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Anyone do performance based cheat meals?

Losingthedamnweight
Losingthedamnweight Posts: 538 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Like "hey when I lose 5 lbs I'm gonna allow myself a cheat meal" type of deal. This is what I'm doing now and it motivates me to work harder for that meal

Replies

  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    If you think you have to cheat, you're doin' it wrong.
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    Nah, I reward myself for reaching goals but I don't use food to do it. That's not a healthy habit for me.

    Instead I'll say things like "when I fit into the lower pant size, I'll treat myself to a new pair of jeans".
  • Nottafattie
    Nottafattie Posts: 140 Member
    Mine is neither a cheat or reward meal. It's more like an acceptance meal. I accept that this is a lifestyle change and that I can't eat purely fun stuff all the time, but removing all the fun stuff isn't logical either. One meal a week, usually Sunday evenings unless a holiday comes up, I eat something purely for the sake that it is good for my soul, even if it isn't the best for my body. My kids like to get involved in my Sunday treat too, help me plan it or share their treats.

    I'd love to say I could plan for a little something every day, but moderation and I are not the best of friends. I have to keep the goodies on a tight leash or I will talk myself into a little more, then a little more, and since it's already gone to hell, a little more. And forget having entire days of it!
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    Oh, I eat chocolate almost every day, and I indulge for holidays, festivals or the occasional night out with friends and allow myself to eat stuff that wouldn't otherwise fit into my calorie goal. This is a lifestyle change for me, too, and I'm not restricting myself more than necessary because real life happens and it's meant to be enjoyed.

    But I try not to see food as a "reward" because that's unhealthy for me. Food is food.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Losingthedamnweight wrote: »
    Like "hey when I lose 5 lbs I'm gonna allow myself a cheat meal" type of deal. This is what I'm doing now and it motivates me to work harder for that meal

    Absolutely not. For me, that's a setup into past eating disordered behavior.

    I eat what I want, I just don't eat as much as I sometimes would like. I have treats very often, and love every minute of it.

    For example, I found these wonderful double chocolate chip cookies that are 75 calories for 14 grams. I had 3 cookies, went 2 calories over my daily goal, I'm as happy as a room without a roof!


  • soccerkon26
    soccerkon26 Posts: 596 Member
    edited February 2015
    Losingthedamnweight wrote: »
    Like "hey when I lose 5 lbs I'm gonna allow myself a cheat meal" type of deal. This is what I'm doing now and it motivates me to work harder for that meal

    A lot of people on MFP really don't like the phrase "cheat meal"...some people get really sensitive over it but it's just how they process their journey to a healthier life.

    I know what you mean, and I have (what I consider) cheat meals! But when I lose a certain amount of weight I'm rewarding myself with clothes!! :)

    Do whatever works for you :)
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    No cheat meals here. I've worked too hard to enjoy blowing it with a high calorie meal. If I want something special, I make it work. Everything in moderation.
  • Losingthedamnweight
    Losingthedamnweight Posts: 538 Member
    I didn't really mean reward myself so much as use that as kind of a mark to allow yourself for moderation. Some people do a cheat meal once a week but i felt like that was too frequent for me. Every 5 lbs sounded about right.
  • Wiseandcurious
    Wiseandcurious Posts: 730 Member
    SergeantSausage wrote: »
    If you think you have to cheat, you're doin' it wrong.

    Just curious Sargeant, do you have a script programmed that posts that at the hit of a button :) I think I've seen you post that exact phrase multiple times before. If it wasn't you, excuse me please.

    I have to say that I completely agree with that quote however. If you examine the logic behind cheat meals, you will invariably see something that could be optimized for you to feel better and stick to your weight loss plans easier. That's not to say that it won't necessarily work for *you*, but that you could probably do better to create sustainable eating habits in the long run.
  • luckypony71
    luckypony71 Posts: 399 Member
    Nottafattie wrote: »
    Mine is neither a cheat or reward meal. It's more like an acceptance meal. I accept that this is a lifestyle change and that I can't eat purely fun stuff all the time, but removing all the fun stuff isn't logical either. One meal a week, usually Sunday evenings unless a holiday comes up, I eat something purely for the sake that it is good for my soul, even if it isn't the best for my body. My kids like to get involved in my Sunday treat too, help me plan it or share their treats.

    I'd love to say I could plan for a little something every day, but moderation and I are not the best of friends. I have to keep the goodies on a tight leash or I will talk myself into a little more, then a little more, and since it's already gone to hell, a little more. And forget having entire days of it!

    Ditto
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