Cheat day?

JessAilene86

Saturdays have been my cheat day where I can eat whatever I have been craving for the week that I couldn't eat. Normally, I'd eat things like yeasty dinner rolls or donuts (I know, terrible.), but I'm starting to see better results on the scale now and I don't want to set myself back a couple pounds for the new week to work off anymore. My question is, what do you guys have for cheat day if you have one and what are maybe some better alternatives that may be just as satisfying? During the week I cut out rice, bread, pastas, dairy and pretty much anything processed if I can avoid it. Thanks in advance guys!

seena511

maybe you should have a cheat meal instead of an entire cheat day. eat like you do the rest of the week for most of the day, but for lunch or dinner indulge in those treats. if you're still working out on that day and eating well for the rest of the day, it probably won't throw off your average weekly calorie consumption too much.

cielbee

I have one meal a week where I don't *know* the calories. That can be going to a potluck, a party, eating out or eating at someone else's house. If I have some event happening during the week that involves food, I use that for my meal where I don't count calories. I usually put a calorie count guesstimate into the tracker after. I also try to be a little under my calories (50 - 100) the rest of the week to allow more calories for that particular meal/event.

JessAilene86

Thanks for the suggestion guys. I usually only do one meal for my cheat day, but I saw how many calories were in one dinner roll and now I don't even want to eat them. Haha I'd rather have none if I can only have one.

MelissaM528

I don't have a "cheat day" but i'm a lot more relaxed with my eating on the Weekends. I usually stay in my calories though but I might eat fast food a bit more. With that said, I don't cut out anything in my diet because I truly believe that we should be allowed to eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in moderation. If I completely cut out anything I would probably act like a rebellious teen and then binge eat but if it works for you then go for it.

Ke22yB

I dont have cheat days or cheat meals I had all diets at one time or another and gained my way to 370 pounds I have changed my life style now. What that means simply this is the way I live. If I am out to dinner one nite I dont pick thru the menu in fear I eat what looks good like NORMAL thin people they dont feel they are cheating if they overindulge one meal or one day or even one weekend if you are away why should you ruin the weekend constantly worrying about your calories.
That said I do log whatever I eat as close as I can I do maintain my exercise levels to not have a double downer and I do not say oh I was bad so I will pack it in.
I have been living this way for over 4 years and I dont ever feel I am on a diet. The first time in over 40 years I am living healthy and exercising so live well and avoid the negative I AM CHEATING because it is a negative thought

JessAilene86

The first week of my diet change was definitely the hardest because I had a constant headache, which I'm guessing is related to a lot of the processed foods I was eating, but afterwards, I have to say I couldn't feel any better. I just try and plan my meals accordingly to where they aren't bland or boring and half the time I don't even realize that I'm not getting a rice as a side or garlic toast with my meal. Starches are definitely a weak spot for me.

KANGOOJUMPS

i work my *kitten* off double all week, come the whole weekend, i whoop it up!

tiffastar

Agree post above about lifestyle change.

JessAilene86

I dont have cheat days or cheat meals I had all diets at one time or another and gained my way to 370 pounds I have changed my life style now. What that means simply this is the way I live. If I am out to dinner one nite I dont pick thru the menu in fear I eat what looks good like NORMAL thin people they dont feel they are cheating if they overindulge one meal or one day or even one weekend if you are away why should you ruin the weekend constantly worrying about your calories.
That said I do log whatever I eat as close as I can I do maintain my exercise levels to not have a double downer and I do not say oh I was bad so I will pack it in.
I have been living this way for over 4 years and I dont ever feel I am on a diet. The first time in over 40 years I am living healthy and exercising so live well and avoid the negative I AM CHEATING because it is a negative thought

It is definitely a lifestyle change for me, not so much of a diet. I am just trying to get in a good mind set and a better habit of eating well, and I feel that my cheat day prevents me from saying the heck with it and go back to eating like that three square meals a day. I am already finding myself picking the better choices and I'm hoping eventually I won't feel the need for a "cheat day" because I will just want to be healthy in general. I see what you mean about not calling it a cheat day and feeling negatively about it, but you've clearly come a long way with your weight loss. I hope that I can have the same mind set as you eventually on this, but for now I'm going to try and be wary of it until I feel like I have better self control.

