"Free day"

Thanks for all your comments. I think i won't have a whole cheat day. Only maybe a cheat meal or snack once a week

I did this while cutting, and it was very successful, i.e. 1 meal a week where I didn't count the calories.

One thing i'd advise though, it's about eating what you like, not how much you like. Eat slowly and stop eating when you've had enough. Don't eat past that point. If you do this and get the urge to totally stuff your face, then it's probably due to eating too few calories the rest of the time. If you can eat what you like, don't count, stop eating when you're full and go back to tracking your calories the next day, then I think that's a really good strategy.

this is good...almost like re-training your brain.

I don't consider it a free day, because it sure doesn't come for free!

I typically go over my calories on Friday or Saturday because I like to drink one or both of those nights. I earn it by saving some calories from the day for alcohol, and also by doing an extra workout the day of or the day after. I don't skip logging either.

I work too hard to set myself back by having a full day to go hog wild with no restrictions or preventative measures.

For those who see it as not a lifestyle thing, I feel like it better fits my lifestyle than never going over my calorie goal. Like I said, I'm not a binger, but I do really enjoy some foods that are too calorie-dense. When I eat those whenever I like, I gain weight (30 lbs, to be exact). They just have too many calories, lol.

If I can reduce eating them to more like a person with no weight issues, it would probably naturally work out to no more than once a week. I'm just putting a bit of discipline into my life on the subject of how often I can do what I used to do a lot.

I can't do the whole 'save up calories for it' thing for it every time. I end up too hungry because the treats I like are so sugary or empty. And I have a bad tendency to do that too many days a week and eat mostly crap as a result, while staying within my calorie goals.

I feel better and stay healthier if I plan a reasonable time-frame for how often I can indulge, and I still eat the good stuff I need to that day, so my sugar levels don't go insane and make me feel bad physically.

I know I could just have a teeny slice of pie. I do know that. AAMOF I don't have treat days this time around yet. But I think they aren't a bad idea if it helps the person and gets them closer to their goal lifestyle. My goal lifestyle is fine with a big pastry every week and a half, as it turns out

I think it works a little differently for everyone, but here's how I feel.

I don't want to to a cheat day or cheat meal on a "schedule." I don't say that every Saturday or every Sunday is my cheat day- but I do let myself eat when there's a reason. For example, when I went to NYC for a long weekend, or when it was my birthday, or when I spent the day at Kings Island or a family cookout- I tried to think about what I ate, but still enjoy myself. (My aunt's cheesy potatoes are to die for- and totally worth indulging on a few times a year when we all get together.) I did still track the best I could to help motivate me to get right back to a healthier plan the rest of the week, but I didn't let myself feel guilty!

To me, if I don't let myself enjoy special occasions ever, this is not something I'll stick with long-term. I'm trying to learn a healthy balance. But I try to save my calories for more special occasions than just a certain day of the week!