believe in cheating, that is all fine and well... do what works for you but for me (not so much now) in the beginning at 560 lbs. and eating well over 8000 calories a day I was totally out of control.. I ate by the box (not the packages) of oreos, little debbies, etc. and by the bag fulls (not portioned servings) of chips, doritoes, etc... My Friday night standing order for supper was a 21 inch pizza with extra Pep and cheese, a 14 inch deluxe pizza with extra cheese, 2 boxes of little debbies swiss cakes, and a half gallon of chocolate milk and a 2 liter of Mt Dew.... I would not go to bed that evening until it was all gone because I was afraid my wife would then be able to tell me I had leftovers for Saturday... So when I finally hit rock bottom and worked with my doctors and they put me on a 2400 calorie a day meal plan.. We brought in 2 - 32 gallon trash cans and empty the house of ALL trigger foods and filled our fridge and cupboards with healthy options.... My nutritionist knew to keep me focus through out the week I needed to be allowed a couple cheat meals.. The rules for those meals was they had to be eaten out, I could have whatever I wanted of the menu, but it had to be eaten there and nothing was to be brought home... This concept work very well with me (well I had major social phobia so the first year we sat in the car and ate the meal because I just could not go in to eat..) Heck I had not stepped foot in a store in over 7 years back then) Now fast forward to today and I enjoy going out to eat with my wife, and the same system has worked through this whole process so I continue it today... I can now have things in the house and eat them in moderation if I so choose (most time I don't care for any of those foods anymore and prefer the other things I have come use to having) but Saturday is my cheat day and I will normally do a lunch and dinner on that day with a trip to the movies (popcorn) or to DQ for ice cream.. Pretty much my day off and then Sunday I wake up and am right back on point and ready to tackle my goals for the week... This isn't for everyone but I have lost an average of 100 lbs. a year for 3 straight years using this method so for me it works..... Best of Luck....
Ed, you are quite an inspiration and your advice on "cheat" days is great.0 -
And no offense but you're male and 21 years old. You still have a teenage metabolism. Try that *kitten* when you're 40 and see how well it works. :P
:happy: Agreed!!0
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