Cheat meal or not to cheat meal.. that is the question
eyecandyrayce
Posts: 260 Member
I see this question asked all the time and I see a lot of people word the answer as a definite "NO!" or a "Sure!". Here is the answer... do you need a cheat meal? If you have one, are you still losing weight?
It is that simple. Considering that this is a life change and you can't go back to eating fatty foods as soon as you reach your goal weight (unless you want to be a yoyo), can you eat like this forever?
Myself, I don't want to avoid rich yummy food. I got heavy because I enjoy rich foods. I don't see why I should stop eating rich foods EVER and trying to stress about only eating 1/4 of a meal at a restaurant so I only eat X number of calories destroys the joy of the meal for me. However, I have no problem with earning my cheat meals. So here is how I make it work for me:
I go to the gym 4 days a week and I keep track of the low end of my calorie burn (the machine says I burned 380 but MFP says I burned 420. I take 380). I do not eat these calories back during the week but instead keep a tally of the calories earned each day. I also climb a minimum of 15 flights of stairs at work (I work on the first floor and use the 3rd floor restroom) and I walk a mile at lunch each day. I do _not_ track that calorie burn.
By the weekend I have 1500 calories that I earned just from the gym. That is my cheat calories. I can eat 1500 calories over my 1400 daily calories. Mealwhile, there is more calorie burn from my mile walk and stair climbing that isn't part of those totals.
I am consistently losing 1.8 to 2.6 pounds a week this way yet I have had to unfriend people on here for giving me a hard time by commenting about eating 2800 calories on saturday.
I guess my main message here is.. do what works for you. You set your goals. You know what you can and can't do and through trial and error you will find what you can do as a long term change. Don't let people tell you that their way is the only way that works. However, if it isn't working for you, be prepared to try something new and don't stick your feet in the ground and swear you are doing everything right even though you are gaining weight.
Good luck to everyone!
It is that simple. Considering that this is a life change and you can't go back to eating fatty foods as soon as you reach your goal weight (unless you want to be a yoyo), can you eat like this forever?
Myself, I don't want to avoid rich yummy food. I got heavy because I enjoy rich foods. I don't see why I should stop eating rich foods EVER and trying to stress about only eating 1/4 of a meal at a restaurant so I only eat X number of calories destroys the joy of the meal for me. However, I have no problem with earning my cheat meals. So here is how I make it work for me:
I go to the gym 4 days a week and I keep track of the low end of my calorie burn (the machine says I burned 380 but MFP says I burned 420. I take 380). I do not eat these calories back during the week but instead keep a tally of the calories earned each day. I also climb a minimum of 15 flights of stairs at work (I work on the first floor and use the 3rd floor restroom) and I walk a mile at lunch each day. I do _not_ track that calorie burn.
By the weekend I have 1500 calories that I earned just from the gym. That is my cheat calories. I can eat 1500 calories over my 1400 daily calories. Mealwhile, there is more calorie burn from my mile walk and stair climbing that isn't part of those totals.
I am consistently losing 1.8 to 2.6 pounds a week this way yet I have had to unfriend people on here for giving me a hard time by commenting about eating 2800 calories on saturday.
I guess my main message here is.. do what works for you. You set your goals. You know what you can and can't do and through trial and error you will find what you can do as a long term change. Don't let people tell you that their way is the only way that works. However, if it isn't working for you, be prepared to try something new and don't stick your feet in the ground and swear you are doing everything right even though you are gaining weight.
Good luck to everyone!
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Replies
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In the end, the numbers and math will win out. If your 'cheat meal' (when averaged out with your other days) puts you into an overall caloric surplus, then it's going to be counterproductive. If you can still, over the long term, stay in a deficit, no prob.0
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You just worked out a way of making CICO work into your lifestyle. Kudos to you. You've earned those calories therefore officially they are not "cheat" calories. 100% on board with enjoying rich yummy foods.0
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^^^^ I LOVE this.0
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I guess I "cheat meal" all the time because I like food just as long as I've worked out enough. Some days though I cheat and don't workout
still losing weight though! Also I'm pretty sure that's how weight watchers works they give you extra weekly points to use as long as you use them in that week. 0 -
eyecandyrayce wrote: »do what works for you. You set your goals. You know what you can and can't do and through trial and error you will find what you can do as a long term change. Don't let people tell you that their way is the only way that works. However, if it isn't working for you, be prepared to try something new....
I like your way of thinking. I'm the same way about cheat days/meals. I think having one meal of anything I want, but eaten in moderation, once a week is a good idea and hopefully one day I can work up to having a whole day like that but right now I'm still learning to make the right healthy choices on a daily basis. But you're right, this is trial and error and no one's perfect.
