Having a treat day

Lovethynunn
Lovethynunn Posts: 13 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hello,

I was just curious do most people have a day off? Every Friday my work have Friday treats and I struggle. I don't have the will power to resist? How can I maintain a healthy weight loss and have a treat day? Or does anyone have advice how you monitor not over eating on that day?

Thanks x

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I won't let myself go a whole day, except on a rare occasion (like Thanksgiving). Cheat meals (as opposed to days) are much easier to minimize damage. It is just one meal as opposed to an entire day of free eating. Honestly, you need to find the will power to resist or to eat in moderation. If you can't dig deep and find that kind of motivation, losing weight won't happen.
  • Jpinpoint
    Jpinpoint Posts: 219 Member
    I take a day off from working out but not from eating.

    I don't keep myself from treats, I'm not a fan of them so I don't have a problem with eating one and no more.

    No cheat meals. I only portion control, don't over eat. This is me though, everyone chooses differently.
  • ncruso24
    ncruso24 Posts: 37 Member
    I def have cheat meals too I just don't go over board. Subconsciously I stop myself because I don't want to go backwards. So, even when I do allow myself to cheat I don't enjoy it as much as maybe I would have 3 months ago. You have to remember all the hard work youve put in and how you don't want to reverse that progress!
  • Rachlmale
    Rachlmale Posts: 640 Member
    I have 'treat' meals, perhaps once a month. Not entire days though otherwise I would go mental. My treat day, for the first time in 6 months will be Christmas.
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    I don't have cheat days or meals. I just try to eat a balanced diet, which includes everything in moderation. I have one or two "treats" daily I'd say. If I gave myself a "cheat day"..I'd eat everything in KFC....including the tables and chairs and plastic plants.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Have a "treat day" every day by fitting moderate amounts of foods you enjoy into your diet.
  • Lovethynunn
    Lovethynunn Posts: 13 Member
    I am thinking this treat day might just be a problem. I am over my fat intake but still in my calorie intake and I also will still go to the gym but I think until I really start to loose weight maybe I need to cut out treating myself at lunch time to the sweets and crisps. I still eat healthy just have chocolates and crisps but I am starting to think this is a stubbling block.
  • Lovethynunn
    Lovethynunn Posts: 13 Member
    Also what to people class as a 'treat'?
  • Aleph13
    Aleph13 Posts: 83 Member
    Yes absolutely. Hungry people who don't reward themselves are not happy people and you wont maintain a diet that is all about deprivation. At the weekend, me and the kids bake a cake and eat regular stuff. Monday to Friday I'm healthy and I work out. You need a day off and a bit of indulgence ... it gives you a pick me up and is something to look forward to and work towards during the week xx
  • Rachlmale
    Rachlmale Posts: 640 Member
    Also what to people class as a 'treat'?


    Going for a meal out at a restaurant and eating what I like :) that or ordering pizza.
  • cakemewithyou
    cakemewithyou Posts: 132 Member
    Cheat meals are okay. It's a life change, not a diet! PORTION CONTROL IS EVERYTHING.

    Have a sweet.
    Have one sweet.
    Have one sweet, ONLY.
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    Also what to people class as a 'treat'?

    For me it depends, it could be going out to eat, having a fancy coffee beverage, or eating at work (I work at McDonalds) or even just having some chips and salsa at night while watching t.v. Some days are more "treaty" than others but I always stay within my goals and just try to achieve balance over time. I just try to make better choices, and I never feel deprived or guilty about what I do or do not eat.
  • Krys_140
    Krys_140 Posts: 648 Member
    Have a "treat day" every day by fitting moderate amounts of foods you enjoy into your diet.
    ^^ This.

    I try to enjoy a little something every day, savory or sweet... That way, I know that I'm not really missing out. And, if its happening every Friday, you certainly could enjoy one or two treats, and leave the rest, knowing that the next treat day is only a week away.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    Enjoy a few treats each Friday. Even if you go a little over your calorie goal you probably won't be more than maintenance. 1 day maintenance + 6 days deficit = weight loss still :) Just don't use it as an excuse to go ALL out every Friday or you may be reducing the deficit you built up all week even further.

    Life is for living, you can't go your whole life without ever having these things ever again :) You have to learn portion control and moderation.
  • BobSassafrass
    BobSassafrass Posts: 85 Member
    I've been trying to plan cheats around working out so I can still be under my calorie limit. Last night I jogged an extra 45 minutes so I could eat pizza, and it was worth it.
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    I'm all for having some treats here and there to help maintain sanity. But if your motivation can't make it a day without having a food that doesn't fit into your diet plan, I don't see you making it too far.
  • stephdeeable
    stephdeeable Posts: 1,407 Member
    I'm all for having some treats here and there to help maintain sanity. But if your motivation can't make it a day without having a food that doesn't fit into your diet plan, I don't see you making it too far.

