Do you plan your cheat meals/days?
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Christine_72 wrote: »I love Cheeerio's, the amount i want doesn't fit well in a deficit. I usually have around 200g plus pb2 and full cream milk. So i save it for an every now and then treat, rather than suffering through a piddly serving size everyday which only makes me want more..
Serving size for Cheerios is 30g, so you really shouldn't even dream of using 200g at a time!!!
I check serving sizes a lot more now. I would've eaten a whole pack of sweet biscuits or cookies at once, just because they taste good. Now if the package says Serving Size 4, I only eat 4.
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Christine_72 wrote: »I love Cheeerio's, the amount i want doesn't fit well in a deficit. I usually have around 200g plus pb2 and full cream milk. So i save it for an every now and then treat, rather than suffering through a piddly serving size everyday which only makes me want more..
Serving size for Cheerios is 30g
For a child maybe, but no where near enough to satisfy my craving.
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Russellb97 wrote: »Russellb97 wrote: »elisa123gal wrote: »The best realistic advice is to have a "cheat meal" not a "cheat day". If you've worked out and ate at a deficit all week..eating a meal off your plan won't ruin your progress like eating all day long whatever you want.
Myself.. I eat strict on plan for breakfast and lunch.. I workout.. then I will go out to dinner and just get what I want. Not much damage done at all..and it keeps me sane.
It's nearly impossible to blow a week of deficits in one day.
I don't like the word "cheat" for this but for the past 12+ years I have a planned 24-48 hour calorie surplus day/weekend each and every week. I look forward to it all week by taking mental notes of what I'm craving and having them guilt-free in just a few more days. I'm in control, I choose when I eat the foods that used to control me.
Doing this every week is why I was able to lose 100lbs 12 years ago and another 30lbs since.
I've been thinking on this post since yesterday. I thought I'd come up with a day of eating that would give me an additional 3500 calories over my 2000 maintenance.
Breakfast is easy. I'm always down to eat and if I'm going to eat, I'm going to EAT. Here's what I'd get from Smitty's:
- strawberry pancakes with whipped & strawberry toppings plus 4 slices of bacon: 1282 calories
Let's keep lunch at home.
- tuna melt sammich with cheddar cheese, a banana, 50 g Doritos [sweet chili heat], 100 g of chocolate covered almonds, 20 oz Mt. Dew: 1455 calories
Well, that's 2737 calories. My maintenance is around 2000 depending on exercise for the day, so I'm about 737 over. Only 2763 calories to go!
Supper is from Swiss Chalet:
- perogy starter, quarter chicken dinner, white meat with skin, baked potato, white dinner roll, Chalet dipping sauce, coconut cream pie, 20 oz Mt. Dew: 1965 calories
Total is 4702. I don't think I'd be hungry for my usual evening snack so I'm 798 calories short. I can always eat though, so throw in another 100 g of chocolate covered almonds (510 calories) and it's down to 288 remaining. And you know what? I would not be feeling sick or ready to puke from all that food.
It's a lot of food isn't it?!
Of course it's possible to eat over but some people forget that if you had a 3,500 calorie deficit going in you'd have to eat 3,500 calories above maintenance to wipe it out. You got it.
My day usually is like this;
Morning:
Pancakes with maple syrup, sausage and donut #1 - around 1,000 calories
Mid-Day:
Fast food burger, fries and shake/ice cream - around 2,000 calories
Early evening:
Large meat pizza, donut #2 - around 2,000 calories
Later evening
large bowl of ice cream - around 1,000 calories
Extras:
During the day I'll have a few other treats - around 500 cals
For the day I'll be between 5,000-7,500 calories
So eating the way I do the calories add up quickly and I know I'm a bit extreme with this, but it's how I've lost 130lbs.
Very interesting. Yesterday I did Breakfast 416, Lunch 511, Dinner 286, Snacks 369; Exercise 219 - Remaining Deficit 447. Even if I ate the 447 calories, my total would only be 2029. And I don't feel hungry or develop any cravings, nor feel a need for a cheat meal or cheat day.0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »I love Cheeerio's, the amount i want doesn't fit well in a deficit. I usually have around 200g plus pb2 and full cream milk. So i save it for an every now and then treat, rather than suffering through a piddly serving size everyday which only makes me want more..
Serving size for Cheerios is 30g
For a child maybe, but no where near enough to satisfy my craving.
Nowhere on the package does it say child, but your choice I guess.
Anyway I'm off. Looking at your profile I see it's about midday for you now, and midnight for me.0 -
When I started my weightloss, I wanted to become a healthier person, not just lose weight. I didn't just want to be skinnier, but feel better and have better health. For me this including eating healthier foods, not just counting calories and finding a way to fit unhealthy foods in. It took a long time of slowly changing my habits a little more all the time til I was eating more healthy foods than unhealthy foods. I have been working on reducing my sweet tooth lately.
that said when I first started, I did allow and work in a cheat meal. We grew up having pizza on friday nights. So I allowed myself some pizza on friday nights. When I did any other things like a cheat day or a meal during the day like Sunday lunch or something, I always messed up too much and ruined all the work I did during the week.
Lately I have been allowing myself an "indulgence" instead of meal or day. If I do good on my diet and exercise all week, then I'll allow myself maybe a Starbucks drink or a krispy kreme donut or something. I don't have to be perfect, just done really well. If I wasn't that great because i was stressed all week and already got a starbucks a time or two, then I bypass any indulgences for the week and stay on track with my diet.
