The concept of a "Cheat"
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Ah, I don't really believe in cheating because I feel the same way you do but I do think there are meals that you splurge a bit more on than normal but I would do that any way I was eating. I'm talking about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my birthday and my husband's birthday. It's simply the fact that I wouldn't normally go out of my way to eat a lot of those things. Cake, pies, some of the side dishes. They're good, but they're best left to once or twice a year. Like for my husband's birthday I made him a dark chocolate fudge cake. I had a slice and it was good. I didn't feel bad about it, or get really excited about it. It was at my husband's request and his gift.
I can see special meals, but not cheat days or meals. It seems like a free pass to eat whatever you want.
lol That being said... I'm Cajun too and I can honestly say neither one of those things hold any appeal to me. Now, dirty rice (especially with some mac and cheese on the side), fried shrimp po boys, and bread pudding is a WHOLE other story. Oh, god. Pralines. I haven't had a good praline in ages. You can't find them in the northern part of the state. (Man, I want to go back to New Orleans.)0 -
Don't see the problem with a cheat day. Cheat day. Free day. Refeed day. Treat day. Feet day if you're a garra rufa fish. It serves a purpose to keep those who can't quite give up the fun stuff on the straight and narrow for longer. Ultimately, you won't need a cheat day but if you've got to do a bit of socialising then it means you avoid feeling guilty. Just don't go kerazy with everything.I tried to have my first "cheat" day yesterday at an amusement park! I wasn't going to log anything... Just go crazy! Had my first bites of funnel cake and decided I just couldn't do it! I ate wahtever I wanted, which turned out to be little bits of "naughty" food. 1/4 funnel cake, 1/2 cup dippin dots and my one giant splurge...Fruit smoothie made with ice cream! I just didn't eat as MUCH of the junk as I did before! Ended up staying under my calorie goal anyway! Moderation!!!
Well done! That's a relief. When I saw "just go crazy", I thought "Oh, no!" as that is what many people seem to think cheat days are.0 -
I don't call them cheat meals but I often eat allot (>2500). I'm to goal now and just had one yesterday and ended up the same weight today (119). I like having large days...it gives me a lot of energy...I played zombie run, went on 2 more walks, did weights, and tons of stretches. I was bouncing off the walls and I didn't need coffee to do it. I ended up in the red for the day, but I had more energy then I usually do (even though I probably have to much to begin with haha).So I was wondering what you do. Do you subscribe the the cheat day/meal theory? If so how often do you indulge? And how do you feel afterward?
I had a dirty feed of deep fried cod (3 giant pieces). That's what put me over for the most part. Did I mention I don't like fish? I tend to eat cod every now and then because I hardly get any iron and the battered stuff doesn't make me feel nauseous. I ended up with 200 grams of protein for the day :S I'm use to being short.0 -
After replying to the OP then reading some of the replies that followed I feel I need to say something. A lifestyle change is something that is unique to each individual. One person's lifestyle is not the same as someone else's lifestyle, so a change in that is also unique.
I see a lot of folks still are "rewarding", "treating", and yes "cheating". Again, for me, none of that applies. My goal is to maintain my calorie intake below my daily goal plus what I exercise. I saw several references to folks who talked about special days or events; well, I also have those days. But I adapt my day around them, last weekend my wife and I were taking some friends out for a birthday dinner, I knew I was going to probably make some poor choices so that morning I got on the stick and burnt up 968 calories exercising. Good thing too, since my dinner came in at ~1450 calories! But guess what, it wasn't a "cheat day" it wasn't a "treat meal", it was just me eating what I wanted but going into it knowing that in advance. BTW, I still came in under my daily calorie goal that day.
As for the concept of cheat days/meals as a reward, as someone suggested...my reward is that ticker you see right below this post. That is the results after 73 days of lifestyle change.0 -
After replying to the OP then reading some of the replies that followed I feel I need to say something. A lifestyle change is something that is unique to each individual. One person's lifestyle is not the same as someone else's lifestyle, so a change in that is also unique.