Faye_Anderson

When I was eating 1200-1400 I NEEDED a cheat day, now that I'm eating 1800 I don't need to, and I'm losing faster. Maybe play about with your numbers then you can fit the odd treat into your day :flowerforyou:

JessAilene86

When I was eating 1200-1400 I NEEDED a cheat day, now that I'm eating 1800 I don't need to, and I'm losing faster. Maybe play about with your numbers then you can fit the odd treat into your day :flowerforyou:

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll definitely consider that.

xveer22

I don't have an actual cheat day. It's just once or twice a week I can't control my binging and than I'm above. It slows down the process, but I've accepted that. Still trying to be under calorie intake everyday...
Lately I've bought an extra dark cholatebar which you can break in mini tiny pieces so I can eat 5 pieces, while that would normmaly be one piece. That helps a lot as well, your brain works that way.
And I eat almonds, delicious and have proteins in it as well.

trollsb

If you add up all the under calories from the week you might be surprised what fits in the budget?

Spurrowell

I have cheat days, but what I found out is that I was buying the most for my money, and the cheat day lasted two or maybe three. Plus I didn't do any portion control. And I ate all day everything I couldn't during the week--Three strikes, right huh?. So now I have cheat day but I limit how much I eat, Which foods I eat and I only buy enough for 1 serving. So kinda like Kangoojumps be good all week come the weekend whoop it up--moderately.

boobee32

I have two meals a week, on the weekends, that are whatever I want, but still under 1500 calories. this is not a cheat DAY but a meal to eat what I want. this is according to Jackie Warners book, and so far, it is working for me.

rocket_ace

i don't do a whole cheat day, but I do do a cheat meal!! I also think its easy to go overboard (so no full box of donuts)....but I think its really important mentally!

MorgueBabe

I don't have scheduled cheat days.
Periodically I will have a cheat meal, for example yesterday was my birthday, I ate a lot Sushi. Maybe a cheat meal is a better idea. I think having them once a week seems excessive to schedule it.

Mjhnbgff

I don't do cheat days or meals--can't handle it. Plus, I'm trying to change the way I eat for the rest of my life and I have accepted that I need to eat healthy most days and maybe have a treat now once in a great while to celebrate a special occasion. A weekly or even monthly cheat day will eventually turn to two days andbefore I know it, I'm back to eating whatever I want every day of the week. I have been down that road enough times to know the outcome. Plus, I feel so much better physically and emotionally now that I'm eating healthy. I can eat without guilt now and I feel good knowing that I am taking care of my body.

JessAilene86

Okay, correction folks, when I said cheat day, I meant cheat meal. And also, no one is suggesting anything or answering my questions..

tigger2009

I don't have a cheat day but I am more relaxed on weekends too but aware of what I am eating. I don't post what I eat on weekends just during the week. I don't plan a cheat meal but sometimes it ends up being one without me knowing in advance! I am trying to stick to my food lifestyle. Refuse to call it a diet. Myfitnesspal keeps me honest though! Going to see a hockey game this weekend so I am sure there will be some cheat time! now if I could just get off my **** and exercise I would loose weight faster!

Richie2shoes

My cheat day is typically Sunday. I still log all the calories, I just don't worry about the numbers. Typically it will involve going out to breakfast, french toast or pancakes and a couple slices of pizza for dinner. Oddly enough I don't always exceed my calorie limit and if I do, I rarely use up any "surplus" from the days prior. I still find myself making better choices when I do splurge. We ordered chinese last week and I skipped the dumplings and got won-ton soup, I got the steamed seafood delight with the sauce on the side instead of something fried. Even pizza has changed - thin crust, all veggies and ham instead of a regular crust, extra cheese, pepperoni and sausage.

