Cheat Meal/Day Gains

mjhm9
mjhm9 Posts: 1 Member
edited December 2 in Health and Weight Loss
During the week, I eat well and normally will drop a pound or so. Then, I have a cheat meal (very infrequently will it be a cheat day) and seem to gain it all back. Then I work again, lose the pound and the cycle repeats. I'm getting tired of losing the same weight over and over again. Any suggestions? :)

Replies

  • RobD520
    RobD520 Posts: 420 Member
    Stop having cheat meals or cheat days. If you don't want to do that; at least try to log them so you can see their impact on your weekly deficit. It is possible to undo a one pound loss in one day.
  • chrislee1628
    chrislee1628 Posts: 305 Member
    do more exercise and/or eat less the following days to make up for it

    that or stop the cheat meals/day

    personally, I would go with the first, otherwise it would get boring
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Eat less the rest of the week if you want a cheat day. If you're not losing weight over a 4-6 week period, it's because you're not in a deficit.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,698 Member
    Stop having cheat meals or cheat days.

    If you want to eat more, exercise first to compensate for it.
  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    I suggest no "cheats". It's quite possible and not difficult to include "treats" into your allowed calories. You either eat less for other meals, or exercise more, or a combination. Keep in mind that MFP usually over estimates calorie burns on exercise, so I suggest not eating back more than about 70% (max) of exercise calories.

    Also realize that many things you might eat as a "cheat" are higher in sodium, which could also cause water weight gains.

    The process is slow. Don't make it slower! I imagine you're quite frustrated at lack of progress. In addition to the above, make sure you're weighing all solid food. Most people don't realize they're over eating until they start using a kitchen scale. I say this because one cheat meal should not be keeping you stalled for the long term. You are likely eating more than you think you are in addition to the cheat meal.

    I wish you the best of luck :smile:
  • tamaraworrall
    tamaraworrall Posts: 166 Member
    Have a treat as in something you like maybe a new top or a book or dvd or something instead of a cheat day whilst loosing weight .that's what I did.i have treat days now I'm trying to maintain
  • Owlie45
    Owlie45 Posts: 806 Member
    Lose the cheat day/meals. If you want something make it fit into your day.
  • linsitidswell
    linsitidswell Posts: 9 Member
    If I want something extra to eat over my calories for the day, I go for an extra walk and 'earn' the calories first.
  • moto450
    moto450 Posts: 334 Member
    It's all just math. If you eat 500 calories below maintenance every day of the week, and then have a cheat DAY you will likely erase everything you have worked for all week. Why not have a cheat MEAL and keep it still lower in calories. Or better yet, don't consider foods good and bad and just stay below your calories without "cheat" anything. That way you can still enjoy treats and still lose weight.

    Good luck to ya. Keep at it and you'll do well.
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