I guess you could say I've grown with it all, refined it along the way, adjusted for what works for me, etc.2 -
A lot of times hunger has to do with not eating enough protein or fat in a meal. Having a balanced meal with protein, carbs and veggies/fruit, with enough fat in the meal should help hunger. And eating every 3 hours helps a ton too.1
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I plan them or else run the risk of losing control.
I am weak when it comes to diet. I need those weekly cheat meals...
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I eat 1000-1200 calories a day six days a week, but Fridays I eat pretty much what I want. I don't think of it as a cheat day, but as a treat day. If I want cheese fries at lunch, I'm having them. And later, maybe I'll have a piece of cake and one of those little Friendly's sundaes in a cup. I'll nibble and graze, and generally I don't gain at all or I'll gain a pound. I can live with that.1
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I'm a big believer in the mantra proper planning prevents piss poor performance. I generally plan all my meals a day or two in advance. So if I know that I'm having Indian food on Friday night, I'll eat lighter Thursday and the earlier meals on Friday to help give me some wiggle room. Another example, yesterday I left my breakfast and lunch at home and had to make due with the cafeteria at work. I fit my breakfast in and went out for lunch with a friend. Since I already had my dinner planned. I knew what I had available for lunch. Planning makes it way less stressful and I'm less likely to binge because I know when and what my next meal is. I can also plan around cravings and make them fit. Good luck!2
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Keladelphia wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »Keladelphia wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »Keladelphia wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »Keladelphia wrote: »While I personally don't label foods as good/bad/cheats/clean, I'll never understand the rage in these forums at other people choosing to use these labels.
Interesting. What posts did you perceive as rageful? I didn't perceive any that way, which makes me wonder if you are referring to quite pleasant posts noting things like "I call them X" or "I don't use the term cheat, but what I do..." and so on.
I didn't necessarily mean this exact OP but more of an observation of an overarching theme on MFP. With over 20K posts i'm assuming you've read plenty of heated debates on "clean eating" and "cheat days" here, I know I have in the several years i've been on this site.
Clean eating debates, sure (still no rage, though). Not cheat meals and heated debates so much. Usually people just say "I don't care for the term cheat, but..." as here. I've seen people oppose the whole idea (or the terminology) also, but not express rage about it. I was mostly confused because you brought it up here so I thought you were referring to the posts here.
Like I said it was just a general observation of the forums from my perspective before I gave my opinion on the OP. I'll have to disagree on the rage part though as I believe I've seen quite a bit but perhaps nastiness is a better word. Regardless I should have been more specific so I apologize for the confusion.
Here's a pretty typical cheat day/meal thread: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10430674/cheat-day-yes-or-no/p1
I actually think the concept (eating more leniently or more calories or having a day off tracking) can be useful for some people, although not everyone, and I don't like it when people claim it's inherently not or bad. I don't use/care for the term "cheat meal" but I know what many people mean and it's usually the same thing I do -- just because you use it doesn't mean you actually feel like you are "cheating," especially if it's planned, of course, although people do get weird about food so I see why some are wary of the term and will warn against it. I honestly see that as well intentioned and a point usually worth discussing, even if it's something I (with no EDs in my past, lucky me) am less likely to be bothered about,* so that's why I get sensitive to the notion that posts like that are mean or nasty or rage-y or whatever. If that's not what you meant, we are talking past each other, no biggie.
*I also happily use the term "junk food" without thinking the items described are literally junk or shameful to eat or whatever (or even without nutrients -- I call peanut M&Ms junk food, and yet peanuts are nutritious).
I guess I'm just confused why you're still quoting me and saying we're talking past each other when we're essentially saying the same thing other than the rage comment you don't agree with.
Because I didn't know if we were saying the same thing. I saw your post as a jab at people saying perfectly pleasant things like "I don't call it a cheat day, but..." as I did. I said we might be talking past each other since I had no idea what posts you were talking about (and I think the rage thing is your imagination, probably).I've seen people say things like you're still overweight because you cheat or your life must be sad if you live that way. Those kind of comments seem unhelpful and nasty to me personally. It's my perception and I didn't mention anyone specifically.
I haven't see such comments, but I actually think it's far kinder and better for discussion if you DO politely disagree with comments you think are inappropriate, such as those, when you see them, so if you are misreading the person it can be cleared up. Even more significant, and my issue here, if you refer to specific comments rather than talking vaguely about people being mean and rude in a discussion, then you don't have people in the discussion wondering if they were meant and feeling misunderstood or like their comments are being distorted. I certainly read a comment like yours in the discussion as referring in some way to comments IN THE DISCUSSION or why else would it be there.
Anyway, not rageful, just interested in discussion and what leads to communication overall. Obviously if you think I'm off-base here, ignore me, but you asked why I responded/quoted and that's why.
I haven't noticed people really bothered by others calling it a cheat meal, but (as I said before) I have seen many explaining why they don't. I continue to wonder if you are assuming that explaining this means you are bothered by what others do, and I think (if so), that's an inaccurate interpretation.0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
Exactly. For me, it's not so much the type of food, but the amount of it. I simply can not fit the amount i want into my deficit, so i save it for my cheat/dgaf/treat days or whatever one wants to call it..
