Cheat days - Worst idea ever

Actually most people who are successful at being in recovery from alcohol DO go to support groups. It's clear your knowledge of addiction, no matter the substance, is limited. Harm reduction is a model, however research has shown that while it may effective in the short term that it is not effective in the long term.

Being an alcoholic is *nothing* like eating too much food very day. Nothing at all.


Having a physical addiction is a completely separate issue from struggling with a bad habit.

Food Addiction exists.

It's not a physical addiction.

Cheat meals, I agree with...days...not so much. I think newbs (those newer to losing weight/your stereotypical yo-yo dieters). Sunday is mine. I however, am at church all day and almost never eat breakfast that day - so I'm fasting till lunch/dinner time where we usually have unhealthy food. I eat 2,000 calories a day and STILL lose weight, but I'm extremely active. At my activity level, a little extra won't bother me...but I think some people really need to make sure there doing more than laying on their back doing pilates before they induldge.

I think the word "cheat" implies a psychological break/reward. I can see why people think that doing a "cheat day" reinforces the idea that eating well is punishment. But there are good reasons to do a planned and controlled "refeed", and I plan on doing that when I get a little further along.

Maybe it is a personal need to approach differen, or human nature, not sure. But all I know is that "cheat" anything becomes an increasingly slippery slope for me. Example - Chewed snuff from age 13-36. Tried quitting and made it 2 years. Then I figured since I had this thing licked, I could start up "just" doing it while cutting grass. Then it was "just" while I was doing outside work. Then it was "just" outside of work. Then it was.... well, I fell back into full time. Luckily the second try was better luck. Cold turkey and have been off it for 8 years.

Food wise, I am a yo-yo. I go from highs of 299 to lows of 225. This has typically been a 5 year cycle. I am now on my downward swing and hopefuly at 48 a tad wiser. I dislike cheat day approach... Why? because it scares me. So, when I know things are going to be challenging with food, beer, etc on a specific occasion, I pre and post work my tail off. I have burnt as many as 4400 calories in a 24 hour period (thank you BMF) to prepare for a party. Just last night we came into pittsburgh for the hockey game. Worked out double before we left and i drank what i wanted and had some not normal food to me. Post game, I walked Duquesne campus (hilly) three times and a toal of 18,600 steps for the day. So high intake, but even higher burn.

Be careful of "cheat" anything.... if you are not of 100% strong conviction, it will bite you in the *kitten*.

Just my .02 cents.

Ted

I don't plan 'cheat days'. I allow myself to eat a treat everyday (assuming it fits into my goal) so I don't need to go all out and eat 2500 calories of rubbish on one day. Only time I won't log is a family/special occasion like weddings etc (simply 'cause it's awful trying to even GUESS what they put it in wedding food!).

Some people have that little bit more willpower than others - they can allow themselves to have just one serving of chocolate per day, whereas others can't stop at that one serving so they save up calories or whatever they do for their 'cheat days' and then eat whatever they want on that day.

If they work for some people - and they do seem to - then I say go for it!

I rarely have a "cheat" meal as I eat everything and eat portions that fit within my calorie allotment. so there is no need to feel deprived. Some days I eat a bit more and some days I eat a bit less. I ate what I wanted on vacation but tried to eat as healthy as I could for eating out 3 times a day. I needed to change how I looked at eating not just how much I ate. If I did not change how I felt about food I will not maintain my weight loss. I am not deprived by my diet but feel better for it.

I want to learn how to eat like a normal person, I don't want to diet! I want to make a lifestyle change, I want to be able to go to a holiday dinner or birthday party and not feel like I am cheating on my diet! So portion control is what I need to learn! As far as a cheat day, whatever works for you! We each have to find our own way, what works for one person, may not work for another. Unfortunately it's usually by trial and error, as is life!

u

I don't understand the concept of 'cheat days'. Whoever made the term up and promoted the idea has a lot to answer for.

I understand 'No exercise days' (rest days) but 'cheat days' I don't. I don't understand why someone would work hard all week then set aside a special day to blow it. I personally dont think going over calories on ANY day while staying within your weekly calorie goal is a cheat... that's just balancing your calorie intake over a week. But for the life of me I can't understand why someone would be on a 'diet' but set aside a day where they can eat whatever they want and think they are 'entitled' to it because they've been 'so good'. I mean who are they kidding?? Isn't that like telling an alcoholic they can drink as much as they want one day a week???

Look... I know this post will have already come across as all 'judgemental' but if there's any 'cheat day' advocates out there I'd love you to explain to me why cheat days are a good idea and how cheat days don't become 'cheat weeks' and how cheat weeks don't become blown diets.

I've never understood it either. You're setting yourself up to fail because you likely will overeat. I make an exception for major holidays and family birthdays, but don't consider them cheat days.

My diet is so clean six out of seven days of the week that I feel (and know) that one day a week I can have a meal or two that isn't so healthy. I have been doing this for months and continue to see improvements in my body as I move forward. I like eating healthy but it is always nice to have pizza or something like that if I am feeling in the mood for it once a week. "Fat guy" saturdays - best idea ever :glasses:

Can't say I disagree with the concept or the logic....

However, one meal a week, I don't "log" into MFP. It's usually the post-church trip to Red Robin.