This weekend will be a little tougher because we are going out to eat Saturday night and Sunday night, but I've been reviewing the menus on line and have made some good choices.

mamaleftwich

I personally don't do "cheat" days. I have been doing this for almost an entire year and it's a "lifestyle" change. The only things that I completely cut out of my lifestyle is deep-fried foods, very little bread, pasta, rice and potatoes and I'm a huge "cake" eater so I've cut back on that as well. Everything else, I eat but I do it with portion control. If I want chips, I don't take the entire bag, I take the allotted serving size and put them in a bowl. I log everything that I eat and if I know that I'm going out to dinner or a party or something, I will modify my eating habits during the day so that I can order a nice dinner or enjoy the food at the party. It's trial and error but you will find what works for you! Good Luck on your journey!

Riemersma4

I don't have cheat days but i definitely have cheat meals and events.

It's a journey. I try not to get too bent out of shape over individual moments but I keep an eye on the 'top line/trend'.

Make sense?

Good luck!

naterar

I agree with the cheat meals more that a cheat day as well. I usually go have Chinese or pizza but even with that I try to make the best choices. I usually get a Veggie Pizza or stick to the veggie dishes at the Chinese restaurant. I think to have these cheat meals or days are important, hey we are all human and to have these as a treat is not a bad thing or something anyone should feel bad about. I used to really beat myself up about it but now I just add a little extra cardio and move on. I try to look at the big picture and as long as I am hitting my workout and diet goals everything is good.

4_Lisa

I don't have a cheat day, if I'm craving something I have a little bit of it and log what I eat, I find that now that my body is detoxed from sugary crap I don't crave it nearly as much. When I want a chocolate bar, I have a protein bar instead (found some at Costco that are supper awesome and not chalky). I don't think you need to deprive yourself of something just to lose weight, it's a matter of moderation not deprevation.

rishonb

you definitely should enjoy at least one day out of the week...i found that cutting out on foods u love makes dieting so difficult. as we all know eating in moderation is the key.. as far as a cheat day i never had a whole day where iam just pigging out but whatever works for you, should be fine...you just gave me a great idea...i really want to pig out for super bowl Sunday without counting damn calories so iam going to go extra hard in the gym today and tomorrow and call Sunday my CHEAT DAY!!!!.. THANKS

CharMarieDavis

Something that is more satisfying? Losing weight! I have noticed that when I have a "cheat" then I crave it more and often times I eat the "cheat meal" and I feel unsatisfied! This is because your body has adjusted to eating healthier food. And the more bad things you give your body, the more it will crave it. I know most people on here say "I don't deprive my body of anything, etc" but each person is different. If you aren't feeling satisfied with what you are eating for your cheat meal...I simply wouldn't eat it. I would just continue your normal lifestyle regimen that you follow during the week. It sounds like you are very dedicated to this new lifestyle you have adapted, so I would go with it! No reason to have a cheat if you don't "NEED" it. :-)

czardastx

I have two cheat meals. Middle of the week I have hot wings. I just recently started substituting veggies for the fries that come with the wings. Weekend is going out for breakfast. But even that can be healthy. Egg white omelet, and I control what, and how much, goes into the omelet, a few slices of bacon, a steak, fruit and to top it all off a small soft serve ice cream in a cone.

Now, what to do when you want an alternative to something bad for you, like breads. I eat Ezekiel bread. It's supposed to be better for you, not so many bad carbs that make it hard to lose weight. I eat the 4:9. It's good, not like I thought it would be since it's not a traditional wheat or whole wheat bread. Fruits are good, in moderation, when you crave something sweet. Want something salty? Eat a pickle. Only about 10 calories. But watch the sodium, as you know they are HIGH in sodium. Almonds, whole natural, are good for you and are the 'good' type of fat. One or two ounces will satisfy that little hunger pang you get between meals.

I'm just now getting into clean eating to help knock of the last few pounds of fat I have so I can have better definition and tone. I work out pretty much 7 days a week and I wasn't really getting anywhere, I hit a plateau. Well, starting cutting out a lot of fruit (those darn sugars and carbs) and lost a little over a pound in a week. I just had to force my body to start tapping those reserves of fat.

Well, hope I helped. Good luck everyone with your goals.

SoySalva

I don't have cheat days, I have learned to eat in moderation the foods I love everyday....this keeps me sane. As long as it fits in my calorie goal, I am good!

Matt_Wild

Have a meal of your choosing or perhaps wise a larger one of your healthy eating meals with some extra sauce or the like?