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MyFitnessPal Community

My Cheat Day always becomes a Cheat Weekend

semira6

I'm having a hard time sticking to my calorie allowance on the weekends. I've read that it's ok to have one cheat day so your body doesn't get used to a decreased number of calories and stop dropping pounds. However, instead of one cheat day I always have at least two and I know that can't be good for me. I just have a hard time because friends want to go out to dinner each night and get drinks and I don't want to deprive myself of those experiences.

Any advice on how to stick to one cheat day? Also, is there any trick to increase my calorie allowance on MFP for just that day so it doesn't look like I'm in the red? Any advice would be appreciated.

Replies

jwhit31

I presonally don't get this whole "cheat" thing. If there are things you enjoy such as chips, chocolate, McDonalds, cheesecake, whatever...fit it into your macros once in a while. I have not given up anything. I had pizza last night and finished my day under my calorie goal.

And if I go over my calorie goals once in a while, it is never by much and I don't stress about it since my average for the week is a deficit.

If I know I want to drink or people are coming over or whatever, I just workout extra hard and burn more cals than I normally would (that day) to give myself some breathing room. No cheating, I stay within my cals.

^^^THIS^^^

FORIANN

best you can do is alow a cheat meal, not a whole day that keeps you happy and still on track

Word up. This works. A cheat day just goes too far in my opinion....a meal once every week or two isn't a bad idea though.

RobynDCrossman

I personally feel like you should just work your calories in. I used to have the same dilemma. My cheat days became weekends, then weekends became long weekends, then I was way off track all the time. I don't look at the change as a "diet" but more of a lifestyle thing - you can eat the things you desire, in moderation. Balance! Hell, I'm in Mardi Gras season so I've been consuming king cake. Why? Because I give up a latte for it.

FORIANN

Also...on days I eat things I normally wouldn't I'll just throw an extra hour of cardio into the mix. Not sure if that counts as cheating, but one meal a week I have desert etc and it keeps my in a good frame of mind and doesn't affect my physical fitness progress/goals.

lr8812

Since I started, in November, I've had at least 4 cheat days. So around 2 a month. One was Christmas Eve, where I went all out. White Castle, McDonald's, Italian food, cookies and cake, etc. I remained the same weight though! It was like a miracle...

I'd say, one day per month go ALL out. Hell, last night, I had pizza and cookies... and I felt upset, but it's only ONE day. Now today time to put some extra effort in at the gym...

amandaruiz2011

Honestly? I don't do cheat meals or cheat days. Instead, I work whatever it is I want into my daily calories. I find this way to be easier for me and less like a diet. I don't fall off the wagon on weekends because I can have what I want, when I want it. Perhaps something like this may work better for you? This would allow you what you want during the week too - so you are less likely to want to binge on the good stuff come the weekend?

If you don't think that will work for you, then I would suggest making sure you get in a good workout on the weekends in order to make room for the stuff you want to eat/drink in your daily calories.

This is what I do also. I don't feel good about myself when I allow myself to "cheat". That's just the state of mind I have. If I can't fit it into my daily calories I don't eat it. As I get closer to my goals, I may change that, but as for now, I don't feel like I am even dieting really. I am not "stuffed" all the time, like I was before, and look forward to my meals. another thing, if there is something I really want, I will get it in smaller portion, where it won't break me for the rest of the day.

Hope this helps

SugarDiva

This is exactly why I don't allow myself a "cheat" day. I allow myself small treats every couple days. Maybe a hand full of M&Ms or a serving of chips. I've tried the "cheat" day and I screwed it up every time. Find a system that works for you and stick with that.

merzback

i dont like to call it "cheating" i like to take whatever it is, a piece of chocolate, cake, burger...whatever it is and work it into my daily calories. its much easier that way and you dont have to have a "cheat" day or a "cheat" meal. its a healthy lifestyle change so take your daily life and revamp it into your new healthy lifestyle. if you call it a "diet" you are more likely to fall off the wagon! dont deprive yourself, everything is better in moderation!

OMG you ROCK! Why can't people STOP calling it CHEATING for goodness sakes. It's the diet mentality that keeps people fat- telling yourself you're been BAD or that you're a cheater is not going to help anything at all!

IHeartNewMe

I'm having a hard time sticking to my calorie allowance on the weekends. I've read that it's ok to have one cheat day so your body doesn't get used to a decreased number of calories and stop dropping pounds.

I've never heard of this. No matter what you call it, cheating is exactly that, cheating! When I made the decision to embark on this journey back on January 25, 2011, I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I said to myself, "I am going to stop lying to myself, stop the 'fudging' (***pun intended***) and come clean with myself, 'no matter who don't like it'! If I can't be honest with myself, how can I expect anyone else to be.

If I were you, on dinner out days, I would either eat a meal before you go out with your friends and then just have a cup of coffee or an iced tea. Or, decide what you are going to order before you go and order a "to go" box with your meal. As far as drinks, don't have any if not on your meal plan. If you get flack from your friends for it, then number 1) they probably aren't really your friends, and/or 2) you may have to put those dinner plans on hold until your weight is down or until you know you are in control. This may sound harsh, but for me personally, this decision is far too important to me to let anyone or anything stand in my way. Surround yourself with people that are supportive of you during this journey.

And hey, if you do slip up every now and then, don't beat yourself up, just go back to the basics and start fresh on the next meal. Good luck in your journey!

moejo3

When I know I am going out to eat I try to view the nutritional information and plan accordingly (as much as possible!) and get in a good work out both days. You really arent eating very much so you should fill up quickly. I think portion control is the trick whether you are eating out or at home. Best of luck!

ImperfektAngel

Cheat days work better for me than cheat meals. With a day of bad food I tend to not want it anymore the next day. If I only have a meal I want more

jontv76

I cheat every other weekend.

From_fat_to_healthy_

I had the same problem too but then i realize that if a cheat day is bad for me then maybe it's good for me not to have it and instead i just eat a cheat meal once or twice a week because then i can manage my eating after the cheat

milaortiz30

Ok here is my problem with this. I am having the same situation. I've lost the same damn 5lbs over and over again because I'm losing it during the week then gaining it back on the weekends. My problem is I'm on these low carb plans (Medifast/TSFL) so if i go off-plan it takes like 3 days to get back into "fat burn" mode so really when i cheat i'm ruining the whole week! i've tried eating "clean" and working out a ton but it doesn't work as well as the medifast/tsfl plan. HELP! how do i not cheat on the weekends. i know i just need to man-up and NOT do it but in the interim, while i gain that determination, what can i do!

Timshel_

Yup. I think TONS of people have the same problem. I know I do. My only success is when I am consistent over a whole week, least the weekends kill my deficit for the whole week!

It is simply the choice you have to make.