Cheat Day?

JMoody28 · January 2020

Just wondering what everyone’s opinions are on cheat days?

MikePTY · January 2020

You'll find that term not terribly popular here due to the connotation that "cheating" brings up. I think it's fine to have days when you eat more than other days, even if that means eating a good bit over your goal. Just remember that calories count just as much in a cheat day as a non-cheat day, so you have to balance that out.

BarbaraHelen2013 · January 2020

Personally, I’m not a believer in ‘cheat’ days/meals etc.

Who or what are you cheating? The only answer to this is yourself!

Mostly though, the very idea of cheating suggests that you’re doing something that you need relief from. For me, that’s not a helpful mindset.

I’m perfectly fine sticking to what I know works and reinforcing habits that will support maintenance when I get there. If there’s a food I really want, I make it fit into my calories. If it’s too hard to fit I find it easy enough to decide it’s probably not worth it!

saintor1 · January 2020

One day by two weeks is not a problem... if you are doing it right on the other 13 days. Very convenient on social happenings.

Duck_Puddle · January 2020

I have days that I eat more (much more) than “normal” and more than my TDEE. I balance these by eating a bit less than “normal” on other days. I manage my calories to a weekly goal.

Unchecked eating can easily wipe out a weekly deficit (and then some). Especially since dietary choices on those days tend to be very high calorie, not very filling foods (that we often tend to eat less of when trying to lower our calorie intake).

As mentioned above, I’m also not “cheating” anything-and while it’s just semantics, words matter and they frame how we view our actions.

So I do have days where I eat more calories than I need. On those days, I do tend to make at least some dietary choices I wouldn’t ordinarily make (because I typically eat foods that are lower calorie, nutrient dense and highly filling). But it’s never not logged and not without consideration for managing my overall calorie intake to ensure that I’m in a deficit (overall-for the week).

lorrpb · January 2020

I have treats but not cheats, whatever that means.

wilson10102018 · January 2020

I don't do any "cheat days." But, it does help me to know that while it takes a deficit of 3500 calories to lose a pound, it also takes a surplus of 3500 calories to gain a pound.

100gramsaday · January 2020

Personally, I've come to realize in my own life that a day cheating on your diet, equals a cheat lifestyle.

try2again · January 2020

As was alluded to above, the ideal situation would be to have a diet you don't feel the need to "cheat" on, and a rate of loss that doesn't require excessive deprivation on a daily basis. If you choose to have a day or more relaxed eating, just do the math and make sure you are still OK with the progress it yields for the week.

gremloBBPT · January 2020

Just gotta make sure that the additional calories don't wipe out your week's deficit.

Edit: Sry, I should've read the thread first, as several people already said the same thing.

JMoody28 · January 2020

Thanks for all the input everyone!

bighoopattitude · January 2020

Doritos are my vice. I’m trying to allow myself one bag per month instead of my usual bag per week. (Don’t judge me, lol.) anyway I’m looking forward to it! It’s helping me cut back without making me feel like I’m giving too much up. My next bag is January 25! Wooot. Chips are legit the only food I get excited about.

Cheat Day?

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