Cheat meals do or don't ?!!

Majda_
Majda_ Posts: 32 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Since I started my weigh loss journey, I've been avoiding social events as much as I can. Tonight a colleague invited me to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner and I really want to go, should I just go for a cheat meal?!!
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Replies

  • Katie22222
    Katie22222 Posts: 31 Member
    I'd be afraid that it becomes a habit...you're cheating no one but yourself. There's always a healthy option at any restaurant.
  • rjcelmer
    rjcelmer Posts: 431 Member
    You don't have to look at it as a "cheat meal". Stay within your calorie limits and you can eat any type of food you want.

    I don't know what your limit per day is, but you can get a nice bowl of pasta with sauce, a small chunk of Italian bread and a glass of wine for around 800 calories.
  • cedarghost
    cedarghost Posts: 621 Member
    Go, dammit! Don't be afraid. What is life if you can't enjoy yourself?
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Go for it.

    Cheating is okay once a week, it is a good idea actually to have a day where you go slightly over maintenance even.

    But cheating where you completely blow it is a bad idea. Basically, if you normally have a 500 calorie defici, you can safely eat 600 calories more during your cheat day (100 calorie surplus).

    This WILL slow down weight loss, but it tends to help re-assure the body that the downward trend is not ultimately going to lead to terrible things.

    It also helps with sanity.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Cheating is okay once a week, it is a good idea actually to have a day where you go slightly over maintenance even.

    it tends to help re-assure the body that the downward trend is not ultimately going to lead to terrible things.

    Please explain
  • Majda_
    Majda_ Posts: 32 Member
    Thank you guys. That was very helpful. I will allow myself more calories today but with a workout for sure. I hope it will boost my metabolism :)
  • FitBeto
    FitBeto Posts: 2,121 Member
    When in doubt, cheat.
  • sunnyside1213
    sunnyside1213 Posts: 1,205 Member
    I have one cheat meal a month. Works for me.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Why can't you balance that meal with your other meals today so it fits into your macros/cals? Then you can enjoy the food AND not cheat?
  • lanapoo
    lanapoo Posts: 57
    Have a salad. You're allowed to go out as long as you find healthy alternatives or balance out your calories for the day.
  • mtiheartmuscle
    mtiheartmuscle Posts: 124
    I have a cheat meal once per week. :) It's needed, especially if you're on a very strict eating plan. It not only keeps your metabolism going, but it also makes it so you don't cheat as often per the week. (You start looking forward to those cheat meals!)
  • jilleebean777
    jilleebean777 Posts: 219 Member
    Why can't you balance that meal with your other meals today so it fits into your macros/cals? Then you can enjoy the food AND not cheat?

    ^^^THIS^^^
  • keenesmom
    keenesmom Posts: 115 Member
    You don't have to look at it as a "cheat meal". Stay within your calorie limits and you can eat any type of food you want.

    I don't know what your limit per day is, but you can get a nice bowl of pasta with sauce, a small chunk of Italian bread and a glass of wine for around 800 calories.


    Totally agree with this. I don't even use the word "cheat". If I want it, I eat it but make sure it is counted. Most restaurants will accommodate your special requests. If you stick with marinara and angel hair pasta you should be fine. You could even get them to grill you a piece of chicken. Also remember, if is looks like more than you should eat, it probably is...so box it up and eat the rest the next day for lunch or dinner.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    I have a cheat meal once per week. :) It's needed, especially if you're on a very strict eating plan. It not only keeps your metabolism going, but it also makes it so you don't cheat as often per the week. (You start looking forward to those cheat meals!)

    I highly doubt eating above maintenance once per week changes your metabolism
  • DBiddle69
    DBiddle69 Posts: 682 Member
    This is not a diet it is a lifestyle therefore, there are no cheat days!

    Your calories do not go away at the end of the day. I track my foods based on a one week period...Sunday - Saturday.

    So I have 11200 for the entire week or 1600 per day.

    So on Sunday I work out and add 800 calories to my weekly total for 12000 and my daily total 2400....I eat 1400 calories for the day...I'm left with 10600 for the week or 1766...per day for the rest of the week.