I see a lot of folks still are "rewarding", "treating", and yes "cheating". Again, for me, none of that applies. My goal is to maintain my calorie intake below my daily goal plus what I exercise. I saw several references to folks who talked about special days or events; well, I also have those days. But I adapt my day around them, last weekend my wife and I were taking some friends out for a birthday dinner, I knew I was going to probably make some poor choices so that morning I got on the stick and burnt up 968 calories exercising. Good thing too, since my dinner came in at ~1450 calories! But guess what, it wasn't a "cheat day" it wasn't a "treat meal", it was just me eating what I wanted but going into it knowing that in advance. BTW, I still came in under my daily calorie goal that day.
As for the concept of cheat days/meals as a reward, as someone suggested...my reward is that ticker you see right below this post. That is the results after 73 days of lifestyle change.
For me, if it's a birthday, as an example, I'll have a piece of cake. WTH! It's a special party and all that, and I want to be part of it. But, knowing that, I'll mellow out on eating at the event. I've been very good lately. I'll eat something, but I'll stay on the lighter side. Skip the hotdog and potato salad, and just have a green salad and maybe some other lighter options. Just go with those.
For bigger event, think 4th of July, Labor day, Thanksgiving, Christmas...I just eat, but I just have one plate of stuff, and I keep it light. It's easy, for the most part. But, you have to go through a few years of it. The key, LOL, is to make your plate look full, even if it's very light, so that people don't say stuff about you not eating enough. And, then, eat it slowly. Not for you, but so you don't finish before everyone else and then they pressure you to have more. These are some tricks I've learned. LOL.0 -
I don't call it a cheat meal. I call it a TREAT meal. It's a treat because I don't do it every day. If I know in advance what is going on...where we are going,... I can look and see the menu online to see what my choices are and how I can best fit it in. If I have advance notice I will exercise and earn some more back to cushion the blow. But I still remain on track as much as I can. Eating salad <without all the bits and bobs that shoot up the cals>, eating all my veggies, ordering fish etc.
If I don't know and its a spur of the moment thing? I know what are good choices overall so I can have a decent meal and not feel hungry.
I make the best choices I can without depriving myself. That being said? If I am in the mood for a good steak, then I will get a good steak and I will enjoy it! I will savor it, and I will accept what consequences come from it. That means I work harder the next few days. BUT if I get that steak? I don't eat all of it...some goes home. The potato only has a few bites and goes home to my chickens. I have to eat all my veggies.
And as for sweets ? I am not the kind of person to be able to say no to dessert. I can share it or get a mini or steal a bite or two off my friends or loved ones plates. I refuse to get one for me tho...and usually a bite or three is enough. Again if I overdo it and eat a good chunk of cake? I will chalk it up and work harder the next few days.
Nobody is perfect, we are all human. Accept responsibility for your actions and accept the consequences. If I eat that piece of cake...I have to work out an extra hour at the gym...is it worth it?0 -
No cheat meals.
No cheat days.
Eat what I want but in moderation and I ensure that it fits in my daily calorie allotment, if it doesn't then I don't eat it.
I agree with this. For me it's too easy to continue that cheat/free/pig out day and since this is a lifestyle change for me, not a diet , I'm going to have to learn to eat the right way or I'll just end up gaining it all back again. This is just me, others may be in a different mind set. You have to do what works for you, I've been this route before and hoping this is the last time.0 -
IF ANYONE LOVES FOOD IN THIS WORLD, THAT'S ME!!!!!! but i dont call it "cheat" days, because as its been said implies you did something wrong, I call those " WORK HARDER MEALS" if i know that im going to go to a party or a dinner where I know my options are not very healthy, I know that extra few minutes running or working out are going to be needs it, I eat pretty much everything but with MODERATION. eating something not very healthy is not wrong as long as you know how to balance things.0
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Yeah, I refuse to nit pick of language here, which I what I think this argument is about.
I've been living a healthy lifestyle for 8 years (since 2004, when I lost 40 pounds on WW). I gained 5-10 pounds during a pregnancy -- then I found MFP and that weight came back off (I like having a tool to track what I am eating). Sure I have a couple vanity pounds to lose, but I'm good with how I feel and how I look.
Over those 8 years, I have eaten more than I should PLENTY of times. It happens, being realistic about that is what is going to help you have longevity in the success of your weight loss. Some of the days I've know a head of time I was going to over -- some days, it just happened. While I think the concept of rewarding yourself with a cheat day on a regular basis might be counterproductive IF you have food issues like emotional eating, my husband does it though and has sustained a 4 year weight loss of 30 pounds.
