Can You Have A Cheat Day Once A Week, Will It Hurt Your Diet

workoutgirl23
workoutgirl23 Posts: 267
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey. I am new to here, and i have decided that i need to start watching my calories, if i want to loose this last 25 stubborn pounds of baby weight. Its been a year since my last baby, and this weight won't budge. running alone isn't doing it. i run 4 days a week. I've never been a diet kind of person. i used to be able to eat whatever i wanted, if i exercised. but now here i am trying to stick to this 1200 a day diet. my body feels like its starving. is this normal in the beginning, will it get better, once my body is used to the lack of calories. and what about having a cheat day once in awhile. if i would diet 6 days a week. and then the 7th, eat whatever i want, how much would that throw me off track and hurt my diet? because i want to stick to my diet, but i have a hard time giving up my junk food, like chips and ice cream and wine. it would be nice to have one day a week to look forward to it, with out totally ruining my diet and every thing i have lost? any advice.

Replies

  • julslea
    julslea Posts: 436 Member
    Interested to see what kind of answer you get. Wondering this myself.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    It's a good strategy.

    More in the FAQ
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/457-unofficial-mfp-faq
  • robinogue
    robinogue Posts: 1,117 Member
    this is my personal opinion, it works for me and may not work for others... I don't restrict myself. I count every single calorie Mon-Fri, Sat-Sun is off limits. I eat whatever and yes I log it but I don't worry about it. Labeling yourself on a "diet" is hard enough and I think binges happen because you limit what you have have. I believe eating in moderation. Good luck to you!
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    Definitely check out the FAQ posted just above ...


    As an aside, I don't really have a cheat day, I just don't deny myself things. I'm practicing moderation and enjoying things I love in smaller quantities. I just had a peppermint mocha because I really really wanted one all week long and hadn't had one yet. I'm going to eat everything else in my daily meal plan, and get my exercise in, and I won't feel like I had to give up anything for my fitness. It takes a little time to figure out the method that works best for you, so don't give up and keep trying new things until you get in your own groove!
  • sunkis1769
    sunkis1769 Posts: 29 Member
    Some people disagree with this but I am very strict Monday-Friday but I cheat on Sat and Sunday. I dont log on the weekend either. I find that this is a lifestyle I can live with the rest of my life. So far it is working. I find that I dont feel deprived and it is easier to eat healthy the rest of the week.
  • ksloop00
    ksloop00 Posts: 144
    I have my cheat day every Thursday. I hang out with friends that night at a bar for open-mic and some times go out to lunch too. I still lose 3-4 lbs. every week. I'm in a wheelchair and can't do much, so anyone who is able-bodied should have no problem.
  • Mennassey
    Mennassey Posts: 27 Member
    Personally, I am in the same boat as you. I love my junk food, and don't want to give it up. So I try my hardest not to eat really bad food, and if I have something I don't deem "that good," I will eat it in moderation. However, I like eating a lot of my junk food lol. So I am trying the one day cheat. I just started the 30 DS, I give myself the option of working out on weekends, but its mandatory on weekdays, and I am on my 2nd day. Tomorrow will be my first cheat day :)
  • taraatwood
    taraatwood Posts: 57
    cheat day -- YES will hurt! cheat meal - probably not...

    like for me cheat meal would be a few slices of thin crust pizza... it wouldnt' throw me off completely but def not something i would eat more than 1x a week or every other week... if you have too many slices than thats jsut going to throw you off... i would stick to the diet 7days a week and if you feel like you are craving something have it once a week in a small quantity...
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    cheat day -- YES will hurt! cheat meal - probably not...

    like for me cheat meal would be a few slices of thin crust pizza... it wouldnt' throw me off completely but def not something i would eat more than 1x a week or every other week... if you have too many slices than thats jsut going to throw you off... i would stick to the diet 7days a week and if you feel like you are craving something have it once a week in a small quantity...

    "throw you off" how exactly? i've been doing this a couple years now and i don't feel thrown off at all...
  • mamato3inca
    mamato3inca Posts: 168 Member
    It depends on you. I did Body for Life about 10 years ago and he tells you to have a "cheat day" . But, for me it was a binge day! I didn't lose weight, I didn't gain either because I was good the other 6 days. I'm thinking of adding a cheat meal once a week.
  • stevwil41
    stevwil41 Posts: 608 Member
    I relax and eat what I want within moderation every weekend and I'm doing just fine. I don't binge but I don't get too hung up on my calorie goal either. It keeps me sane and from binging the rest of the week.
  • regions02
    regions02 Posts: 154 Member
    I think it's funny that some people say they can't deny themselves certain foods. I think this program allows you have chips, ice cream, a beer or glass wine - as long as it's done in moderation and you include it in your daily total. That being said, I'm NOT saying you can't ever go over your calories once in a while - there will always be special occasions where you will need to cheat, just don't go overboard. I have sun chips about once a week, but I measure out 1 oz and put the bag away - 140 cals.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,056 Member
    No lie here. I've eaten junk food for lunch every day this week (new schedule from work and I'm adapting to it) and since Monday am down 5lbs. Last week I gorged on whatever I wanted so the weight piled up over the weekend. 5lbs worth of it. Now it's back off as of today and still with eating junk food every day for lunch. It's about calories in and out. I still make sure to get in ALL my essentials each day, as well as water and vitamins and minerals. But it's nice to know that I DON'T have to give up food I like to eat in order to lose a few pounds.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • emmab0902
    emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
    Is cheating for you about the actual foods you eat, or the number of calories?? I really am enjoying the leangains approach where I eat for about 6-8 hours of the day (for me it's about 2pm to 10pm) as it gives me the chance to fit in foods I enjoy without blowing out.

    You might want to check out the Spike Diet too.

    At the end of the day, whatever you do has to be sustainable - my golden rule is if I can't see myself doing this in a year, it probably won't work for me,
  • workoutgirl23
    workoutgirl23 Posts: 267
    I understand the concept of eating the junk food in moderation, and i can include it into my diet during the day as long as i'm not exceeding my calories. but the problem with me and junk food is, if i have one small bag of chips, i'm going to want more. chips are my main weakness. i love my chips. It would be nice to have a day once in awhile where i could splurge and eat a few bowls of chips, with out completely ruining my diet.
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