cheat days or no cheat days?

Right now I am eating a lot of healthy foods that I have incorporated into my diet (so most of my meals are fruits or vegetables) but if I am craving a food that I make for my husband and son for dinner (pizza) I had a small slice, after I consumed all my vegetables. Is it worse to eat a little of what I want or better to not have anything at all and instead have a cheat day? What has a better chance of losing the weight? Just want advice on what worked for you?

Replies

  • Ploogy
    Ploogy Posts: 115 Member
    A cheat day is fine, in my opinion, as long as you take it as license to eat 4000 calories. Remember, the be body doesn't know "days" so going significantly over on one day, will offset the deficits on the other days. BUT, if it keeps from falling of the portion control altogether, then its better than not doing it.

    I personally think that you should be eating enough that you don't feel a need to really cheat that hard. If you are absolutely craving food and cannot fit it into your diet, then maybe your calorie restriction is too severe?
  • sabimausl85
    sabimausl85 Posts: 219 Member
    my opinion is that if you want pizza, and if you can stop after a slice (or two) then do it. but track the calories so you dont go over too much.
  • skittles137
    skittles137 Posts: 40 Member
    I have cheat days but I'm still able to stay under my calorie goal by eating really well the rest of the day. For example, a few days ago I had a piece of pizza but for lunch I ate something low calorie. Also, if you go over one day a week, it's not going to affect your whole week. I figure letting myself cheat every now and then saves me from falling off completely.
  • mestacy010
    mestacy010 Posts: 577 Member
    I stay between 1200 to 1400 Cal's a day.
  • PosterGuy1
    PosterGuy1 Posts: 163 Member
    I think it depends on the person. I'm in the early stages, and I don't trust myself at this point.
  • BlueObsidian
    BlueObsidian Posts: 297 Member
    I don't call anything cheating, because for me it's not. It's part of the eating plan I set up for myself. I stick to my calories and try to make sure that at least 80% of my food choices are healthy ones. But I won't deny myself a slice of pizza, fast food, or sweets a couple times a week. I just have them in smaller portions than I did before changing my eating habits.

    Probably once every two or three weeks, I have a day where I eat at my TDEE. I don't think of this as cheating either. It's life, and sometimes my life includes restaurants or larger meals.
  • djames92
    djames92 Posts: 990 Member
    no need for cheat days. just work what you want into your calories
  • CharityGC
    CharityGC Posts: 499 Member
    I don't limit what I can eat, as long as it works out with my calories. I have PB cookies in the oven right now and will be having one with a scoop of ice cream on top!
  • 4men1lady79
    4men1lady79 Posts: 112 Member
    I don't do cheat days instead I do every thing in moderation because even after I lose this weight I'm not going back to eating like I was before nor am I going to be super strict with myself...So I'm teaching myself now through out this whole journey how to eat right, not go over board, and still enjoy the occasional "junk" food once in awhile.
  • labellecanuck
    labellecanuck Posts: 105 Member
    I think it's much better to have that occasional one slice of pizza than have an entire cheat day.
  • mestacy010
    mestacy010 Posts: 577 Member
    I don't do cheat days instead I do every thing in moderation because even after I lose this weight I'm not going back to eating like I was before nor am I going to be super strict with myself...So I'm teaching myself now through out this whole journey how to eat right, not go over board, and still enjoy the occasional "junk" food once in awhile.



    Love this