But when people say "fit it into your plan," they presumably mean in an amount that makes sense given the goals for the day or otherwise in a way that fits into your life. Eating one high cal dessert and having no calories for the rest of the day is NOT making it fit, unless that's something you actually find enjoyable and do on rare occasion.
Some things fit on a daily basis (50 cal square of chocolate, if that's your thing). Others may be enjoyable as desired only with a huge calorie splurge, so have to fit by being rare (this is what I decided to do with things like Indian or Ethiopian -- I like to eat what I want without thinking about calories, rather than fit in a little or a lower cal version). Both are ways of making it fit, though.1 -
BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.0 -
I plan a cheat day once per week most of the time as a reward. I typically plan my food diary days in advance including cheat days if possible. By cheat day I mean I will treat myself for a meal out or cook something that I enjoy, but that is not a part of my regular more healthy routine. I still try to be accountable in terms of moderation and I often will add an additional workout routine to my daily plan to compensate for some of the extra calories.2
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cldneria21 wrote: »Do you guys log your cheat meals on my fitness pal?
I try my best to log everything - so I know just how "bad" I've been on a day I don't stick to my calorie goals. It gives me an idea of what to do next time I'm in the same situation. For example, this past Saturday, I went someplace and had a footlong hotdog with sauce and a huge serving of fries and a "small" ice cream that turned out to be pretty large. Next time I go... maybe I'll skip the fries. Maybe I'll get a "kiddie" cone instead. Maybe I'll just exercise more to make up for the extra calories.2 -
Keladelphia wrote: »While I personally don't label foods as good/bad/cheats/clean. What works for me OP? Eating food that meets my calorie and nutritional targets 90% of the time. The other 10% of the time is reserved for UNPLANNED IDGAF food whether it be larger than usual quantities of the normal food I eat (fruits/veggies/meat/full fat dairy) or foods I rarely eat (cake, chips, chinese etc.). This food usually significantly exceeds my calorie and macro targets and I feel zero guilt when I consume it because the majority of the time i'm giving my body what it needs. The reason I don't plan this food is because I want to eat it when I want to eat it. Maybe it's an unplanned breakfast with my sister, some drinks for a co workers retirement or my TOM; regardless, scheduling to eating highly caloric food once a week on a Saturday because it's Saturday would be pointless for me personally because like you I might not want to eat those things at that moment.
@lemurcat12
I still don’t understand how you can take it as a jab at "people saying perfectly pleasant things like "I don't call it a cheat day but...." when that's exactly what I said. Whether you personally feel that i've "imagined" rage/nastiness on the general topic throughout the forums is not really relevant. As I have said it's my perception overall, not on this particular thread and i'm entitled to my perception (if you view it as imaginary that's fine too, you're entitled to your perception).
This was my original post with the "rage" comment you have taken offense to removed. Perhaps that word has blinded you from the rest of my post that essentially agreed with what you said. My only point in saying “I'll never understand the rage in these forums at other people choosing to use these labels. “ was that even though I do not not personally use these labels I do not understand why people are so sensitive to people using words like “cheat” and ”clean.”
I answered the OP's question on why I do or do not plan for "cheats/treats/whatever. (To reiterate I eat them and don't plan for them)" I've also already apologized to you for being unclear after you initially told me you were offended. Clearly going back and forth at this point isn't adding anything to this thread so i'll refrain from posting any further. I do find it interesting though that the only time i've seemed to offend someone on this forum is with someone who shares the same opinion on the topic.
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i hit enter before i was ready to post. Ill edit later. I cant figure out how to delete it right now.
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BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.
Not all of us can just fit a cheat day into a week. I struggle with hunger even when I hit my target calories. A cheat day would consume an entire 14 days of calories, so to just fit it in means literally fasting for 2 weeks and on the last day having a cheat day. The idea of doing that is just dangerous. I congratulate those who can just fit in their cheat using a smaller deficit every day. Just don't pretend that what works for you will work for everyone.0 -
Spliner1969 wrote: »In your example though I simply wouldn't eat 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and starve the rest of the day. I would likely avoid the brownie, cut it down to some no sugar added ice cream (very good by the way) and crumble a half brownie on top, or simply skip the brownie all together. If I didn't have the calories for that, I'd plan ahead and work out more that day, or pay for it the next day by working out more and having a larger deficit. Where there's a will there's a way. I can tell you that I do not, under any circumstances, deny myself ice cream. I simply choose healthier/lower calorie versions. Granted, they cost more, but they are available. Half the time ice cream fulfills my daily fiber goals at the end of the day when I was lacking otherwise. It's a snack I have before bed likely 4-6 times a week. I don't eat less though, I simply work harder for it on a regular basis so that it does in fact fit my plan.
