How often do you "cheat"?

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  • mjemerson
    mjemerson Posts: 141
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    I guess it depends on what you consider a cheat. Find a way to fit my creamer, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, and Hoffman sharp cheddar cheese into my days. You can take a look at my diary but I always stay in my goals. I will not cut things out completely because I think it is foolish to do that, no offense to anyone!!!!!! I have found though that I don't need as much anymore which helps.

    A true cheat day for me would be to order a large, meat pizza with extra cheese, chocolate eggs and a chocolate bunny, lol that is what I did last Friday. The only thing I do along with it is pound the water and I mean really really drink a lot!!! Then when you dont think you can drink anymore have another glass. The next morning I hadn't gained any weight, and I got right back on the band wagon. As for adding to your diary I usually do a quick calories add because I have NO idea how much I ate. Usually adding around 1500-2000. This is above and beyond whatever else I ate that day.

    I think a day like that is ok no more then once a week and I think there needs to be a true week, 7 days between, cheat days!
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
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    No such thing as cheating in my world. Once a week, on Saturday or Sunday, I splurge and eat whatever I want (cheeseburgers, pizza, cake, all of the above or none of the above, depending on desire). And yes, I go over on calories. WAY over. That's been an integral part of my system since the beginning, and it will be till the end (unless I ever do something crazy like enroll in some sort of body building competition, years down the road - not likely).

    Other than that, I don't "cheat", but sometimes circumstances (or lack of discipline) occur and I end up eating something outside of my regular "authorized" food. That's life. It happens once in a while. No need to obsess over it. And I never try to "make up" for it by eating less the next day or "exercising it off".
  • Micheller1210
    Micheller1210 Posts: 460 Member
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    It depends on the paramiters you have put up in place to what you would call cheating, An eye opener for me was learning the difference between "indulgence". And "gorging", so I try to enjoy my indulgence withen my alloted calories. I don't have the guilt factor.
  • DaniJeanine
    DaniJeanine Posts: 473 Member
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    It depends on the paramiters you have put up in place to what you would call cheating, An eye opener for me was learning the difference between "indulgence". And "gorging", so I try to enjoy my indulgence withen my alloted calories. I don't have the guilt factor.

    This is very true! There's 3500 calories in gaining a pound of weight, so if you "cheat" SO much that you're going 3500 calories over your daily allowance (which would be a definite binge) then you're crossing the line from indulgence to gorging. Make sure you don't go totally buck wild and you should be fine once per week lol
  • stacsir
    stacsir Posts: 9 Member
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    I don't call my indulgences cheating. I eat what I want when I want. But here is the kicker, I search myfitnesspal for the caloric info prior to letting it slide past my lips. and then I make my choice if I think I really need whatever it may be or just want it. 90% of the time I pass after seeing the nutrition information.
  • MissAnjy
    MissAnjy Posts: 2,480 Member
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    Not often enough, let's just say that lol
  • Brandicaloriecountess
    Brandicaloriecountess Posts: 2,126 Member
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    About once every other week I eat something I normally would not, but I still stay within my calories.
  • pnieuw
    pnieuw Posts: 473
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    I'm pretty good during the week, mostly because I stick to the food I bring to work, and my routine in the evenings. It's Saturday and Sunday, when I'm home during the day and have access to the fridge and snacks that get me in trouble. I'll indulge in a bowl of chips, and a cold beer, but ensure I have a balanced nutrition day, too. Once a week for me is great, and it keeps me from ripping open a bag of Doritos at 2 in the afternoon and feeling like crap later.

    Cheat - but count the calories!
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
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    Lately TOO often. I try to only have a "treat" night once a week and it ranges from just a few snacks to an entire day depending on the occasion (like wedding vs going to a movie)
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
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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>

    I am so confused when I hear this! This concept means I would either have to burn more than 1300 calories per day or practically starve myself.

    Can someone please clarify this for me! :)
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
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    Yea you have to burn more than you eat for the day.

    I am so confused when I hear this! This concept means I would either have to burn more than 1300 calories per day or practically starve myself.

    Can someone please clarify this for me! :)

    You burn a few thousand calories just from being alive and doing your daily activities. Just as a random example, a 30 yr old woman, who is 5'5", 140 lbs and lightly active, burn appx 1868 calories per day. (this is per http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-metabolism-calculator; other online calculators may vary, but they should be in the same ballpark).

    Now suppose she exercises and burns 300 more calories today.

    1868 + 300 = 2168 total calories burned that day

    So, on this day, if she eats less than 2168 calories, she will have burned more than she ate. Tada.

    If she was shooting for 1 lb lost per week, that should be a 500 calories per day deficit. 2168 - 500 = 1668. Assuming the 300 calories is typical, this fictional woman should be eating 1668 calories per day to lose a lb per week.

    See this link for a more in depth explanation.
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits
  • rodneyderrick
    rodneyderrick Posts: 483 Member
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    If I enjoy some ice cream at the end of the week, I don't consider that cheating. I log everything I do, and I have days where I make a point to go into the red. For example, Saturday I will go into the red because I plan on going out to eat. Sunday, however, I'm back to business. I don't worry about that one day that I go into the red because I've done the math.

    How many people question if they will workout tonight? This isn't a question for me. I will workout tonight unless I die or a family member dies. And if a family member dies, I will get a workout because I'll clean the house until it's spotless because I'd plan on having company on Friday to help me mourn.

    Will I workout on Friday? It's not a question unless I die or a family member dies. I won't come home until I've gone to the gym or the track. I sum up my day with a workout. If I haven't worked out, then I know my day isn't done.

    Will I workout on Saturday? It's not a question unless I die or a family member dies. I'll run somewhere between 8 to 10 miles at the park in order to give me enough calories to eat like a pig when I go out with the family.

    Will I workout on Sunday? Hell no. I'm still human and need a break every once in awhile.

    Will I workout on Monday? It's not a question unless I die or a family member dies. I will devote at least an hour to me everyday. It's like this every day unless I've scheduled a day that I've decided to rest.
  • rodneyderrick
    rodneyderrick Posts: 483 Member
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    I wish I could delete a second post.
  • JustBreathSB
    JustBreathSB Posts: 103 Member
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    I just read this thread and it has made me feel much better about going out for lunch tomorrow (it's my birthday, what better day to have a "cheat day"?)
  • jen0619
    jen0619 Posts: 414
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    I used to "cheat" and well after months and months that eventually lead to binging because I wasn't allowing myself to eat the foods I know I will not give up forever. I couldn't just take one day either and eat whatever i wanted and go over. I eat the foods I want that people consider "bad" or whatever whenever I feel like it. If it fits into my caloric goal why worry about it when it all works out in the end. This way I don't have to take one day to "cheat" I enjoy my life everyday not just once a week.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
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    I don't call it a cheat day, but if there's an occasion I'm going to (business conference, wedding, family get-together) then I'll make healthy choices from what's available, but not stress too much about going over on my calories that day.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
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    I have gone over my calorie allowance maybe 5 times in the 5 months I have been here, but only by 100 cals or so, so I guess that's the closest I get to a cheat day (though I don't really get the concept if you are only cheating yourself). I do leave calories occasionally for little things like a glass of wine or some chocolate, but make sure I fit those within my daily calorie allowance.

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