How often do you "cheat"?

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Gerkenstein
Gerkenstein Posts: 315 Member
in Food and Nutrition
How many treats, indulgences, whatever, do you allow yourself each week? And how big are they (snack, meal, beverage, etc.)?

I make my treats fit into my calorie allowance, but am wondering if maybe I'm doing it too often or with too much food even though I'm not "stuffed" afterward. Would love others' perspectives on what they've found works for them without feeling deprived of anything or overindulgent.
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Replies

  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
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    Stick with in the calories you are allowed and you shouldnt gain anything. make sure you are taking vitamins if you are eating unhealthy. Hey that guy did the junk food diet and lost weight, he just made sure he was watching his calories.
  • dawnw30
    dawnw30 Posts: 270
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    I am not an expert and I am not saying this is the best way - (phew - had to add that so I don't get hollered at by anyone...LOL) but I do a whole day off. On Sunday I do not exercise and I eat whatever I want - IN MODERATION ofcourse. It helps me to not cheat during the week and gives me something to look forward to. It has been working well for me. Everyone is different, ofcourse, so I'm sure that alot of people handle this issue differently :happy:
  • rgutie1
    rgutie1 Posts: 84 Member
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    One in 45 days and it haunts me. I dont consider it cheating if I stay under my calorie goals.

    Its not exactly in the spirit of things but here are my two cheat stories.

    1) After not siing my firends for a while I went out with them and we eventually ended up at a bar downtown. I continued to log my calories when around 11:45 I ran out calories. I waited till midnight and than started drinking again. It reduced my lunch the next day but it was worth it.

    2) Ribfest is coming up in a few weeks. I plan on only working a half day so I can go on extended bike ride to create a calorie buffer.
  • aquababy
    aquababy Posts: 8
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    Sometimes I go all out and don't log anything in (usually on weekends), other times I input EVERYTHING I eat because if I don't I might as well not be using MFP at all.
  • strapple
    strapple Posts: 353 Member
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    i always stay within my calories (which still usually satisfies me) and give myself three cheat days a month. then after my cheat day i double my work out if it was a really bad day.
  • lilhellion74
    lilhellion74 Posts: 2
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    I found what works for me is that I allow myself one "cheat" day. Now I'm not saying go out and have McDonald's for all three meals, I do allow myself to eat the pizza and wings.

    I've learned that if I deprive my body from its cravings, then it will start hanging onto every calorie I eat! Allowing myself to eat what I love most once a week (and not overdo it either), I take care of the craving and I feel like it gives my body the boost to burn calories and shed the pounds.

    Good luck!
  • lkewlness
    lkewlness Posts: 1
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    Yea you have to burn more than you eat for the day.
    <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/797/9868/7979868.png&quot; /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Nutrition Facts</a> For Foods</small></p>
  • meemo88
    meemo88 Posts: 436 Member
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    usually its a snack. i always fit something sweet to my day .. something like:

    sugar free mousse pudding
    sugar free candy
    sugar free popsicles
    rice cakes - flavors
    skinny cow ice creams

    everyday. or ill go insane lol... as long as u log it!!
  • beverlyl64
    beverlyl64 Posts: 381
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    Usually a cheat meal is ok, but everyday I don't believe is a good ideal. The added empty calories is such a waist when you could be getting the calories from more nutritious based foods. Everyone has to do what works best for them, so these are just my thoughts and what works for me.

    Good luck!
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
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    I messed up my meals on Saturday. Woke up at noon went out at 2pm to eat sushi. all you can eat :S had a scope of ice cream, fried tempura shrimp and deep fried eggplant with it. afterwards i was full and didnt eat dinner. went to the movies at 10 and shared a popcorn without added butter. when i counted all my calories at the end of the night i was still under 1200 calories... and i lost 4 lbs that week. :) If only everyday was like that. lol
  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
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    I typically allow myself one "splurge" day to not count calories but try not to wayyy over-do it, just if I'm going out to eat, which is pretty rare, or having a big family thing. I haven't taken a non counting splurge day for awhile but plan to for a big family picnic on Memorial day.
  • luvmy2babies
    luvmy2babies Posts: 94 Member
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    My cheat days are normally on the weekend. I don't eat the greatest but for the most part I still stay within my calorie budget.
  • devenwarvel
    devenwarvel Posts: 26 Member
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    I cheat all weekend. After reading these posts, I feel a little guilty about that! I do try and work out on Saturdays though, so I guess that offsets it. I don't think I would stick to any sort of healthy diet if I didn't give myself those days.
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,427 Member
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    I don't consider it "cheating". This is how I plan to eat for the rest of my life. I eat things in moderation and plan for special events. If I'm going out to dinner, I'll get a big workout in to make room for the extra calories and then I enjoy myself. It's working so far for me.
  • sweetiepie31612
    sweetiepie31612 Posts: 240 Member
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    I don't have designated cheat days or cheat snacks. I try to stay w/in my calories every day. That being said though, if there is a special occassion, like visitors from out of town, or a brithday or graduation, I'll cheat the whole day. You see a lot of talk on here about zig zagging calories...thats kind of what I do. I don't like telling ppl I'm on a diet, because they then just tell me I don't need to be. So...I just "cheat" and allow myself whatever i want when there are a bunch of other people around. If its just one or 2 girlfriends out for drinks or dinner or something though, I make sure I save enough calories. The way I figure, being under my calories 90% of the time allows me to cheat 10% of the time. It shocks my body so I don't fall into a rut.
  • Scentlessapprentice
    Scentlessapprentice Posts: 170 Member
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    I NEED to have chocolate everyday, so as long as I have been good all day I reward myself and usually have calories left over. if not I do an extra 30 mins on the exercise bike. I also have take away at a weekend.
  • whouwannab
    whouwannab Posts: 350 Member
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    One in 45 days and it haunts me. I dont consider it cheating if I stay under my calorie goals.

    Its not exactly in the spirit of things but here are my two cheat stories.

    1) After not siing my firends for a while I went out with them and we eventually ended up at a bar downtown. I continued to log my calories when around 11:45 I ran out calories. I waited till midnight and than started drinking again. It reduced my lunch the next day but it was worth it.

    2) Ribfest is coming up in a few weeks. I plan on only working a half day so I can go on extended bike ride to create a calorie buffer.

    You are smart. I like the way you make it work!! lol
  • Lori07
    Lori07 Posts: 136
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    I cheat almost every weekend. I can't stand sitting next to my husband on the couch and he is eating an ice cream sandwich and I am not. lol Or chips or a chocolate bar or something very tasty. I will not go over my calories if I can help it but to me you can't just eat half of an ice cream sandwich.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
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    I have yet to go over my calorie goal, but I would say I indulge every single day. I don't even consider it cheating. Whether it's a bowl of ice cream, a cupcake, a small order of french fries, a donut or waffles and bacon on a weekend morning, I have something that I see as decadent and delicious every single day. Eating like that makes it really easy for me to stay on track without ever feeling deprived.
  • DaniJeanine
    DaniJeanine Posts: 473 Member
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    I allow myself to cheat 1 day per week. That means I eat whatever I want without counting it. I'm not all-out binging, but I don't hold back.

    As far as day-to-day, I eat natural peanut butter, some form of dark chocolate, and a glass of wine everyday. As long as it fits into your calorie goal then it's totally fine. That being said, peanut butter, dark chocolate, and wine are not classic "junk food". I wouldn't recommend anyone eat processed junk everyday--purely for health reasons. But if you have a food or drink you love, make it work :-)

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