    But....but.....what if my diet plan includes all foods? :embarassed:
  • whatascene
    whatascene Posts: 119 Member
    Yeah I was struggling in this thread on what a "cheat" is. Because I eat out about 2-3 times a week, but I stay within my calories/fat and work out. Like I'm getting hothead (pretty much Chipolte) my 2nd time this week tonight but I worked out and I'm not going over. Is that a cheat meal? Or is ordering pizza or eating a large greasy meal considered cheating? I saw the original post and thought a "few treats" as like a cookie or a muffin or something- which I barely see as a cheat at all. And then I saw how many of the health nuts in here post about never having one, and I say don't listen to them unless you want to get that crazy about it because I'm very successful in losing weight and cheat all the time! lol.
  • KIMBAILEYWILLIAMSON
    KIMBAILEYWILLIAMSON Posts: 258 Member
    Yes absolutely. Hungry people who don't reward themselves are not happy people and you wont maintain a diet that is all about deprivation. At the weekend, me and the kids bake a cake and eat regular stuff. Monday to Friday I'm healthy and I work out. You need a day off and a bit of indulgence ... it gives you a pick me up and is something to look forward to and work towards during the week xx


    ^^ agree with this and I do the same and it never hindered my weight loss, but everyone has to find out what works for them. Good luck but you do need to "treat" yourself :)
  • ChetThaker
    ChetThaker Posts: 186 Member
    I have a treat meal once a week but try to eat sensibly the rest of that day and ensure I've earned some calories through exercise. It's hard I think to cut everything out and sustain that long term so the ocassional treat would allow you to achieve your goals.

    I don't go crazy with these treats either and try to keep them balanced so its generally meals out and making sensible choices is the key. If you're meeting your weekly calorie deficit then you will lose weight. Those pesky cakes, biscuit, and crisps are going to hamper your progress so you're going to need to really reduce those which is where a lot of the saturated fat intake is going to come from.
  • feast4thebeast
    feast4thebeast Posts: 210 Member
    Hello,

    I was just curious do most people have a day off? Every Friday my work have Friday treats and I struggle. I don't have the will power to resist? How can I maintain a healthy weight loss and have a treat day? Or does anyone have advice how you monitor not over eating on that day?

    Thanks x

    On a Friday my work has a treat day - in fact most days they have treats. As time has gone on they just ignore the fact that I don't bother with them and the odd person makes a vague comment about me being into my fitness. I used to eat everything tha was left out in the staff room but now I don't, have a very calculated diet and am reapting the rewards of such a lifestyle.
  • newmein2013
    newmein2013 Posts: 674 Member
    There's so many different answers to this question. The bottom line is you have to find what works best for you, through trial & error. What works for some may have the opposite effect on you. Personally, I can't have "treats" b/c it will very quickly turn into a binge. I'm like a shark with a drop of blood. I get a taste & I want it more, more, more. So I simply found healthier alternatives to my favorite things & I've completely (over many, many months) changed the way I eat & look at food. I'm to the point now that when I do binge, I really, really (I just can't stress this enough) do not care. Meaning I don't beat myself up over it anymore. Why? First, I eat very healthy pretty much every single day & secondly, I workout like a maniac, at least I think I do. Also because this is life, it's real, and we will be faced with challenges every day. Right now my challenge is to find constructive ways (rather than self destruction through binging) to deal with stress or when I'm nervous. When you change the way you eat, your taste buds will change. You'll eventually start craving clean healthy fresh foods. My suggestion: if you're really not hungry, don't go near the treats in the office. If you are really hungry, eat something healthy to fuel your body, wait 20-30 minutes. Then, and only then, should you go for the great if you still desire it. But take one bite and throw the rest out. Trust me, this is one of the best suggestions I was ever given & it will empower you like you've never imagined possible.
  • Canilagist
    Canilagist Posts: 1
    Hello, i learned to eat half of :laugh( what you like) then throw the rest away!:wink:
  • iorahkwano
    iorahkwano Posts: 709 Member
    During the week, I will have one "treat dinner" (i.e. Restaurant or order out) or "treat drinks" (A couple low cal drinks on a night out).

    But I only do it if I really want it. I don't have an official day to do it, but if an opportunity comes up I will see it as "my treat" and make a note that I should try not to have a 2nd one that week. I may have 2 nights of "treat drinks" but I never have 2 nights of "treat dinners" because restaurant/junk food calories are insanely high!
  • Firefox7275
    Firefox7275 Posts: 2,040 Member
    I'm going out for lunch today and chose from a set menu. I opted for a combination of what I like and what will help me stay on track - egg and asparagus, salmon and vegetables no potatoes and no dessert. Had there been something off my eating plan that I really wanted I would certainly have had it. I'm not going to worry about the hollandaise or the way anything is cooked.

    If you eat well on Friday breakfast and lunch, really stuff yourself with lean protein, healthy fats and a huge plate of low sugar fruits or non starchy vegetables each time will you still want the treats? Are they some of your favourite things even when you are full? If so have a little. If really you only want them when you get a snack attack or because others are having them there are many other foods you enjoy more don't set yourself back. Basically are these specific treats really a special treat for YOU or are they such because society tells you that all sugary or fatty crap is a treat (psychological link)?

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