Is it necessary to have a cheat day?

chargrove1990
chargrove1990 Posts: 35
edited November 2023 in Getting Started
I joined MFP last month to get my weight back in order, and yesterday just so happens to be the very first day I did NOT go over my calorie intake since I joined. I was just curious on what everyone else thinks whether or not its necessary to have a cheat day. I feel like I've had a "cheat day" everyday for the last 2.5 years.
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Replies

  • TheBitSlinger
    TheBitSlinger Posts: 621 Member
    Depends on your goals. I think you answered your question with your last sentence, yes? To lose weight (from your profile, that appears to be your goal), you have to achieve a caloric deficit, frequently.
  • rmontpetit
    rmontpetit Posts: 31 Member
    Do what ever works for you... I don't have a "cheat day" because i will go too much over my calorie... But i do eat chocolate every day to avoid to feel that i am missing it too much But i fit it in my daily calorie. I am really the kind of person that if you tell them you can't do or eat that... it is the only thing i am thinking about...
    But for other a cheat meal or cheat day make them been better the rest of the time...
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    I suppose I did, haha! The main reason why I was asking is because I've heard from people that its good to have a cheat day, but like I said, I've never been able to stay under 1200 calories since yesterday, lol.

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  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    I completely agree! My weakness is soda. If someone tells me I can't have it, that's the very first thing I think about and I can't get it off my mind. So of course, knowing me, one sip of it and I'm hooked again.
  • AbstractAsterism
    AbstractAsterism Posts: 153 Member
    I have planned cheat days. Like we went to a place for dinner that it was practically impossible to log calories while you ate without looking antisocial because your phone would be in your hand constantly. So I said eff it and didn't log that day.

    Other than that, if I want a cookie, I'll have a cookie, and just log it.
  • TheBitSlinger
    TheBitSlinger Posts: 621 Member
    I suppose I did, haha! The main reason why I was asking is because I've heard from people that its good to have a cheat day, but like I said, I've never been able to stay under 1200 calories since yesterday, lol.

    Yeah, 1,200 is tough (reason # 34 I'm glad I'm not a girl). I struggle with 1,500. If I didn't do 17 to 18 miles a week running on a elliptical, I would never net out at or under 1,500.

    How tall are you? I ask because unless your pic , unless it is an older one (you're very cute, btw, just throwing that in there to brighten your day), you don't look like you have much (any?) weight to lose.
  • privategrl
    privategrl Posts: 5
    Hi! I'm new here. I regained my weight over the last year (back injury, no - really, lol). I gave myself a cheat day for special occasions. Partly for me, so I didn't feel left out, and partly so that I didn't make everyone else feel uncomfortable. I feel like if it's someones birthday or something, it's polite to join in. Then I have a 'salad day' to make up for it. It's worth it to join in, and it never hurt my goals.
  • TheBitSlinger
    TheBitSlinger Posts: 621 Member
    Oh, and cheat days "helping"... well, after you've been been at a calorie deficit for long time, it can help throw your body a curve ball by cheating a bit. I do this myself.

    Now, I'm a food addict, so guys like me have to remember that we can't go back to snorting food like we used to.
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    Hm, that's a different take. I live with my boyfriend's dad {temporarily} and he buys a lot of snacks. {fudge brownies, swiss rolls, oatmeal creme pies, chips, etc.} so all of it is so tempting, but I'm trying a thing to where if I just even think about any of that, I'll drink water, and for the most part it helps.

    48919382.png
  • TheBitSlinger
    TheBitSlinger Posts: 621 Member
    Hm, sounds like your BF might be a both a dealer and a user. :laugh:
  • jrloveless
    jrloveless Posts: 45 Member
    I think if you really want to stick to your change of lifestyle (avoid the word diet!) you need to have a day where you indulge for ONE meal. Don't pig out and act like a chipmunk stuffing its cheeks for winter. Since I started using MFP again (also a three times user on here) and sticking to it, I have allowed myself one meal where I cheat but I don't stuff my face all day long and eat cookies or chips and I avoid soda completely. Only water. I've lost 9lbs in two weeks. If continually feed your body the same amount of calories every single day, it will become used to it and stop burning the fat The cheat meal confuses your body and tells it to keep burning. At least from my experience.

