The idea of Cheat Days doesn't make sense...

OK, we're not just here to lose weight, we want to keep it off, right? This is a lifestyle change, right?

Then how does the idea of a "Cheat Day" fit in?

Don't all my days eventually show up on or off my thighs?

So are you saying you're going to eat perfectly for the rest of your life? Pretty much everyone has special occasions that come up where we would like to eat more calories than usual. It's good to learn how to handle those occasions without going crazy. And no, one day off will not show up on your thighs. It's what you do the majority of the time that matters.

I do not consider special occasions, for which I have planned, as "cheat" days. I live my life intentionally and with purpose. That is not cheating.

I don't believe in "cheat" days or calling it "cheating" to eat certain foods, period. I can choose to eat anything I want, any time I want. To label a food choice as a "cheat" is to attach negativity to the consumption of it and the suggestion of wrong doing as though it's not fully within my rights to decide what I want to eat and when I want to eat it. the whole concept seems to lend itself to the building of a bad relationship with food. so no....it doesn't make any sense to me either.

Don't care what you call them, but some days I just need to let it out and eat more. And yeah, I have no problem with calling that 'cheating'.... because I go over my calories those days by a lot... even if I work it off and eat less the next week to make up for it. I don't count any food as cheating though... because there are no bad foods... but the amount of food can be cheating.

It's a lifetime change and some days will involve eating more than usual, there's no way around it.

I dont see the need for a cheat day either. I will go over some days but they are not planned. There's no right or wrong way, just what you're comfortable with and works for you.

I don't cheat and I don't have any 'guilty pleasures' both those terms imply I'm doing something wrong. Instead, I eat whatever the hell I want, every damn day, as long as it fits my calories. Some days are healthier than others but I always find room for chocolate or cake

I don't cheat and I don't have any 'guilty pleasures' both those terms imply I'm doing something wrong. Instead, I eat whatever the hell I want, every damn day, as long as it fits my calories. Some days are healthier than others but I always find room for chocolate or cake

Exactly this. Great explanation.

I DO NOT have cheat days. I occasionally have a day where I overeat, but I do not "cheat". No foods are forbidden, everything I eat is part of my overall eating plan no matter how many micronutrients, or lack of them, there is. If I overeat one day here and there, so be it.

Usually after an overeating day, I will go to my MFP reports and figure out the average net calories over the last seven days, including the day with the high number. More often that not, my average is slightly below my net goal so I already made up for the one higher calorie day by staying a little under for the week. That way I don't feel like I need to "make up" for the high calorie day by eating less the next day, I can just keep on swimming forward.

I rarely have "cheat" meals anymore. I just eat within my calorie goals and fit in treats that way.

But… "cheat" meals actually make perfect sense to me when considering it a lifestyle change. I am trying to change the way I eat overall… Less for one…. but also, more fruits and veggies. Whole grains. Lean meats and dairy. Less boxed dinners and fast food. However… I don't consider it realistic that I'm *always* (meaning 100% for the rest of my life) going to eat that way. Or that I'm always going to eat at or below my calorie goal. Allowing myself a "cheat" meal every now and then when I just eat whatever sounds good (or whatever is served) or I just eat what I want without measuring/weighing out every bite… that is perfectly in line with a lifestyle change. Most days I will be eating good healthy foods at or below my calorie goal. But every now and then I will allow myself to just eat.

BTW… I put cheat in quotes, because it's a common term that most people understand and one I use myself… but I certainly don't look at it as if I'm actually cheating or doing something wrong.

The semantics in this thread, just ugh. You know what the OP meant

I watch a weekly deficit. Wednesdays and Fridays almost always work out as cheat days. I went over by 900 calories yesterday due to a catered lunch at work which I very much enjoyed and a burger and blizzard for dinner. I'll likely still end the week with my 1/2 lb deficit due to eating normal the rest of the week and my workouts. My lifestyle has changed because I didn't used to do this three years ago and I am more or less at my goal weight with any additional losses being a bonus. Can't ask for much more, really. Maybe I could have done it without eating junk food, ever, but to me , the concept is too dull to even bother finding out.

Then please explain it to me. I have IDGAF days pretty regularly and still lose. It works for me. I'm having a hard time reading the OP as anything but sanctimonious.

Cheat days have wrecked my progress (even though they were recommended to me by a personal trainer).

I'm attempting to just fit in controlled treats in my daily calories as and when I feel the need for them instead of going all out at the weekends and cancelling out any calorie deficit I've achieved during the week.

It's quite difficult to get out of the restrict-binge mentality though but fingers crossed I will get there with time and patience.

The majority of the time, I just work treats and such into my calories and macros. I don't find a need to have a planned cheat day/meal every week because I'm not depriving myself of anything.

However, there are certain special days that I don't worry about calories. Like my birthday or Christmas. Or the day I went to Six Flags. But these days are very rare (less than once a month), are decided on far in advance (its not a "what the hell, I already ate like crap today so just give in" kind of reaction), and are unavoidable. I can't imagine thinking about my calories or my macros on Thanksgiving.

I think that this is part of making this a lifestyle chance and a sustainable plan. Its what you do the majority of the time that matters. Taking certain days to completely relax, not worry about food, and just enjoy time with your loved ones are a necessary part of life. A lifestyle that doesn't include them is going to lead to failure (IMHO).

I find that cheat days are overwhelming to me (the last 2 words mean this will be my opinion). I can not overeat ( such as a cheat day would imply) and feel good anymore. My plan allows me to work in a few things I like throughout my week.

The most important step I have made is to not let all the delicious food be my source of happiness or the solution to life's problems/stress.

Do I still enjoy my favorite foods? Yes. Do I make them my reason for living? No.

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OP is there a reason why cheat days can't be part of a lifestyle change? If people are losing weight with cheat days, then why wouldn't they be able to maintain on them as well? Your post doesn't make sense...