Cheat day

craigyallan
craigyallan Posts: 37 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Cheat day. What's everyone's opinion? Are they required? Or do they wreck a weeks dieting.

Replies

  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    No, they aren't required. No, they don't have to wreck a week's dieting.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    http://youtrition.net/the-truth-about-cheat-meals/
  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    For some they are required, for others they are not.

    No they shouldn't wreck a weeks diet.
  • XxQueenMxX
    XxQueenMxX Posts: 683 Member
    I do good monday-Fri and weekends are my cheat days. I still lose weight and it doesnt affect anything IF you are working out appropriately and eating right.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    They are not required. Whether or not they will set you back depends on how much you eat. Many people can eat enough in a day to wipe our any deficit they may have created during the week.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    craigyallan wrote: »
    Cheat day. What's everyone's opinion? Are they required? Or do they wreck a weeks dieting.

    They are not required for weight loss. They may or may not wreck a week's dieting, depending on how much you eat on the cheat day.

    I don't really have an opinion on whether anyone should have them. I think they can be helpful or harmful, depending on personality and diet method.
  • BLifts38
    BLifts38 Posts: 248 Member
    how about a cheat MEAL? not an entire day??
  • Ashtoretet
    Ashtoretet Posts: 378 Member
    I tend to have a cheat meal every other week, it's more the result of poor planning rather than a planned thing. I try to compensate the rest of the week by eating at a higher deficit. I normally eat at a 1000 calorie deficit, and on cheat days will just eat at a 500 calorie deficit.
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  • bahr4682
    bahr4682 Posts: 2 Member
    They don't work for me. I tend to become obsessive about the "cheat" and go overboard. If I build the treats I want into my daily diet, I obsess less and binge less.

    They work for some people, though.
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    A meal, every so often, where I allow myself unlimited calories is the only thing that has helped me keep the weight off. I try and not do, "Cheat days," as that's a slippery slope to, "Cheat weeks," or "Cheat months."
  • BLifts38
    BLifts38 Posts: 248 Member
    Asher_Ethan wrote: »
    A meal, every so often, where I allow myself unlimited calories is the only thing that has helped me keep the weight off. I try and not do, "Cheat days," as that's a slippery slope to, "Cheat weeks," or "Cheat months."

    agreed with this!! when I was on Weight Watchers, I weighed in on Sunday mornings and used Sunday night dinners with my friends/family as my cheat meal. I ate whatever I wanted in that one meal. That one meal is kind of what kept me going throughout the whole week.
  • rememberforget
    rememberforget Posts: 7 Member
    I'm only three days into my diet so I don't know if I 'deserve' a cheat meal. But it is Friday and someone brought home pizza..
  • pinggolfer96
    pinggolfer96 Posts: 2,248 Member
    IIFYM^^^
  • KellieTru
    KellieTru Posts: 285 Member
    bmarge10288 wrote: »
    how about a cheat MEAL? not an entire day??

    ^^agree!
  • Muzzoozal
    Muzzoozal Posts: 33 Member
    My total loss goal is 73 - I have decided not to reward myself with food but rather things like new clothes, tickets to our community theater and other fun things. When I reach my goal I will then allow myself 2 cheat days a month. Some months are pre-set such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, the rest as special days. For me cheat day means have a little more, maybe high calorie items but not stuffing until I bust. As I keep eating healthier and healthier I have less cravings and eating too many sweets leaves me feeling blah. Cheat days can still be healthy by eating cheese, avocados, nuts and other good things. For me this journey is a change of lifestyle and mindset, not just trying to control a sugar craving. There are many healthier choices that may be high calorie but still full of good things - about 1/2 way there and feeling good!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Why would the be required?
  • robertw486
    robertw486 Posts: 2,399 Member
    Do what works for you. I usually look at things in the perspective of the week rather than day. Sometimes I eat what I want and make up for it through the week. Sometimes I go work out hard to "earn" calories in hand to hit the food trucks at a local brewery or something.
  • penpan
    penpan Posts: 12 Member
    For me, it's required. I have tried many times to lose weight without a cheat day and have failed every time. This time is so much different with a cheat day. It is working out great!!
    Everyone is different. Some people are able to stay on the straight and narrow. While others, need to taste the forbidden food.
    The thing is, you know yourself better than anyone. You probably have an idea of what is best for you. If you don't, this is great opportunity to find out.
    Good luck with your journey.
  • penpan
    penpan Posts: 12 Member
    Side note*
    I don't do a whole day. One or two meals on a day depending what is going on.
  • alannacaveney
    alannacaveney Posts: 7 Member
    I agree with a cheat meal 2-3 times a week (but still using portion control and MFP to make yourself accountable) or planning a treat into your day for myself personally rather than avoiding it completely until a certain day. I found when I followed a strict diet and exercise plan, where my then trainer made Sundays cheat days on my meal plan, I found myself putting (small amounts of each, but it adds the heck up) a lot of not so healthy stuff back into my body to make up, in a way, for missing out all week. That entire way of life was not for me, fell apart pretty quickly, and I gained it all back. I don't like to be told what I can and can't do (and this began showing itself in my eating). For example, today I ate very well, stuck to my portions and my KJ allowance, put myself on the treadmill to do some interval training, even though it's a Saturday, leaving me with allowance for ice cream and a protein muffin for dessert. I don't have dessert a lot anymore, so this makes my day - and knowing I'm not 'blowing the budget' is even better!
  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    All that matters is your calorie deficit/maintenance/surplus.

    How that comes about, and the semantics of such, are simply personal preference.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,615 Member
    craigyallan wrote: »
    Cheat day. What's everyone's opinion? Are they required? Or do they wreck a weeks dieting.

    They are definitely not required.

    I didn't have a single one in my first 4 months ... and then I reached my first goal. :)


    Cheat days are how I got here in the first place ... ate well all week, lost a bit of weight, ate a lot on weekends, gained it all back and then some.

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