Cheat days. Yay or nay?
Replies
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Thanks again all! I did cheat yesterday but was cautious with breakfast and lunch so, even though I ate greasy pizza and sweets in the eve, I stayed within my plan! Yay!
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Cheat day? No.
Cheat MEAL? Occasionally.0 -
Nay.. i just fit in what i want accordingly into my calorie goal.. i dont like to think that im depriving myself on daily basis.. its all about moderation..Afterall, im trying to make this into a long term success and into a lifestyle. It wont help me if im being too hard on myself and not having fun at all with this..
Restrict myself for the week and having a cheat day on weekend just dont go well with me.. but that just me.. soem people might think differently.. 0 -
I used to, in the beginning, eat sweets every day. Sweets are my kryptonite. I no longer eat sweets purely because veggies or my homemade muffins/yoghurt/soup will fill me up FAR better. I don't feel deprived, either. I haven't had wine in weeks. I reckon I can have ALL the wine and sweets, within limits (500 calories extra FTW), when I reach maintenance.0
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I think as long as you plan your meals you are in more control. Yesterday a good friend had a dinner party so I planned on a light breakfast and lunch so that I could enjoy the dinner. I think when you start thinking diet and cheat it is negative. I try to think of healthy, super healthy meals or not so healthy meal or big meal vs. small meal.
All in all staying within what is a healthy diet, logging in honestly and accurately so that you can look back and see what worked for weight loss or what might have slowed down your weight loss. I also seem to find that when I have been eating very healthy the weight loss tends to show up the next week if it is true fat loss and not just water loss that can go up and down. On days that I go on longer hikes or walks or long bicycle rides I plan for few more calories in what ever I want. I really love Pasta Carbonara but save it for good exercise days so I don't gain weight.0 -
a massive cheat day?
no. it can undo your whole deficit for the week.
work what you like and want into your daily calorie goals. Personally, I tend toward a weekly deficit as opposed to daily, which gives me a nice buffer for my weekend drinking. But even then, I can work the alcohol into my normal daily deficit if i CHOOSE to.0 -
Cheat days? Not on my life. I'm enjoying the healthy food. Really.0
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Yay. Except I try to make it a cheat meal. I try to eat lightly throughout the day and then splurge at dinner.0
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A cheat day would turn into cheat days for me. I'll have a cheat meal once in a while but it's usually planned ahead of time. If I know I'm going out Saturday I just make sure I plan accordingly throughout the days before AND after. As long as I'm below my calorie count for the week there's no problem.0
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I have one planned cheat meal. I'll either have something friday night or I'll take my daughter to ihop and share a waffle with loads of fruit on Saturday. I don't have a cheat meal just to have one, I make it an event sort of thing, going out with friends or family, seeing a movie, etc and then we'll walk around the mall for exercise.
If I do get a waffle it's my breakfast/lunch and then I have a light dinner. Just fit it in your macros/calories if you can 0 -
I say Nay to a cheat day. Instead, if I want something badly enough I log it and if it doesn't fit, I don't eat it. I do pre-log and allow myself a piece of dark chocolate every night. For me, this is a life style and I don't think one day should be set aside for 'cheating'. Enjoy what you want when you want it as long as it fits into your daily goals.0
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In the past when I've tried to lose weight (and did) I used this site/app to count my calories. I would allow myself a weekly "cheat" day where I would eat whatever I wanted. I found that, over time, combined with being too concerned with numbers on the scale and in my diary, it led me to an unhealthy relationship with food. I started to think of foods as either good or bad and would feel guilty if I indulged during the week. I would feel like a failure if I gave in to a craving and then think, well, I already ****ed up today, why even try to eat better?
