To cheat or not to cheat... That is the question...

I see a little bit of cheating as helping me keep my sanity. I'd go crazy if I thought I'd never have another beer, slice of pizza, etc. And also, it's nice to be able to go out with friends to a restaurant and not sweat the menu.

I try to not ever cheat (I don't always succeed mind you). The goal is to change my life not do a temporary fix to my weight issue.

If there's something I really want to eat or drink, I plan for it during to day and make sure I've got enough in my calorie budget to enjoy that thing in moderation. Sometimes that requires an extra workout, sometimes just eating less during the day.

i always have a little bit of what i like, i dont count it as cheat days, i count it as life, its unrealistic to think i'll never have pizza again, so if i want it i'll try and work it in, if i go over every now and again, one bad day will not ruin all your progress!

Doesn't the term "Cheat" itself convey some kind of backwards movement or negative thinking?

If you're following a healthy and active lifestyle, you shouldn't have to deny yourself things your enjoy...like a night at the pub, or ordering pizza now and then.

One day doesn't make or break you....it's being aware of individual choices that are made over the long term which make the difference.

The concept of a "cheat" seems backwards in that you're going to give yourself a "negative reward" for all your positive progress.

Wouldn't it be better simply to enjoy yourself knowing you're educated enough to make the individual choices in the long run that allow you to not have to deny yourself the little things now and then.

Everything in moderatoin so long as it fits into your lifestyle and activity level.

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If you are going for weight loss there shouldnt be what you would call a normal cheat day because you can totally ruin your progress with one day and if you are going for that and do wanna cheat try to do it after your body has began to use the right kinds of food the way is suppose to.
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This is true. My fiance's birthday was the 17th. We ate all kinds of bad stuff and drank tons too. Days later, water weight going away, I have gained back 9 of my 12 lbs. Very sad. Some "cheat" may be okay, but lots of "cheat" = bad news for progress!

I have not yet had one day mess up my progress, not even one weekend (yeah I had a "Cheat weekend")

My cheat days are about once a week and they are not grossly bad. I tend to go over by a bit due to indulging in an ice cream sundae or by just eating too much and not getting my exercise in or something.

You need to go OVER by 3500 calories to gain a pound, so doing that in a day is HIGHLY unlikely.

I *do* see it as slowing down things, because while I may not gain any weight I won't lose as much as I could have....but if the difference is down to something like losing half a pound instead of a pound then I don't really care.

I want to be a normal human being, eat healthy most of the time, indulge once in a while and be healthy. If you're bodybuilding or something then of course it's a different story.

I try to follow roughly a 90% good food 10% cheat food policy. I don't measure those percentages exactly just eat right most days and let myself go a bit on days when friends want to eat out or there's birthday cake at the office or something. Sometimes I walk a little extra to burn off those cheat calories, sometimes I don't.

I've been losing pretty consistently so it seems to be working. Nothing fast just slow, steady, and doable.

I don't cheat, I work in the foods I love every day to fit within the parameters of my calorie needs. This allows me to never feel deprived, feel fully satisfied, and not fall subject to binges of any kind.

I do strive to make the foods I love a little healthier every time so it's easier to incorporate them and feel good about having them.

For example, I can't have potato chips they are generally fried in corn oil and corn of any kind now makes me sicker than sick for two days straight.

Today I learned how to make fat free potato chips that are crispy and so good. They take the place of a normal potato serving and cost the same calorie wise. I'm still getting great nutrients, a good food, and the chips I want.

For me that's the secret to succeeding. Is to eat how I love within the boundaries every day because it is a life change if I want it to work in the long run. So that's what I do.

If you take it as a cheat meal instead of a whole day of cheating then I think you'll be ok. Most of the diet articles I've seen suggest having a cheat meal from time to time. It helps keep you focused during the week knowing that you have a cheat meal coming up. It's kinda like picking a visual landmark to sprint to when you're running that is just beyond where you think you can go. You keep going knowing that you're almost to the stopping point, in this case it would be your cheat meal.

If you've overdone it you can always add 5-10 mins to each of your workout sessions or do an extra workout session that week to help make up for straying.

i don't do cheat days. I do cheat meals but i always keep within 10% of my daily calorie goal. Out of 35-42 meals a week, i "cheat" on 3-5.

I love Eggers response. I totally agree with him.

I allow myself a single cheat meal once a week.... I won't even log the food for that meal. Granted "I allow myself" one, I won't always use that "coupon". It all depends on if I feel like having that meal that week. I found it keeps me away from cravings... and it gives me something to look forward to for keeping my head in the game the entire week and staying on mission every single meal that week.

I "cheat" by eating lunch out with my co-workers once or twice a week. It keeps me sane and makes me realize that I CAN have the foods I love - in moderation. And yes, I throw in a little extra cardio so that I don't beat myself up over it. Honestly, it is a lifestyle change - it is about realizing YOU control your FOOD... not the other way around. :^) Good luck!!!