Cheating Days

i've had major cheat days like once a week for the past 3 weeks or so.. because my boyfriend has been concerned that i've lost a little too much weight so he treats me to fattening meals ...& then end up being a pound less the next day or two simply because my stomach isn't used to taking in the "cheat" foods so they give me the runs! "/ .. & i really don't want to lose any more weight!

I have a cheat day. and I do, eat what I want.. if it's out to eat, I still make a way better choice than I used to, and usually only eat half of what I get and take the other half home or just dont even bother. If it's pizza or fast food, I'll eat/order half of what I used to consume.. that way I still get the taste, just dont over do it.

I still keep my limits in mind, but I do splurge and eat what I want, just not a ton of it! Also, the typical person's weight fluctuates 2-3 lbs a day, so just because the day before you were 1 lb less than the day after, doesn't defeat your accomplishment. It could be water weight if you had too much sodium on your cheat day?

Don't beat yourself up over it! Hope this helps!! (:

I have found that if I don't let myself cheat once in awhile, I will absolutely go bonkers craving things. It is something about our subconscious that goes a little crazy when we believe we are deprived. I kind of agree with others that a cheat is something you can do for a meal but maybe not all day. Who knows? It's kinda different for different people. Personally I treat myself now and then.

I used to follow the MFP guidelines during the weekdays, and go out to dinner on the weekends with my sweetheart...followed by a movie with sweets and popcorn...
Totally NOT worth it! I ended up gaining-of course-!
I'm a total sweets monster, and constantly crave cookies, chocolate, ice cream, donuts...
so every now and again I'll allow myself a fun sized chocolate, or something, but I'll make sure it fits in to my calories. :>
Cheaters never prosper

I say if you're going cheat-eat the amount of calories you need to maintain your weight 200+ calories you can get from exercise that day, that way you won't gain or lose. Otherwise eating too much may make you fall off the wagon.

i dont cheat.

i have all things in moderation and have been successful since i joined back in may, this isnt about depravation and it is not a race. its about learning how to make healthy choices for the rest of your life, you have to take the good along with the bad and just get back on track starting today keep working out and and eating right, you body will adjust and the pounds will drop off again.

the fact that you have trainer is a nsv by itself.


good luck and keep it moving.

I wouldn't call it a cheat anything! Call it a treat we all need them! A whole day is never a good idea.. Is there ever a place or time cheating down a box of Oreos or whole bag o' chips is ok?? Of course not! But to go out & enjoy a dinner without worrying too much is good! If a 4 ounce steak will fill yah then get that & don't bother with the 6 or 8 ounce.. Enjoy your baked potato with all the toppings or enjoy that big plate of pasta.. But if you get full stop! don't say oh this is my cheat day I can finish!

I also find that if your good most days & a special day like a birthday comes along then enjoy yourself! Don't let food rule your entire life just make the best choices you can most of the time

I do have cheat days and rest days but RARELY are they the same day. If I have a rest day where I don't exercise then I try to make sure I stay well within (under) my calorie goal - currently 1200 - 1600 . If I splurge food wise I try to make sure that I have done at least something to burn (at least some of) it off - i.e. an evening walk, trip to the gym, a bike ride... whatever. But allowing a cheat day helps your metabolism catch up and reset... it shakes up your system.

not to mention that for me allowing myself a cheat keeps me on the straight and narrow in the long run.

When we go out I rarely look at menus before hand but I still try to be reasonable. This has back fired a number of times - you would be surprised some of the things that are still horrible even in small portions - but I learn and get going again the next day.

But going out is a treat to be with the people not for the food. And one day is not going to derail anything unless you let it. we are here to make true lifestyle permanent changes. Are you going to go through the rest of your life never having a cheat or rest? Learn how to do it now. And don't make yourself crazy.

That sort of anarchy is why I'm here in the first place :P

LOL touche

I don't have cheat meals or cheat days.

I eat what I want, when I want it - but I eat it in moderation. I read labels, measure out serving sizes, eat those and move on.

For me, having to wait for a certain day or certain meal to consume foods that I love -- well, that feels WAY too much like a diet. If I'm able to eat what I want, when I want it - it feels more like a lifestyle change and something I can live with for the rest of my life.

I have a hard time bouncing back after cheat days. I had a cheat weekend in September and it took me 2 weeks to weigh come off. Probably was mostly water weight from the booze I consumed (it was a wedding weekend) I am trying to avoid that to myself again because If felt so awful. When I know I want a cheat meal, I usually won't eat my excercise cals back too much during the week. I am also following WW and you can bank your excercise cals and eat them anytime during the week. That's what I do.

I've had unintentional cheat days and was still losing. This week though I started zigzagging. I get one super high calorie day, which in reality is probably around maintenance but it was a LOT of food! I've already lost over a pound this week so I'm sold! I reserve the right to change my mind later if my weight loss stalls again! :laugh:

Yesterday I had 2200 calories and today I had 400
Oh. And I definitely got my period today-ha! I was wondering why I was crazy with cringes yesterday-ay ways-I'm a huge advocate of cheat days-u need to b social-just eat less the next day-ofcourse it's never a good idea to go crazy and eat like 3000 plus calories
Zigzagging allows me to get excited for days like thanks giving!:D

Hi SkrinkingMG
I've lost about 8lbs so far and have a day's break every week where I am less strict. Over all in the week I try and keep as close to my average recommend calories as possible. The iPhone app for MFP gives you a overview of the week's net calories which is really helpful to keep you on track. So if you have a 'not so good' day on Wednesday it gives you the rest of the week to catch-up with exercise and other activities. I guess for me the key to weight loss is trying to be in deficit by just the right amount so your body doesn't go into starvation mode.

Good luck and keep posting and logging!!! You can do it!!:happy:

I've been on MFP since July and have lost 19lb so far. I cheat now and then but when I see the total calorie count of what I've been over-eating, I get mad at myself for over indulging. Last night I had Bible Study at my home, set out numberous snacks and proceeded to eat over 800 calories-just snacking!! Oh well today is a new day. But sometimes you have to let go a little bit and treat yourself or you'll give up. Keep pluggin along every day and you'll reach your goal.