Oh, I agree! I eat the Arctic Zero or Halo Top ice cream regularly, too, and they are tasty! Many things (even pizza and beer) can fit into the weight loss plan. My point was that there are some foods that I love that can't fit into the regular, daily plan. For those, I make room on special days, maybe once a month. My favorite sub from Firehouse Subs has exactly the calories I have for one day... Am I never ever going to eat it again or only buy substitutes that aren't as good? No, that's what occasional cheat days are for. It works for me, because they actually make me more committed and I can easily jump back the next day. That said, I haven't had that particular sub since I started losing weight. It was just the highest calorie item I could think of for this example. 0 -
Keladelphia wrote: »Keladelphia wrote: »While I personally don't label foods as good/bad/cheats/clean. What works for me OP? Eating food that meets my calorie and nutritional targets 90% of the time. The other 10% of the time is reserved for UNPLANNED IDGAF food whether it be larger than usual quantities of the normal food I eat (fruits/veggies/meat/full fat dairy) or foods I rarely eat (cake, chips, chinese etc.). This food usually significantly exceeds my calorie and macro targets and I feel zero guilt when I consume it because the majority of the time i'm giving my body what it needs. The reason I don't plan this food is because I want to eat it when I want to eat it. Maybe it's an unplanned breakfast with my sister, some drinks for a co workers retirement or my TOM; regardless, scheduling to eating highly caloric food once a week on a Saturday because it's Saturday would be pointless for me personally because like you I might not want to eat those things at that moment.
I still don’t understand how you can take it as a jab at "people saying perfectly pleasant things like "I don't call it a cheat day but...." when that's exactly what I said. Whether you personally feel that i've "imagined" rage/nastiness on the general topic throughout the forums is not really relevant. As I have said it's my perception overall, not on this particular thread and i'm entitled to my perception (if you view it as imaginary that's fine too, you're entitled to your perception).
This was my original post with the "rage" comment you have taken offense to removed. Perhaps that word has blinded you from the rest of my post that essentially agreed with what you said. My only point in saying “I'll never understand the rage in these forums at other people choosing to use these labels. “ was that even though I do not not personally use these labels I do not understand why people are so sensitive to people using words like “cheat” and ”clean.”
I answered the OP's question on why I do or do not plan for "cheats/treats/whatever. (To reiterate I eat them and don't plan for them)" I've also already apologized to you for being unclear after you initially told me you were offended. Clearly going back and forth at this point isn't adding anything to this thread so i'll refrain from posting any further. I do find it interesting though that the only time i've seemed to offend someone on this forum is with someone who shares the same opinion on the topic.
I think the word "rage" muddied the waters here but I know what you mean...for me it's the fake confusion that's so strange and almost condescending. People that start a post with "I don't understand the concept of 'cheating' and I never have" as if it's a foreign concept because they're trying so hard to hammer home the "using the word cheating is BAD" mentality they have...and then they use the word in the right way in the very next paragraph/sentence. Because they know what the person meant, they just had to make sure that before they actually answered the question everyone knew how omgbaffled they are by the concept.6 -
I do a hybrid. Sometimes things come up (like a girlfriend came over and we finished off a bottle of wine) that I didn't plan for. But then we're having friends in town and going to a really nice restaurant with a tasting menu and wine pairing. So that will be my cheat meal for next week - so I'm watching what I eat every day leading up to it. But two weeks ago, I was craving some ribeye steak, hardcore. So I added it to my salad and ate the whole seven ounces.
I think you have to be flexible to satisfy cravings and keep yourself on track. But also planning for some nice meals out here and there can add some scheduling in.1 -
I eat lots of seriously unclean food and stuff with added sugar everyday. I plan it in and log it all. From your definition every day is a cheat day for me. I don't label foods as good or bad so I don't do cheat meals. I just eat what I like in portions that keep me full and fit into my calorie goal. If there is a day that I do go over (because life and holidays and special events happen) then I just log everything as best I can. I would never be able to stick to something as strict as "clean" eating. I honestly don't even really know what that means. I eat most of the same things I always ate including fast food and processed foods and real sugar. I've been very successful with calorie counting this way and I am now in maintenance.
I think you can define cheat meals differently. Some people do 'clean' eating all week and then add in processed or sugar for their cheat meals. Others reduce stuff and then go over their calorie count for cheat meals. What works for you, works for you.
For me, I'm tracking macros and calories. So a cheat meal is any time I dip outside of my macro budget/calorie budget. I limit my sugar and processed food intake, but as long as it fits in my budgets, if I do indulge it's not necessarily a cheat meal. Very sustainable that way, for me.1 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.
Not all of us can just fit a cheat day into a week. I struggle with hunger even when I hit my target calories. A cheat day would consume an entire 14 days of calories, so to just fit it in means literally fasting for 2 weeks and on the last day having a cheat day. The idea of doing that is just dangerous. I congratulate those who can just fit in their cheat using a smaller deficit every day. Just don't pretend that what works for you will work for everyone.
I'm just really confused - a 14 days worth of calories cheat day for me would be... almost 31,000 calories. I can't imagine how anyone would be able to eat that much. A 'cheat day' for me is maybe 800 calories over my TDEE... it's something I can make up for in 2 days. Then it gives me 4 more days to get a deficit for the week.
You're a man. I hardly believe that you maintain on less than 2000 calories... so your post makes absolutely no sense. Unless of course your understanding of a 'cheat day' is going way overboard until you're so stuffed that you can't move anymore... then you probably should change your expectations a bit.
About the hunger thing - impossible to tell with your diary closed, but you need to make sure that you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber.1 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.
Not all of us can just fit a cheat day into a week. I struggle with hunger even when I hit my target calories. A cheat day would consume an entire 14 days of calories, so to just fit it in means literally fasting for 2 weeks and on the last day having a cheat day. The idea of doing that is just dangerous. I congratulate those who can just fit in their cheat using a smaller deficit every day. Just don't pretend that what works for you will work for everyone.
