Cheat meal
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HailDawgs
Posts: 30 Member
Hi MFPals,
I have a final exam tomorrow morning, and I have worked hard this entire semester studying.
On top of that, I have been exercising 3 times a week and cutting my calories by way less than recommended (I have since adjusted it to just shy of 1,800). I have lost 24 lbs., and I am loving life (minus the occasional cravings)!
So, my personal trainer said I should have a cheat meal to recalibrate my metabolism. I was a little skeptical, hence why I am here.
I was thinking of getting a General Tso's and Fried rice plate after my gym workout Wednesday as a congratulations. But, then I am worried that will cancel out all my hard work and cause me to gain several pounds.
I had a cheat day last month, and it helped me regain focus of this all, but I felt like I gained weight (it had to have been my mind).
Your thoughts would be appreciated as to what I should do. And, I would really appreciate any further justification on why it may help or hurt me.
I have a final exam tomorrow morning, and I have worked hard this entire semester studying.
On top of that, I have been exercising 3 times a week and cutting my calories by way less than recommended (I have since adjusted it to just shy of 1,800). I have lost 24 lbs., and I am loving life (minus the occasional cravings)!
So, my personal trainer said I should have a cheat meal to recalibrate my metabolism. I was a little skeptical, hence why I am here.
I was thinking of getting a General Tso's and Fried rice plate after my gym workout Wednesday as a congratulations. But, then I am worried that will cancel out all my hard work and cause me to gain several pounds.
I had a cheat day last month, and it helped me regain focus of this all, but I felt like I gained weight (it had to have been my mind).
Your thoughts would be appreciated as to what I should do. And, I would really appreciate any further justification on why it may help or hurt me.
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Replies
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No one meal can cause you to gain several pounds of fat. Some water weight, sure but not fat.3500 cal per pound of fat.
You planning on eating 10000 Cals?0 -
No one meal can cause you to gain several pounds of fat. Some water weight, sure but not fat.3500 cal per pound of fat.
You planning on eating 10000 Cals?
Water weight from food? I've heard that before. Interesting.
No, my plan is simply to eat healthy prior to the dinner. I'll probably eat a Quest bar for breakfast. I'll have a chicken salad sandwich for lunch before the gym, and then the chinese for dinner.0 -
And that is a cheat day????
Makes me wonder what you eat normally?0 -
No one meal can cause you to gain several pounds of fat. Some water weight, sure but not fat.3500 cal per pound of fat.
You planning on eating 10000 Cals?
Water weight from food? I've heard that before. Interesting.
No, my plan is simply to eat healthy prior to the dinner. I'll probably eat a Quest bar for breakfast. I'll have a chicken salad sandwich for lunch before the gym, and then the chinese for dinner.
Unless I'm mistaken water weight is your body storing water for several reasons. If your eating Chinese then it's likely high in salt.
So you don't get water weight from drinking an extra litre of water. It's your body holding onto the water you normally drink.
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TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »And that is a cheat day????
Makes me wonder what you eat normally?
I try and keep it as simple as possible. But, do not be fooled - I will have a lean cuisine here and there for a meal. I have been getting pretty close to my calorie goal everyday, so not starving myself over here. Just enjoying the weight loss progress, and enjoying the thought of a cheat meal even more!
No one meal can cause you to gain several pounds of fat. Some water weight, sure but not fat.3500 cal per pound of fat.
You planning on eating 10000 Cals?
Water weight from food? I've heard that before. Interesting.
No, my plan is simply to eat healthy prior to the dinner. I'll probably eat a Quest bar for breakfast. I'll have a chicken salad sandwich for lunch before the gym, and then the chinese for dinner.
Unless I'm mistaken water weight is your body storing water for several reasons. If your eating Chinese then it's likely high in salt.
So you don't get water weight from drinking an extra litre of water. It's your body holding onto the water you normally drink.
Learn something new everyday! Yep, chinese food is super packed in sodium, but I'll just bust it in the gym to hopefully somewhat compensate.0 -
No one meal can cause you to gain several pounds of fat. Some water weight, sure but not fat.3500 cal per pound of fat.
You planning on eating 10000 Cals?
Water weight from food? I've heard that before. Interesting.
No, my plan is simply to eat healthy prior to the dinner. I'll probably eat a Quest bar for breakfast. I'll have a chicken salad sandwich for lunch before the gym, and then the chinese for dinner.
you can gain water weight for a lot of reason...one is salt ( like Chinese food is salty)
or training...you muscles hold water for repair etc etc
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TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »And that is a cheat day????
