Are you a cheater?

fstender
fstender Posts: 165 Member
in Food and Nutrition
HI....I have a couple of questions for those of you that are cheaters! Meaning...eat super perfect for 6 days then have that glorious cheat day...here's some questions...

1. What do you eat on on your cheat days?
2. Calorie allowance for that day?
3. what do your "good" 6 days consist of
4. Do you exercise on this "cheat" day?
5. Lets say you mess up on a "good day" do you still have a "cheat day"
6. Do you have success with this?
7. Do you record your cheat day!?

That's all folks...I think! :)

Replies

  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    No because:

    I can easily wipe out a week's worth of deficits in one day.

    My cheat days tend to turn into cheat weeks and if I'm not careful cheat months.

    I get cravings and excess hunger when I eat certain foods and it's just not worth the annoyance to have those foods once a week, then fight the urge to have them again the next day and the day after that and the day after that.
  • Lunatic379
    Lunatic379 Posts: 58
    I only do cheat meals. Not entire days. Like post above says, it's too easy to wipe out all your hard work.

    When you've had 5 good meals, cheating on your last meal of the day isn't going to kill you.
  • Spook_Nuke_Em
    Spook_Nuke_Em Posts: 408 Member
    I only do cheat meals. Not entire days. Like post above says, it's too easy to wipe out all your hard work.

    When you've had 5 good meals, cheating on your last meal of the day isn't going to kill you.

    I agree with both of the previous posters. A cheat meal is okay once a week, but I tend to keep it semi-healthy at the same time.
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Hmm....I had to think about this. I don't think of it as "cheating"....

    grr posted before i was ready. I don't think of it as cheating because I don't consider myself on a diet.
  • hellraisedfire
    hellraisedfire Posts: 403 Member
    not really, because I eat healthy food naturally without logging it. if I want to eat something, I eat it. but typically I prefer broccoli and spinach to donuts and pastas. but there are some days where I really have to force myself to not eat an entire pizza or ice cream container, lol.

    ...or days like today where it'll be me vs. the wine.
  • keninf
    keninf Posts: 215 Member
    I don't necessarily do Cheat days, but I always eat with the intention to stay within my daily goals. My "cheats" include chocolate in many forms or sometimes a carb laden meal- but I ALWAYs record these in my diary (unless I am traveling and have poor service which does happen on some of my trips) but for the most part, I feel like if I want to eat something not so great for me- or go out to eat, drink with friends, etc. I just be sure to record it. I continue to lose at an even .5lbs but some weeks a bit less and others a bit more for a total of 13 lbs. so far. In order to make a significant, sustainable life change, I believe I have to moderate all things and what I am going for is permanent awareness and better choices- even if sometimes that includes a big piece of chocolate cake :)
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    i dont/didnt really do "cheat" days - but i would use sunday as my day to make up for any calories i didnt use during the week. called it my splurge day. sometimes it was bigger portions of healthy-ish food, sometimes it was fast food/pizza/etc and sometimes it was drinks and happy hour appetizers at the bar.. i always logged it because i wanted to make sure that i didnt go over my calories for the week. sundays werent my exercise days, so i typically didnt work out, but i didnt sit around and do nothing either (sunday = housecleaning..vacuuming/sweeping/mopping/etc). had plenty of success, never stressed about it.
  • Copaiba
    Copaiba Posts: 75 Member
    Cheat meals are better. That way I've gotten used to forgiving myself and carrying on with the mission. And I cheat a LOT but my "diet" has improved tremendously overall. And my cheat meals have gradually become less extreme because I've lost the taste for oils, fats and really sweet things.
  • alienrite
    alienrite Posts: 314 Member
    No...even on social occasions when a big meal is part of the event, I always try to fit the calories into my day and if not the week. It happens about once meal every four or five weeks.
  • jjrichard83
    jjrichard83 Posts: 483 Member
    As I go on, my cheat days turn into cheat meals, and my cheat meals become more and more infrequent. Usually leave them for holidays or the occasional night out with friends.
  • JeremiahStone
    JeremiahStone Posts: 682 Member
    I dont do cheat days, only cheat meals. 24 hours is way too much time to gorge. Instead I give myself one hour a week I can feast. Gives your metabolism a jump-start and seriously helps motivate.
  • eliseofthejungle
    eliseofthejungle Posts: 113 Member
    Hmm....I had to think about this. I don't think of it as "cheating"....

    grr posted before i was ready. I don't think of it as cheating because I don't consider myself on a diet.

    ^^^^This
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
    Yes and no? I have a high caloric intake (1800 cals/day, don't eat back exercise cals) to begin with, so I can afford quite a bit of food. I eat a healthier 1800 cals Mon-Fri - lots of lean meat, veggies, fruits, not too much processed stuff. Saturday and Sunday I don't log and I eat what I feel like, but I guesstimate my calories and try to not go over 2000. I exercise 6 days a week, and since my long run day is Sunday, I don't really feel bad about eating a ton of food that day.
  • jackoninny
    jackoninny Posts: 39 Member
    On my last cheat day I went to two chili cookoffs and a wild game cook off. Polished it off with a bag of cupcake goldfish when I went home. Consumed over 6000 calories.

    The day after I did Plyo X, 2 insanity dvds, my ab workout and my shoulder work out.

    Ab day after 2 chili cookoffs... No open flames.
  • wickedwendy6
    wickedwendy6 Posts: 117 Member
    I do cheat days! Every Saturday is my free day - I log nothing, I don't workout and I eat what I feel like.....without going overboard. I'm a big advocate of this because I believe it helps me stay on track on the other days of the week.

