How often do you cheat on your diet?

I just want to know when is ok to cheat on my diet, once a week? twice a month?:drinker:
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Replies

  • Robin_Bin
    Robin_Bin Posts: 1,046 Member
    Never.
    Why do you want to cheat yourself?
    Some people decide to have "free" or eat anything days or meals.
    Personally, I prefer to learn how to eat properly for long-term health. Occasionally, for a special occasion, I allow myself to eat extra. By occasional, I mean less than once a month, and they still aren't "eat anything", but maybe 500-1,000 extra calories for the day.
  • skinnydreams19
    skinnydreams19 Posts: 282 Member
    However often you can keep it in control. I haven't been able to keep my eating under control at all this week and have cheated every day (including right now, bringing today to 3400 calories :(((( )
  • Willowana
    Willowana Posts: 493 Member
    I don't consider myself on a diet, so I don't consider it cheating. Everything in moderation, really. I just calculated what my TDEE is, and since I'm at a deficit. On the rare day I feel like eating more, I just go up to my TDEE and eat at maintenance. Yes, it slows down progress, but it keeps my sanity without gaining a lot of weight.
  • KathyPBiles
    KathyPBiles Posts: 292 Member
    I don't believe in "cheating". My lifestyle is "everything in moderation". If I want something extra, I burn extra calories for it. If I feel deprived with my lifestyle change, I will not continue it. I will quit. This way, I never feel deprived. Just my two cents.
  • majasmi
    majasmi Posts: 133 Member
    Some people add a cheat day per week. I don't add cheat days though.
  • goodtimezzzz
    goodtimezzzz Posts: 640 Member
    every day:) every day of the year!
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,282 Member
    Its not a diet, so I cheat every day. :)
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    As I'm not married to my diet, I don't have to "cheat" on it....Oh, wait, I'm not on a diet.....:bigsmile:
    It's a lifestyle - I have enough calories that I can have a nice meal without counting and a few glasses of red wine once a week, and I have something yummy everyday......
    If something comes up (wedding, birthday or whatever) I eat sensible and enjoy it.....
  • alsoagood1
    alsoagood1 Posts: 79 Member
    I don't "cheat" anything I eat I track - if I want to eat something I do as long as I can fit it into my calories for the day.
  • flywithabowtie
    flywithabowtie Posts: 71 Member
    I am trying to focus on 1500 cal/day per my TDEE calculations. I know that if I work out, I will have the room to go over, but i try to never go over my daily goal by more than 150. If i get the urge for something, most of the time I cut out the carbs from my evening meal to allow me the room for something sweet.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    I don't believe in "cheating". My lifestyle is "everything in moderation". If I want something extra, I burn extra calories for it. If I feel deprived with my lifestyle change, I will not continue it. I will quit. This way, I never feel deprived. Just my two cents.

    This!!

    I never cheat - because I eat what I want as long as it fits in my caloric goal for the week.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    Whatever you want to do. I don't do it at all, don't want to undermine my hard work, but some people feel they are less restricted if they take a day off once in a while.
  • dorthymcconnel
    dorthymcconnel Posts: 237 Member
    I don't consider any food off limits, but I do choose to try and stick with my calorie guidelines most days. Now and again I realize I will go over my calorie allotment for the day, but I don't beat myself up over it. I guess that could be considered a cheat. Whatever you feel comfortable with is what you will stick with most likely. The main idea is to learn to eat healthy and learn that its okay to splurge a little now and then.
  • ladymiseryali
    ladymiseryali Posts: 2,555 Member
    Not on a diet. I allow myself treats if I'm in the mood for it. Restriction and deprivation lead to failure IMO.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I'm not dieting, so for me there is no such thing as "cheating." I'm just eating smaller portions of what I enjoy. Like another poster said, " everything in moderation." :drinker:
  • QuHeCTiC24
    QuHeCTiC24 Posts: 32 Member
    I give myself one day per week to eat over my given calories. Sometimes I will only go over by a few, sometimes by like 1000. It is not a cheat day unless you are in a caloric surplus. The key to doing this and not failing is to not give in after the cheat meal or day is over which is not easy.
  • Viva81Diva
    Viva81Diva Posts: 148
    As long as you eat healthy and base your time on getting a surplus of nutrients, you should be able to eat something you crave whenever you choose to. Smaller portions, healthier alternatives to recipes, or reduced/fat free are options instead. Also, try not to look at nutrition as a diet. Nutrition should be rounded, balanced and tasty. Hunt down healthy recipes for your favorite dishes/desserts, and eating will become more interesting and not seem like a chore.