You can make a healthy lifestyle change that also includes occasional big eating days. The only way you are cheating yourself is if you are living a life that makes you unhappy. So arguing that "cheat days" are "wrong" for who want them (assuming theyr have a healthy attitude toward food in the first place) is just silly. If cheat days aren't for you -- great. That's what works for YOU and your lifestyle. Just because they work for others doesn't mean they are "wrong" or "bad".0 -
In a word, no....
Do you subscribe the the cheat day/meal theory? ...
First, the whole concept of cheat implies dishonesty. On top of that, who am I cheating? Myself? I don't even want to get into the psychological ramifications of that.
Next, if I were to "cheat", it would indicate that I am doing something that has rules, generally rules that I find either rigid, bothersome or both. Since I have chosen to change my lifestyle from my former "anything goes" to a more "normal" lifestyle, there is really nothing to "cheat" about. Note, I am not dieting, I am just returning to a more normal, balanced way of life.
Okay, some folks here might suggest I am fooling myself with that attitude...well maybe, but I don't have to cheat either.
I agree with this 100%. Couldn't have said it better myself.0 -
I just eat what i want in moderation. There are some foods I tend to try to stay away from completely thought, because I know how hard it is to stop eating them and they will be calling to me from the pantry until they're gone.
I am going on vacation in 3 weeks and am a little nervous about it because I don't want to undo my work while i'm there, and I know we will be eating out the whole time, and I also won't be near my computer most of the time in order to log the things that I do eat. I like to pre-log when I know I am going out now or eating something that I'm not sure how many calories are in it, so that I can kind of adjust my serving size accordingly, but I know that fast food can really creep up on you! lol. I think I will do some research before I go and just look at different calorie amounts for certain places that I think we might go.
and I won't have my elliptical with me, and don't think i'm going to take my dog out for walks in a strange city... unless Hubby is game to go with us.0 -
No "cheat" days for me...however, I committed to this plan with the understanding that I was going to lose weight eating the things I love and driking my vino---I still do this but loggin my food has helped me plan for those indulgences without cheating.0
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I guess if I needed to go that route, I would call it a "treat" day instead of a "cheat" day. (or meal, or whatever)0
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I just did last week, felt awful for half a day. Felt pretty bad. And then i found MFP, just a few days ago. I don't think I can cheat anymore.0
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Cheat is a synonym for reward to me. While I might say cheat sometimes the meaning to me is treat for a job well done. Mainly because I don't have the self control to always treat myself in only small amounts(everyday ect). But when it becomes a "treat" day or "treat" meal then I have more self control to not over do it with that treat and I DON'T feel guilty later about it, ever.
Basically, we are discussing semantics.
It's like saying "I'm going to kill you" to your brother when you're playing around. You don't mean it literally even though those are the words you use.
If cheat or treat days don't work for you and you can eat and treat yourself when you wish it, then I'm a smidge jealous but I'm not going to post an entire thread questioning your reasoning.
To each their own.
Cheat days work for me and my lifestyle and I'll thank you not to say I'm dishonest with myself.0 -
I guess if I needed to go that route, I would call it a "treat" day instead of a "cheat" day. (or meal, or whatever)
To me, it's not about the terminology. It feels like I'm telling myself I'm punished 99% of the time, but there's that litte 1% when I can get out of jail. And to me, that's kind of setting yourself up for failure.
Instead of making all these foods off limits and bad for you, why not be of the mindset that you can have anything that you want within moderation? It seems like that would take some of the allure and emphasis off of the food and put the emphasis instead on your behavior.0 -
I much prefer to think of them as "reward" meals.0
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No cheating for me, I do have a higher calorie day once every week or two, but still stick to healthy choices, and very occasionally I will have a treat, not a cheat. By "treat", I mean something outside of my regular nutrition, for instance, yesterday I had, no sugar, lowfat, butter pecan icecream, one single measured serving, in a cup, and the last treat I had was on July 4th. But I will NOT give myself a "treat day". I save my treats for special occasions, yesterdays treat was for a friends birthday, we met at a local ice-cream shop to celebrate. I didnt have to exclude myself from going, but I also didnt need to splurge and eat a giant waffle cone filled with extra sugar and fat. I ordered something tailored more to my needs and still had a great time!0
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Thank you everyone! I now know for certain that,..
I am not on a diet,
I am not perfect and
I am committed to mindful decisions.
I find this so helpful.0
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