Please stop calling it a "cheat meal!"
Replies
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Am I the only one that found this odd?As humans, we are not meant to eat the same number of calories every single day of our lives. It's not normal, it is not natural.
Two things:
1) It may not be normal or natural, but it's not abnormal or unnatural, either.
2) We generally won't do that, anyway, regardless if there's a cheat meal or not - especially here on MFP. Here, we'd typically (although, not if using a TDEE method of weight management) eat exercise Cals earned, which would likely be different from day to day, especially if it were a rest day. Additionally, if not using MFP (or some other Calorie tracker), people would often eat more if exercising anyway.
So, it seems to be irrelevant on at least two fronts, if not completely accurate in the first place.3 -
Am I the only one that found this odd?As humans, we are not meant to eat the same number of calories every single day of our lives. It's not normal, it is not natural.
Two things:
1) It may not be normal or natural, but it's not abnormal or unnatural, either.
2) We generally won't do that, anyway, regardless if there's a cheat meal or not - especially here on MFP. Here, we'd typically (although, not if using a TDEE method of weight management) eat exercise Cals earned, which would likely be different from day to day, especially if it were a rest day. Additionally, if not using MFP (or some other Calorie tracker), people would often eat more if exercising anyway.
So, it seems to be irrelevant on at least two fronts, if not completely accurate in the first place.
Yeah, I count calories every single day and I never eat the same amount of calories. My Fitbit adjustments are slightly different each day and even if they were not, I naturally go over and days and under others and it all balances out within the context of the week.
So even if it was true that we were not "meant" to eat the same number of calories each day, even people who avoid "cheat meals" are usually going to be varying their calories.0 -
Fair enough.
I will call it Kevin instead.
I'm sure that will make all the world of difference.24 -
IMO, if you're reaching your weekly goal, how the hell is that cheating?
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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You want to know why I'm concerned? Here's why: Anyone who's been on this forum for any length of time has read any number of posts by incredibly vulnerable people. People who are at the mercy of the diet industry, people who are at the mercy of the food industry, people who don't have the "will power" that others do, and feel victimized by food. Food is our friend not our enemy. And I worry about the vulnerable people who fuss so much over their "cheat days." These forums are a village where we come for support. And there are people in this village who could definitely use the support of not calling these "cheat days" and feeling the guilt that comes with that designation. Loving ourselves and each other up is my point.8
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You want to know why I'm concerned? Here's why: Anyone who's been on this forum for any length of time has read any number of posts by incredibly vulnerable people. People who are at the mercy of the diet industry, people who are at the mercy of the food industry, people who don't have the "will power" that others do, and feel victimized by food. Food is our friend not our enemy. And I worry about the vulnerable people who fuss so much over their "cheat days." These forums are a village where we come for support. And there are people in this village who could definitely use the support of not calling these "cheat days" and feeling the guilt that comes with that designation. Loving ourselves and each other up is my point.
these same people have a problem with being 'on a diet' which some people use to describe calorie restriction, myself included. If you feel guilty about a cheat day, your problem is not with the language, your problem is with your relationship with food and calling it anything else is not going to help. they should seek therapy.11 -
I just wonder exactly what people are cheating on and imagine the poster with a cheesecake in a seedy motel while a carrot sits at home with the baby carrots crying.18
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I call mine a "Splurge" meal. But most call it a "cheat" meal. So if I want to do a search on the net I will get more from searching the word 'cheat'. Just the way it is. Kinda like the word 'tone' and the word muscle
blah 2 -
I think calling them cheat meals/days helps some people feel more in control of their eating. A "cheat" (or "treat" or whatever you want to call it) meal/day can allow a person to understand that whether planned or not one meal/day won't negate the work they've previously put into their weight loss efforts. Going back to their routine afterwards, seeing some weight gain due to eating more/different food than they're used to, then watching that weight dissipate over a week or so and their normal losing pattern start again can be both informative and reassuring.
I don't have a specific name for when I eat over my calorie limit and I don't consciously try to make up for the overage (although often I'm less hungry and feel more energized the next day or so and think I've reached a point where I tend to naturally regulate). I weigh myself every day and take notice of the ups and downs, but I understand that even gaining a couple of lbs on a long vacation has no meaning in the long run.2 -
I don't care what people call it I'm just sick of hearing people talk about it. If you feel the need to go crazy for a meal or a day or week or vacation or whatever then it's your choice. Just get back on track after and be an adult and take responsibility for your actions. Carry on and stop making the whole world miserable about it.
I will go back to my quiet spot now.6 -
MontyMuttland wrote: »If you've committed yourself to a diet plan in order to lose weight and you decide to throw it aside for one meal/one day/whatever, then you have cheated on the diet plan, it's really that simple.
Call a spade a spade, why hide from what you're doing? Do you want someone to congratulate you for failing to stick to your resolve?
Then next time you're about to cheat, ask yourself do you really want to stay fat?
I completely agree. After my first cheat meal I was hesitant, looking at the scale the next morning. After my second I was committed to maintaining the 'mental fortitude', so to speak.1 -
I agree ... You're not taking an exam or doing something behind a person's back, so what or who exactly are you cheating on!?!2
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lindsaydlane96 wrote: »I have maintenance days
second that ! I try to do a maintenance day once every 2 months or so0 -
I think people will do what they have to, and call it what they have to.
You make a good point though, OP. I have been dieting almost all my adult life and have always referred to it as a "cheat" meal. But now I'm all-in on the "it's a lifestyle change, not a diet!" thing so calling it a "cheat" meal didn't feel right to me. I am now referring to it as Indulgences. It reminds me that indulgences are ok but they're not meant to be all day everyday.3 -
I log everything. Even days that would embarrass the Cookie Monster. But I don't consider it cheating personally, but that's just me.6
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it is a dumb concept because food is not bad, good, evil, cheats, satan, etc..it is just food. Eat what you like within your calories and make sure you meet micros and macros...
stop applying moral terms to food...10 -
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Troll posting in MFP...
Who would of thunk?0 -
Can I get an amen?
Food sustains us. Food delights us. Food bedevils us. But food is what powers our bodies. As humans, we are not meant to eat the same number of calories every single day of our lives. It's not normal, it is not natural. Allowing ourselves to eat the wonderful things that we love is not "Cheating." We are not bad.
Just sayin'.
No amen for me.
I track all I eat, whether it is a cheat meal or a low calorie meal. My cheat meal I look forward to weekly. I can have my cake and eat it. Cheese. Chicken wings. Pork Belly. Ice cream! Knowing I can have my cheat meal each Saturday keeps my cravings under control.
A cheat meal is not bad, it is simply eating something you don't normally allow yourself to eat. I think the question is rather why the term upsets you so much you have to make a post about it? Do you have any underlying food or cheating issues?3 -
Honestly, I don't worry too much what people call something. It might feel more comfortable for them.
I actually haven't gone over my calories yet, although I figure I will at some point.2
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