How often do you have a cheat day?

I have a cheat MEAL once every 10-14 days. I eat at a moderate deficit the rest of the time, so usually it evens itself out in the long run.

I do a cheat day once a week. I'm short and old, so my target is net 1200. There's no room for cheating on that low a number. This holiday week-end, though, I'm eating some things I shouldn't more than one day. I had a real cheat day yesterday, which I didn't track -- fried seafood, beer, and Dairy Queen -- but today, I had a couple of treats, but am working them into my plan. I'm not real proud of my diary this week-end.

Hi new friend!

I never have a cheat day if by that you mean a day you do not log. I don't try to meet calorie goals on a day by day basis, rather I balance them over the week. That gives flexibility for anything I want on a given day and go a little under on others. Not logging means you stick your head in the sand, cross your fingers and hope you don't undo all the deficit you worked hard to achieve. Makes no sense to me.

Plus it reinforces the negative idea that eating sensibly with a moderate deficit is something unpleasant you need a break from. Although Im now on a generous goal on my last couple of kg to loss, I never suffered on less, I ate great and gave nothing up.

I don't really pay attention anymore! Ever since starting my healthy lifestyle I have been craving only wholesome foods and fruits. I do often treat myself but only in moderation since it keeps me from binging on large quantities of unhealthy food.

I don't cheat. After two years, I have figured out how to enjoy moderate amounts of many delicious foods without going overboard or making food be the center of my life. Isn't that what "lifestyle change" means?

I do go over my calories every once in a while for a special occasion, but I'm okay with that. It's not often.

I work treats and higher calorie meals into my calorie goal. For special occasions, I eat what I want, log it and move on.

Hi new friend!

I never have a cheat day if by that you mean a day you do not log. I don't try to meet calorie goals on a day by day basis, rather I balance them over the week. That gives flexibility for anything I want on a given day and go a little under on others. Not logging means you stick your head in the sand, cross your fingers and hope you don't undo all the deficit you worked hard to achieve. Makes no sense to me.

Plus it reinforces the negative idea that eating sensibly with a moderate deficit is something unpleasant you need a break from. Although Im now on a generous goal on my last couple of kg to loss, I never suffered on less, I ate great and gave nothing up.

@litchfield. - you just stated something I have been trying to articulate for a long time. Right on! :drinker:

I have a cheat day once per week for about 3 months now and I am not one who believes in deprivation. My cheat day includes no exercise and eating something sweet ( normally). Sometimes I don't need a cheat day so I don't exercise. Having a once per week cheat day helps because normally I don't cheat or eat like I used to and my cheat days help me to see this. I had weight loss surgery 2 years ago.

i dont have cheat days. i dont cheat.

sometimes, like last night. i go over, but i still log and dont go over my tdee.

most of the time i make things fit.

i dont cheat because it isnt a game, its a lifestyle, and nobody has a lifestyle that doesnt vary occasionally, unless they are OCD.

when i feel hungry is usually when i go over, and when i feel hungry i give my hypothalmus what it wants. usually protein and fats which i tend to not eat enough of sometimes.

i should add though, it took me a few months to recognise the difference between hungry and bored or emotional. i can actually tell now most of the time.

I don't cheat. After two years, I have figured out how to enjoy moderate amounts of many delicious foods without going overboard or making food be the center of my life. Isn't that what "lifestyle change" means?

I do go over my calories every once in a while for a special occasion, but I'm okay with that. It's not often.

Ditto.

If you go over your target on Thanksgiving, it's a planned overage, not a cheat.

If you "need" weekly "cheat days" it may be a sign that your daily targets are too low.

What are these cheat days of which you speak?

I feel like I am moving away from "cheat meals or days" and eating what I want if I can make it fit into my calories for the day, and sometimes that doesn't happen. For example, a few weeks ago I gave in to my two week craving of a fresh glazed Krispy Kreme donut and ate three of them that day! I worked out to try to cover my damage for the day, but didn't quite succeed. I worked harder the next few days to burn extra calories to make up for it, but it bothered me that I went crazy over the donuts and almost undid my hard work for the entire week! I feel like I have learned from the mistake and I am trying to make better decisions as I continue along this journey. I know that tomorrow my aunt will bring over these butterscotch chocolate rice krispy things that I love and I will probably lose my mind over them and eat way too many of them. Knowing this I am trying to create a large calorie deficit today to give myself some wiggle room for tomorrow and I am planning on going hiking instead of having a rest day to help offset the damage too.

Cheating implies that you are on a diet, not living your life.
I splurge when I feel the occasion may call for it, and if the week I have had is consistent with healthy calorie intake.

er'day

No cheats at all for me. I fit it in my calorie budget, or it doesn't happen. If it works for some folks, that's good for them, but cheat meals turn into a cheat habit reeeeealll quick with me, so I don't risk it. Besides, I've found that I get far more pleasure from indulgent meals knowing that they fit into my budget than I do by ignoring that budget. There's something very satisfying about knowing I'm still walking the weight-loss road while chowing down on my favourite high-calorie meals. :happy: