Allowing Cheat Days
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IMO you can have a bagel and a donut and wine, just not 3 bagels, half a dozen donuts, and a bottle of wine because calories. If you have the self control to keep those things within your calorie budget, go ahead and have them.0
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I don't view it as cheating. The only person I'd be cheating is me and since I choose to indulge when I indulge, it's not cheating - it's overeating.
I don't really schedule indulgences. I take them when necessary. If I'm at a birthday party, I may have a bit of cake. If I'm in an amusement park, I will eat park food (but usually take my own!) it's kind of just when it pops up, but not every single time it pops up.
It's really a personal choice. I chose to change my eating habits, so I don't really feel this burning desire to have donuts and stuff. It was hard at first, but is not a big deal now. I cleaned it up and am now perfecting it. Now I struggle with protein and micros, not resisting ice cream.
Start giving some thought to how you're going to live and eat after you lose the weight and begin practicing that now. That's my advice. 0 -
Don't do it! If you log everything, you will realize how bad cheat days and cheat meals are! One weeks calorie deficits (to lose weight) can disappear in one cheat meal a week.0
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I have a cheat treat day and it works fine for me. But when I cheat treat, it's usually just me splurging and having my favorite meal at a restaurant once a week. One bad meal doesn't trigger me to eat badly, but that's just me.
Edit: I LOVE that someone called it a treat day. Much better.
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I went to sunday brunch and had 5 yes 5 glasses of champagne. Had crab legs etc but stayed within my calories. Like everyone says it's a numbers game. Just keep your calories under your goal. However I'm on 1720 Cal a day so a little easier for me0
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mweh, I'll admit it. sometimes I get together with my friends and we drink, and we have some snacks, and we drink some more. and then there may be more snacks later. While I'm diligent most of the time, I don't beat myself up if I'm not instantly logging, or even remembering my intake on occasion. gasp! Maybe once a month it happens. I will get in extra exercise beforehand and there's usually some dancing going on. Most of the time, I'm happy in my designated driver role, sipping water. but sometimes I just wanna not be a calorie counter for a few hours. the trick is to get right back to it the next morning.0
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OP - find the threads about "banking" on here. It's easy to track a balance across days if you do it manually.
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ImI went to sunday brunch and had 5 yes 5 glasses of champagne. Had crab legs etc but stayed within my calories. Like everyone says it's a numbers game. Just keep your calories under your goal. However I'm on 1720 Cal a day so a little easier for mefeisty_bucket wrote: »OP - find the threads about "banking" on here. It's easy to track a balance across days if you do it manually.
Thank you so much for the link!! This will help me a lot!0 -
CObluegrass wrote: »mweh, I'll admit it. sometimes I get together with my friends and we drink, and we have some snacks, and we drink some more. and then there may be more snacks later. While I'm diligent most of the time, I don't beat myself up if I'm not instantly logging, or even remembering my intake on occasion. gasp! Maybe once a month it happens. I will get in extra exercise beforehand and there's usually some dancing going on. Most of the time, I'm happy in my designated driver role, sipping water. but sometimes I just wanna not be a calorie counter for a few hours. the trick is to get right back to it the next morning.
I relate to your laid-back approach. Glad to know I can build-in some flexibility. Thanks!0 -
There are times I eat at maintenance calories, but I don't know if that counts as a cheat, especially if I'm still under my weekly deficit. I mostly just try to work the things I want into my daily calorie goals.0
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I allow myself an 'off plan day' once a month when I'm on my period. It's what I call "I have cramps and I don't care what I eat today" day. Sometimes I log it, sometimes I don't.
When I first started I didn't allow myself any treats for the first few months because I didn't trust myself enough to think I could stop after one day or one meal. Now I know I can go off plan and jump right back on the next day.0 -
Having a cheat day works very well for me. My personal trainer recommended for 2 reasons 1) you'll eat better the other 6 weeks knowing you can cheat one day and 2) after eating well for 6 days and then eating junk you'll feel crappy and want healthy food. Personally, I don't cheat the entire day - just one meal on my cheat day.0
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I define cheat days (for me) as holidays or special occasions, like State Fair. I would be utterly miserable if I tried to keep to a strict moderation like I normally do, so I don't worry about it. The thing is, after logging and watching my calories for a long time, I find it takes less to satisfy me, so it's rare that I'm horribly over for the day. When it happens, I log it, shrug and move to the next day. Everyone has off days and as long as it's not a regular occurance, don't worry about it.
