Cheat Days

tjolenee

So there a specific few days a week (two total) that I usually see the person I'm dating, and we usually go out to eat delicious food (unhealthy) or I try to cook something impressive (usually high calorie and unhealthy). Instead of getting down every time about my eating habits when I see him, I'm thinking about declaring them cheat days.

How do you guys feel about cheat days? Do they work for you?

Fozzi43

I prefer not calling it " cheat" I don't know why...but I have one meal a week that I totally enjoy, I wouldn't eat crap for a whole day ...just one meal.
But it's nice to do and it's fun to eat.

TRISTAR

I can't do it low carbing, as it can set me back 2-3 days. Not worth it

vicky1804

I prefer not calling it " cheat" I don't know why...but I have one meal a week that I totally enjoy, I wouldn't eat crap for a whole day ...just one meal.
But it's nice to do and it's fun to eat.

^^^^ This, my day is Saturday after my weigh in. It's only one meal and I order what I want. This Saturday im having a Bacon,Cheese burger with chips, onion rings, colesaw and splitting a Peanut Butter & Banana Milkshake with the hubby.
Last week we had chinese - Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup, Duck fried rice with Beef & Mushrooms and some prawn crackers

Keeps me on track during the week knowing I have something to look forward too

tjolenee

Yummmmy! A bacon cheeseburger sound so delicious right now!

We've decided on Mexican tonight as my "cheat" meal

Unaisha8

I don't have cheat days but whenever I feel like eating something I don't deprive myself and I make sure I don't over-indulge.

ndj1979

I always just try to fit something into my macros/calorie goal for the day ...

Today at work we are having a cookout with hot dogs, cake and all kinds of crap ...so I had a smaller breakfast and will probably have smaller dinner....but will also try to control myself at lunch...

acidosaur

It depends on what your goals are and whether you're moving toward them.

If you are still losing weight week to week with cheat days, continue with them. If your weight loss slows or stops you may need to rethink.

crazypeachs

i don't 'plan' it, but i probably should...it'd probably make me do better the rest of the week. usually i have 1 or 2 days that i go over calories once a week or two. usually that's due to one meal those days, but i guess i figure as long as my week average is still within range it's not THAT big of a deal...and since i've been exercising more often i find i go over calories less frequently and by less # of calories.

i have coffee with cream (half & half) and sugar everyday. one coffee, one time per day, but everyday. i just can't give it up, and i can't bear to drink coffee without the fluff. i'm sure i'll get there, but i'm not there yet, and if i force myself, i think i'll feel deprived and mess everything up worse, so, when i'm ready, i'll give it up. maybe that's my 'cheat'... but i exercise, and i'm making changes, and i still lost 2 pounds on my last weigh in. we'll see how this week goes.

hollym1009

my weightloss doesnt work with cheat days however, like others, i plan ahead and indluge in moderation. I just make sure to log everything. If I know I may be easting worse then usual i usually try to be more active that day or have smaller healthier moods around that "bad" meal

joe7880

If you and your date become more serious, that person may be suprised that you don't eat that way everyday.

jball1954

Yeah, I don't exactly "cheat" but some days I go over the calorie limit I set for myself. I always count everything anyhow. I just try to not do that too often. You know, you go out to dinner, have a few drinks sometimes, or just snack too much in the evening. I think it helps keep you sane. If you can stick to your calorie limit every day, that's great, but if you're having success otherwise, keep keeping track, count everything, and then at least when you do 'cheat' you know it's manageable.

SenseiCole

the only person you are cheating is yourself.......out of a healthy life and puts you are farther away from were you could have been if you had not cheated

why not earn the cals and enjoy the things you like,

chixyb

I don't have cheat days but whenever I feel like eating something I don't deprive myself and I make sure I don't over-indulge.

This is pretty much me, too. I don't believe in specific cheat days for me because I KNOW me, I'll use it as an excuse to binge. So now if I'm craving something or really wanting it, I have it if it feels worth it to me. I've even found I no longer even want something special every week, it's totally random now. As long as I'm cooking and eating flavorful foods, I don't crave the crap I used to.

cftodd

I hate the phrase "cheat day"...

