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MyFitnessPal Community

Feeling guilty about my "guilt free eating day"

MamaTop

I read a lot of having 1 day a week where you dont worry about everything you eat ..

Last night was date night with my husband .. while I did not eat the whole restaurant .. I am way over on my calories for the day! like 1000 calories over .. at least .. I sort of guessed on a few things from the restaurant...

I have been on track all week ... and today is a new day .. but I cant help but feel guilty for last night

Replies

camrunner

It's not for everyone. You don't have to have one. Personally, I don't and never have.

I suppose, theoretically, it's supposed to make you happier and less likely to deviate from whatever diet you're on, but if it only makes you feel worse, what's the point? A setback is a setback, IMO.

tomcornhole

Do not feel guilty. Feel empowered. Feel happy. It will not set you back in the long run. But it is only effective if that one day of indulgence results in a worry free week of compliance. If it makes you feel so guilty you get the "screw it's" the rest of the week, it may be detrimentl rather than effective.

I have been doing a cheat day ever since I started dieting. Epic 5,000 calorie events eating anything I wanted in any quantity. Had one yesterday. Had 10 chocalate chip cookies, 4 bowls of fruit loops and 4 cups of milk. For breakfast. All things I would never eat during the week. And boy, did I feel aweful. Not mentally, but physically. Recovered b the evening and added a Dairy Queen Bilizzard and 3 Holtmans donuts to finish the day. 4,800 cal total. After all that, I won't have any desire to cheat until next Saturday. That's the key. I always know I have next Saturday if I crave something during the week. And that keeps me on track and happy.

So, go forth and cheat but only if it works for you. It is not for everyone. But if it doesn't nuke you mentally, rest assured it will not hurt your progress.

ezme13

If I call it a "day" I tend to go a bit overboard and wipe out a whole week's healthy eating. Rather than a guilt free day, i do a guilt free meal. If I know I'm going out somewhere nice I eat extra sensibly that day. I then eat what I want but log everything. The important thing is not to let it derail you. The next morning is a new day.

LindaVolker

It is great that you shared your "cheat time" with your husband. I think it is good to do this with others, but if I'm off my diet on my own rather than having fun with family and friends it isn't quite as much fun.

retiree2006

I don't do a guilt free day on a regular basis but, if I'm going out for a special meal and time with hubby or friends, I try to check the restaurant's website (if available) and pre-plan something delicious and not overboard. But if there's something I rarely have that I really want, I go ahead and enjoy it. I find I'm able to eat half and am satisfied so I can bring the rest home to enjoy later. Then it's only half that large number of calories at a time.

jayrae87

If you're afraid of feeling guilty, start with one cheat meal and see if that helps alleviate the guilt. I had two pieces of Carvel ice cream cake yesterday and was really depressed about it, but realistically it doesn't make me gain any weight back, so long as I don't make it a habit! I wouldn't have a set day or whatever for it, either. Just allow yourself small indulgences here and there so you don't feel like binging on a particular day.

Marley112586

If your feeling that guilty dont do it. Its supposed to help you stay on track and not throw in the towel. I have cheat days. Every 2 weeks to a month. As long as I can stretch it.

MamaTop

I knew all day we were going out .. and I had a great healthy breakfast and lunch ... so in a way I did prepare for dinner out!

And today I have been right back on track!

I feel less guilty now knowing that I got up this morning and jumped right back on the wagon rather then say "well last night I blew it .. might as well blow it again today"

Thanks everyone!

jazzcat55

I don't do a guilt free day on a regular basis but, if I'm going out for a special meal and time with hubby or friends, I try to check the restaurant's website (if available) and pre-plan something delicious and not overboard. But if there's something I rarely have that I really want, I go ahead and enjoy it. I find I'm able to eat half and am satisfied so I can bring the rest home to enjoy later. Then it's only half that large number of calories at a time.

This is what I do, too. We are meeting some friends at a restaurant this afternoon, so I went to their website and looked at the menu. Even the lightest entrees sound too rich, so I'll go with one of their salads with vinaigrette dressing.

"Cheat days" aren't for me, either. I'm too afraid I would fall off the wagon completely. A cheat *meal* once in a great while is a lot more doable for me. But everyone is different!

MrGonzo05

I've never had a cheat day. I have planned splurges by running a larger deficit in advance. Maybe try that.

Francl27

I've never had a cheat day. I have planned splurges by running a larger deficit in advance. Maybe try that.