This^ For me learning that making a not-so healthy choice on occaision isn't going to undo all the progress I've made as long as I pick up the pieces the very next day has been the secret to my success. We can't go haywire all the time, but a day with a hamburger, greasy fries, chocolate covered pretzels, and two 32 oz Dr. Peppers (or insert your favorite thing here) every three or four weeks isn't going to cause weight gain if we're honestly logging and eating at a deficit at most all other times. Balance, moderation, and most of all persistence.0 -
musicandarts wrote: »Don't do it! If you log everything, you will realize how bad cheat days and cheat meals are! One weeks calorie deficits (to lose weight) can disappear in one cheat meal a week.
I log everything my last cheat day I went over 281 calories. It didn't even close to eat up my deficit for the week. I suggest you log it so if you do go overboard you can adjust if you try it next time.0 -
I have a few special days planned. My husband's birthday tomorrow, Valentine's dinner out, my birthday in March.0
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I always go for cheat meal instead of a cheat day, planned well in advance of course. And a bit of damage limitation is always good. For example, I'm getting some exam results tomorrow (eek!!) so plan to go out for dinner and drinks with friends in the evening. I'll still get up and do my morning gym, have a healthy breakfast/lunch and snacks and then just enjoy my evening cheat meal with a few glasses of wine (tracking it all in MFP of course).
I find planning them in advance really helps and stops you going off the wagon in the week running up to it. It may sound sad but I even put them in my calendar!
I'd say a cheat meal every 2-3 weeks is ideal as it won't limit your progress too much and it's still never too far away to look forward too.
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I always go for cheat meal instead of a cheat day, planned well in advance of course. And a bit of damage limitation is always good. For example, I'm getting some exam results tomorrow (eek!!) so plan to go out for dinner and drinks with friends in the evening. I'll still get up and do my morning gym, have a healthy breakfast/lunch and snacks and then just enjoy my evening cheat meal with a few glasses of wine (tracking it all in MFP of course).
I find planning them in advance really helps and stops you going off the wagon in the week running up to it. It may sound sad but I even put them in my calendar!
I'd say a cheat meal every 2-3 weeks is ideal as it won't limit your progress too much and it's still never too far away to look forward too.
Wow, congrats on the 14 lbs! I can't wait to be able to say that!! Thanks for the tips.0 -
When I started this over 2 years ago I logged *everything* for around 9 months, and got the worst of my weight off. Even if I went way over, that was fine as long as the week averaged out ok.
But now I do have days when I don't log, eg weekends, or even weeks - eg summer, hols, Xmas etc. But that is a lot easier to get your head around when you only have a few kgs to lose and are in decent shape. I'd always advise newbies to log everything until they get some serious results as well as clearer understanding of what does and doesn't work for them.0 -
high calorie days once in a while are normal
i know on valentines day i wont be caring about my food...you will find me in my cave surrounded by candy ,chips and tears0 -
Paul_Collyer wrote: »When I started this over 2 years ago I logged *everything* for around 9 months, and got the worst of my weight off. Even if I went way over, that was fine as long as the week averaged out ok.
But now I do have days when I don't log, eg weekends, or even weeks - eg summer, hols, Xmas etc. But that is a lot easier to get your head around when you only have a few kgs to lose and are in decent shape. I'd always advise newbies to log everything until they get some serious results as well as clearer understanding of what does and doesn't work for them.
That is a good tip. I am logging everything now. Tomorrow will start my 2nd week and I'll be doing it properly now that I've got a better idea of how it all works. I am looking forward to results -already down 1.6lbs! Thank you for the advice0 -
salembambi wrote: »high calorie days once in a while are normal
i know on valentines day i wont be caring about my food...you will find me in my cave surrounded by candy ,chips and tears
Lol!
Here's a hug! 0 -
UnikittyRocks wrote: »Does anyone who is having success at losing steadily allow themselves a cheat day or 2?
Personally I just take responsibility for what I eat and what training I do. If I go over target I don't stress about it, but note the reasons and then mitigate it.
If I choose to eat a very high calorie meal then I'll copensate over a couple of days by coming in under goal. If I miss a training session I eat less, and if I do a big session then I know I can eat more. Since most of my training sessions are 600 cals and upwards I can afford to do that.
Notwithstanding all of that the semantics are nonsense, who is being cheated when the individual doesn't take responsibility for their own intake and expenditure?0 -
I can't have a whole treat day or it completely derails me. I know my weaknesses lol. I do allow myself to have a treat here and there instead (eating out usually) and just adjust the rest of the day.