I do not have cheat days.. but then again I do not look at my journey as a "diet" it is a lifestyle change... and if I know I am going to have specific things or calories that are higher for that day I will either 1) eat lower calories that day with my other meals/snacks to balance it out &/or 2) do extra cardio (this could be cleaning the house or walking.. doesn't have to be something major) to make up for it.

If you are craving something have it, but try to make it a healthier version if you can. Don't beat yourself down about it but always keep your goals in mind.

amy1612

I usually am a little bit more relaxed on a Friday and Saturday night. Friday Ill cook something delicious, but still quite 'healthy' (last week it was chipotle pork skewers with pineapple brown rice and a black forest protein pudding) and have a couple of glasses of wine. Saturday evening I usually go out, and eat in a restaurant. I dont feel guilty, why should you feel guilty?

ultimuttginge

I really struggle at weekends largely because I spend weeekends with my boyfriend. He has an amazing metabolism and his cupboards are just FULL of junk food so i'm really restricted. I try my best but I do end up falling.

I dont call them CHEAT days...I just dont beat myself up over them because as long as i'm still getting results I dont mind. I just make sure I behave myself through the week! Plus the fact i think it does your metabolism good to mix it up a bit OCCASIONALLY

Litebritemamma

I give myself "me days" Only 1-2 a week usually it's just one meal that I don't count. But on Saturday and Sunday I don't log my calories. Altho I can't not count em in my head.

windchime3

I like the idea of one day "off." However, that seems to fly in the face of making this a lifestyle choice so I'm clearly not approaching it properly. Do you log your calories on these days or give yourself a bye?

Blacklance36

I call them reward days. Its my reward for being so good the rest of the week.
I log all the reward day calories!

tjolenee

I like the idea of one day "off." However, that seems to fly in the face of making this a lifestyle choice so I'm clearly not approaching it properly. Do you log your calories on these days or give yourself a bye?

I'm pretty new to MFP. So there's really not enough time to judge any real results but yeah I haven't logged those days/meals.

steveko89

I certainly wouldn't skip logging your calories, but instead of getting down about the results, treat it as a learning experience; look at what you love to eat and find ways to adapt recipes and/or orders if at restaurants to make things less calorie-intense. That's one of the things I've found that's easy and sustainable; log everything and analyze what does and doesn't fit well into your diet plan. Small changes to everyday items work really well; it might be as simple as switching condiments on a sandwich or cutting portions slightly that can make something that used to kill your counts into a healthier option. For instance, my family has always been big on Sunday breakfast, my father (also using MFP, down 30+ lbs since Jan 1) has taken to making smaller omelets, only using one egg yoke instead of two and cutting down on the volume of bacon or sausage.

In my opinion, you're more likely to succeed with your dieting goals by making many small adjustments, progressively changing the way you look at how/what you eat over time to make meaningful changes. Especially when other people (who may or may not want to share in your dieting) are involved, I've found it a much more sustainable approach to keep changes gradual.

A "cheat" day (closer to maintenance calories than target, nothing to high or absurd) every few weeks does help keep your metabolism churning and make the days you hit your target much more effective. I don't have a set schedule for mine but just pay attention to how I feel my metabolism is doing, if I feel like I'm stalling a little, I'll not pay as much attention for a day or two, still logging, and get back to my target going forward. Also, be sure to remember it's not just about the calories, even on "off" days, I try to keep to the same distribution of carbs/protein/fat, maybe even stay a little more low-carb than usual; I find the pie chart on the mobile apps are great for keeping an eye on this.

