cheat day question

Options
Nt2Badhuh
Nt2Badhuh Posts: 107 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
This is going to sound really dumb but is a cheat day or meal a day in which you go over your calories or is it just eating whatever you want within your calories...


I'm just curios because I am by no means a clean eater... although I'm getting better... I have always ate what I wanted...just less... but the idea of ONE day where I get to eat over 1300 calories sounds like heaven...


and I see some people losing there minds on cheat day... is there an amount you are supposed to eat over if cheating is eating over.....like maybe one day eat 200 calories over or eat to maintenance.

I guess im just curious because if a cheat day is just a junk day then I probably don't need one.
«1

Replies

  • Nt2Badhuh
    Nt2Badhuh Posts: 107 Member
    Options
    nothing?
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Options
    It's whatever you want it to be and absolutely not necessary.
  • raindawg
    raindawg Posts: 348 Member
    Options
    I think for most of us, it is going over your calories. Back when I was on maintenance my cheat day was Sunday, where I could eat whatever and however much I wanted. I "funded" my cheat day my eating slightly under maintenance the rest of the week.
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,396 Member
    Options
    I view a cheat day as a day where I pay zero attention to the calories or macros in the food involved. It's full on "screw it". I rarely have entire days like that but do often have meals like that, usually involving special events or evenings out. My weight loss is slower but I'm a much happier person. I also tend to eat what I want as long as I stay under my goal for the day hoping to get my protein in without demonizing any particular food or food group.
  • MBrothers22
    MBrothers22 Posts: 323 Member
    Options
    It's whatever you want it to be and absolutely not necessary.

    Pretty much. You'll get a lot of different opinions. Although I don't do "cheat days" the most sensible one I have heard is a day where you eat at maintenance. Still log everything so you don't go over that but I see nothing wrong with once in a while eating more. Your progress will be slower but it might actually help some stay on track
  • Nt2Badhuh
    Nt2Badhuh Posts: 107 Member
    Options
    Ok thank you. I have been doing fine without it .... I have eaten significantly over like twice in 6 months so I think I will just stay the same...but I was curious.
  • dmg8500
    dmg8500 Posts: 31 Member
    Options
    Today was my sisters graduation. My diary is open I went over by about 800 calories. I consider this a cheat day but I will make it up by my diet and the exercise I do. I prefer to log everything no matter how much you go over. Its important to know what your eating no matter how much it is. I don't even know how accurate my diary is but its close enough. Track everything no matter how much you go over,
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Options
    I don't think there are "rules" about cheat days! if you want to go over calories once in a while, then go ahead. If you want to eat what you like within your calories, that's absoultely fine too.
  • melissakitty14
    melissakitty14 Posts: 2
    Options
    For myself I just do a cheat meal, if I do an entire day I find it too easy to slip back Into bad habits.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Options
    I agree that it's basically whatever you define it to be, and it's not something that's necessary. I've never had designated cheat days, although I've certainly had days where I've eaten over my goal.

    One thing to bear in mind is that if you've been eating around 1300 calories for 6 months, you may benefit from a diet break of a week or two - where you still log but aim to eat at maintenance level. It's not about going crazy or falling off wagons, and you don't have to change the kinds of foods that you're eating now, but it can have potential psychological and physiological benefits. http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

    You also might want to look at a smaller calorie deficit at this point. With only 15 lbs to lose (and especially if that profile pic is current) you don't have the amount of fat stored to run a huge calorie deficit. I'd suggest aiming for a loss of 0.5 lbs a week at this point.
  • Debssssssssss
    Debssssssssss Posts: 84 Member
    Options
    My only "cheat meals" happen if I am going out to dinner. Which is once a month if that. I don't worry too much about what I'm picking at the restaurant, I just enjoy myself. I don't go ordering the entire menu, or picking things I know will make me feel blah later on. I quite like the way I eat when I'm counting so I don't go silly when I'm out.
  • MaggieLoo79
    MaggieLoo79 Posts: 288 Member
    Options
    If I cheat, I don't want to go over 500 calories (more than my goal). That way I'm really eating maintenance and not above it. :smile:
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    Options
    I eat whatever I want on every day but stay w/in my calories...so that's not a cheat day for me. When I have a true 'cheat day' what I do is eat around maintenance or a bit beyond.
  • Nt2Badhuh
    Nt2Badhuh Posts: 107 Member
    Options
    Thank you all for your input.


    I was thinking about changing my weight loss goal to .5 recently anyway. Maybe I will try it this week and see how I feel. I def ate over my goal yesterday but I don't think I am going to do "scheduled weekly" cheat days...
  • FitnessInstructorKhalil
    FitnessInstructorKhalil Posts: 43 Member
    Options
    Good question, your cheat day depends on what the other 6days were like, if you're a serious dieter and you don't even smell anything unhealthy throughout the week then yes you'll be allowed to eat a lot of other good stuff. But if your week is not the healthiest then you'll have to control your calorie intake on cheat day, maybe 500kcal over your normal intake. Its better to try and keep it healthy ie, you may want to eat a whole chicken, make sure its grilled chicken without the skin, cheat day doesn't mean you should go to mcdonalds and eat 5000 kcals because the next day you will have to go back on your normal diet and burning off those calories wont be easy, you'll need to whole week yi burn it off then here comes the next cheat day and you do the same thing which will leave you with even more calories to burn in a shorter time. Next thing you know you will be doing 2 cheat days a week and before you know it your diet will be out the window and you'll be back on junk food. So for cheat day, stay within 500-1000 kcal of your normal diet and keep the food healthy, high protein, low carbs as carbs are stored as fat by the body and proteins are used and not stored. I hope this helps lol
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    Options
    Personally I don't believe in cheat days for myself. I don't restrict any foods from my diet. I make it work into my calorie goal. I'm not sure how tall you are, but is the 1340 just what MFP gave you?

