Cheat Days.

It depends upon the individual. Personally, I see no need for them unless one is already below 15% bodyfat (for males, not sure about females), at least from a training stance. I view it as until one reaches that point, they haven't earned them, and really, their body has no use for the extra calories while overweight, so why do it?

I don't really know what it means. Does it mean you go over? Does it mean you don't log? I don't see the problem if they are occasional and keep you on track overall. I log everything, and some days I go over. I guess I don't consider it cheating, just making a different choice that will have a different set of consequences.

I have one once a month i find it really helpful. it kind puts you into the state of mind of " i can have it in a little while" instead of "well i can never have that again". as an added bonus giving yourself a cheat day trick your body into boosting your metabolism a bit. last one i had i ate 3/4 a taco pizza best thing Ive ever had in my life.

I do.

I log what I can and I don't stress about it.

A few I had were Christmas, Thanksgiving, a girls day/night, stuff like that.

I eat what I want but I listen to my body so that I know when its full and that's about my only guideline.

a cheat meal, not a day.

I used to, but now i feel guilty going over my calories, so my brain is rejecting all out cheat days. :huh:

I do have times I don't log. Like tomorrow, since people will be coming over with food, I'm still going to try everything that looks good. But I won't log it since I don't think our guests will appreciate my asking them to bring nutritional information along with all of their snacks! I don't consider much cheating since most of my "bad" meals are still within my calories. We ordered pizza tonight for dinner and I'm still within my calorie ideal for the day.

Yes, but it's not like I plan them out like every Sat. is a cheat day or something. I am very enamored with a book I read a while back called "The Thin Commandments Diet" by Stephen Gullo, Ph.D. One of the things this book addresses is how to incorporate special occasions into your life. He argues that based on our own history, some of us just can't deal with certain foods. For other foods that we don't eat as compulsively, we can eat them out at restaurants or at someone else's house for a special occasion. Then, knowing that you are going to be going to an event, you pre-plan the day out after a special occasion so that a slip doesn't turn into a full-blown relapse. You eat normally the next day, but you plan it out ahead of time.

Okay, granted I have binge eating disorder. So, the idea of moderating everything is something I struggle with. I have lost probably over 500 pounds, but that's because I've lost it (60 pounds) like 8 times. I am great at losing weight. I suck at living life in maintenance. I like his approach. I believe that overall, long-term success basically just deals with figuring out ways to life your life in a healthy way, making better choices while still having some flexibility based on your own historical food issues, and without fail, making sure you stay active with things you enjoy doing.

Allocating cheat days probably isn't the best example to set for yourself. One day can easily lead to a week, and before you know it you're reprogramming your brain all over! Holidays or events with family/friends are the only times when you should be a bit less relaxed about your lifestyle - but still pay attention to making healthy choices.

I will have a cheat meal when I really am craving something and make sure to balance it out with cardio and water. Today I ate clean all day and had Taco Bell. I know its not perfect .