    To answer your questions:

    1. What do you eat on on your cheat days? Just whatever I feel like - not massive servings though.
    2. Calorie allowance for that day? I don't count so I have no allowance for the day.
    3. what do your "good" 6 days consist of? Pretty healthy - you can see my diary if you like.
    4. Do you exercise on this "cheat" day? No.
    5. Lets say you mess up on a "good day" do you still have a "cheat day" I don't mess up because I know 'cheat day' is coming.
    6. Do you have success with this? Very much so!
    7. Do you record your cheat day!? Nope.

    Other details: I started trying to lose weight early Nov last year, so have only been doing it for about 3 1/2 month. Beginning weight was 77.6kg - current weight is 67.6kg. I think that's pretty successful. Friend request me if you want. :smile:
  • fstender
    fstender Posts: 165 Member
    This is awesome to hear everyones opinions! I like the idea of cheat meals! I asked because i have a friend that does this faithfully and has had lots of luck with it....but again im very nervous that having a cheat day would throw me off too! thanks everyone for your feedback!
  • mikeyd1219
    mikeyd1219 Posts: 18
    My cheat day is my off day from exercising. I eat what ever I've been craving and stay under my calorie goal. Don't want to over do it and regress instead of progress. If I have a bad day I may skip my cheat day depending how bad my day is. Yes I recomend a cheat day it keeps you sane just remember not to over do it. I have had a lot of success with thist lost 48 lbs so far.
  • cjcmrn
    cjcmrn Posts: 134 Member
    No because:

    I can easily wipe out a week's worth of deficits in one day.

    My cheat days tend to turn into cheat weeks and if I'm not careful cheat months.

    I get cravings and excess hunger when I eat certain foods and it's just not worth the annoyance to have those foods once a week, then fight the urge to have them again the next day and the day after that and the day after that.

    I totally agree. it,s just not worth it
  • ssami_89
    ssami_89 Posts: 79
    DO YOU CHEAT ON YOUR SPOUSE AND/OR BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND?
    If you have made a commitment to dieting you shouldnt cheat just like your commitment in a relationship ...it is your relationship to food keep your commitment
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    DO YOU CHEAT ON YOUR SPOUSE AND/OR BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND?
    If you have made a commitment to dieting you shouldnt cheat just like your commitment in a relationship ...it is your relationship to food keep your commitment
    thats the thing though - i didnt make a commitment to dieting. i made a commitment to weigh less and be healthier and i can do that while still having a day or two with higher calories.
  • wickedwendy6
    wickedwendy6 Posts: 117 Member
    DO YOU CHEAT ON YOUR SPOUSE AND/OR BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND?
    If you have made a commitment to dieting you shouldnt cheat just like your commitment in a relationship ...it is your relationship to food keep your commitment
    thats the thing though - i didnt make a commitment to dieting. i made a commitment to weigh less and be healthier and i can do that while still having a day or two with higher calories.

    ^^ Agree with this answer. And also - sorry, but I have to say cheating on your spouse is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT to 'cheating' on your diet.
  • Chocol8teThunder
    Chocol8teThunder Posts: 124 Member
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wquNN1KPnQc

    I never have a cheat because I eat what I want when I want as long as it fits my macros.

    Take a look at the link above. It's helped me. I hope it works for you too.
  • MallorieGreiner
    MallorieGreiner Posts: 135 Member
    1. What do you eat on on your cheat days?
    I typically go for a low calorie breakfast of oatmeal and fruit. Then for dinner, anything, as long as it fits into my macros.

    2. Calorie allowance for that day?
    Depends

    3. what do your "good" 6 days consist of
    All good things. Lots of fruit, veggies, proteins, whole grains, etc.

    4. Do you exercise on this "cheat" day?
    YES. Gives me more wiggle room.

    5. Lets say you mess up on a "good day" do you still have a "cheat day"
    No

    6. Do you have success with this?
    Very much so!

    7. Do you record your cheat day!?
    Yes, yes, YES.
  • ssami_89
    ssami_89 Posts: 79
    It is but when someone else posted that on here it got me thinking now I dont have cheat days or days I go over calories or anything. The statement I posted pushed me to be more strict on my calorie watching because i would just give up some days and stuff my face.... I agree it is completly different cheating on someone and cheating on a diet but it is both a commitment I commited to eating healthier and dropping weight so thats what im going to do, no cupcakes here I know what I want and im going to go for it :) maybe it helps maybe it doesnt but that statement helped me so I passed it along
  • bearii
    bearii Posts: 15 Member
    I don't cheat, meals or days. I think this is a very individualistic thing. Just reading through the replies you can see cheating works well for some. For me it would be a bad thing, a very bad thing. I'm kind of an all or nothing guy. I know myself well enough to know I have to stick to the plan or I could slide right off the cliff to disaster.

    What I think may be a key here is to have a plan. Just check out wickedwendy6's response - she has clear plan and sticks to it. She knows her limits and it is obviously working well for her.

    My plan is simple, I won't cheat, period. When I get tempted by things like a martini or a bag of chips I think back over all the times I've had those very things. Then I tell myself that the calories I'm burning right now are coming from that martini I had on that fun Friday night last fall or the bag of chips I munched with my brother around the campfire on our last camping trip. I'm just enjoying them a second time. Sounds silly I know but the plan works for me and keeps me from cheating. I'm just burning my previous "cheats" again and again! :wink:

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