Ditto. And I just whatever I want within my calories/macros. For me cheating is going over 10g of fat...

quiltlovinlisa

Glad you're feeling better. I focus on special events and plan in my treats. Right now I'm detoxing from sugar, classic sugar addict here, so my treats are in different forms, kill guacamole anyone? lol

Picking yourself up and plowing forward is the only way to go. You're doing it right!

yamsteroo

I too go with the 'special occasion' rather than a scheduled cheat day. I'm not sure I could have a whole day of 'cheating' and not mess up my whole week.

I enjoy good food and if I go to a really nice restaurant with my husband and friends, I don't want to be sitting with a lettuce leaf and a bit of plain chicken but I won't automatically have a dessert. I let myself go a bit over Easter (nothing major) but by the time Monday rolled around I was actually glad to cut down again as I felt bloated for the first time since I started.

Every time I lose 7lb (1.2st in UK speak in case anyone thinks that's a random number!) I have a Panini with my boss as he misses our lunches but I fit that in with my count for the day.

jzammetti

It is likely that 1000 calories over will not put you over your maintence amount for the week since you are eating at a deficit. Forgive yourself and move on.

We are all trying to eat like regular people and achieve and stay fit, right? Every thin and fit person I know splurges on food from time to time. It is normal and natural and part of learning to function for the rest of our lives as far as food goes.

As an aside, I do not have "cheat days" or "cheat meals" because there is really no need. Eat sensibly, the foods you love, in moderation, and you will be fine.

IIISpartacusIII

I read a lot of having 1 day a week where you dont worry about everything you eat ..

Last night was date night with my husband .. while I did not eat the whole restaurant .. I am way over on my calories for the day! like 1000 calories over .. at least .. I sort of guessed on a few things from the restaurant...

I have been on track all week ... and today is a new day .. but I cant help but feel guilty for last night

At least one high calorie day is in fact a very good idea if and only if you are sticking to a lower calorie, aggressive weight loss plan the rest of the week. That little calorie bump that pulls you out of a deficit can keep your body from becoming more calorie efficient by burning less calories at rest (BMR) since it's not getting as much any more. 1000 over is reasonable so enjoy it. You will be heavier the day after but that is expected; a day or two after that you're back on track and still dropping. Embrace your guilt free day.

2FatToRun

I read a lot of having 1 day a week where you dont worry about everything you eat ..

Last night was date night with my husband .. while I did not eat the whole restaurant .. I am way over on my calories for the day! like 1000 calories over .. at least .. I sort of guessed on a few things from the restaurant...

I have been on track all week ... and today is a new day .. but I cant help but feel guilty for last night

Maybe it is not for you. You shouldn't feel guilty for eating. If you do it isn't worth the action no matter what the purpose for it is. I do not do cheat days either because I do not think it is necessary. But don't let it discourage you, fix it and move forward don't dwell on it.

CrazyTrackLady

Do not feel guilty. Feel empowered. Feel happy. It will not set you back in the long run. But it is only effective if that one day of indulgence results in a worry free week of compliance. If it makes you feel so guilty you get the "screw it's" the rest of the week, it may be detrimentl rather than effective.

I have been doing a cheat day ever since I started dieting. Epic 5,000 calorie events eating anything I wanted in any quantity. Had one yesterday. Had 10 chocalate chip cookies, 4 bowls of fruit loops and 4 cups of milk. For breakfast. All things I would never eat during the week. And boy, did I feel aweful. Not mentally, but physically. Recovered b the evening and added a Dairy Queen Bilizzard and 3 Holtmans donuts to finish the day. 4,800 cal total. After all that, I won't have any desire to cheat until next Saturday. That's the key. I always know I have next Saturday if I crave something during the week. And that keeps me on track and happy.

So, go forth and cheat but only if it works for you. It is not for everyone. But if it doesn't nuke you mentally, rest assured it will not hurt your progress.

I hate to sound like Judgy McJudger, but this sounds like binge eating to me. I couldn't eat this much if I tried. WOW.

BonaFideUK

You can easily wipe out your entire weeks worth of work (caloric deficit) if you have a whole day of binge eating. Its not really worth it IMO.

crlyxx

Can't a guilt-free day technically end up defeating the purpose of the entire week? Like if you have 4,000 calories, and that's 2000 or so above your maintenance, wouldn't that mess up 4 days of the -500 calories/day weight loss plan someone might have to lose a pound a week?

tomcornhole

I hate to sound like Judgy McJudger, but this sounds like binge eating to me. I couldn't eat this much if I tried. WOW.

