Cheat day vs. Cheat meal

bobby2741
bobby2741 Posts: 6 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Anyone want to chime in on a cheat day versus a cheat meal once a week? I eat junk all day for my cheat day and it is definitely not guilt free. I used to eat like this everyday and am only 7 weeks into this new healthy lifestyle. Training my mind and body and I am hoping with time my once a week cheat day will eventually turn into a cheat meal.

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Why are you feeling guilt?
  • endlessfall16
    endlessfall16 Posts: 932 Member
    chime in on a cheat day versus a cheat meal once a week? Like any differences?

    First of all, I don't use the word "cheat". I enjoy a meal when the right opportunity comes along and I don't worry at all. It doesn't matter if that comes once or twice in a day, but usually one big meal satiates me for the next 24 hours.

    For instance I just finished a good dinner with my wife and then my mom dropped by and she hadn't eaten yet. So I took her to her favorite Chipotle restaurant and I had to eat with her so she would eat. I got 2 tacos and half a burrito.

    I'm happy with my choice and I'll reverse all the gain in a day or two through cutbacks and exercise. It's that simple.

  • bobby2741
    bobby2741 Posts: 6 Member
    I feel guilty because I eat large amounts of junk food the entire day and night. It feels like that is wrong after working hard as I can at the gym 6 days a week and sticking to my diet. Maybe I need to find healthier cheat day foods. Learning as I go :)
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    bobby2741 wrote: »
    I feel guilty because I eat large amounts of junk food the entire day and night. It feels like that is wrong after working hard as I can at the gym 6 days a week and sticking to my diet. Maybe I need to find healthier cheat day foods. Learning as I go :)

    It could be holding you back from meeting your goals (is it?) but is it "wrong"? I don't know about you, but using language like this is really discouraging to me. There are actions that help me meet my goals, neutral actions, and actions that keep me from meeting my goals. If the number of calories you're eating on your cheat day are keeping you from meeting your goals, then yeah . . . maybe you should try to adjust it.
  • bobby2741
    bobby2741 Posts: 6 Member
    endlessfall16 wrote: »
    chime in on a cheat day versus a cheat meal once a week? Like any differences?

    First of all, I don't use the word "cheat". I enjoy a meal when the right opportunity comes along and I don't worry at all. It doesn't matter if that comes once or twice in a day, but usually one big meal satiates me for the next 24 hours.

    For instance I just finished a good dinner with my wife and then my mom dropped by and she hadn't eaten yet. So I took her to her favorite Chipotle restaurant and I had to eat with her so she would eat. I got 2 tacos and half a burrito.

    I'm happy with my choice and I'll reverse all the gain in a day or two through cutbacks and exercise. It's that simple.

    Ok it is good to hear different perspectives and get advice. I love food and reading about your tacos and burritos is making me hungry hahaa. Geez :)

    Thank you!
  • bobby2741
    bobby2741 Posts: 6 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    bobby2741 wrote: »
    I feel guilty because I eat large amounts of junk food the entire day and night. It feels like that is wrong after working hard as I can at the gym 6 days a week and sticking to my diet. Maybe I need to find healthier cheat day foods. Learning as I go :)

    It could be holding you back from meeting your goals (is it?) but is it "wrong"? I don't know about you, but using language like this is really discouraging to me. There are actions that help me meet my goals, neutral actions, and actions that keep me from meeting my goals. If the number of calories you're eating on your cheat day are keeping you from meeting your goals, then yeah . . . maybe you should try to adjust it.

    I keep losing weight every week and it always goes up about four or five pounds after a cheat day. Then it will go back down after a couple of days. Up and down every week like a rollercoaster and you are right maybe I should adjust things.

    Thank you!
  • RebelDiamond
    RebelDiamond Posts: 188 Member
    You'll find that on MFP there are lot's of people who find the term "cheat" inappropriate or unnecessarily negative.
    I'm sure that we all understand what you mean by a cheat meal/day, it's an indulgence (am I right?), but it's true that those negative associations may be contributing to your guilt.

    The way you balance your calorie deficit over the week/day is entirely up to you (and what keeps you happy/going). If you decide to eat a little less (higher deficit) during the week and have a "cheat" on the weekend, that's up to you. Some people prefer to have a chocolate or a small portion of something "indulgent"(calorie dense) every day.

    I started out (many years ago) with "cheat" weekends, it worked for quite a while, but once I had lost about 15kgs I realised I needed to cut back the gorging (my maintenance level had obviously changed). Now I have 1-2 "cheats"/"indulgent" meals a week... My point is, it depends on your goal, how quickly you want to achieve and whether what you're doing is sustainable in the long term.

