Cheat Days

I don't have "cheat days" as such, but I allow myself to relax my regime a bit more at weekends, especially if I am seeing friends; and then try to exercise more to balance it all out.

ChaseRobinson85 wrote: »

Can you all just shut up about what you call it, or how you 'prefer to reference it'. Nobody cares. Some of you guys way over think things and regurgitate lines from your beloved health mags. She (the OP) had a question about cheat days. Have a cheat day and make it awesome. Go to work and be disciplined 6 days a week and then eat as your heart desires. Just make that cheat day about eating what you want. It's great for your soul. If you listen to some of these guys you will burn out, hbarnesccs.

No moderation will not cause you to burn out. Moderation is what makes a diet sustainable. I eat regular servings of the foods I love and fit them in my calories because this is the way I plan on eating after I lose the weight. Many of us that do that don't need cheat days because we don't deprive ourselves to begin with. Depriving yourself is what will lead to burn out. Cheat days are one of my pet peeves. If you need a cheat day, then you are doing something wrong and may need to reevaluate your diet to see if it's something that will be sustainable for you in the long term. Now I can see OPs point about get togethers and not counting calories on certain days when it's not practical, but honestly, I don't agree with planning a weekly cheat day and suffering through the whole week to get to that day. Like I said, if it's that hard that you need to have a break, you might need to reevaluation what you're doing.

By the way, moderation is one of the main ways most people fit foods into their diet on this site. If you don't agree with it, you are in the minority, and perhaps this isn't the place for you.

jnv7594 wrote: »

ChaseRobinson85 wrote: »

Can you all just shut up about what you call it, or how you 'prefer to reference it'. Nobody cares. Some of you guys way over think things and regurgitate lines from your beloved health mags. She (the OP) had a question about cheat days. Have a cheat day and make it awesome. Go to work and be disciplined 6 days a week and then eat as your heart desires. Just make that cheat day about eating what you want. It's great for your soul. If you listen to some of these guys you will burn out, hbarnesccs.

No moderation will not cause you to burn out. Moderation is what makes a diet sustainable. I eat regular servings of the foods I love and fit them in my calories because this is the way I plan on eating after I lose the weight. Many of us that do that don't need cheat days because we don't deprive ourselves to begin with. Depriving yourself is what will lead to burn out. Cheat days are one of my pet peeves. If you need a cheat day, then you are doing something wrong and may need to reevaluate your diet to see if it's something that will be sustainable for you in the long term. Now I can see OPs point about get togethers and not counting calories on certain days when it's not practical, but honestly, I don't agree with planning a weekly cheat day and suffering through the whole week to get to that day. Like I said, if it's that hard that you need to have a break, you might need to reevaluation what you're doing.

By the way, moderation is one of the main ways most people fit foods into their diet on this site. If you don't agree with it, you are in the minority, and perhaps this isn't the place for you.

What? Am I in the minority? Really? You know the thoughts, theory's and opinions of every MyFitnessPal community member? How in the hell do you know what she needs or wants to eat? Do you think everyone's brain/body chemistry is the same? And if I don't conform to your way of thinking then I should leave? WOW. I'm not going to waste my time debating your poor sense of logic. As we like to say here in Nashville, Bless your heart.

I don't have "cheat days". I have a calorie deficit that is a range. I eat a little less a few days out of the week, and eat above maintenance one day a week. I look for a weekly net calorie intake that will give me a .5 lb per week loss.

It's my experience (like most things) you'll have to find out how much your body can "handle" without stunting your progress. Personally, I do not schedule cheat days. I find that a random outing or surprise party leave enough room for naughty behavior that I don't need to plan it out. Plus psychologically I find scheduling them compels me to really really look forward to them and therefore not look forward to eating healthfully most of the time. I'm a mesomorph, I can lose weight and gain weight pretty easily. So if I do cheat it's typically my favorite foods, not just sorta-kinda-bad foods, I'm talking jumbo buttery croissants or a large slice of cheesecake. I've read a lot of articles about how bad cheat days can be for new dieters because they make new habits harder to form. You may be better of focusing on reshaping your thinking about food entirely (cold turkey on all garbage) OR finding clean version of all of your favorite foods. I prefer the former, I'm an all or nothing type of girl. Good luck!!

ForeverSunshine09 wrote: »

jnv7594 wrote: »

ChaseRobinson85 wrote: »

Can you all just shut up about what you call it, or how you 'prefer to reference it'. Nobody cares. Some of you guys way over think things and regurgitate lines from your beloved health mags. She (the OP) had a question about cheat days. Have a cheat day and make it awesome. Go to work and be disciplined 6 days a week and then eat as your heart desires. Just make that cheat day about eating what you want. It's great for your soul. If you listen to some of these guys you will burn out, hbarnesccs.