Call it what you want but I will let my results stand on their own. I don't judge other people's success. I don't push my methods on anyone else. I just let them know what has worked for me and a lot of others on the 4 hour body Slow Carb Diet.

This site has the most judgmental population of any I have ever been on.

MsHaether

Can't a guilt-free day technically end up defeating the purpose of the entire week? Like if you have 4,000 calories, and that's 2000 or so above your maintenance, wouldn't that mess up 4 days of the -500 calories/day weight loss plan someone might have to lose a pound a week?

That's how I feel! I work hard all week long, I'm not about to have that all be for a 'cheat' day and undo the progress or worse! I try to give myself something indulgent from time to time as long as it fits in my calorie limit, say like a fun size candy bar because I love candy!! But I don't think cheat days are healthy. I think you have to make life style changes and commit to the new lifestyle to have any lasting success. Just my opinion though..

tomcornhole

For all those that say it is bad, have you ever tried it? I have 14 months worth of data that show it works for me. If you have data that show it doesn't work for you, I'd be happy to listen.

crlyxx

For all those that say it is bad, have you ever tried it? I have 14 months worth of data that show it works for me. If you have data that show it doesn't work for you, I'd be happen to listen.

I wouldn't say it's "bad" really, but it would take away a decent amount of your hard work from earlier in the week. Since I have 6 pounds to lose in 5 weeks, it's definitely not for me.

Yeller_Sensation

You should look at my food diary for today then. It's all planned ahead of time.

While I don't eat this way and this much every Sunday, I comfortably do not give a flying rat's *kitten* how my macros look.

I also want to point out two things:

1) I did not start this manner of eating until after 14 months of working my friggin' butt off in the gym and the kitchen. For 14 months I counted and weighed every single damn thing 7 days a week. I never missed a single workout. AT ALL. No excuses.

2) To each their own. This is purely my lifestyle and my choice. It certainly has not set me back at all on my push to 18% body fat in the last 3 months. And I am pretty confident I will have no problem reaching 16% body fat. I am just not in a great hurry to get there.

togmo

Yeah, I don't know about the idea of an entirely guilt free day, eating all those donuts, chocolate chip cookies and fruit loops can't be a healthy thing no matter how good you are for the rest of the week but whatever works for you, if you can do that and still achieve the goals you want to achieve then so be it.

I love a refeed day once every second week (I am having one today actually) but I only try and eat roughly my maintenance TDEE which since I am on my TDEE - 20-25% means 20-25% more food. I try and eat these additional calories in complex carbohydrates also (rice, bread, beans stuff like that) which still gives me the feeling of eating way more food.

Technically though crlyxx you are right. Say someones TDEE is 1250kcal (8750kcal per week) and they are on 1000kcal a day to lose weight, if they then ate 3000kcal on one day and ate 1000kcal on the other six their average caloric intake would be 9000kcal for the week which is actually on average higher than their weekly required caloric intake to maintain their current weight of 8750kcal so they would actually gain weight that week. Ofcourse most people underestimate their activity levels and thus set themselves lower TDEEs than they actually have so this person would probably still be under by a couple hundred calories and would technically still lose weight...

ShellGetsFit

Don't feel guilty! It was a special day and I hope you enjoyed it at the time. Just remember for next time you're able to go out for a special meal how you felt this time. It will more than likely help you make a different choice next time. Don't beat yourself up over it, it's only one day and like you said, today is a new day.

kms1320

Do not feel guilty. Feel empowered. Feel happy. It will not set you back in the long run. But it is only effective if that one day of indulgence results in a worry free week of compliance. If it makes you feel so guilty you get the "screw it's" the rest of the week, it may be detrimentl rather than effective.

*snip*

So, go forth and cheat but only if it works for you. It is not for everyone. But if it doesn't nuke you mentally, rest assured it will not hurt your progress.

How in the world can you say eating more calories than normal doesn't set you back in the long run? If you ate 1000 over for a meal, that's 1000 more you have to make up the other 6 days to get to the same point you would if you didn't have the cheat meal. That IS setting you back in the long run. Simple math is simple.

A whole day? No.. a meal? ok, I can behind that, if you have trouble staying on track.

tomcornhole

You wanna argue with this data?

baileybiddles

Guilt is a useless emotion. Get rid of it. Ignore it. Forget it. It won't help you in your journey. I know it's not what you're looking to hear, but it's true.

LyninVT

I did exactly the same thing, and felt guilty while eating it. I figured out that I'm not one of those people that can have a cheat day. Lesson learned early on in my road to a healthy life. So I guess it's worth it, right?