Cheat Day?!

I have reserved myself to special ocasions such as birthdays, etc. It is too hard to try and work it all off again the following week for me personally. I have a friend who does it one day a week though... not sure the right answer, but that is how I do it and see others.

I agree with the cheat day. I have on once a month. I don't stuff myself until it hurts to breathe, I just eat some of the high-calorie food I wouldn't normally have. I went over by 300 this time. I save those foods for that day and i don't regret it or lose motivation the following day. If you can still maintain the portion control, I say go ahead.

congratulations for going a month without cheating!! I saw that today too, on the Dr. Oz show, is that where you saw it? My advice is if you don't think you want or need a cheat day, then don't cheat! I don't know the scientific aspect of it really, just that it helps your metabolism burn the fat quicker (I think)... my guess is if you're going to take a cheat day, do it once every week or two weeks, and I probably wouldn't pig out. Just eat something that you want to eat that day that will make you go over your daily calorie goal. I don't know if I'm right, but this is how I understood it!

I do a "free day" every Sunday. This is not an ok for me to eat anything and every thing, but it is a day where I can have something I've been craving. I normally do go over my calories on that day, some times a little, some times a lot. I have currently lost 16 pounds (actually gained some over Christmas and lost it again). The main thing is to find what works for you. Every one's body is different. Also, you have to be realistic with making this a lifestyle change. If I went into this saying I was never gonna eat my faves again, I wouldn't last very long. But if I have a craving on Tuesday and I know I can have it on Sunday, it helps me. And sometimes by the time Sunday comes around I'm no longer craving it. Good luck!

I haven't had one in awhile either... hrmmm....

I used to plan cheat days on my really intense workout days. That way, I burned 500 extra that would justify making home made pizza :-).

Don't plan a cheat day. We all have days that we miss the target and I say don't beat yourself up over those. I do believe in zigzagging your calorie intake, but doing so with healthy choices.....meaning eating more calories for a short period to time, then returning to your MFP guided calorie zone. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet for me, so there is no cheating or I cheat myself!

This is really good advice!! I went over today and I keep kicking myself in the butt for it.. but I know if I get right back on track tomorrow everything will be fine!

I don't think you should give yourself a whole cheat day. You know how hard you worked to get rid of those pounds. I do think that you should reward yourself once a week with a treat. Maybe an ice cream or something that you have been craving. If you make a whole day out of it, you will easily gain a couple of pounds that one day. Good luck!!!

Personally, I don't ever "plan" a cheat day in. I do the best I can, every day, and I know that there may be one day every wk or 2, when it will be a slightly higher calorie day (going out to eat, invited to some function, etc). When those days come around, I don't go all out and eat like a crazy woman (high fat and calorie, everything in sight). I still try to eat well, and am conscious about my choices, but I don't make myself miserable either, by not allowing myself to have something, if I want it.

B/c most every day, I come in under my calories, I know that the day that I go slightly above (and I mean, maybe 300 calories, give or take, which could be a slice of cake, for ex.), won't ruin my diet, and may possibly even help reset my metabolism a bit. I don't know if this helped or not, but I would be careful about actually planning a day where you can eat "what you want". It kind of sets you back on the idea of lifestyle changes, if during the wk you're really good, and every Sat. you go chow down on wings, beer, pizza, etc. Everything in moderation, and it'll be fine.

Don't plan a cheat day.

I've been following this idea myself - I found on a cheat day I would eat way more than I needed to just to 'spoil' myself because it was planned.

Cheat days for me have been routine events (family re-union / xmas function) that have made it difficult to stay within the target calories for my goal - but that I'm not going to beat myself up over afterwards as my healthy routine will continue on the next day.

For me 'cheating' has more been like rewarding a good workout session or just a good week with something that sits within the healthy lifestyle.

I've steered clear of a cheat day, because I feel that a whole day of eating off your plan doesn't really help. I have been eating healthier for a month and a half, and during that time, I have had a couple of "cheat" meals. A couple of weeks ago, I was craving pizza. A big slice of greasy cheese filled pepperoni pizza. I got the craving on Friday and resisted the urge until Sunday. On Sunday, I couldn't resist anymore (thanks football and constant Pizza Hut commercials)
and after talking to my husband, he agreed to get one pizza for lunch. I had the smallest piece in the box, two of the smallest ends of the garlic bread he also ordered and I ate it slowly, tasting the food and enjoying the flavor. I also downed a whole 16oz glass of water as I ate, usually taking a big drink after I finished swallowing every piece.

Since then, I haven't had the craving. For dinner, it was right back on track with calorie counting and healthy eating. I do believe that sometimes you have to listen to your body and eat what isn't necessarily the healthiest for you, but learning how to portion control and not do it often is the key to success I feel.