No moderation will not cause you to burn out. Moderation is what makes a diet sustainable. I eat regular servings of the foods I love and fit them in my calories because this is the way I plan on eating after I lose the weight. Many of us that do that don't need cheat days because we don't deprive ourselves to begin with. Depriving yourself is what will lead to burn out. Cheat days are one of my pet peeves. If you need a cheat day, then you are doing something wrong and may need to reevaluate your diet to see if it's something that will be sustainable for you in the long term. Now I can see OPs point about get togethers and not counting calories on certain days when it's not practical, but honestly, I don't agree with planning a weekly cheat day and suffering through the whole week to get to that day. Like I said, if it's that hard that you need to have a break, you might need to reevaluation what you're doing.

By the way, moderation is one of the main ways most people fit foods into their diet on this site. If you don't agree with it, you are in the minority, and perhaps this isn't the place for you.

You my dear are ridiculous! I do not deprive myself for the week. I do not wipe out all my hard work in one day. I moderately eat treats all week. But, ya know what? Sometimes I am just going to want 8 oz of buttery cheesy pasta. It does not matter what my deficit is on a daily basis it would never be enough. All you ppl who get all angry and snobby about the word cheat day sound hangry. I mean seriously your way is not the only right way. I have been doing this a little over 2 months and I have lost 26 lbs. Obviously I figured out what works for me. I plan to stay here because this is where I want to be. To say I can fit all things I love to eat in moderation is ridiculous because you have no idea what I eat. I am making a lifestyle change not a freaking diet. I will continue to defend the idea of a cheat day. I am not stupid I realize you can't cheat your body but, it is an easy word to convey what I am doing. I could careless if it annoys all you semantic crazies.

I like you hahaha

Pelamblue wrote: »

ForeverSunshine09 wrote: »

jnv7594 wrote: »

ChaseRobinson85 wrote: »

Can you all just shut up about what you call it, or how you 'prefer to reference it'. Nobody cares. Some of you guys way over think things and regurgitate lines from your beloved health mags. She (the OP) had a question about cheat days. Have a cheat day and make it awesome. Go to work and be disciplined 6 days a week and then eat as your heart desires. Just make that cheat day about eating what you want. It's great for your soul. If you listen to some of these guys you will burn out, hbarnesccs.

No moderation will not cause you to burn out. Moderation is what makes a diet sustainable. I eat regular servings of the foods I love and fit them in my calories because this is the way I plan on eating after I lose the weight. Many of us that do that don't need cheat days because we don't deprive ourselves to begin with. Depriving yourself is what will lead to burn out. Cheat days are one of my pet peeves. If you need a cheat day, then you are doing something wrong and may need to reevaluate your diet to see if it's something that will be sustainable for you in the long term. Now I can see OPs point about get togethers and not counting calories on certain days when it's not practical, but honestly, I don't agree with planning a weekly cheat day and suffering through the whole week to get to that day. Like I said, if it's that hard that you need to have a break, you might need to reevaluation what you're doing.

By the way, moderation is one of the main ways most people fit foods into their diet on this site. If you don't agree with it, you are in the minority, and perhaps this isn't the place for you.

You my dear are ridiculous! I do not deprive myself for the week. I do not wipe out all my hard work in one day. I moderately eat treats all week. But, ya know what? Sometimes I am just going to want 8 oz of buttery cheesy pasta. It does not matter what my deficit is on a daily basis it would never be enough. All you ppl who get all angry and snobby about the word cheat day sound hangry. I mean seriously your way is not the only right way. I have been doing this a little over 2 months and I have lost 26 lbs. Obviously I figured out what works for me. I plan to stay here because this is where I want to be. To say I can fit all things I love to eat in moderation is ridiculous because you have no idea what I eat. I am making a lifestyle change not a freaking diet. I will continue to defend the idea of a cheat day. I am not stupid I realize you can't cheat your body but, it is an easy word to convey what I am doing. I could careless if it annoys all you semantic crazies.

I like you hahaha

Thanks! I try. It seems this topic pops up every day at least once and some ppl just sound like they know everything and they couldn't possibly be wrong. It is incredibly aggravating!

I don't schedule them but I try to 'hold out' until Saturday's and if I fancy something naughty I'll have it then. Only because Saturday is when my husband usually has a day off and we like to take the kids out or have a treat together. I try to have a small amount of nice things (chocolate mainly!) throughout the week, all within my daily calorie allowance of course.

I don't agree with " cheat days " you set yourself for failure. " cheat days " for me at least throw me off..I end up binging all day..not knowing when to stop and I continue to just cave just cause. I however agree with rewarding yourself with a " meal " or a " snack " once in a while..but definitely not a day where you cheat all day.