I've actually lost the taste for what used to be some favorites. Now that I've cut a lot of the processed foods and refined sugars and salt, some stuff just isn't good anymore - Reeses were one of my favorites and now it's like chewing a cake of salt lol. Now I just make my own chocolate pb things instead.
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I hate the whole "cheat" idea. Aren't you trying to learn better habits? Learn to eat what you enjoy in moderation and fit it into your day on a regular basis. You'll be much better off in the long run.
^This.
Nothing is "cheating". If I want something, I'll have it and log it and plan around it. I remember reading something around here about a study that showed that's how naturally slim people eat anyway, they naturally regulate their intake to keep the calorie level consistent.
I think it's a much better mindset to have -- the idea that no food is ever off limits, that you're in control of planning for something, not judging things good or bad, it's all just part of the overall plan. It's so much easier to not feel like you've set yourself back or lost your way.
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I do have a weekly "cheat" meal or day. It's not that I only eat lettuce and apples for the entire week and then binge on Saturday night or anything. I am quite diligent with tracking and hitting my calorie goal of 1600 every single day. Some days I eat mostly "clean" and other days I incorporate "junk" food. I just always make sure I stay at or under my calorie goal.
My "cheat" day is a day that I allow myself to eat at or a little over my maintenance calories. I find it a lot easier to have one day a week that I don't have to watch my calories as closely and I can have an extra serving or two of ice cream or sushi. Things I would normally eat anyway, but only this day I get to have a little more. It never derails me. I enjoy it and then get back on track Sunday morning. I'm down 51 pounds in a little over four months using this method. May not be everybody's thing, but it works for me!
I look forward to cheat meal every week!0 -
I read somewhere you shouldn't call it cheating, but treating. Makes me feel I have permission to have it, somehow. However, that having said, log your meals and see where you can squeeze in a treat within your calorie intake. I have a treat meal every Sunday, just one meal, not an entire day. I plan my breakfast and lunch around it, I take something that doesn't have much calories so I can indulge (within moderation!) at dinner. I choose Sunday for a treat day because I go back to work on Monday's and it's easier to get back in the daily routine and get back on the weight loss wagon. If I would do it on a Saturday and I am at home with something good to grab... it would just go downhill from there. 0
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I had a Big Mac meal yesterday. I regret nothing. I don't call it a cheat meal though.0
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I do have a weekly "cheat" meal or day. It's not that I only eat lettuce and apples for the entire week and then binge on Saturday night or anything. I am quite diligent with tracking and hitting my calorie goal of 1600 every single day. Some days I eat mostly "clean" and other days I incorporate "junk" food. I just always make sure I stay at or under my calorie goal.
My "cheat" day is a day that I allow myself to eat at or a little over my maintenance calories. I find it a lot easier to have one day a week that I don't have to watch my calories as closely and I can have an extra serving or two of ice cream or sushi. Things I would normally eat anyway, but only this day I get to have a little more. It never derails me. I enjoy it and then get back on track Sunday morning. I'm down 51 pounds in a little over four months using this method. May not be everybody's thing, but it works for me!
I look forward to cheat meal every week!
This will work for me
I worked out and treated myself to a Starbucks!! 0 -
What I started doing (this will be the second week of it, but overall I've been logging for 2 months) is to have one day (Friday or probably Saturday) to allow myself to go over my calories. It's not cheating, I'm still logging everything, and I still make good choices, but this can be a day when I go out to eat, which means it's so much harder to stay within calories, or have a few drinks, which also means I will probably go over. Or maybe have some desert, and more of it, that I normally wouldn't eat.
I'm talking about going over 400 calories tops, so it's nothing crazy, it's technically still at a deficit, or worst case at maintenance, just for one day.
I didn't do this for the first 2 months, but some very successful MFPers (lost 40+ lbs etc) said they do this, and it makes sense. This way I don't feel that it is a neverending strict journey, it's something that I can do on a very long run.0 -
I used to. Then cheat days turned into cheat weekends and then it all just went downhill from there.
So now what I do is, if an event comes up (a birthday dinner for example), I go and enjoy myself and order what I want. I log it and move on.
Other than that, I stick to my calorie allowance. Sometimes I make room for a chocolate bar at the end of the day. It feels like a "cheat" but I'm staying within my calorie allowance so it's really not.0
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