cheat meals

I totally understand that some people are not able to control their urges and don't have any cheat meals/days and I repsect that but I'm not one of them!

I FULLY believe in a cheat meal/day. I think you are setting yourself up for failure if you don't let yourself have a treat every now and then.

I think we should, on top of learning everything we are learning with the process, learn how to justify our actions. I believe that it is ok to have a candy bar one day, or a cheat day (every once in a while), etc., however I think the extra calories should be worked off/earned. If I want to go out for pizza or whatever, I'm going to make sure that I get in a good solid hour at the gym before hand.

The only times I'm not too hard on myself are for events like baby showers, birthday parties, etc. I still watch what I eat and portion control, but I'm more free to whatever I want and I have to go to the gym the next day.

If you are eating over your allowance in calories every week you are setting yourself up for failure in MY opinion. You have to learn that a treat is a treat. It isn't a treat when it is all the time, it's a routine. I think you should see what kind of foods you are eating for your cheat meals and see if there is any way to make a healthier-yet-still-tasty version of it. Also, limit yourself somtimes. Maybe have a cheat meal every other week if you must, or just have a cheat food (i.e. ice cream after dinner, etc).

I don't call it a cheat or treat day. If I'm wanting something that's more calories then my norm then I just eat it and move on to a my next meal being a healthier one. Sometimes in a week I may have several food items or meals that are not healthier choices but I enjoy them and never deprive myself of anything. That way when I lose the weight and have to maintain I will be able to eat and enjoy but not go overboard or if I should, then I will spend extra time at the gym to burn those calories. Hope this helps.

I don't schedule mine usually, sometimes I'll have a meal that is higher than normal like a couple slices of pizza or some really good tomatoe sauce, but I usually try to workout enough to WIN that treat and get to eat it guilt free. Oh sometimes I have an MGD 64 as well, I like to think of "cheating" as winning that chicken sandwich or that extra piece of pizza :bigsmile: :drinker:

My boyfriend calls them my "sinful things' but I allow myself to have a Starbucks signature hot chocolate (when it's cold) or a Mocha Frap. (when it's hot) on the weekend. I look forward to it all week and I make sure I savour it when I do have it. My manager goes to Starbucks 2 or 3 times a week (and I used to get a drink a couple of times when she went) but I am able now to wait because I know I will have one on the weekend and that I can take the time and enjoy it instead of rushing to drink it at work.

I didn't lose 66 lbs by depriving myself......you just can't take that "cheat' day, and turn it into a "cheat"week or longer.....some people can do it, and some can't. You have to decide if you can have a "cheat" day .

BYW----mine was usually a "cheat " meal.....I don't kill then entire day!

treat yourself
dont cheat yourself

Man, Dave is just full of them today! :bigsmile:
Where is the real Dave?? What have you done to him!?!?!?!?
:flowerforyou:

everyday Princess
you just haven't been paying attention
live and learn:laugh:

Guess I have to stop ignoring you then. :bigsmile: :flowerforyou:


The cool thing about cheat days is finding out something that you thought you were craving doesn't taste as good as you thought it was going to. I've even had some treats that just make me feel down right crappy and then I don't want them anymore!

My problem with "cheating" is I don't stop. I figure, eh, I went over, the day's a mess, so what if I go over a bit more. WRONG THINKING, I know.

I balance out my treats over a week. I might cut my calories a little more one day or exercise a little more as long as by the end of the week i seem to still be consistent with my goals. As I understand Weight Watchers does something similar with flex points, but if your weight isn't changing or you hit a plateau you know you are not balancing it out. Maybe underestimating your treats or overestimating your exercise... In the end its about goals and asking yourself what you want more. I have found myself slipping into 'treating' myself a lot lately and i still exercise and balance it so I haven't gained but I am dissapointed in myself because I haven't lost either. I know its more about emotionally eating and feeling like I deserve it and I need to get better at telling myself what I really deserve is to be healthy and to take care of myself... easier said then done sometimes, especially with that delicious tasting easter bunny around

I plan it out ahead of time and eat lighter the rest of the day plus doing it on a major workout day helps with earning those extra exercise calories. This way I don't go way over and usually not over what my calories would be to maintain my current weight so it's not actually setting me back.

I have one day a week that I do not log in. I am aware of what I am eating, but I do not obssess over it. On that one day, I drink lots of water, but do not officially count calories or log portions. I eat and stop when I'm full.