Lastly, as far as "making this a lifestyle choice", I would try and make logging habitual, that you don't eat anything without thinking about it beforehand or looking at it's impact afterward. Planning meals and logging ahead of time works well for me to plan out my day are hit my target consistently. Along the same thought as trying to adjust current eating habits, more than anything, I feel more educated about what to eat, how much to eat, and how to be healthy; making this much more than just a weight-loss tool.

enitsirhck

So there a specific few days a week (two total) that I usually see the person I'm dating, and we usually go out to eat delicious food (unhealthy) or I try to cook something impressive (usually high calorie and unhealthy).

Yo, apart from all the other advice you're getting here, you need to STOP THIS HABIT RIGHT NOW. Seriously. You are going to mentally associate this person with eating crap food and then when you start seeing this person more frequently, you will end up eating crap food every time, until "cheat day" becomes "cheat week" becomes "cheat life".

Next time you see this person, plan to do something relatively active that you might have in common, go for a walk, bike ride, go to a museum or art gallery - try to avoid a mall or area with lots of fast-food - I do not care WHERE you live, you can find SOMETHING to do that does not have a built in fast food places to eat - and plan to eat at a specific place, preferably somewhere that specializes in something somewhat healthy like wraps, sushi, seafood (stick to steamed seafood and away from any butter/cream sauces).

Next time you cook for this person, for shoots sake, this is the internet, you can find TONS of impressive recipes that are NOT BAD FOR YOU! For main courses: http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/ has TONS of recipes that appeal to all tastes and go light on the "bad" stuff. For desserts, my ultimate go-to is http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/recipes/ - the one recipe that people always request I make is her Chocolate Bar Pie (it's like mousse but made with tofu!!)

So seriously, be aware that you are setting up a very dangerous precedent in this relationship. My fiance and I both used to be heavy, and I know I tried to show my love by cooking "the good stuff" like mac and cheese, meat loaf, and lots of saucy cheesy dishes for him and giving him a triple portion because "he's a big guy!" One day we both realized that we couldn't go on like that - I've lost 40+ lbs and he's lost 60+ lbs - I make him tofu cake and steamed veggies and he still loves me just as much!

rahlpn

I have had a "cheat day" or two just about every week since starting this weight loss thing in January. I'm down over 41 lbs. It works for me, may not work for everyone. I just tend to eat less healthy on weekends, I'm out with my family or whatever, it happens. I do also tend to be more active on weekends as we are usually outside walking around, biking, etc. instead of sitting in my office for 8 hrs. Usually dinner is what gets me and sodium. I just get right back to it during the week and drink lots of water with lemon to flush out the sodium and water weight gain.

MelsAuntie

I don't do cheat days at all. No reason to, every reason why not.

MelsAuntie

the only person you are cheating is yourself.......out of a healthy life and puts you are farther away from were you could have been if you had not cheated

why not earn the cals and enjoy the things you like,

Exactly.

TorrizzleWillSizzle

I don't like calling it cheat days lol but I don't log on the weekends, but we usually go out and walk around a lot and I am very conscious of what I am eating so I don't over do it. I did last weekend and it set me back.

mcbriderosejennifer

The weekends are my days, I know ill get back on
Track Monday so i don't worry too much
When I choose to have a frap or eat
Out twice in one day. I figure I'm
Loosin weight and having a day or two
Where I eat worse is still tremendously
Better then where I was three weeks ago
I also figure I eat so good during the wk
That it all pans out in the end anyway
Also I don't deprive myself, for me
This is about being accountable to not
Eating three candy bars a day etc but
More so being conscience of what goes
Into my body

cosmic8o8

I don't log my food on weekends and that's when I'll eat whatever I want without worrying about it. I don't exercise on the weekends either unless it's a hike, swimming, or a round of tennis.

1223345

I think they are fine as long as you are able to just have the day, and not have it turn into cheat week or month.

Nessie_333

You need to have a cheat day to stay sane!
I usually have an oven-baked whole chicken (I share it with my boyfriend) and I enjoy the skin too, I am having something sweet too, usually it's homemade cheesecake. It's one day you look forward to, that keeps you going.

Here is a good video by Brad Gouthro, on 6 cheat meal rules: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcvY85VSPcE