    On Monday I decide not to work out and I eat 1900 calories for the day...I still have 8700 for the week...even though I overeat by 134 calories for the day. And my daily total is now estimated at 1740 a day left.

    Being a lifestyle you learn to make modifications while staying within your limits...your limits can be based on daily/weekly/monthly/yearly...it's your choice!
  • Just_Ceci
    Just_Ceci Posts: 5,926 Member
    When I eat out, I look at menu options ahead of time if possible and try to find something lower calorie that looks good. (Many restaurants highlight lighter foods.) I also eat only half of the plate and take the other half home for the next day. I try to avoid bread, but sometimes I can't resist. (I don't let that get me down either.)

    At my favorite Italian place, Minestrone soup is usually lower calorie and pretty filling, especially with a nice salad. Any dishes that aren't loaded with heavy cream and extra cheese are good.

    Enjoy your time out with your friend!
  • JohnMessmer
    JohnMessmer Posts: 536
    If you were an Alcoholic, would cheat drinks be ok?
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I'm sure you can find something at an Italian restaurant that isn't too bad. Some fish maybe? Or chicken and veg. Don't have anything too cheesey! I'm not a big fan of pasta so i usually have a salad when i go to an Italian, or some soup.

    I eat out for lunch sometimes and always find something healthy. I'm scared to have a cheat meal, although I'm sure once in a while won't do any harm.
  • PamFitnessJourney
    PamFitnessJourney Posts: 6
    You only live once. I don't know anyone who became overweight by indulging once in a very blue moon! Enjoy yourself. You may even shock yourself and just go with the lighter/healther options and enjoy it!!!
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    I'm not on a diet, so I don't have to "cheat". Go-have fun-you can't plan to never go out to eat again for the rest of your existence. Make the best choices you can, and balance it out over the rest of the week if you need to. Enjoy your life and the people in it.
  • andy13
    andy13 Posts: 208 Member
    I think your confused, people cheat to win not lose, cheating would be lipo, hit the gym, earn the calories then party
  • dakitten2
    dakitten2 Posts: 888 Member
    If I know I'm going out, I eat lighter during the day than I normally do. No way am I gonna cut out going out to eat! Also, if the restaurant has an online menu with calories, I preplan my meal early in the day and work around the calories I'm going to eat that nite and I dont open the menu to get sidetracked or tempted by something different.

    Remember this is a change for the rest of your life. Do you plan to avoid all social events for the rest of your life? No way! Get out there and have fun but dont drink your calories! Three things I have given up when going out is, bread, dessert and alcohol. I still have a wonderful night out. This works for me. You'll learn as you go along.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Cheating is okay once a week, it is a good idea actually to have a day where you go slightly over maintenance even.

    it tends to help re-assure the body that the downward trend is not ultimately going to lead to terrible things.

    Please explain

    There are a few realms of though on this...

    Sanity wise, it allows the dieter to be able to take a break from the hard work, within reason of course. This often keeps them motivated as they do not feel like they are holding out on themselves for too long. It also allows them to enjoy a night with friends or social events without guilt while still eating a bit more.

    Biologically speaking, it helps prevent stress levels from raising too high and slowing down weight loss. Excessive stress caused by prolonged caloric deficits have been known to slow down weight loss for many people, sometimes even stalling it all together. There are other factors besides the caloric deficit that can slowly build up stress such as constant work stress, traffic (and being unable to cope with it lol), and consistent sleep deprivation (one day of bad sleep won't hurt, but several days or even weeks in a row can). So, minimizing at least one area of stress can be helpful.

    Now... cheating where you eat so much extra that you wipe out your entire week's deficit... that will not help.
  • mtiheartmuscle
    mtiheartmuscle Posts: 124
    I have a cheat meal once per week. :) It's needed, especially if you're on a very strict eating plan. It not only keeps your metabolism going, but it also makes it so you don't cheat as often per the week. (You start looking forward to those cheat meals!)