    I'm 5'5", I lift heavy 3x a week. I'm eating about 2000 calories a day, I'm losing weight. I eat what I want. Drink what I want. I make it fit into my day. I do the TDEE - % method. It's a set # of calories each day and I log exercise as burning 1 calorie. Of course I burned more but with TDEE you don't eat your exercise cals back.

    I'm gonna leave some links that may help you.

    Read these:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

    TL:DR the link right above this one then ->http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    Want to lift heavy things?
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Stronglifts Summary
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

    Stronglifts Womens Group
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,074 Member
    Options
    Good question, your cheat day depends on what the other 6days were like, if you're a serious dieter and you don't even smell anything unhealthy throughout the week then yes you'll be allowed to eat a lot of other good stuff. But if your week is not the healthiest then you'll have to control your calorie intake on cheat day, maybe 500kcal over your normal intake. Its better to try and keep it healthy ie, you may want to eat a whole chicken, make sure its grilled chicken without the skin, cheat day doesn't mean you should go to mcdonalds and eat 5000 kcals because the next day you will have to go back on your normal diet and burning off those calories wont be easy, you'll need to whole week yi burn it off then here comes the next cheat day and you do the same thing which will leave you with even more calories to burn in a shorter time. Next thing you know you will be doing 2 cheat days a week and before you know it your diet will be out the window and you'll be back on junk food. So for cheat day, stay within 500-1000 kcal of your normal diet and keep the food healthy, high protein, low carbs as carbs are stored as fat by the body and proteins are used and not stored. I hope this helps lol

    Please provide evidence that proves that carbs are stored as fat.
    Stop spreading misinformation.
  • Nt2Badhuh
    Nt2Badhuh Posts: 107 Member
    Options
    Personally I don't believe in cheat days for myself. I don't restrict any foods from my diet. I make it work into my calorie goal. I'm not sure how tall you are, but is the 1340 just what MFP gave you?

    I'm 5'5", I lift heavy 3x a week. I'm eating about 2000 calories a day, I'm losing weight. I eat what I want. Drink what I want. I make it fit into my day. I do the TDEE - % method. It's a set # of calories each day and I log exercise as burning 1 calorie. Of course I burned more but with TDEE you don't eat your exercise cals back.

    I'm gonna leave some links that may help you.

    Read these:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

    TL:DR the link right above this one then ->http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

    If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
    If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

    Want to lift heavy things?
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Stronglifts Summary
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

    Stronglifts Womens Group
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women


    I am 5'4 and yes MFP gave me 1310. I usually eat what I want every day and just make it fit within my goals but constantly on MFP I see cheat day this and cheat meal this and I realized I had no idea what anyone was talking about so I thought I'd ask.
  • Nt2Badhuh
    Nt2Badhuh Posts: 107 Member
    Options
    Good question, your cheat day depends on what the other 6days were like, if you're a serious dieter and you don't even smell anything unhealthy throughout the week then yes you'll be allowed to eat a lot of other good stuff. But if your week is not the healthiest then you'll have to control your calorie intake on cheat day, maybe 500kcal over your normal intake. Its better to try and keep it healthy ie, you may want to eat a whole chicken, make sure its grilled chicken without the skin, cheat day doesn't mean you should go to mcdonalds and eat 5000 kcals because the next day you will have to go back on your normal diet and burning off those calories wont be easy, you'll need to whole week yi burn it off then here comes the next cheat day and you do the same thing which will leave you with even more calories to burn in a shorter time. Next thing you know you will be doing 2 cheat days a week and before you know it your diet will be out the window and you'll be back on junk food. So for cheat day, stay within 500-1000 kcal of your normal diet and keep the food healthy, high protein, low carbs as carbs are stored as fat by the body and proteins are used and not stored. I hope this helps lol

    I do not think I would consider myself to be a "serious dieter" mostly because I refuse to make any changes that I cannot commit to for the rest of my life. I am not a "clean eater" but I have cut a lot of fast food out to fit into my goals comfortably. There is something that just pisses me off about running for an hour to eat 1 cheeseburger lol so I don't.


    I just see people referencing their cheat day a lot and I wanted to know what it was and why people do it.


    I am changing my weekly goal though... .5 right now to see how that works.
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    Options
    Cheat days are special days in different ways to all of us . For me, I eat anything I want within my maintenance calories. That way i am not affecting my hard work that i put in. I am short so that gives me about 1800 calories of whatever I want. I save these days for special occasions like birthday parties.

Categories