    But I'm not a health care professional or a weight loss guru so I can't say for sure what works. Everyone is different, chemistry-wise and more.
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    I'm 5'6" and that picture is about 2.5 years old, haha! In my profile picture I think I was around 155 or so. My goal is 130 and I'm 189.5 {as of today}. I started at 192.5 which was my heaviest. I think all of my weight has fallen into my thighs and stomach.
  • tworthen79
    tworthen79 Posts: 1,173 Member
    I don't have "cheat days". If fits into my calories, I eat it. One shouldn't feel as if they are cheating if they have a slice of pizza. For me at least, this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle. So there's no cheating, there's only moderation.
  • ScubyUK
    ScubyUK Posts: 271 Member
    1.dont think of it as a cheat day.
    2. just because it's a day different from your normal eating plan, doesn't mean it's a license to go and gorge. Have some ice-cream, just no the whole tub. Have a bag of chips (crisps or fries), but a sensible bag, not a family size pack. Have a bar of chocolate, but make it Dark Chocolate, nothing stopping you from saving half for the following week.
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    Hi! I'm new here. I regained my weight over the last year (back injury, no - really, lol). I gave myself a cheat day for special occasions. Partly for me, so I didn't feel left out, and partly so that I didn't make everyone else feel uncomfortable. I feel like if it's someones birthday or something, it's polite to join in. Then I have a 'salad day' to make up for it. It's worth it to join in, and it never hurt my goals.

    Yes! That makes sense! I always cave on Thanksgiving, haha!
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    Hm, sounds like your BF might be a both a dealer and a user. :laugh:

    Haha! He's trying! He's 5'8" and 160, I think. His goal is around 130 as well.
  • briabner
    briabner Posts: 427 Member
    I personally do not do a cheat day because then the one cheat day turns into 2 cheat days which then turns into a week +. I try to allow myself "cheats" throughout my daily eating. With me I am really focusing on portion control as this as been a very bad problem with me.
  • elkahallick
    elkahallick Posts: 1,138 Member
    I was willing to do whatever it took to cut my weight, same foods didn't stop me, results were so worth it........ I didn't have a cheat day thru my cut or maintenance,(250+ days) now I am on bulk and I will have one cheat day every two weeks, but with in reason.
  • ice1200s
    ice1200s Posts: 237 Member
    I do a cheat day only if I lost weight that week. For me, it's kinda fun and breaks up the monotony.
  • DesDawn24
    DesDawn24 Posts: 147 Member
    I wouldn't say that it's necessary to have a cheat day, but I do feel (from personal experience) that it's important to not feel like you're depriving yourself. I find that even having a cheat treat, not necessarily a whole day, helps me to stay on track. I'm less likely to go on a crazy binge if I just give in to that one cookie every so often. That being said, I make sure that whatever treat I have will still fit into my daily calorie goals. That way I get to enjoy it, but without the crazy guilt of a binge.
  • Meg_Shirley_86
    Meg_Shirley_86 Posts: 275 Member
    I don't like having one. When I have a cheat day I seem to really want one the next day, and then the next day...
    I simply plan around events where I may go out to eat or something, but it's not cheating, it's sticking to my plan.
    To me Cheating=screwing up.
    Yeah I get over it fast, but I know I'm not cheating some abstract system, I'm just cheating myself.
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    I think if you really want to stick to your change of lifestyle (avoid the word diet!) you need to have a day where you indulge for ONE meal. Don't pig out and act like a chipmunk stuffing its cheeks for winter. Since I started using MFP again (also a three times user on here) and sticking to it, I have allowed myself one meal where I cheat but I don't stuff my face all day long and eat cookies or chips and I avoid soda completely. Only water. I've lost 9lbs in two weeks. If continually feed your body the same amount of calories every single day, it will become used to it and stop burning the fat The cheat meal confuses your body and tells it to keep burning. At least from my experience.

    But I'm not a health care professional or a weight loss guru so I can't say for sure what works. Everyone is different, chemistry-wise and more.

    Hm, that does make sense though. I know for a fact I need to start exercising more, which is why I am starting P90x today :)
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    1.dont think of it as a cheat day.
    2. just because it's a day different from your normal eating plan, doesn't mean it's a license to go and gorge. Have some ice-cream, just no the whole tub. Have a bag of chips (crisps or fries), but a sensible bag, not a family size pack. Have a bar of chocolate, but make it Dark Chocolate, nothing stopping you from saving half for the following week.

    That's a good take on it! Usually, if I am completely craving something, I'll dive into chips or swiss rolls or fudge brownies or whatever is available. I used to have ice cream almost every night and douse it in chocolate syrup. But, I think I have mainly learned my lesson from doing that and what the end result of it is going to be, haha.
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    I personally do not do a cheat day because then the one cheat day turns into 2 cheat days which then turns into a week +. I try to allow myself "cheats" throughout my daily eating. With me I am really focusing on portion control as this as been a very bad problem with me.

    Same with me! I can eat an entire box of macaroni and cheese to myself if I wanted to. I am getting much better with portion control and I am trying to eat a lot slower than I normally would.
  • webdevsoup
    webdevsoup Posts: 384 Member
    It really depends on you, and your self control. Personally, what I've done since day 1 of my reboot (January this year) is I eat what fits in to my caloric intake. Yes, there is a difference of quality food vs. quantity of food, so if I ate all McDonald's for my 1800 calories, I'd be overweight, because it's not good quality. However, a cheat "day" or a cheat "snack" is not a bad thing to have. Don't set yourself up to fail before you even begin, because you'll never do anything.

