Cheat Meal or Cheat Day?

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Replies

  • paleojoe
    paleojoe Posts: 442 Member
    As long as you can fit your cheat meal (or any meal for that matter) into your macros you'll lose weight.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I kind of view calling it a cheat meal or day like saying I slept with your brother but I only did it on Sunday and I was really good the rest of the week so it doesn't matter. If it works into your plan it isn't a cheat and if you view it as cheating then who exactly are you cheating other than yourself?
  • pgoodt1994
    pgoodt1994 Posts: 32 Member
    I am carb cycling. I start out on Monday with a low carb day, Tuesday high carb and switch back and forth each day. Low carb days women should not eat less than 1200 calories and high carb days no less than 1500. Sunday is a cheat day. Love it so far. This is my second full week. Last week I lot 3.6 pounds.
  • sld4063
    sld4063 Posts: 19 Member
    I kind of view calling it a cheat meal or day like saying I slept with your brother but I only did it on Sunday and I was really good the rest of the week so it doesn't matter. If it works into your plan it isn't a cheat and if you view it as cheating then who exactly are you cheating other than yourself?


    Seriously I love your analogy that is freaking hilarious but puts it in context very bluntly!
  • sld4063
    sld4063 Posts: 19 Member
    I don't understand the terms cheat meal, cheat day, etc... In order to actually lose weight, we need to be in a caloric deficit. We can eat whatever we want as long as the deficit is maintained. What does "cheat" mean in this context?

    For me it's to have 1 day a week that I allow myself to have a meal that might put me over my limit, I do plan it out in my day but if it goes over then so be it, actually I hope to be higher in calories that 1 day from that 1 meal, it keeps my metabolism in check. If you eat the same amount of calories every day of the week, your body will get use to that and then you will probably plateau. Gotta trick that metabolism. Why not treat yourself once a week? You work so hard all week long, to treat yourself to something you don't normally have, it's not a bad thing. I couldn't possibly stick with this if I deprived myself.

    I agree with everything you stated as the explanation!
  • Cheeky_and_Geeky
    Cheeky_and_Geeky Posts: 984 Member
    I have a cheat meal once a week. Our family eats fast food once a week & I look forward to that every week!
  • czechwolf52
    czechwolf52 Posts: 194 Member
    If it fits into my daily calories and I want then I'm going to have it, plain and simple.
  • nccarolb
    nccarolb Posts: 858 Member
    I typically have one day per week when I eat something that I would not normally eat. For example, today I will have lunch with my daughter at a restaurant. Since I refuse to eat nothing but salads, I will get something that is higher in calories than I would typically eat. I don't do this every day. In fact, I don't even do it every week. However, if I limit myself to nothing but salads and plain grilled chicken to keep my calorie count to under 1300 per day every day and never enjoy (in moderation) a meal out, I will fail. Just like life in general, I work really hard most of the time to have an opportunity to relax occasionally.
  • beachlover317
    beachlover317 Posts: 2,848 Member
    I kind of view calling it a cheat meal or day like saying I slept with your brother but I only did it on Sunday and I was really good the rest of the week so it doesn't matter. If it works into your plan it isn't a cheat and if you view it as cheating then who exactly are you cheating other than yourself?

    priceless.
  • MrsBingley
    MrsBingley Posts: 145
    I'm 32. I manage just fine with one high intake day a week. I simply set my calories to maintenance that day and still count. It gives me the energy I need to lift the weights. Maintenance gives plenty of room for treats :).
  • Saraisamom
    Saraisamom Posts: 26 Member
    For the sake of my children's sanity, we have pizza and movie night every Friday. Since I know it is coming, I work it in to my calorie goals for the day. I work out extra hard and eat lighter during the day to make room. I lost 20 lbs, pre pregnancy, using this method. It really worked for me. Otherwise, when we go out, I look for healthier options. It really is about lifestyle change. Once you are maintaining, those cheat days will end up your weight gain days. I'd rather incorporate what I want to eat into my life goals.

    Food is fuel. It can be fun, but it shouldn't be all your fun. I try to find alternative "treats" for reaching small goals that have nothing to do with food.
  • Roxanne_Hennessy
    Roxanne_Hennessy Posts: 130 Member
    I do 1 cheat weekend a month
  • FitnessKris44
    FitnessKris44 Posts: 12
    I tried a cheat day two weeks ago and a cheat meal this past week. The cheat day was a big mistake, I didn't feel great the next day and I felt like my sweet cravings increased for the rest of the week.. The cheat meal worked well for me, It was just enough to feed my cravings and I didn't feel terrible after.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Sometimes the cheat meal is kind of like sleeping with your brother in law too. After it's over it wasn't nearly as great as you thought it would be and you feel like crap.

    My hubby convinced me to splurge and have a cheeseburger and fries with him last night at McD's. I was still up at 12:30 eating Tums and feeling like I was going to puke.
  • smc864
    smc864 Posts: 570 Member
    I don't think that having a cheat meal will hinder your weight loss! Just make sure it fits into your daily allowance. If you are the type of person that is motivated all week by the thought of rewarding yourself later than I think it would do more good than harm if you are more likely to adhere to your calorie goals during the week.

    I, on the other hand, can't have any form of cheat meals because they lead to a slippery slope... although many people disagree with my approach, I have to cut out all "cheat" foods from my diet while I'm trying to lose. That's just what works for me. Do what you think is best for you!
  • pittsjg
    pittsjg Posts: 46 Member
    Agree, work it into you macros. enjoy food and look great. Waiting all week for a meal is miserable, I did it that way for years, tuna chicken spinach, water 5x a day ion a diet (remembering the sound of tuna cans hitting tuna cans in the trash can), never again
  • spoiledpuppies
    spoiledpuppies Posts: 675 Member
    IIFYM. Look forward to everyday. Make the food you love fit into your daily routine.
    I'm in my 30's. Don't use that as a crutch. Just do it right.

    This. Plus, I also look at my weekly totals. My days are never right on the money. Just close. It usually balances out. I'm in my 50s - so don't let age hold you back.

    Based off of your profile picture, I hope my skin and face looks as young and youthful as you when I am in my 50's. :)

    Exactly what I was thinking!!! (though, at 42, it's already too late for me!)
  • nippoleon
    nippoleon Posts: 43 Member
    I'm only doing one cheat day a year - my birthday!
  • eazy_
    eazy_ Posts: 516 Member
    I eat whatever i want anytime. I keep track of everything i eat and drink.

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