To Cheat or Not to Cheat This Holiday

WW1984 · December 2018

So MFP Fam,

Who’s going to stick with all the hard work and weight loss they’ve accomplished during today’s dinner; and who’s going to have somewhat of a tremendous cheat day?

I’m going to stay strong and stick to my healthy eating habits and lose 13 lbs by January 31st to reach my goal weight of 💯 lbs ‼️😁

bpetrosky · December 2018

Or, alternatively, plan your day or well around your calorie budget and manage your portions accordingly. There's no cheating necessary, you can indulge in some treats and still keep yourself in track.

Eternally_Hers · December 2018

I've lost 120 pounds out of 140 over two years, so I'm having two cheat days. My Aunt and Uncle traveled half way across the country to get here for Christmas. It's going to be a nice Christmas dinner tonight. Yesterday was spent with my girl friend and her mom and we had a nice buffet out.

I'm hoping to have lost the last 20 pounds by my birthday in April

cmriverside · December 2018

Cheat? Hm.

I don't call eating delicious holiday food "cheating."

I have gone over my calories on two days so far this past week and I'll definitely be over today.

Back at it tomorrow. Maybe.

neugebauer52 · December 2018

I am not too worried about cheating but more interested in portion control. We had our big dinner last night (24. Dec.) and overall I went well over my daily calorie allocation - a lot! Today are still some delicious left - overs I will be picking on but as of tomorrow I will be back to my usual meal plan. So I am not stressing and I will visit the scale next week Monday only.

collectingblues · December 2018

I do a handful of maintenance days a year. Today is one of those. No cheating involved. Just not at a deficit today.

Duck_Puddle · December 2018

Most of my hard work has been around finding a balance to life that allows me to enjoy days with friends and family and enjoy foods that I don’t typically eat - and that doing so fits just perfectly into a balanced, healthy life.

I’m not cheating. I’m enjoying a holiday with family and friends. Just like always, some days I’ve over, some days I’m under and in the grand scheme of things-whether I eat 10 calories or 10000, today really won’t matter.

Also-losing 13 pounds in 5 weeks is...aggressive.

Machka9 · December 2018

I ate a reasonable amount on Christmas Day. Dinner was turkey and veg. There was a nice dessert and a few cookies and chocolates. All good.

And I burned 500-ish calories with exercise.

All planned ... no cheating. And nothing too extravagant.

Kuchiness · December 2018

I've just had scrambled eggs mixed with cottage cheese on an English muffin with steamed brussels sprouts on the side and it was delicious. Brussel sprouts made all the difference to make it look Christmassy haha

AnnPT77 · December 2018

Cheat? No. I don't believe in cheating.**

Celebrate, including indulgent foods? Yes.

It's a wonderful holiday, and traditions include sharing special foods and drinks with family and friends.

Celebration and social connection are important, and to be balanced with nutrition and calorie management, not excluded from my life entirely.

The majority of our days determine our health and weight, not the tiny number of special celebrations each year

** Kinda like I don't believe in Santa Claus.

missysippy930 · December 2018

I don’t consider it cheating, by having a nice Christmas dinner with family and friends. I call it living, and enjoying lovely traditions of a wonderful meal with family and friends. The big difference now, is that tomorrow, I will continue on with my program of eating less calories than I am burning. To me, calling it cheating connotates doing something to be guilty about, I refuse to feel guilty. Just my opinion.

nutmegoreo · December 2018

I plan on eating all the foods I enjoy, just not loading up on all of them. It's not cheating and it's only one meal. I will enjoy it and will not feel guilty about it. Too much of my adult life was spent feeling guilt and shame over food. It's ridiculous and it's over.

lemurcat2 · December 2018

bpetrosky wrote: »

Or, alternatively, plan your day or well around your calorie budget and manage your portions accordingly. There's no cheating necessary, you can indulge in some treats and still keep yourself in track.

Yeah, I'm not "cheating." I'm also eating more than usual as a result of some festive family meals and desserts, as part of the day and related traditions.

I've done this every year since I started, no big deal. Being in shape and healthy doesn't mean you can never have a big festive meal.

glamorousAdvocate · December 2018

I'm cooking this year, so I might as well indulge a little bit in what I worked so hard for, right? Doing all that work does burn calories and work up an appetite, so I'm going to try to stay at maintenance, not deficit, so I can eat my fill and then go take a nap with the family. Most of the time I'm severely (but not unhealthily, I hope) under my deficit anyway, so I am not too concerned.

