Cheat Days

spramn

Ive been told a few times by PT, and others when i talk about body building. Cheat days are okay.

Cheat days, whats the effect of excessive calories?

For arguments sake.

Thets say i have a 3000cal diet
I run at a daily 200cal deficit

on my cheat day i have 1000cal over
does that mean next 5 days of 200cal deficit’s are nul and void?

Or would my body simply retain a fraction of the excessive calories and discard rest as waste?

Basically, in my head, 1 cheat day a week, has the potential to negate any progress?

shmoony

Yes, I believe you're thinking is correct in that a 1000 calorie surplus would negate five days of a 200 calorie deficit. The body doesn't have a reset button at midnight. Matabolism, fat storage, etc. are daily monthly and annual. A better way to look at it would be that by eating a 200 calorie deficit for 5 days earns you a 1000 calorie surplus on day six without gaining weight. But if you're trying to lose, just keep the cheat day to a 500 calorie surplus. Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. A 500 cal deficit a week adds up to 8 pounds / year. If you could lose eight pounds / year every year, you'd be pretty happy I assume.