    Personally, I probably cheat most days of the week. I have this thing with sugar, and I will eat it regardless of the time or whatever else I plan to eat. I just work it into my calories for the day, and sometimes I go over some. I am also very active, so I still burn the calories off. I just have to watch my sodium intake because I retain water with sodium. I eat clean (and I mean organic/whole foods with a balanced diet) 80-90% of the time.

    Some people have specific days or meal times they cheat. While other's might do the same as me. It's up to you. If you have trigger foods and tend to be an emotional eater, then you might want to work with what you can so you don't fall off the wagon for too long. Good luck! :)
  • MysticRealm
    MysticRealm Posts: 1,264 Member
    Depends on what you mean by cheating.
    If you mean having something "bad" like a chocolate bar, nearly everyday.
    If you mean over your calorie limit for the day, every weekend.
    If you mean going over my weekly calorie goal, occasionally.

    I fit in 'bad' foods in moderation into my 'diet' so I never feel deprived of anything at all.
    I eat less during the week so I 'save' calories for the weekend so I can eat 'over' my daily goals on the weekend and still stay in my weekly goals.
    And sometimes, I just eat what I want to eat, on rare occasion, and go back to eating within calories the next day.
    I making it so that I can eat how I want to be able to eat for the rest of my life.
  • If you splurge one day a week then that still is a huge change. Most of us use to splurge every day of the week so if you try to eat healthy and track for 5-6 days of the week then and that is what it takes for you to NOT feel deprived and keep on going, then so be it.
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    Never. No need. IIFYM.
  • austinmclark
    austinmclark Posts: 40 Member
    Having one cheat day is going to make you want to have more. Don't cheat ever if you can handle it. If you want that brownie, factor it into your calories. That piece of cake? It too. If you want even more flexibility, exercise more.
  • rachel4304
    rachel4304 Posts: 115 Member
    I don't consider it cheating. I eat what I want and make it fit my macros for the day.

    I do however take a break and eat at maintenance every couple of months to give my body a break.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    I never have. But then I'm not on a diet at all. I've never had a cheat day, mainly because I'm the only one that I would be cheating. If I want something I either know I can have it because I worked out for it or I'll go without. If anything is going to take me over my limit then I'm not going to have it.
  • kindasortachewy
    kindasortachewy Posts: 1,084 Member
    I never go over on my calories, but one day a week I'll have a 'cheat' meal that I just fix into my week by eating less and working out more other days - usually its red lobsters loster bisque and 3 of those darn delicious bisquits! Its an 800+ calorie meal!! But its my favorite thing on earth.
  • airangel59
    airangel59 Posts: 1,887 Member
    I don't "cheat"- anything I eat I track - if I want to eat something I do as long as I can fit it into my calories for the day.

    THIS....and most of the time I'm under my calories etc for the day, so on the rare occasion I do go a bit over (like today), I'm fine with it.
  • kmorris246
    kmorris246 Posts: 312 Member
    I eat around maintenance for 6 days out of the week, then cheat to my heart's content on the the other day ;-) I've been at my goal weight for a LOOOOONG time doing this, and have never had any issues. BUT, I work my booty off with heavy lifting, HIIT, and running.

    I think it all depends on the individual? I need that one day a week to let loose, but some may find it hard to get back on track afterwards.
  • malena43
    malena43 Posts: 31
    Never. No need. IIFYM.

    Hey Girl!!!

    You have to tell me how did you make the cotton candy ice cream :)
    tell me the secret :)
    I am nuts about ice cream!!
    I want to make some at home, low calorie
  • MCLA4mom
    MCLA4mom Posts: 219 Member
    I never "cheat". I can eat anything I want whenever I want. Sometimes I eat food that does not align with my goals. Try not to look at it as "what can I get away with and still lose weight". Maybe focus on creating health in your life. Just a thought.
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
    Never, because I don't have a "diet" to cheat on. If on a given day/meal I go crazy, I make up for it after with exercise or having a lighter meal/snack the next time I eat if I'm not exercising to make up for it.

    Ideally, I see the occasion to do what others would view as cheating and have already put the time in at the gym and maybe had a lighter breakfast/unch/dinner/snack to balance everything out.
  • fattyfoodie
    fattyfoodie Posts: 232 Member
    Never! I eat what I want, when I want, and log it, always trying to stay within my calories and macros. If I go way over, I add another workout and eat less later in the day. I try and look at this as a lifestyle rather than a diet.