This time around, I've ditched the scale and the cheat day. I'm more focused on just making better choices and going based on how I feel. Do I want an ice cream cone? Sure, sometimes. But being lactose intolerant, is it really worth feeling like crap after? In the morning I always crave something sweet. So instead of my usual donut or sugary cereal, which don't provide me with anything but a short burst of energy followed by a crash, I make myself a smoothie with lots of yummy fruit and combine it with a couple scrambled eggs for protein. I don't feel like I'm depriving myself of sugar, but my body feels more energetic and not as "weighed down" and sluggish after. I definitely still have something if I really want it, I just cut down on the portion I'd normally have. Last night I wanted Chinese food, so we ordered some and I ate half of what I normally would. My craving was satisfied and so was my hunger without eating too much.
So for me, I suppose I would say nay. If I really, really want something, I have it. If I crave something like sugar, I reach for fruit instead of candy. Cheat days are a bad idea for me, but do whatever works for you, as long as it doesn't become an unhealthy relationship.
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jeepinshawn wrote: »I think the whole concept of "cheat days" sets one up for long term failure. Eat what ya want when you want, just do it in amounts that fit into your daily goals. Why work hard all week and go 1500 calories over on a stupid pizza? If you are on a 500 calorie deficit, you just negated 3 DAYS of work. Want some pizza have a slice or two at dinner, want a donut? Take a little hike and enjoy it.
This.
If someone is eating an entire pizza every weekend and still losing weight, they must be eating at a massive calorie deficit the rest of the week. If that arrangement works for them- cool. I'd personally rather have a slice of pizza when I'm actually craving it and not suffer with hunger and deprivation six days out of the week and then feel like a beached whale on the seventh day after eating a whole pizza (Which I think would not even be enjoyable? I usually feel a little queasy after a third slice.).
I mean, do what works for you as far as maintaining calorie balance, but do know that a "cheat day" that's sufficiently extreme can wipe out your deficit from previous days, and does not do anything special to boost weight loss. Personally I'd rather just eat at a less extreme deficit every day, and enjoy higher-calorie foods in moderation as I wish.0 -
amandajpiper wrote: »Thanks again all! I did cheat yesterday but was cautious with breakfast and lunch so, even though I ate greasy pizza and sweets in the eve, I stayed within my plan! Yay!
You realize that it isn't "cheating" if you stayed within your calorie plan, right? It's just eating some food that might not be nutritionally optimal. Which is fine and won't affect your weight loss, although as a regular habit it might have nutritional consequences (pizza for dinner every single night would make it a challenge to hit protein goals for most people, for instance).
But you don't have to have a special day for that, and it's not "cheating" on your weight loss.0 -
emmycantbemeeko wrote: »amandajpiper wrote: »Thanks again all! I did cheat yesterday but was cautious with breakfast and lunch so, even though I ate greasy pizza and sweets in the eve, I stayed within my plan! Yay!
You realize that it isn't "cheating" if you stayed within your calorie plan, right? It's just eating some food that might not be nutritionally optimal. Which is fine and won't affect your weight loss, although as a regular habit it might have nutritional consequences (pizza for dinner every single night would make it a challenge to hit protein goals for most people, for instance).
But you don't have to have a special day for that, and it's not "cheating" on your weight loss.
Exactly this!0 -
TavistockToad wrote: »emmycantbemeeko wrote: »amandajpiper wrote: »Thanks again all! I did cheat yesterday but was cautious with breakfast and lunch so, even though I ate greasy pizza and sweets in the eve, I stayed within my plan! Yay!
You realize that it isn't "cheating" if you stayed within your calorie plan, right? It's just eating some food that might not be nutritionally optimal. Which is fine and won't affect your weight loss, although as a regular habit it might have nutritional consequences (pizza for dinner every single night would make it a challenge to hit protein goals for most people, for instance).
But you don't have to have a special day for that, and it's not "cheating" on your weight loss.
Exactly this!
I posted this question before Saturday. I was fully expecting to go over my calorie count. With some great advice from posters (many thanks!), I was careful w breakfast and lunch to ensure I stayed within my calorie count.