I wish my office building had more than one floor
it would help me out a lot but I have started finding reasons to get up and move around more. Thanks for the post and congrats on the weight loss, keep it up 
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i just eat what i want and aim to fit it into my calorie goal.. sometimes if i go over a little that's ok..
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Hey whatever works for you. I only have 15lbs to lose so a "cheat meal" is just not something I can afford with my calories if I want to lose weight.0
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i have days where i eat whatever i want and dont log but they are just days and they are not every month . I dont do the cheat meal thing but you need to find what works best for you0
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I lower my calories during the week, and hit the macros and calories for that reduced number (I increase the protein). On my "cheat day" I set my goal back to my real calorie allotment, look at my weekly total and deduct what's leftover . If I stick to the lower number all week, I have an awesome cheat meal and it all evens out. If I overate I have less to play with, but still get a day to eat a little more. It's all about that weekly number, or what you do most of the time. It works0
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salembambi wrote: »i have days where i eat whatever i want and dont log but they are just days and they are not every month . I dont do the cheat meal thing but you need to find what works best for you
Exactly . Nothing wrong with having a day now and then where you don't log and eat what you want as long as you are happy and it doesn't make you give up. I only lost 25 pounds all of last year and gained some of that back over x-mas break. But I'm in this for the long haul so I don't really care. My goal this year is to lose 30 though because I want to get closer to my goal.
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I hate the word cheat. It is a filthy word that implies you are doing something insidious. I prefer "treat" or "splurge" or "celebration." Savour the flavour, the textures, the company you are breaking bread with if applicable.0
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Not super crazy about the term "cheat meal" because not logging it doesn't mean it didn't go into my body. However, I agree with the overall sentiment. I will probably go way over today because I have 190 cals left and I haven't eaten dinner yet (I work until 8pm). I will likely end up choosing something that is more than 190 cals because my DH is having a boys night and that gives me an opportunity to eat something I like and he hates (probably either sushi or Indian food - he is extremely picky). I will count what I eat for dinner, and I will move on. Weekly-wise, will still be at a deficit. But tracking when I go over does help so that if I didn't have a good week on the scale, I know why and I can fix it. I hope that makes sense.0
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I don't care for the term "cheat", as I'm not doing anything wrong. I eat yummies every single day, so never feel the need to splurge. I think it's great you've worked it into your allotment!0
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I don't like calling something a "cheat" because that implies that it's bad or that guilt should be associated. Of course that is a personal opinion and I know not everyone thinks the way I do. I prefer to try my hardest to not have any negative perceptions on food or eating though.
ETA: I think it is messed up that anyone would judge you for going over though. I missed that part when I was reading your post. I think if you've found something that works for you then that's awesome.0 -
I disagree. "Cheat meal" should be insidious otherwise it wouldn't be fun and it would be normal 0
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For me personally, I try to work in my favorites throughout the week. I might have to modify them a little or cut back but I have learned through trial and error that once I get that ball rolling it takes me a hell of a lot to get it to stop. It has also helped because I am not telling myself no on anything in particular so I don't feel desperate or deprived as stupid as that sounds. It's been said before but I'm on the bandwagon with, whatever works for you is what works.0
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If you have to have a Cheat Meal, you're doin' it wrong.
What you described, OP, is NOT a Cheat Meal. It is a planned for, calorie budgeted event that fits within your quota of allowed calories. The calories are simply time-shifted... but they are within your normal calorie intake parameters.
How is that a "cheat"?0 -
You just worked out a way of making CICO work into your lifestyle. Kudos to you. You've earned those calories therefore officially they are not "cheat" calories. 100% on board with enjoying rich yummy foods.
Right! How is it a "cheating" if it fits into your CICO levels?
Its NOT a cheat meal!
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I have had plenty of people refer to any meal that is not "healthy" as a cheat meal. And I don't mind calling it a cheat meal but just like the entire topic of this thread, to each their own.
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You know what? You are doing this for you and not for your MFP or any other friends. I think we all do what works for us. MFP is a tool and people use tools what works for them and the desired results. If something is working for you then so be it. If it isn't working then you get advice if you want it. Call it a cheat meal. Call it Fred. You do what you need to do and congratulations on your continued success. We are here to support each other and achieve our success!! Kudos to you!!0
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What is "healthy"?
Well correct BMI for age, sex and height is right? I can only hope to "cheat" like you OP because it will lead me to a healthy outcome. 0 -
carolynmo1969 wrote: »I hate the word cheat. It is a filthy word that implies you are doing something insidious. I prefer "treat" or "splurge" or "celebration." Savour the flavour, the textures, the company you are breaking bread with if applicable.