I'm just really confused - a 14 days worth of calories cheat day for me would be... almost 31,000 calories. I can't imagine how anyone would be able to eat that much. A 'cheat day' for me is maybe 800 calories over my TDEE... it's something I can make up for in 2 days. Then it gives me 4 more days to get a deficit for the week.
You're a man. I hardly believe that you maintain on less than 2000 calories... so your post makes absolutely no sense. Unless of course your understanding of a 'cheat day' is going way overboard until you're so stuffed that you can't move anymore... then you probably should change your expectations a bit.
About the hunger thing - impossible to tell with your diary closed, but you need to make sure that you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber.
First, my TDEE based on MFP's calculation method for weight, height, and activity is about 1,630 and I'm trying to lose by eating 1,400 per day. Why you think all men have a maintenance of at least 2,000 calories escapes me.
Second, I've had cheat days where I logged (defining a cheat day as that I eat whatever and as much as I want without restriction). Some have been in excess of 20,000 calories... some have even been closer to 30,000 calories. Conservatively, if I use 20,000 / 1,400 = 14.3 days worth of calories. Yes, that is at a planned deficit. Maintenance would be about 12 days. Keep in mind that this is a conservative calorie estimate since I have actually logged more than 27K calories in a single day (go back a couple pages in this thread for a description of an actual cheat day for me).
Third, I have an incredible appetite and it is absolutely insatiable. Part of that might be because my body does not make amylin. I do eat low carb now (obviously eating whatever I want would not be low carb based on my previous explanation) and hunger is not quite as bad as it was before eating low carb. However, I happen to have a big appetite anyway.
It sounds like you think you understand my calorie output and satiety factors better than I do. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't.1 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.
Not all of us can just fit a cheat day into a week. I struggle with hunger even when I hit my target calories. A cheat day would consume an entire 14 days of calories, so to just fit it in means literally fasting for 2 weeks and on the last day having a cheat day. The idea of doing that is just dangerous. I congratulate those who can just fit in their cheat using a smaller deficit every day. Just don't pretend that what works for you will work for everyone.
I'm just really confused - a 14 days worth of calories cheat day for me would be... almost 31,000 calories. I can't imagine how anyone would be able to eat that much. A 'cheat day' for me is maybe 800 calories over my TDEE... it's something I can make up for in 2 days. Then it gives me 4 more days to get a deficit for the week.
You're a man. I hardly believe that you maintain on less than 2000 calories... so your post makes absolutely no sense. Unless of course your understanding of a 'cheat day' is going way overboard until you're so stuffed that you can't move anymore... then you probably should change your expectations a bit.
About the hunger thing - impossible to tell with your diary closed, but you need to make sure that you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber.
First, my TDEE based on MFP's calculation method for weight, height, and activity is about 1,630 and I'm trying to lose by eating 1,400 per day. Why you think all men have a maintenance of at least 2,000 calories escapes me.
Second, I've had cheat days where I logged (defining a cheat day as that I eat whatever and as much as I want without restriction). Some have been in excess of 20,000 calories... some have even been closer to 30,000 calories. Conservatively, if I use 20,000 / 1,400 = 14.3 days worth of calories. Yes, that is at a planned deficit. Maintenance would be about 12 days. Keep in mind that this is a conservative calorie estimate since I have actually logged more than 27K calories in a single day (go back a couple pages in this thread for a description of an actual cheat day for me).
Third, I have an incredible appetite and it is absolutely insatiable. Part of that might be because my body does not make amylin. I do eat low carb now (obviously eating whatever I want would not be low carb based on my previous explanation) and hunger is not quite as bad as it was before eating low carb. However, I happen to have a big appetite anyway.
It sounds like you think you understand my calorie output and satiety factors better than I do. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't.
So, just because your experience is VASTLY atypical, you think that everyone else's advice is not appropriate? I don't think ANYONE here was talking about completely unreasonable 20,000 calorie cheat days. Just because you feel the need to gorge yourself on a 'cheat day' doesn't mean that everyone else does.1 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.
Not all of us can just fit a cheat day into a week. I struggle with hunger even when I hit my target calories. A cheat day would consume an entire 14 days of calories, so to just fit it in means literally fasting for 2 weeks and on the last day having a cheat day. The idea of doing that is just dangerous. I congratulate those who can just fit in their cheat using a smaller deficit every day. Just don't pretend that what works for you will work for everyone.
I'm just really confused - a 14 days worth of calories cheat day for me would be... almost 31,000 calories. I can't imagine how anyone would be able to eat that much. A 'cheat day' for me is maybe 800 calories over my TDEE... it's something I can make up for in 2 days. Then it gives me 4 more days to get a deficit for the week.
You're a man. I hardly believe that you maintain on less than 2000 calories... so your post makes absolutely no sense. Unless of course your understanding of a 'cheat day' is going way overboard until you're so stuffed that you can't move anymore... then you probably should change your expectations a bit.
About the hunger thing - impossible to tell with your diary closed, but you need to make sure that you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber.
First, my TDEE based on MFP's calculation method for weight, height, and activity is about 1,630 and I'm trying to lose by eating 1,400 per day. Why you think all men have a maintenance of at least 2,000 calories escapes me.