    Good luck! :smile:
  • bobby2741
    bobby2741 Posts: 6 Member
    RebelDiamond wrote: »
    You'll find that on MFP there are lot's of people who find the term "cheat" inappropriate or unnecessarily negative.
    I'm sure that we all understand what you mean by a cheat meal/day, it's an indulgence (am I right?), but it's true that those negative associations may be contributing to your guilt.

    The way you balance your calorie deficit over the week/day is entirely up to you (and what keeps you happy/going). If you decide to eat a little less (higher deficit) during the week and have a "cheat" on the weekend, that's up to you. Some people prefer to have a chocolate or a small portion of something "indulgent"(calorie dense) every day.

    I started out (many years ago) with "cheat" weekends, it worked for quite a while, but once I had lost about 15kgs I realised I needed to cut back the gorging (my maintenance level had obviously changed). Now I have 1-2 "cheats"/"indulgent" meals a week... My point is, it depends on your goal, how quickly you want to achieve and whether what you're doing is sustainable in the long term.

    Good luck! :smile:

    Yes I see how some people call it a treat day instead. I wrote my next "treat" day on the calender to have something to look forward to while I am grinding it out the entire week. Also, I wrote a reminder to plan ahead for my "treat" day. Instead of gorging out on anything and everything I could prepare some healthier meals instead. Thank you for your input!
  • joncooper1980
    joncooper1980 Posts: 96 Member
    Do you really need to "cheat" for a whole day??!! Seems excessive even if you are seasoned to weight loss/gain. Enjoying a meal once or twice a week where you eat whatever you want can be extremely beneficial but having a whole day where you eat to excess can just be counter productive depending on your weight loss goal.
  • bobby2741
    bobby2741 Posts: 6 Member
    joncooper1980 wrote: »
    Do you really need to "cheat" for a whole day??!! Seems excessive even if you are seasoned to weight loss/gain. Enjoying a meal once or twice a week where you eat whatever you want can be extremely beneficial but having a whole day where you eat to excess can just be counter productive depending on your weight loss goal.

    That makes perfect sense as well and I am open to trying new ways of eating healthy. I will also try enjoying a meal once or twice a week eating whatever I want. Eventually I will find the right groove that works best. Thank you
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10305332/when-food-guilt-is-ruining-your-life
  • joncooper1980
    joncooper1980 Posts: 96 Member
    No problem. I've personally always found it more beneficial to spread my "cheats" throughout the week. It breaks up the daily grind of counting calories. I also think you eat less calories if you cheat for one meal, twice a week than if you cheat for an entire day. its basically a win/win.
  • LazyButHealthy
    LazyButHealthy Posts: 257 Member
    I reckon much of it is psychological. If you consider certain meals and foods to be 'cheat' meals then once you allow yourself to have it you might (and do) binge. Being full of guilt isn't healthy either and will make it harder each time to get on track.
    I'm sure many of us have been there.

    It's safer bet not to ban anything, but to build it in to your diet.
    You want a burger? Fine! Have the burger! Maybe have Thursday nights are 'rich food' nights. But PLAN for it. Plan ahead, plan your day and plan your morning and afternoon food and drink in-takes. Have the burger one week, fried chicken another week, pizza another night. Know if you're going to make them, or order them; pre-log the entire thing, and you know then that you are being sensible without the deprivation or self-immolation.
    Wouldn't it be so much nicer and enjoyable without the guilt?

    Pre-log!

  • LazyButHealthy
    LazyButHealthy Posts: 257 Member
    joncooper1980 wrote: »
    No problem. I've personally always found it more beneficial to spread my "cheats" throughout the week. It breaks up the daily grind of counting calories. I also think you eat less calories if you cheat for one meal, twice a week than if you cheat for an entire day. its basically a win/win.

    I don't understand - why the concept of 'cheats'?

    Why not be nice to yourself rather than almost pretending to deprive and then 'cheat'?
    How is it a win/win?

    Who are you cheating? You're the only one you need to be accountable to... and I think the cat it out of the bag on that one!
  • I_amnr
    I_amnr Posts: 129 Member
    I have a cheat half days .. so maybe lunch till dinner .. throw a few icecreams or waffles into the mix and eat out. . 3000 to 4000 calories and I'm still on target to lose weight and it gets me ready for the gym Monday and Tuesday .. I don't feel guilty .. I quite enjoy it .. I take it as my reward for my hard work
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    A day is an extra 2-3k cals. Meal...1k. Arbitrary but for me a cheat meal is a meal that exceeds my daily goal but only what I fit in in that meal, which for me is somewhat limited. An entire day could undo your deficit for the week if you really like to eat. It's not hard to have a 4 or 5k day when you're letting loose.
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