How often do you allow yourself a 'treat' meal?

2»

Replies

  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    Daily. I eat a well balanced diet and add in things that I truly enjoy that fit.

    Pancakes, bacon, ice cream, hamburgers and pizza fit prominently into my diet. Of course so do vegetables, whole grains, low fat/non-fat dairy, almonds, avocado, eggs, fruit and lean meats.
  • AmandaRaeLeo
    AmandaRaeLeo Posts: 4 Member
    I'm not a fan of calling it "treat meals" or "cheating". That sets me up for failure. If I deprive myself I will binge. If I account for my intake and my exercise... It's called "reality". It is about accountability, common sense, and moderation. For me, my brain has to be in it.
  • GinaRamp
    GinaRamp Posts: 16 Member
    Every Friday my husband and I go out on a date and I eat whatever I want.
  • linnamor
    linnamor Posts: 14
    Once a week on a monday (after I get weighed at rosemary connolly class) which only means dinner but its usually an unhealthy takeaway,chocolate, lattes and ice cream. I do limit my calories for the tue and wed and go to the gym so I dont suppose its that bad. Easter week may be diff though, especially as no weigh in this week!
  • 1brokegal44
    1brokegal44 Posts: 562 Member
    Friday night is usually the night I relax and not worry about calories. I don't think of it as a "cheat" since it's not a diet and mostly everything we have in our house is healthy anyway. For me it's usually an extra drink or two or some dessert. And I don't track for the night. But Saturday AM I'm back to it.
  • javimendoza
    javimendoza Posts: 52 Member
    Treat meal for me ....... Beer..... my favorite brand is 41 cal / 100 ml.... and when i hang out with my friends i usually drink from 6 to 8 beers.... 330ml each..... plus snacks.... so..... thats a real treat.... Otherwise..... if a have enough calories i like to enjoy a tasty Big Mac :wink: ..... wich is around 500 calories.... usually i burn that in 30 min of elliptical training.
  • sarah12277
    sarah12277 Posts: 212 Member
    I haven't had many outside of a weekly dinner with family. When I do see a water gain I won't allow anything extra, that doesn't fit macros, until that's down. Most will be for a social setting though, such as tonight will be pizza & wine.

    In the future I want to try a weekly thing such as fitting a recipe I like in but probably monthly will be something outside so I can control the water gain as best as possible.

    I do have small daily treats as I usually need something to fill 200 cals, so might be toast with pb, chocolate, or frozen yogurt.
  • pilarter
    pilarter Posts: 49
    I've been on this journey for 6 weeks, and I haven't really had a cheat yet, not that I consider a cheat anyway. I had steak the other night, but measured it out to a 3 oz portion. I had pasta last night, but I measured my portion and counted my calories, staying well within my limit. My "treats" are 100 calorie packs, or recipes that I modify to be healthier versions. I'm not depriving myself of what I love, I'm making sure that I lose weight and get healthy so that I am not the next one in my family to have a heart attack. "Cheating" to me is going over your calorie limit for the day, or eating things way over proportioned. It's all about serving sizes and making smart choices.