Cheat day is something that's always in this house. I should have mentioned in my original post that I have a couple of high needs children on a very clean diet. Eating zero processed, no chemicals, additives, artificial flavours, and low sugar, they're able to maintain concentration during the week at school with out being on multiple medications. Weekends, when they don't have to be in a classroom, they get treats they typically don't eat during the week. Cheat day exists here no matter what I chose to eat. They call it treat day though, not cheat lol0 -
I think everyone is different. What I like to do is eat healthy everyday during the week for all my meals. I definitely get cravings so I tend not to keep any processed food in the house that I may be tempted to eat during the week and binge on.. So typically when I go shopping I stick to the outside of the stores for protein,fruits, and veggies.
Once a week for dinner (usually a Fri or Sat) I will eat something that I really want. Pizza, Wings, etc. I typically eat something healthy if I can right before like a salad or fresh veggies. This limits my pizza and/or wing intake haha. Plus you learn to eat slow and enjoy it.
I found that it helps. If I didn't have a cheat meal at least once a week I don't know if I would be able to stay on a diet.
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amandajpiper wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »emmycantbemeeko wrote: »amandajpiper wrote: »Thanks again all! I did cheat yesterday but was cautious with breakfast and lunch so, even though I ate greasy pizza and sweets in the eve, I stayed within my plan! Yay!
You realize that it isn't "cheating" if you stayed within your calorie plan, right? It's just eating some food that might not be nutritionally optimal. Which is fine and won't affect your weight loss, although as a regular habit it might have nutritional consequences (pizza for dinner every single night would make it a challenge to hit protein goals for most people, for instance).
But you don't have to have a special day for that, and it's not "cheating" on your weight loss.
Exactly this!
I posted this question before Saturday. I was fully expecting to go over my calorie count. With some great advice from posters (many thanks!), I was careful w breakfast and lunch to ensure I stayed within my calorie count.
Cheat day is something that's always in this house. I should have mentioned in my original post that I have a couple of high needs children on a very clean diet. Eating zero processed, no chemicals, additives, artificial flavours, and low sugar, they're able to maintain concentration during the week at school with out being on multiple medications. Weekends, when they don't have to be in a classroom, they get treats they typically don't eat during the week. Cheat day exists here no matter what I chose to eat. They call it treat day though, not cheat lol
So why do you call it a cheat day?
Negative self talk is so damaging0 -
I don't call them cheat days. I call them "reward days." All the hard work and wheel power I use day to day lets me reward myself once in a while to enjoy something tasty. I don't workout everyday so I can never have an ice cream cone unless I consider it cheating. Cheating is bad and I am not being bad by rewarding myself.0
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I don't plan any cheat days. However, I don't beat myself up if I have a day (or week) of slip ups. So, although I don't plan for cheat days I guess you could say that I accept that there will be the odd 'oh sh**' day, heh.
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personally, I take Saturday as a cheat day. I know it's against the grain but it works for me and helps me stay on track the other 6 days of the week. Plus, on Sunday's I have my best workout of the week. I can lift heavier and longer. If I was cutting, I would not do a cheat day but I eat about 1500 calories 6 days per week and then whatever I want on Saturdays. So far, it has been working....I'm basically maintaining. I weigh in once every week or two. Some weeks I'm up a pound, others I'm down a pound. I have a range of a few pounds where as long as I'm in that range I'll keep doing what I'm doing. If I fall outside that range I will likely skip a cheat day for a few weeks.0
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As long as it doesn't turn into a cheat-weekend, then cheat-week.