    I highly doubt eating above maintenance once per week changes your metabolism
    Have you tried it? I'm a certified nutritionist, prepping for a fitness competition and can leg press 750lbs, deadlift over 200lbs and only have 16% body fat. :-)
  • JossFit
    JossFit Posts: 588 Member
    If you were an Alcoholic, would cheat drinks be ok?
    \

    Seriously?? Get out of here with that garbage. Do you mean to say that if you EVER eat a high calorie meal you're some sort of addict who needs to be shamed?

    Look, this is LIFE. If you can honestly say that you NEVER again will eat a meal that isn't 'on your plan' then more power to you... have fun being completely miserable.

    OP: You need to decide what's right for you. If you want to go and totally splurge that's your call! If you want to go and try to make a meal fit into your calories for the day that's another perfectly good option. If you are trying to limit the indulgences a bit because of the upcoming holidays that's also perfectly acceptable!

    The bottom line is that whatever decision you make is one that you have to be okay with. If you go and pig out you have to be okay with seeing that in your progress, or lack thereof. Likewise if you choose not to go so that you don't have to deviate from your plan you shouldn't sit at home alone having a pity party.

    Listen to yourself. You started this thread so that tells me you want to go. Go, have fun, and then move on. :)
  • mtiheartmuscle
    mtiheartmuscle Posts: 124
    Cheating is okay once a week, it is a good idea actually to have a day where you go slightly over maintenance even.

    it tends to help re-assure the body that the downward trend is not ultimately going to lead to terrible things.

    Please explain

    There are a few realms of though on this...

    Sanity wise, it allows the dieter to be able to take a break from the hard work, within reason of course. This often keeps them motivated as they do not feel like they are holding out on themselves for too long. It also allows them to enjoy a night with friends or social events without guilt while still eating a bit more.

    Biologically speaking, it helps prevent stress levels from raising too high and slowing down weight loss. Excessive stress caused by prolonged caloric deficits have been known to slow down weight loss for many people, sometimes even stalling it all together. There are other factors besides the caloric deficit that can slowly build up stress such as constant work stress, traffic (and being unable to cope with it lol), and consistent sleep deprivation (one day of bad sleep won't hurt, but several days or even weeks in a row can). So, minimizing at least one area of stress can be helpful.

    Now... cheating where you eat so much extra that you wipe out your entire week's deficit... that will not help.

    :flowerforyou: YES!
  • lewcompton
    lewcompton Posts: 881 Member
    I have found that for me working in two or three typical dietary no-no's per week is a good idea. It helps to keep me sane... Picture Homer Simpson without donuts... Multiply by three and you get me! I have something like a half slice of pizza from Costco, some ice cream, or a burger... I work it into the calorie count for the day to stay within goal... Friday night it was Bourbon Chicken and Shrimp at Applebees and Saturday was two quarter pound burgers... I've gotten away from ice cream too often and do a lot of smoothies with my Vitamix...
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    I don't do 'cheat'.

    I don't avoid situations that have been triggers in the past, I need to be able to live my life freely.

    Work out a bit more, make better choices when you're out, and don't worry about it.
  • ARHx0
    ARHx0 Posts: 32
    I actually usually lose after a cheat day. I don't have them very often.. I think they're good for you.

    Kinda like when people fluctuate calories to keep their body guessing (and it seems to work for a lot of people!), I guess and jump in calories kinda jumpstarts your body.
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
    I don't have cheat meals. If I eat something that is way over budget, I've either put in extra time at the gym or will put in extra time at the gym or make it up over the next couple of days.

    That being said, I generally try to make better choices, but sometimes you gotta have that tiramisu or whatever. That's why I exercise so I can occasionally have Tiramisu or an extra slice of pizza or whatever would push me over if I didn't hit the gym or run.

    I also try to plan ahead by hitting a menu online or at least the database to get an idea if I need to plan lower calorie options for the rest of my day.

    But no, I don't have scheduled cheat days. At least until march when I'm in New Orleans and I plan to eat on maintenance and do a fair amount of walking.

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