Second, I've had cheat days where I logged (defining a cheat day as that I eat whatever and as much as I want without restriction). Some have been in excess of 20,000 calories... some have even been closer to 30,000 calories. Conservatively, if I use 20,000 / 1,400 = 14.3 days worth of calories. Yes, that is at a planned deficit. Maintenance would be about 12 days. Keep in mind that this is a conservative calorie estimate since I have actually logged more than 27K calories in a single day (go back a couple pages in this thread for a description of an actual cheat day for me).
Third, I have an incredible appetite and it is absolutely insatiable. Part of that might be because my body does not make amylin. I do eat low carb now (obviously eating whatever I want would not be low carb based on my previous explanation) and hunger is not quite as bad as it was before eating low carb. However, I happen to have a big appetite anyway.
It sounds like you think you understand my calorie output and satiety factors better than I do. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't.
So, just because your experience is VASTLY atypical, you think that everyone else's advice is not appropriate? I don't think ANYONE here was talking about completely unreasonable 20,000 calorie cheat days. Just because you feel the need to gorge yourself on a 'cheat day' doesn't mean that everyone else does.
Wait, but he was responding to say that it doesn't work for everyone...which is also what you're saying...so why are you disagreeing with him? All he said was that what works for you doesn't necessarily work for everyone, which is something you seem to agree with, but you're still passing judgment on the way he eats because it's not the way you eat...???1 -
BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »Oh, I agree! I eat the Arctic Zero or Halo Top ice cream regularly, too, and they are tasty! Many things (even pizza and beer) can fit into the weight loss plan. My point was that there are some foods that I love that can't fit into the regular, daily plan. For those, I make room on special days, maybe once a month. My favorite sub from Firehouse Subs has exactly the calories I have for one day... Am I never ever going to eat it again or only buy substitutes that aren't as good? No, that's what occasional cheat days are for. It works for me, because they actually make me more committed and I can easily jump back the next day. That said, I haven't had that particular sub since I started losing weight. It was just the highest calorie item I could think of for this example.
I understand you completely. There are a few things I would never get to eat again if I wanted to fit them into my daily calories. So I approach it differently, I may eat them and then add a deficit the rest of the week to make up for it, or I'll find a way to change the recipe to make it healthier and fit it in. I've also been known to bust my *kitten* with an extra 1k calorie burn in order to enjoy a meal out with the wife that I know is horrible on calories. I figure as long as I pay for it in some way, it isn't cheating. To me, cheating is eating it and not paying for it either before or after. I'm just too stubborn to do that with the exception of big holidays (thanksgiving/xmas). Even on those big holidays I log it all though, so I know exactly how much I went over, and what it'll take over the next week or two to fix it. I'm basically trying to teach myself what it takes to live without logging because eventually that's what I'll want to do. I'm lucky in the fact that I don't have high blood pressure (now anyway, after losing the weight and getting fit) or diabetes so nothing is really off the table as long as I use he influx of calories to my advantage.
By the way, that must be a good sub!! My favorite at Subway comes in around 1200 calories. For me that's not en entire day, and I can easily have that left around dinner time but it's a lot for my wife who is stuck around 1400 per day at her current deficit.
0 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.
Not all of us can just fit a cheat day into a week. I struggle with hunger even when I hit my target calories. A cheat day would consume an entire 14 days of calories, so to just fit it in means literally fasting for 2 weeks and on the last day having a cheat day. The idea of doing that is just dangerous. I congratulate those who can just fit in their cheat using a smaller deficit every day. Just don't pretend that what works for you will work for everyone.
I'm just really confused - a 14 days worth of calories cheat day for me would be... almost 31,000 calories. I can't imagine how anyone would be able to eat that much. A 'cheat day' for me is maybe 800 calories over my TDEE... it's something I can make up for in 2 days. Then it gives me 4 more days to get a deficit for the week.
You're a man. I hardly believe that you maintain on less than 2000 calories... so your post makes absolutely no sense. Unless of course your understanding of a 'cheat day' is going way overboard until you're so stuffed that you can't move anymore... then you probably should change your expectations a bit.
About the hunger thing - impossible to tell with your diary closed, but you need to make sure that you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber.
First, my TDEE based on MFP's calculation method for weight, height, and activity is about 1,630 and I'm trying to lose by eating 1,400 per day. Why you think all men have a maintenance of at least 2,000 calories escapes me.
Second, I've had cheat days where I logged (defining a cheat day as that I eat whatever and as much as I want without restriction). Some have been in excess of 20,000 calories... some have even been closer to 30,000 calories. Conservatively, if I use 20,000 / 1,400 = 14.3 days worth of calories. Yes, that is at a planned deficit. Maintenance would be about 12 days. Keep in mind that this is a conservative calorie estimate since I have actually logged more than 27K calories in a single day (go back a couple pages in this thread for a description of an actual cheat day for me).
Third, I have an incredible appetite and it is absolutely insatiable. Part of that might be because my body does not make amylin. I do eat low carb now (obviously eating whatever I want would not be low carb based on my previous explanation) and hunger is not quite as bad as it was before eating low carb. However, I happen to have a big appetite anyway.
It sounds like you think you understand my calorie output and satiety factors better than I do. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't.
So, just because your experience is VASTLY atypical, you think that everyone else's advice is not appropriate? I don't think ANYONE here was talking about completely unreasonable 20,000 calorie cheat days. Just because you feel the need to gorge yourself on a 'cheat day' doesn't mean that everyone else does.