So much this.
I log everything. Certain days I'll give myself a free pass on going over, but I still log and count it. And, you know what? Even after big food days or weekends (Thanksgiving in Georgia with family dinners and big southern breakfasts? Oy.) I have always netted a deficit at the end of a week.
I say, log it all, (your body will, even if you don't put it on MFP) and look at your weekly stats. It's not a "cheat," it's balancing out your weekly caloric budget, no different from saving a few bucks here and there so you can splurge on that new limited edition vinyl box set you have your eye on.0 -
I love the OP's approach! You earned that meal! If it helps you stick to your weight loss/control plan than it's all good. I "calorie shift" too. I eat less during the week, more on weekends, but keep my average daily calories low enough to lose weight. It works and is something I can see myself doing for the rest of my life.0
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I have no problem with the word "cheat" here. I don't mind "diet" either though I know it can ruffle feathers.
My take is that as long as I'm still losing weight (because that's my goal) and feeling good (nice amount of energy, not deprived, generally getting *kitten* done), then flexible meals and days are absolutely fine, and for me they feel necessary. I don't exercise but I'm fairly low cal (1200-1300) most days, so I can afford the calories.
One thing I do try to do is not use this flexibility for emotional or stress eating. For me this may start a stress/eat/guilt cycle and I might end up seriously derailed.0 -
One thing I do try to do is not use this flexibility for emotional or stress eating. For me this may start a stress/eat/guilt cycle and I might end up seriously derailed.
That is something I had to learn over the last year. If I get emotional, I try to suck down some more water to keep myself from stress eating.
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cheat
tʃiːt/Submit
verb
1.
act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage.
"she always cheats at cards"
gain an advantage over or deprive of something by using unfair or deceitful methods; defraud.
"he had cheated her out of everything she had"
synonyms: swindle, defraud, deceive, trick, dupe, hoodwink, double-cross, gull; More
informal
be sexually unfaithful.
"his wife was cheating on him"
synonyms: commit adultery, be unfaithful, stray, be untrue, be inconstant, be false; More
2.
avoid (something undesirable) by luck or skill.
"she cheated death in a spectacular crash"
synonyms: avoid, escape, evade, elude, steer clear of, dodge, duck, miss, sidestep, bypass, skirt, shun, eschew; More
noun
noun: cheat; plural noun: cheats
1.
a person who behaves dishonestly in order to gain an advantage.
indulge
ɪnˈdʌldʒ/Submit
verb
1.
allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of.
"we indulged in a cream tea"
synonyms: wallow in, give oneself up to, give way to, yield to, abandon oneself to, give rein to, give free rein to; More
antonyms: stifle
become involved in (an activity, typically one that is undesirable or disapproved of).
"I don't indulge in idle gossip"
informal
allow oneself to enjoy a particular pleasure, especially that of alcohol.
"I only indulge on special occasions"
synonyms: treat oneself, give oneself a treat, luxuriate in something, give oneself up to pleasure; More
satisfy or yield freely to (a desire or interest).
"she was able to indulge a growing passion for literature"
synonyms: satisfy, gratify, fulfil, satiate, quench, appease, feed, accommodate; More
2.
allow (someone) to enjoy something desired.
Just saying.0 -
I love how people are obsessing over the verb I used rather than the message. Hopefully I helped someone out there. I'm out.0
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I absolutely love the idea of a cheat meal! I have one about every two to three weeks. I know that one naughty meal isn't going to kill my weight loss, and that it helps those "naughty cravings" that we all get from time to time. I usually have a cheat meal for lunch though. I've noticed that I sleep better without eating crappy food at night, and at least if I eat a load of calories earlier in the day, I've given myself some time to burn some of those calories off.
My last cheat meal was a homemade double bacon cheeseburger. And it was AWESOME. I'm looking forward to my next big cheat: PIZZA!0 -
cotewalter wrote: »You know what? You are doing this for you and not for your MFP or any other friends. I think we all do what works for us. MFP is a tool and people use tools what works for them and the desired results. If something is working for you then so be it. If it isn't working then you get advice if you want it. Call it a cheat meal. Call it Fred. You do what you need to do and congratulations on your continued success. We are here to support each other and achieve our success!! Kudos to you!!
lol @Fred, LOVE this! Very true. Thanks for posting OP. I might try your method as I also love food (and, frankly, looking forward to things) so it just makes sense. I've just started out with my weight loss so I am also finding it difficult, as someone earlier posted, to stop the ball once I get it rolling.0 -
eyecandyrayce wrote: »I love how people are obsessing over the verb I used rather than the message. Hopefully I helped someone out there. I'm out.
High five!0
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