Strict numbers

if i stay pretty close to my target calories like give our take 100 calories. i will have a good loss that week. anything more i just have less of a loss for the week. you will see what works of you

you'll also get mixed responses on cheat days. i don't do cheat days nor believe in them. but hey do what works.. trial and error

That cheat day could easily set you back for the whole week. Winners never cheat. Cheaters never win!

Depends on your deficit... If you have say, a 500 calorie deficit, then on your cheat day when you eat whatever you want, you could easily wipe out your deficit for the week and end right back at square one to start your new week.

I dont stick to my calorie allowance "religiously"... some days Ill end up eating more, some days I'll end up eating less, but I do track everything I eat, and by the end of the week, it almost always averages out. On the weeks where my average is less, I lose more...in the weeks when my average is over my calorie goal, I stay the same or have even gained.

But I definitely do not try to reach "perfection" every day...thats too much pressure! I try to stay at least within 100 cals of goal, if I manage to do that, I consider the day a win. If I eat out I dont sweat it since I usually have one or two low calorie days that will eventually even that out. But if I waited for one day to go all out, I personally, would ruin my efforts throughout the week. Instead, if Im in the mood for something, I just work it into my day at the time that I want it. But I know that for others, the opposite is true and better...to be strict and then have one day to eat more.

Just, make sure to log, that way you know just how much you can "go all out" on yoru cheat day...that way you dont go overboard and undo a weeks worth of work in one day.

I balance my calories across the week. I eat until I'm satisfied and some days require more food to satisfy me, so I rarely have consistent day-to-day number.

A lot of people focus on the weekly deficit and move calories around within a week. I used to do that. Another possibility (which I currently do) is look at your settings and understand what MFP is saying is your maintenance number and then when you go over on occasion just stay below that number. You'll lose a bit less for the week, but no harm.

joannejmo wrote: »

Hi. Do people always stick to the calorie allowance religiously? I mean how accurate can the amount your given be it varies from person to person. I ask this because occasionally I fancy a treat and this would it be ok to go over a little occasionally will it sabotage things? I do 6 days cal counting 1350 a day and usually earn 250 in gym too then have 1 day off a week-cheat day where I eat anything I want. Take away or meal out usually consumed and lots of chocolate I look forward to that day but sometimes I want to slip on other days a little bit feel bad if I don't remain perfect on the good days

No religiously or perfection for me. These numbers are just suggestions as far as I'm concerned. Even without counting calories, I know from life experience if I'm eating a bit more than I should, and I just start cutting back "a bit."

I am a foodie also but have found tons of substitutions to allow me to indulge and still meet my calorie goals. One of my favorite tricks is to order two appetizers instead of a main when going out to a nice restaurant. At home I play around with different spices and add tons of veggies to decrease total calories.

I'm an 80/20 or 90/10 type person. So I either use that 10-20% for treats each day during the week OR all at one time as a sort of cheat day. But if you have treats every day and then also have a full cheat day, that 10-20% starts to become more like 20-30% and you can really slow down your progress....