Wait, but he was responding to say that it doesn't work for everyone...which is also what you're saying...so why are you disagreeing with him? All he said was that what works for you doesn't necessarily work for everyone, which is something you seem to agree with, but you're still passing judgment on the way he eats because it's not the way you eat...???
Because there's just no point in his post, except to be argumentative. It's like a vegan posting on a thread about meat saying that the advice wouldn't work for him because he doesn't eat meat. Although I suppose I can give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he really believes that when people talk about 'cheat days', it means eating over 10,000 calories... although then he could probably have figured out by himself that you can't easily fit 10,000 calories in a week so that *maybe* in that case eating 10,000 calories in one day wouldn't be a good approach... but no, he had to point it out. Doh.
So yeah. I got nothing.1 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.
Not all of us can just fit a cheat day into a week. I struggle with hunger even when I hit my target calories. A cheat day would consume an entire 14 days of calories, so to just fit it in means literally fasting for 2 weeks and on the last day having a cheat day. The idea of doing that is just dangerous. I congratulate those who can just fit in their cheat using a smaller deficit every day. Just don't pretend that what works for you will work for everyone.
I'm just really confused - a 14 days worth of calories cheat day for me would be... almost 31,000 calories. I can't imagine how anyone would be able to eat that much. A 'cheat day' for me is maybe 800 calories over my TDEE... it's something I can make up for in 2 days. Then it gives me 4 more days to get a deficit for the week.
You're a man. I hardly believe that you maintain on less than 2000 calories... so your post makes absolutely no sense. Unless of course your understanding of a 'cheat day' is going way overboard until you're so stuffed that you can't move anymore... then you probably should change your expectations a bit.
About the hunger thing - impossible to tell with your diary closed, but you need to make sure that you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber.
First, my TDEE based on MFP's calculation method for weight, height, and activity is about 1,630 and I'm trying to lose by eating 1,400 per day. Why you think all men have a maintenance of at least 2,000 calories escapes me.
Second, I've had cheat days where I logged (defining a cheat day as that I eat whatever and as much as I want without restriction). Some have been in excess of 20,000 calories... some have even been closer to 30,000 calories. Conservatively, if I use 20,000 / 1,400 = 14.3 days worth of calories. Yes, that is at a planned deficit. Maintenance would be about 12 days. Keep in mind that this is a conservative calorie estimate since I have actually logged more than 27K calories in a single day (go back a couple pages in this thread for a description of an actual cheat day for me).
Third, I have an incredible appetite and it is absolutely insatiable. Part of that might be because my body does not make amylin. I do eat low carb now (obviously eating whatever I want would not be low carb based on my previous explanation) and hunger is not quite as bad as it was before eating low carb. However, I happen to have a big appetite anyway.
It sounds like you think you understand my calorie output and satiety factors better than I do. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't.
So, just because your experience is VASTLY atypical, you think that everyone else's advice is not appropriate? I don't think ANYONE here was talking about completely unreasonable 20,000 calorie cheat days. Just because you feel the need to gorge yourself on a 'cheat day' doesn't mean that everyone else does.
Wait, but he was responding to say that it doesn't work for everyone...which is also what you're saying...so why are you disagreeing with him? All he said was that what works for you doesn't necessarily work for everyone, which is something you seem to agree with, but you're still passing judgment on the way he eats because it's not the way you eat...???
Because there's just no point in his post, except to be argumentative. It's like a vegan posting on a thread about meat saying that the advice wouldn't work for him because he doesn't eat meat. Although I suppose I can give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he really believes that when people talk about 'cheat days', it means eating over 10,000 calories... although then he could probably have figured out by himself that you can't easily fit 10,000 calories in a week so that *maybe* in that case eating 10,000 calories in one day wouldn't be a good approach... but no, he had to point it out. Doh.
So yeah. I got nothing.
Why are you under the assumption that "people" is more than just you in this scenario? You're assuming your definition of "cheat" is everyone's, and if he disagrees with you, he's just being difficult because you're the normal one and he's weird! How can you say that with any certainty? It just seems to be an assumption you're making so you can get on with the judging, and that's silly.
All he's saying is that for him it's more difficult due to how hungry he can get and his maintenance calories.
Finally: your analogy is wayyy off. He's talking about cheat days. This thread is about cheat days. Just because you think your definition of cheating is the "right" one and his is wrong doesn't mean his post is pointless - he's just sharing like you did. It's more like the thread asks how people get their protein and he said "I'm a vegan, so I get my protein mostly from quinoa."4 -
midwesterner85 wrote: »midwesterner85 wrote: »BeverlyMarsh1986 wrote: »I think it's funny when people say "just fit it into your plan" - you mean have 2 pieces of brownie with ice cream and then starve the rest of the day? Sometimes it doesn't work like that. Sometimes you just want to eat MORE, even if you manage to fit most things into the diet on an every-day basis - and I do. I eat pizza and grilled chicken burgers and just adjust the rest of the day accordingly. So even though I don't feel THAT restricted, there are still days when I don't want to worry about it.
Every 3-4 weeks I pick one day to "cheat" or whatever you want to call it. Then I go over all of the macros equally, about 25-50% more than recommended. It fits a nice restaurant pizza and some chocolate, plus a few other things. So it's planned and controlled, but makes me happy and works for me.
You fit it in your plans - but nobody's saying that they're going by daily calories though. I go by weekly average... so I can eat at a 300-400 calories deficit 6 days a week and fit that brownie and ice cream on day 7 if I want.