Makes me wonder what you eat normally?
I try and keep it as simple as possible. But, do not be fooled - I will have a lean cuisine here and there for a meal. I have been getting pretty close to my calorie goal everyday, so not starving myself over here. Just enjoying the weight loss progress, and enjoying the thought of a cheat meal even more!No one meal can cause you to gain several pounds of fat. Some water weight, sure but not fat.3500 cal per pound of fat.
You planning on eating 10000 Cals?
Water weight from food? I've heard that before. Interesting.
No, my plan is simply to eat healthy prior to the dinner. I'll probably eat a Quest bar for breakfast. I'll have a chicken salad sandwich for lunch before the gym, and then the chinese for dinner.
Unless I'm mistaken water weight is your body storing water for several reasons. If your eating Chinese then it's likely high in salt.
So you don't get water weight from drinking an extra litre of water. It's your body holding onto the water you normally drink.
Learn something new everyday! Yep, chinese food is super packed in sodium, but I'll just bust it in the gym to hopefully somewhat compensate.
I hear drinking water helps flush the salt from your system.
But really I wouldn't worry so much. Enjoy your meal and just give it 3-4 days before weighing yourself or don't freak out if it's up a bit.
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TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »And that is a cheat day????
Makes me wonder what you eat normally?
I try and keep it as simple as possible. But, do not be fooled - I will have a lean cuisine here and there for a meal. I have been getting pretty close to my calorie goal everyday, so not starving myself over here. Just enjoying the weight loss progress, and enjoying the thought of a cheat meal even more!No one meal can cause you to gain several pounds of fat. Some water weight, sure but not fat.3500 cal per pound of fat.
You planning on eating 10000 Cals?
Water weight from food? I've heard that before. Interesting.
No, my plan is simply to eat healthy prior to the dinner. I'll probably eat a Quest bar for breakfast. I'll have a chicken salad sandwich for lunch before the gym, and then the chinese for dinner.
Unless I'm mistaken water weight is your body storing water for several reasons. If your eating Chinese then it's likely high in salt.
So you don't get water weight from drinking an extra litre of water. It's your body holding onto the water you normally drink.
Learn something new everyday! Yep, chinese food is super packed in sodium, but I'll just bust it in the gym to hopefully somewhat compensate.
I hear drinking water helps flush the salt from your system.
But really I wouldn't worry so much. Enjoy your meal and just give it 3-4 days before weighing yourself or don't freak out if it's up a bit.
Thanks! I'll wait 3 days. Just hope I don't gain solid weight from this. But what you gain you can remove.
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Most of the water weight will disappear on its own within 24 hours, as your body adjusts. No need to beat yourself up at the gym. One cheat day is really no big deal.
Last time I dieted, I allowed myself 4 days a month for "cheating". Still lost weight steadily. (it's the maintenance that gets me) Look at the big picture.0 -
you gain a pound of weight when you eat SURPLUS 3500 over your maintenance level...that is a lot of food!! A lot!0
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unless this meal is 3500 calories MORE than your TDEE, you will not physically gain weight. you will obviously have a spike in water weight because of the sodium in the chinese. you do not need to bust *kitten* in the gym to get rid of water weight. go back to your normal routine after your meal. any water weight will sort itself out in a few days.
good luck on your final! don't freak out too much over your food.0 -
Most of the water weight will disappear on its own within 24 hours, as your body adjusts. No need to beat yourself up at the gym. One cheat day is really no big deal.
Last time I dieted, I allowed myself 4 days a month for "cheating". Still lost weight steadily. (it's the maintenance that gets me) Look at the big picture.
I never had cheat meals
I just eat less ( weigh my food) as i did before
and when there is a party or aa buffet or chinese meal...so be it..normal life and next day back to weighing food
Lost 101 pounds in the last 9 months ... so didn't seem to bother my weight loss
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You guys are awesome motivation and information, and I thank each of you!
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I'd go for it. You'll most likely feel some bloat and retain some water weight from all the sodium, but you won't gain a pound of actual fat unless you go crazy. I'd drink a lot of water and eat a banana or take potassium supplement, as potassium can aid in counteracting sodium in the body. Try not to over-think it and just enjoy the meal!0
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When I have Chinese for dinner, I wake up the next morning resembling a water balloon
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If you like General Tso's, and who doesn't, you should watch the documentary about it on Netflix Instantly. It's fascinating.
It's only 1 meal, go ahead! You even have official permission from your trainer, you're golden here.
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I would make my own Chinese meal. It is easy!0
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