I would say Cheat Meal and walk your 10,000 steps that day.0 -
i usually fit what i want into my day
sometimes i dont and just say "whateves" and end up eating a way higher calorie day
it happens annd it might happen this weekend on valentines day..we will see
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No. I can't do cheat days. It makes it too hard to stay focused. It makes me feel like I'm starting all over again. I do have days where I go over because no one is perfect. I guess, it's more like a cheat meal than a day. I know I'll likely go over Friday because hubby and I are going out early to celebrate Valentine's day. I will log it and move on.0
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I think there's something to cheat days - though I don't call them that. I've recently been reading a bit about calorie cycling, and the main premise is that a normal person doesn't eat the same calories every single day. Some days it's more and some days it's less - that's normal.
When MFPers begin to eat a relatively stable amount of calories every day, and we are losing weight, our bodies get wise to it. The body doesn't like losing weight (it thinks we are starving)... so it's more likely to set your body into starvation mode (and that's when we might get a plateau). By recalibrating a few days every week, with a few higher than normal 'cheat days' (I'm not really an advocate of blow-outs that totally destroy your plan), your body is less likely to think you are starving. On those cheat days, your body gets an excess of calories, so it thinks everything is normal, no need for concern or slowing metabolism down.
So adding a few higher calorie days into your mix, I think is not a bad thing. It's obviously working for you too... so why mess with it when it ain't broke. If it keeps you sane, then all the better for it.0 -
All that matters is energy balance.
Consume less calories than you use, over a sustained period, lose weight.
Consume more calories than you use, over a sustained period, gain weight.
How you come about this is totally up to you.
If you wish to term something a cheat meal, go for it, but it really is just like everything else, calories and macronutrients.
Nothing 'resets' your metabolism. As human beings we simply do not function that way. Unless you have a metabolic disorder, there is little point in even passing a thought to your metabolism, and certainly not to effecting it in any significant manner.
I'd personally drop the whole cheat/good/bad/crap/healthy/unhealthy view of foods in isolation, and develop a balanced dietary intake that encompasses the foods you like.
THIS.0 -
Your body craves what you eat most... so I try to avoid a full blowout cheat day because then I will be left craving all the destructive foods the next day and I have to fight off those urges screaming at me like a toddler in full tantrum mode.
I have lost about 45 lbs in about 6 months and still on my way. I do plan around holidays with extra cardio and/or lower calories before and after the big meals, but over all I sprinkle in my little "cheat" treats every day so I don't feel totally deprived the rest of the time. The hardest thing has been about finding that balance.0 -
I agree with those who say... it depends on the person. For some, it works great, they can lose and maintain. For others it doesn't, and it leads to the infamous downward spiral. Neither way is wrong or right.... but maybe just wrong or right for each individual.
For me, I can do both. I require about 2100-2300 cal per day to maintain. Some weeks, (special events, vacations, etc.) I have cheat days/meals.... with an adjustment of lower calories for the rest of the week. And other weeks I have 2100-2300 cal/day each day. As long as I average about 16000 calories per week, I'm good.
I don't lock myself into one way of eating. Life usually dictates my needs, and I have figured out how to maintain using either method. It's not any one day that will make or break you, but how many calories you eat week after week, month after month, year after year.0 -
My father swore by cheat days. He said even God took Sunday off, so he would too! LOL. I've never really liked them, but it's a "know thyself" sort of thing. I know that if I went hog wild on a day, it would turn into 2-3-4 days. That's not to say that there aren't days I know I'm probably going to be somewhere where I won't have much control or whatever, but try to go into it cautiously.
I have discovered though that, through watching my numbers, that - like today - so far has been a "low-fat" day. It's just worked out that way. Sometimes, in a day or two, I'll really want extra "fats". Again - try to go about it cautiously.
I say if having a cheat day works for you, and helps you get through - then by all means do it. My dad said that he ended up not having as much of something as he thought he would because sometimes it wouldn't taste as good as he remembered. Who knows.
Do what works best for you - that's what I say. 0 -
I'm actually a nay, just because naturally stuff comes up and becomes my cheat meal. (NEVER a day, usually a meal.)
Business lunches, birthdays, family dinners prepped by someone else, life has enough cheat meals in it that you don't need to plan extras in!
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