I'm maintaining though, but I did the same when I was losing (500 calorie deficit or so), so I could still have a high calorie day and keep a deficit - BUT let's face it, I never had TWO brownies and ice cream either. But I've had some 3000+ calories days and still kept a deficit those weeks. It just takes some planning (or being extra careful after an unplanned high calorie day).
Let's be honest though - you still have to make good choices, and REALLY ask yourself how much you want that brownie and ice cream. I save the high calorie stuff for when I really crave them. Sure, every day I want to go to my favorite bakery and have a donut or a croissant... but I don't do it. And a cheat day for the sake of a cheat day? No thanks. I'm not going to spend 3000 calories on something I don't really want in the first place... special occasion or not. Heck I had a big deficit on July 4th this year because I had no interest in hamburger buns or my husband's birthday cake (which I made myself too!).
That's why I don't like the idea of a 'cheat day'. I see people ask what they should eat on their cheat day and it's just the wrong question... Ask yourself what you REALLY want to eat. And make room for THAT. And make good choices the rest of the time.
Not all of us can just fit a cheat day into a week. I struggle with hunger even when I hit my target calories. A cheat day would consume an entire 14 days of calories, so to just fit it in means literally fasting for 2 weeks and on the last day having a cheat day. The idea of doing that is just dangerous. I congratulate those who can just fit in their cheat using a smaller deficit every day. Just don't pretend that what works for you will work for everyone.
I'm just really confused - a 14 days worth of calories cheat day for me would be... almost 31,000 calories. I can't imagine how anyone would be able to eat that much. A 'cheat day' for me is maybe 800 calories over my TDEE... it's something I can make up for in 2 days. Then it gives me 4 more days to get a deficit for the week.
You're a man. I hardly believe that you maintain on less than 2000 calories... so your post makes absolutely no sense. Unless of course your understanding of a 'cheat day' is going way overboard until you're so stuffed that you can't move anymore... then you probably should change your expectations a bit.
About the hunger thing - impossible to tell with your diary closed, but you need to make sure that you're eating enough protein, fat, and fiber.
First, my TDEE based on MFP's calculation method for weight, height, and activity is about 1,630 and I'm trying to lose by eating 1,400 per day. Why you think all men have a maintenance of at least 2,000 calories escapes me.
Second, I've had cheat days where I logged (defining a cheat day as that I eat whatever and as much as I want without restriction). Some have been in excess of 20,000 calories... some have even been closer to 30,000 calories. Conservatively, if I use 20,000 / 1,400 = 14.3 days worth of calories. Yes, that is at a planned deficit. Maintenance would be about 12 days. Keep in mind that this is a conservative calorie estimate since I have actually logged more than 27K calories in a single day (go back a couple pages in this thread for a description of an actual cheat day for me).
Third, I have an incredible appetite and it is absolutely insatiable. Part of that might be because my body does not make amylin. I do eat low carb now (obviously eating whatever I want would not be low carb based on my previous explanation) and hunger is not quite as bad as it was before eating low carb. However, I happen to have a big appetite anyway.
It sounds like you think you understand my calorie output and satiety factors better than I do. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but you don't.
So, just because your experience is VASTLY atypical, you think that everyone else's advice is not appropriate? I don't think ANYONE here was talking about completely unreasonable 20,000 calorie cheat days. Just because you feel the need to gorge yourself on a 'cheat day' doesn't mean that everyone else does.
Wait, but he was responding to say that it doesn't work for everyone...which is also what you're saying...so why are you disagreeing with him? All he said was that what works for you doesn't necessarily work for everyone, which is something you seem to agree with, but you're still passing judgment on the way he eats because it's not the way you eat...???
Because there's just no point in his post, except to be argumentative. It's like a vegan posting on a thread about meat saying that the advice wouldn't work for him because he doesn't eat meat. Although I suppose I can give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he really believes that when people talk about 'cheat days', it means eating over 10,000 calories... although then he could probably have figured out by himself that you can't easily fit 10,000 calories in a week so that *maybe* in that case eating 10,000 calories in one day wouldn't be a good approach... but no, he had to point it out. Doh.
So yeah. I got nothing.
Why are you under the assumption that "people" is more than just you in this scenario? You're assuming your definition of "cheat" is everyone's, and if he disagrees with you, he's just being difficult because you're the normal one and he's weird! How can you say that with any certainty? It just seems to be an assumption you're making so you can get on with the judging, and that's silly.
All he's saying is that for him it's more difficult due to how hungry he can get and his maintenance calories.
Finally: your analogy is wayyy off. He's talking about cheat days. This thread is about cheat days. Just because you think your definition of cheating is the "right" one and his is wrong doesn't mean his post is pointless - he's just sharing like you did. It's more like the thread asks how people get their protein and he said "I'm a vegan, so I get my protein mostly from quinoa."
Eh. Whatever.0 -
My point, which was apparently lost because some users can't grasp my example to support that point, is that not everybody can fit a cheat day/meal/whatever into their daily/weekly/whatever calories. For some of us, having a cheat day cancels significant amounts of weight loss effort and it isn't feasible to plan those cheat days by using deficits from other days. The only way to plan a cheat day is to only allow it at certain milestone weight goals. And when that milestone is reached a 2nd time (after the gain from a cheat day is lost again), not allow a cheat day until the next time.3
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