There's no reason to deprive oneself. It's not cheating, it's enjoying time with family and good food! That's why it's called a feast. It's only one day, and I'm considering it a reward for all the hard work I've been doing!

admaarie · December 2018

Enjoying the holidays and eating food out of your normal routine shouldn’t even be considered cheating. It’s just living.
Enjoy everything in moderation, don’t eat in a deficit if you don’t want to. Eat in maintenance. Or don’t. Whatever floats your boat. It’s a couple days out of the year. Eat, enjoy, move on 🤷🏾‍♀️

callsitlikeiseeit · December 2018

its a few days out of the year.

eat what you want.

youll be fine.

kshama2001 · December 2018

Senata76 wrote: »

I've just had scrambled eggs mixed with cottage cheese on an English muffin with steamed brussels sprouts on the side and it was delicious. Brussel sprouts made all the difference to make it look Christmassy haha

I've recently discovered that 80 - 100 grams of Brussels sprouts (and cauliflower), along with fat, a protein and starch, is amazingly filling.

Chieflrg · December 2018

I'll still retain my small deficit but the day will be no less tremendous.

Due to my powerlifting schedule I usually count calories in December to shed a couple pounds after 4-5 of months of eating reseaonbaly without counting.

Either way is healthy to me.

aokoye · December 2018

kshama2001 wrote: »

Senata76 wrote: »

I've just had scrambled eggs mixed with cottage cheese on an English muffin with steamed brussels sprouts on the side and it was delicious. Brussel sprouts made all the difference to make it look Christmassy haha

I've recently discovered that 80 - 100 grams of Brussels sprouts (and cauliflower), along with fat, a protein and starch, is amazingly filling.

It's true - I was trying to tell you all that in another thread when I was extolling the virtues of brussels sprouts

But yes - I have a bunch of rendered duck fat to use and I suspect some of it will go into cooking brussels sprouts

maureenkhilde · December 2018

Just got back from a walk. Today and yesterday more of eating a bit over a deficit but no going hog wild. And tomorrow right back at it. Enjoyed the Sangria a friend made here at the house.

somethingsoright · December 2018

If I am to continue onward with this weight loss and then maintain it, indulgence a few times a year needs to be a part of it. So I enjoyed the extras today and tomorrow will be either a maintenance or modest deficit day.

Now off to get in a spectacular leg workout after ingesting so much dietary fuel!

leanjogreen18 · December 2018

I switched to OMAD and sticking as close to my deficit as I can while not stressing and having what I want.

garystrickland357 · December 2018

I haven’t worried too much about calories today. I’m enjoying the goodness. I’m logging - with an accuracy of +/- 1,000 Calories, lol. I’ve maintained my exercise and I haven’t gorged myself - I’m just enjoying the food. I’m back to normal eating tomorrow. I’m not stressed about it.

paperpudding · December 2018

Have given myself a week off logging.

Which I do now and then when on holidays and suchlike.

Still being sensible about portions sizes but not logging.

From experience this does not derail my long term goals.

ShayCarver89 · December 2018

I ate a lot more than usual on Christmas eve and Christmas day and just weighed myself and I've lost 1.2 pounds, hitting a 35 pound weight loss milestone. So..no regrets here. I would of been fine having gained a few pounds too. I lost it before I can lose it again, and part of LIFE LONG health is accepting that sometimes your weight goes up a little bit. You're not going to hold steady forever. Realistically weight fluctuates and I refuse to be miserable.

Ddsb11 · December 2018

Cheating is when you are doing something wrong. You are not doing anything wrong by eating and enjoying treats especially on a holiday.

When you balance out your calorie intake overtime to meet your goals, why not eat what you’d like? It’s a win-win.

Safari_Gal · December 2018

WW1984 wrote: »

So MFP Fam,

Who’s going to stick with all the hard work and weight loss they’ve accomplished during today’s dinner; and who’s going to have somewhat of a tremendous cheat day?

I’m going to stay strong and stick to my healthy eating habits and lose 13 lbs by January 31st to reach my goal weight of 💯 lbs ‼️😁

@WW1984 inspiring! Way to go with the weight loss! To me the holidays are just another day. I go out to dinner often and we frequently have dinner parties and celebrations at our house - so it’s not that big of a difference from any other time of year.

To Cheat or Not to Cheat This Holiday

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