A cheat that that technically isn't a cheat day?

spidertheman
spidertheman Posts: 38 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hey, so I had an idea about how to do a weekly "cheat day" (well, more like meal) from now on and I would like to know what you all think.

So the plan is to eat my normal amount of calories every day (a little more than 1600) and also do my usual workouts each day. I burn about 500 calories each day, according to my heart rate monitor, and work out 4 or 5 times a week. Instead of eating back those calories on the day I burn the calories, what if I eat them back on my "cheat day"? This way I can still keep my sanity by being able to have a few heavier meals (usually wings... LOTS of wings) on Saturdays and still stay within my weekly calorie deficit. And I hear straying from eating the same "healthy" food every day can help keep you from plateauing.

Any thoughts? I honestly don't know if this would be a good idea or not, so let me know. And no offense, but I plan on keeping the cheat day regardless. I still lose weight, but just at a rate of about 1lb per month now. I figured this could keep me on track a bit better.

Replies

  • gerripho
    gerripho Posts: 479 Member
    Don't take any of this as advice 'cause I really don't know the answer to your question. However, I do know there is a diet plan out there called the Spike Diet and from my understanding it is basically just what you are describing. One day a week for packing in the food is supposed to somehow fool your body into realizing it won't be starved so it doesn't try to hang onto the food you do give it, hence, no plateaus.

    You might want to look up the spike diet and see what it is all about. If it looks like something you think you could do, try it out and see what happens.
  • spidertheman
    spidertheman Posts: 38 Member
    Thanks, I think I'm gonna try this for a month first before I try the spike diet. I'd imagine that if I'm able to lose weight now, by going slightly above my weekly deficit, then I'll be able to do a lot better with this plan. I just wanted to make sure there aren't a lot of negative aspects that could outweighs the positive in this.
  • cookielust
    cookielust Posts: 1
    I'm going to start recommending watching this recent episode of BBC Horizon: eat, fast and live longer.
    BBC Horizon is a science programme that has been running for nearly 40 years and proud itself at being both cutting-edge and accurate. Its purpose is to present new scientific research in a way that is accessible to all.

    Apparently, you can watch this episode on youtube in full:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfna7nV7WaM
  • spidertheman
    spidertheman Posts: 38 Member
    I'll give it a watch

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