Cheat Day??

Well I don't know how well an entire cheat day would work. I have cheat moments. Now and then. Sometimes I go a little extra with exercise, sometimes I don't. It depends on how I feel and what I'm eating. I guess it all depends on the individual person. I work with someone who's on WW but she cheats all the time and goes to the gym 3 times a week and doesn't know why she can't lose weight. So I don't know. It all depends on you, I guess. Can you handle cheating and not going overboard? Maybe it's all just willpower.

I agree with the above comment somewhat... it DOES depend on the person. On the other hand, for alot of people (including myself) food, and sugar especially, is an addiction. If someone was on drugs, you wouldn't give them a "cheat day." So, for me, cheat days don't work, because once u start getting that taste of sugar, your taste buds adapt to that and u start craving more. But again, everyone is different. Some people can slack off, and jump right back into the routine. Ask yourself if you're an all or nothing person? If so, you probably don't want a cheat day.

Once in a blue moon I'll have a cheat day, but regret it the following day (I get a really crappy workout as a result). I feel that I don't need to cheat as I find ways to enjoy the same foods I always have, or make a healthier, equally tasty version of it.

I don't really like the terms cheating, or "being naughty", or anything that puts a negative connotation on eating. To me these things signify "diet", and I'm not on a diet, I'm on a new way of life - If you look at it from a lifestyle change point of view, those things just don't make much sense. Eating better should be a lifelong thing, and become routine, and hopefully (eventually) won't be a daily struggle. So if you're eating healthy overall, and you want a cheeseburger (or anything else) one day, than eat a cheeseburger - just work it off afterwards or adjust your day otherwise 4 out of 5 meals being healthy in a day is ok.

I would also say eventually you won't want that stuff anymore - I already don't like coke anymore, and I didn't stop drinking it for any reason - just because I liked tea better. I also ordered a pizza today, and it was the first time ever I wished I didn't eat a pizza - it was just unsatisfying and slightly disturbing.

People who live healthy lifestyles "naturally" probably don't sit around saying "Oh, I can only eat cake on Friday"....they just incorporate healthy decisions overall to make less healthy food ok every once in awhile. You really have to think about whats going to happen when you reach your goal - what you're doing today, should be something you're able to continue at that point, and forever, or else you'll be lost and won't know what to do. Are you doing to do cheat days for the rest of your life?

Annnddd I don't believe in rewarding yourself with food (partly for the reasons above)....a cheat day says "If i'm good all week, I can splurge Friday" and turns your motivation to the cheat day rather than being motivated because you're doing a very good thing for yourself. Intrinsic motivators seem to work out the best usually

However, I suppose if you're having a hard time starting off and its impossible for you to resist cravings, a cheat day might be a better alternative because without one you wouldn't have a real rule and might splurge everyday.

I agree with the others that a cheat "day" may be a little much. I think that it's good to splurge a little now and then. I think it breaks up the monotony of strict diets and tells our body that we aren't in starvation mode (in which it holds onto fat). I don't think it's a good idea to deprive ourselves of foods we love, otherwise it can lead to disaster (totally going off track). On the weekends, I tend to be a little more lax on my intake, but don't go crazy.

I don't really like the terms cheating, or "being naughty", or anything that puts a negative connotation on eating. To me these things signify "diet", and I'm not on a diet, I'm on a new way of life - If you look at it from a lifestyle change point of view, those things just don't make much sense. Eating better should be a lifelong thing, and become routine, and hopefully (eventually) won't be a daily struggle. So if you're eating healthy overall, and you want a cheeseburger (or anything else) one day, than eat a cheeseburger - just work it off afterwards or adjust your day otherwise 4 out of 5 meals being healthy in a day is ok.

I would also say eventually you won't want that stuff anymore - I already don't like coke anymore, and I didn't stop drinking it for any reason - just because I liked tea better. I also ordered a pizza today, and it was the first time ever I wished I didn't eat a pizza - it was just unsatisfying and slightly disturbing.

People who live healthy lifestyles "naturally" probably don't sit around saying "Oh, I can only eat cake on Friday"....they just incorporate healthy decisions overall to make less healthy food ok every once in awhile. You really have to think about whats going to happen when you reach your goal - what you're doing today, should be something you're able to continue at that point, and forever, or else you'll be lost and won't know what to do. Are you doing to do cheat days for the rest of your life?

Annnddd I don't believe in rewarding yourself with food (partly for the reasons above)....a cheat day says "If i'm good all week, I can splurge Friday" and turns your motivation to the cheat day rather than being motivated because you're doing a very good thing for yourself. Intrinsic motivators seem to work out the best usually

However, I suppose if you're having a hard time starting off and its impossible for you to resist cravings, a cheat day might be a better alternative because without one you wouldn't have a real rule and might splurge everyday.

I agree 100% For me this is a lifestyle change. If i really want it I will eat it. Having this attitude seems to make it ok in my mind to eat something and I generally don't even eat all I have allowed myself to eat. For example I wanted cheesecake so badly that I decided to allow myself to eat it. I sat down with it and savored every bite; however, I never even got halfway through it before I didn't want anymore. Then I threw the rest away and went on without the craving

THis is one of the healthiest ways to look at food that I have ever experienced. Thanks!

I agree that "cheating" has a negative vibe to it. With this lifestyle change I've decided that I will have days when I want that fatty item, and that I'll have to work harder to get rid of it, sometimes over the period of several days afterward. I feel better when I keep on track with my calories & exercise, but don't beat myself up for having a piece of cake when there's a birthday celebration. Just keep it on an even keel and you'll be able to ride out the storms.

I like to have cheat meals instead of days about once a week. I feel that you have a day it means you can binge and eat what your heart desires and that's not really right (imo). there are days where I will have a brunch and a dinner event. this will in return provide a whole day. it's funny but when I have those "cheat" moments I know I'm not eating as much as once did as far as calorie intake and I find that a success.

I agree with many of the previous posts in terms of not viewing this as a "rule breaker" or negative, sneaky move. To enjoy a nice meal without worrying about the calories or a day where you aren't gorging, just eating some items you don't normally eat, allows you to maintain some balance and take some pressure off. I have maintained my weight doing this most weeks. I either enjoy a nice meal that I normally don't have or a day where I am conscious of what I am eating, but not worrying about the calorie content. It won't set you back in your weight loss unless you do this more days of the week than you track and stay within your "loss mode" calories. Now I also agree with some of the posts which stated that doing this sets off a binge - some people cannot do this because it really is too difficult for them to get back on track. You have to know yourself well and determine if this is right for you.

I have one or two meals a week that I allow myself to eat what I want. It could be pizza and beer, it could be a yummy dinner at the Indian/Moroccan restaurant, etc. etc. I also indulge in one sweet treat per week (usually ice cream). I find these indulgences help me get through the rest of the week when I am below maintenance, and do not impact upon my overall goal for weight loss. I guess it also helps that I am not in a rush to lose some crazy amount of weight in a short period of time. I want to see results but I am OK if its only a half pound a week.

There was a period of time that I wasn't as in control and my 1 or 2 meals turned into a weekend of indulgences, and that didn't work. But now that I am being smarter about my weight loss journey, I've eliminated that habit and the scale is changing again.

When I started this almost 2 months ago I too decided to do a cheat day once a week. I don't know if I should have waited until I was more established or what but my cheat days lead into more cheat days and on week two I totally quit. So I say if your gonna do it do it with caution. Your probably stronger than I am but when I started AGAIN a couple of weeks ago I decided to skip the once a week cheat day, I maybe try it again later when im really feeling like I can handle it without throwing it all away.