How do you feel about cheating?

mandeenicoleb
mandeenicoleb Posts: 479 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm sure this has been posted before, but I'm feeling guilty after the weekend. Saturday was just impossible to avoid with all the events I was attending and the type of food served, and let's face it...I didn't feel like being strict that day. I behave so perfectly every other day. Saturday I didn't think I did too bad but still had well over my allotment since the foods were calorie dense. I made sure too only eat until I was full. Mimosas really did me in! Yesterday was my bf's mother's bday and mother's day. They had a HUGE unhealthy brunch. Amazingly enough I didn't go over my calories by too much that day.

I know not to throw in the towel and I'm back to being good and will be working out as usual tonight. I still can't help but to feel doomed. I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on cheating. I have heard all different things. I will continue on my journey! Especially since I'm more interested in toning now after losing the winter weight.

Thanks! :)

Replies

  • blleadon
    blleadon Posts: 187 Member
    I look at my calories on a weekly basis using the app, so if I am over on a day or so, I can make up for them on a different day. Don't beat yourself up over it. Just pick up and move on. It is a lifestyle change. I have learned how to still fit outings into my weeks.
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    If you like to splurge on the weekends just eat a little less during the week. If you stay 200 calories under each day during the week (1000 calories total) and then eat an extra 1000 calories on the weekend you'll still have the same weekly deficit.
  • mandeenicoleb
    mandeenicoleb Posts: 479 Member
    Makes a lot of sense and I'm feeling more optimistic. Thanks to you both. I'm naturally an over thinker! I'll definitely make up for it through out the week.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    Don't think of them as cheat days, thing of them as mental health days. No reason to feel bad about the occasional mental health day.
  • ilmb87
    ilmb87 Posts: 216 Member
    If you like to splurge on the weekends just eat a little less during the week. If you stay 200 calories under each day during the week (1000 calories total) and then eat an extra 1000 calories on the weekend you'll still have the same weekly deficit.

    THIS. I find it easier to eat less on the weekdays while I'm at work and use those extra calories during the weekends, when "life" happens.
  • cjpembo
    cjpembo Posts: 42 Member
    Just keep a running mental tabulation of how much you cheated; then hit the treadmill hard on Sunday night and true it up. It's all just fuel.
  • yenilopez1985
    yenilopez1985 Posts: 52 Member
    I feel terribly guilty any time i eat more than usual even if i stay under my goal! before i started tracking my calories and really checking for calories on food i used to only diet during the week and on the weekend i would cheat, some times i still managed to lose weight (yup even after going to chinese buffets on the weekends and eating like a pig). Right now i just cant do it every time i think about those calories and logging them is painful so i just avoid it, yesterday i was determined to eat a slice of pizza (my favorite) i looked it up to log it before i ate it, saw the calories and couldnt do it. I guess once i lose i little bit of weight i might be mentally ready to cheat but as for right now i cant afford it. But i understand that sometimes you got to give yourself a break and indulge a little bit and i will in a few weeks (i hope) :)
  • djeffreys10
    djeffreys10 Posts: 2,312 Member
    I plan to eat without regards to calories at least once a week. I.e. a "cheat" meal. Given that it is part of my plan, there is nothing to feel bad about.

    Ok, so I felt a little bad when I tabulated my cheat meal saturday and found that I ate over 2500 calories. But I have been wanting hot wings for a few weeks, and I had been saving that peice of chocolate cake all week waiting for my cheat meal lol. But not bad enough to let it impact me in any way.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    There's cheating and cheating. I 'cheated' yesterday. Meaning I was maybe 100 calories over my goal. And I lost 1.5lbs since yesterday. It was my first time in 4 months too, but I really wanted that lobster quiche for lunch. Oh and I did an extra workout too.

    Just don't make it a habit, and when you cheat, try not to overdo it, then go for an hour walk or something to burn some of it off. You can cheat while still making smarter choices. Personally I just include small portions of what I crave all the time.

    Heck even if you gain 1lb... just keep going the next day. It's not a big deal. The main thing is not to start cheating all the time.
  • Janey142
    Janey142 Posts: 50 Member
    It's my birthday on Friday and reckon I will be waaaaaaay over my cals, So i'll be doing a nice long gym sesh in the morning and keeping to cals this week until then. Other than that I will be pigging out and drinking to my hearts content. its not healthy to worry yourself sick over it.
  • mandeenicoleb
    mandeenicoleb Posts: 479 Member
    I feel like I have a great handle on my week right now. It's so easy to eat well during the work week; that is true!

    I also don't intend to always "cheat" so much. This weekend was just filled with multiple birthday parties and a prix fixe brunch reservation. With my weekend classes I didn't get my normal run and bike ride in but I will more than make up for it!

    During the day I usually get my favorite indulgences in anyway with small portions well within my calories.

    Love the support!
  • ThoseLittleCats
    ThoseLittleCats Posts: 180
    i feel fat, an a failure :(
  • jalloggio
    jalloggio Posts: 141
    not worth it, i use iifym anything i eat i can fit it in so I just plan everything out in advanced!
  • saxmaniac
    saxmaniac Posts: 1,133 Member
    You can cheat and still lose lots of weight. I'm not big on perfect adherence.

    Just not too much. ;)
  • skyekeeper
    skyekeeper Posts: 286 Member
    My mind won't hardly let me "cheat" anymore. If I eat unhealthy greasy foods anymore, it makes me sick to my stomach! For the most part, I can easily say no and go without eating rather than eating junk. If I do eat something not so good, it has to be in small portions. Glad you had a good outing.
  • anitasongs
    anitasongs Posts: 129 Member
    I do carb cycling and I am allowed a free day. when you have been good have that, whatever it is.
    I had a half piece of cake at a communion and went to buffet table and I still lost 1.6, but I was good and kept most of my carb healthy carbs all week and whole grain. I am so excite that I can have my cake and eat it too and lose weight. This is revolutionary for me I am following Chris Powel Choose more, lose more for Life. Extreme makeover guy and has been on Dr. Oz.
    It is called Carb cycling and you can have a free day where your calories are higher... Weight lifter do this carb cycling all the time.
    Not cheating a free day! That I can live with! Anita

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