cheat day

Sounds to me like you are trying to justify bad behavior. If you are trying to teach yourself how to eat more healthfully, why would you purposefully throw caution to the wind and jump into the trough with a big spoon? Does that mean there are some foods you can never have again? Of course not, but it should be within the boundaries you have established, that is, meet your macros (calories, grams of carbs, fat, proteins). Since you should generally be "eating your exercise calories" all you need to do to enjoy that calorie-laden meal is enough exercise to allow for it. It is not rocket science. Maintain a certain level of input, equal to your output to maintain, less than your output to lose weight, making sure to consume a minimum level (say 1,200 calories). I try not to lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do (the West Point rule), and I most especially don't tolerate those who lie, cheat or steal to/from me, and that includes myself. If you are thinking a diet is a program that will some day come to an end, you are more likely to "cheat." If you see your journey as a lifetime of healthful living (eating and exercising), the concept of a cheat day or cheat meal won't occur to you. But, do what you want to do. No one else is your keeper.

For me, it is tough. It turns into cheat day, and then cheat weekend (sat and sun) and then I throw in a cheat Friday too