    That´s a good question, as I consider "cheating" going over your calorie limit for the day. This I have done twice in 2 months, and that was 2 days that I was really hungry all day, and I overate healthy food for the whole day. Now I have learnt from this experience, and I have learnt to control hunger (not meaning cravings for any special meal) drinking more water and green tea along the day.
    I am being constant with exercise, which gives me the chance to choose dinner and allow some very dark chocolate or extra nuts almost daily. I stay under my calorie goal, my so-called-treats are still healthy food, though bigger portions, or healthy food high in calories that I wouldn´t "afford" otherwise.
    This way my loss remains the same slow on the scales, and the same fast considering metric tape and %BF.
    Luckily for me, I haven´t had cravings for junky food, as I was not a fan of fast food restaurants before. Some very dark chocolate is all I need when the road to good mood pass through stomach
  • cynfy16
    cynfy16 Posts: 35
    Honestly, when I am craving something sweet or something that is so obviously not good for me I eat it. I just dont eat an entire bag /container, etc. of what it is, because trust me I could. lol But sometimes giving into cravings is a good thing, completely resisting all sweets or what you want isn't gonna help you in the long run. Temptation is always gonna be there so you just gotta get used to it and adjust! :) And remember to ENJOY the cheats you give yourself, dont waste time worrying or feeling guilty about it.
  • kellijauch
    kellijauch Posts: 379 Member
    I will allow myself m&ms or ice cream (usually cookie dough). I also will allow myself mac & cheese or french fries. I don't "cheat" though. I always make sure that I have enough calories left to stay within my goal and calulate exactly how much I can eat to stay within range. So if that means only eating 10 m&ms, or three bites of ice cream, or 7 french fries, it's better than nothing.
  • kellijauch
    kellijauch Posts: 379 Member
    Also- I personally think that calories don't matter on holidays. I'd rather be happy on the few days a year I get to spend with my family and eat things we normally wouldn't. So I never count holidays, but that doesn't mean I go crazy either.
  • Mrs_Fit
    Mrs_Fit Posts: 86 Member
    It looks like everyone pretty much answered your question...Do everything in moderation. For me if I want it and it fits into my caloric goal i have it. If it takes me over, then it means i have to choose between a longer workout or the treat especially if it is really high in calories. You have to see what works for you. Everything is trial and error until you find out what is good for you. Good luck!
  • MaryPoppinsIAint
    MaryPoppinsIAint Posts: 157 Member
    One day in ten, I have "Hell With It Day". Literally 1 in 10, it's planned out on my calendar (I'm flexible though, I'll move them around if something unexpected or super special happens). Hell-With-It Day = no foods barred. I don't eat myself sick or anything, but everything and anything is allowed and I do not log until I'm done for the day. Last time, hubby and I went to Joe's Crab Shack. Stuffed mushrooms, stuffed clams, lobster, shrimp, and the Chocolate Shack Attack. I didn't even eat half of any one thing, but the calories and sodium were still obscene... and deliciously guilt free.
  • magpie0
    magpie0 Posts: 194 Member
    Whenever I want haha. I don't want it all that often now because I feel heavy and greasy when I do. Chocolate is the exception. hah
  • needsalife3
    needsalife3 Posts: 56 Member
    I keep a selection of 100 calorie treats that I have if they fit in my calories for the day. I don't consider them treats, just life. For Saturday night dinner I eat whatever I want -- it's usually a 1500 or so calorie meal. I count and log the calories and don't try to exercise it off. This usually puts me about 500 calories over for the week. I'm still losing an average of almost 2 lbs a week and I'm fine with that.
  • alychil820
    alychil820 Posts: 219 Member
    When there's a special occasion, like a holiday or birthday, when a friend is in town. And me and my friends always go for post-exam froyo, so I still do that.

    I just try to make reasonably good choices and stay within my calorie limit.
  • seanezekiel
    seanezekiel Posts: 228 Member
    Once a week. I weigh myself every Friday morning and eat the cheat Saturday night. Usually like 1500 cal of fried chicken and taters and gravy, hehehe. that or go out for beers.
  • moodyshannon15
    moodyshannon15 Posts: 39 Member
    Once a week...if I've stayed on track and done well.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    I worked hard to find food and meals that I enjoy, that are easy to make, that fit my diet. I eat food that I like ALL the time. I'm severely disappointed if I find myself eating something that I don't think is delicious.
  • Susieout
    Susieout Posts: 102 Member
    I agree 100%
  • Susieout
    Susieout Posts: 102 Member
    Ignor my above.

    It was suppose to be attached to someone else's reply
  • sabolfitwife
    sabolfitwife Posts: 423 Member
    I struggle with this so much. I refer to it as a diet, but in all actuallity I just try to eat healthier than I did in the past. I usually allow myself a cheat day (try to keep it to one meal, but hey...) on Sundays. This being said, I am a terrible binge eater so it doesn't always work out that way. I need to get my emotions in check and figure out why I binge so I can get it under control!
  • Danaart
    Danaart Posts: 2
    I don't consider anything a cheat meal. Each day I plan out my meals (to the best of my ability) and I make sure I have room for 1 piece of candy or a cookie every day. If I know I'm going out to eat and really want dessert, I will eat something that is lower in calories during the day, like turkey or shrimp, so I can use those calories for dessert.

    To me this isn't a "diet" and I don't restrict myself from anything.
  • bearwith
    bearwith Posts: 525 Member
    If I feel like it but then because I have put it on MFP, I adjust my eating either that day or another day. Swings and roundabouts. Cannot stop from all lovely things - just have as much as you need and that might mean only enough to give yourself a taste rather than the whole bowl.

Categories