    For me, 2300 calories is my normal intake. I want to lose a pound or 2 a week, so my daily intake is 1800. However, I drink a lot of beer. It offsets. Sometimes I drink beer, sometimes I don't. If you KNOW your'e going to have a snack in 2 days, eat 2 light days (1200 calories or 1100 calories), and then eat your 1500-1600 calories. It's all about balance. And remember, one day is not going to kill your efforts. If that were the case, I'd still be at 240 lbs instead of 204.

    Learn to balance your meals, and learn to keep yourself accountable and exercising self-control. If you know you can't eat a chip because if you do, you'll consume a whole bag, don't eat the chip! Be smart about it.

    Also, you said pop is your weakness (soda). I did something about 6 months ago. I gave up certain aspects of my daily eating and drinking habits. Started with soda. I didn't drink much, as I wasn't addicted, but it was more of a "convenience" drink for me. I gave that up, and have had 1 in the past 6 months, and I only drank half the can, cause it tasted funny. Then I gave up coffee, then sweets, then fast food. Now, I still eat fast food every now and again, but I try and make smart choices about it.

    Self control, and you CAN do this. Good luck to you!
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    I was willing to do whatever it took to cut my weight, same foods didn't stop me, results were so worth it........ I didn't have a cheat day thru my cut or maintenance,(250+ days) now I am on bulk and I will have one cheat day every two weeks, but with in reason.

    I wish I had your motivation! Hopefully P90x will change my attitude about everything :)
  • webdevsoup
    webdevsoup Posts: 384 Member

    I wish I had your motivation! Hopefully P90x will change my attitude about everything :)

    An exercise program is not going to change your attitude about everything, only YOU can change your attitude about everything. You have to want to do it, not make someone want to do it for you, you know what I mean? I've been there "If I start this exercise program, I'll get skinny and eat better". It was a bold-faced lie to myself. Not until I decided I wanted to do it for myself, and do it right, did I actually do it.

    Don't start doing an exercise expecting to FIND motivation... Use your CURRENT motivation to FIND the exercise program.
  • Cisco12791
    Cisco12791 Posts: 15
    Refeeds are very beneficial for dieting down to lower body fat percentages for both men and women. Forget cheat days and do refeeds.
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35
    It really depends on you, and your self control. Personally, what I've done since day 1 of my reboot (January this year) is I eat what fits in to my caloric intake. Yes, there is a difference of quality food vs. quantity of food, so if I ate all McDonald's for my 1800 calories, I'd be overweight, because it's not good quality. However, a cheat "day" or a cheat "snack" is not a bad thing to have. Don't set yourself up to fail before you even begin, because you'll never do anything.

    For me, 2300 calories is my normal intake. I want to lose a pound or 2 a week, so my daily intake is 1800. However, I drink a lot of beer. It offsets. Sometimes I drink beer, sometimes I don't. If you KNOW your'e going to have a snack in 2 days, eat 2 light days (1200 calories or 1100 calories), and then eat your 1500-1600 calories. It's all about balance. And remember, one day is not going to kill your efforts. If that were the case, I'd still be at 240 lbs instead of 204.

    Learn to balance your meals, and learn to keep yourself accountable and exercising self-control. If you know you can't eat a chip because if you do, you'll consume a whole bag, don't eat the chip! Be smart about it.

    Also, you said pop is your weakness (soda). I did something about 6 months ago. I gave up certain aspects of my daily eating and drinking habits. Started with soda. I didn't drink much, as I wasn't addicted, but it was more of a "convenience" drink for me. I gave that up, and have had 1 in the past 6 months, and I only drank half the can, cause it tasted funny. Then I gave up coffee, then sweets, then fast food. Now, I still eat fast food every now and again, but I try and make smart choices about it.

    Self control, and you CAN do this. Good luck to you!

    As far as fast food goes, Taco Bell is my absolute weakness. Every time I go, I get the same exact thing and when I logged it, and found out how many calories were in a 5 layer burrito, I was in shock and so disgusted. I never really get fast food as often as I used to {mainly because we're BROKE}, so I just have to utilize what's in the house.
  • chargrove1990
    chargrove1990 Posts: 35

    I wish I had your motivation! Hopefully P90x will change my attitude about everything :)

    An exercise program is not going to change your attitude about everything, only YOU can change your attitude about everything. You have to want to do it, not make someone want to do it for you, you know what I mean? I've been there "If I start this exercise program, I'll get skinny and eat better". It was a bold-faced lie to myself. Not until I decided I wanted to do it for myself, and do it right, did I actually do it.

    Don't start doing an exercise expecting to FIND motivation... Use your CURRENT motivation to FIND the exercise program.

    Good point! Usually if I actually do some sort of exercise with my life instead of sitting around which is what I have been doing, I start to get a little motivation and then I don't want to quit. However, the last time I "tried" P90x, I lasted 4 days, but now I have the help of 4 people. I am so pumped to get this weight OFF!
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