Cheat days?

szuszs
szuszs Posts: 5
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone,

I joined MFP about 2 weeks ago and I'm down 3 pounds. I feel so great knowing what I'm eating and how many cals it is and I find myself SUPER motivated to workout just to be able to log those minutes at the gym! It was actually hard today to not workout - but I've been going at it for over 7 days straight so I thought I should have a 'rest' day. However, with that I was also thinking about having a 'cheat' day in terms of food. We always eat at my Grandma's on Sunday and it's a pretty heavy meal with lots of cals.

What I'm wondering about is how does everyone else look at 'cheat' days? Do you allow them? If so, what are the rules around it? I don't want to have a total splurge day because I feel that will offset all my hard work from the other days!

Any suggestions? I'd appreciate any thoughts and ideas!!

Thanks everyone!
Stephanie

Replies

  • paulaGetshealthy
    paulaGetshealthy Posts: 464
    I have one day where I am allowed one cheat meal. That usually means I go over my macros (carbs, sodium), but still under my calories for the day. However, I didn't have cheat meals until I had already lost a good amount of weight so as to not be tempted to fall back into old habits.

    Good luck!
  • lthomas42
    lthomas42 Posts: 73 Member
    This time of year it's hard! I had my work Christmas on Friday night and it was all you can eat. So I took that under consideration all week, and ate really well, lots of veggies, small meals, and no bad for you things. Did really well too! So I got away with eating more than I should have on Friday.

    Then my problem is for the rest of this weekend my eating hasn't been as good. I had pizza last night and definitely shouldn't have. I let myself cheat and thought if I prepared before, I'd be ok. After though? Mentally I think I was thinking 'well, I already cheated this weekend, why not do a cheat weekend?' It's a slippery slope.

    Cheat days are a bad idea, is really what I'm saying. Since it's the holidays, I think anyone can expect at outings and family dinners and such to eat a little more, but don't let it be an excuse for normal days! It's hard to get out of that habit.
  • journeytoahealthy51
    journeytoahealthy51 Posts: 89 Member
    One cheat day won't ruin it all. However, if you cheat too much, it is really hard to get back on track. I don't beat myself up over a bad day. I allow myself a cheat day almost every week. However,i still log all my calories to stay accountable. And, my cheat days are only about 500 cals over.
  • scrbear11
    scrbear11 Posts: 2
    I always have one cheat day a week. It makes dieting easier. But even on my cheat days I watch it. Say I have a craving for McDonalds, I order a cheeseburger, and value size fries or no fries. Basically I allow myself just enough on my cheat days to get rid of the craving. I've also found that the longer I've eaten the way I do, the less I crave the fast food and junk food I used to love.

    So at Grandma's, instead of loading up your plate, take small helpings of everything. Drinking plenty of water through the meal. And if she's anything like my Grandma- don't let her give you the leftovers! :)
  • jamszy
    jamszy Posts: 123 Member
    I used to believe that cheat days were essential once a week. Now I reserve them for times I have no control over diet, such as family get togethers or when I'm out on the road. Granted, I don't think you should deny yourself the foods you love, but be considerate of portion sizes and moderation.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    If you think you are the type that can have a cheat day and meet the following circumstances:

    1) You don't have a ridiculous binge. Stay around maintenance to a slight surplus on your cheat day.
    2) AFTER YOUR CHEAT DAY you can get back to your plan like nothing happened.


    Then I would absolutely recommend it and I would suggest not tracking it.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I have a splurge day pretty much once a week. It's good for my psychology and has never hindered my progress. Some people claim if they have a day like that they fall off the wagon. If you're one of those people, I guess you shouldn't do it. If you have discipline, then have at it.
  • AmyG1982
    AmyG1982 Posts: 1,040 Member
    Monday thru Friday I eat at or slightly under my calorie limit and exercise twice each day (eating back most of those calories) so on Saturday and Sunday I don't exercise at all and i eat what I want lol. I make sure I don't let my calories go over my maintenance amount so I won't gain. I figure 2-300 calories over my mfp limit is fine as its still a deficit from my maintenance. Makes it SO much easier for me to be good and not eat garbage all week.
  • alexbowser
    alexbowser Posts: 322
    I used to never have cheat days, but now that I have a boyfriend I have a cheat meal once a week, it makes going out to dinner less stressful. However. I never go all out and eat terribly all day.
    I agree with what others said: do it in moderation and make sure to get back on track after.
  • lcoreo5
    lcoreo5 Posts: 216 Member
    i do not have a scheduled cheat day. i try to do my best daily. if i am craving something "naughty" i do it. but i do it responsibly. everything in moderation is what id say!
  • clarebrad
    clarebrad Posts: 188 Member
    I have cheat days, but finding but each time gets better want less and not so worried, have tried to allow the odd thing here and there and as not totally depriving myself found don't really want it. Had some bad food in weekend and felt quite bloated and sick and really didn't enjoy it, so allowing it shows you how you really aren't missing that much after all.
  • szuszs
    szuszs Posts: 5
    I completely understand this!! That's pretty much what happened - I had a larger than normal lunch on Sunday and thought to myself 'ok I need to keep it back under wraps for dinner' but by the time dinner came around I was super hungry and caught myself thinking 'Oh well, today's already a write off so it doesn't matter" BUT I felt awful after it all and did not feel well this morning. So hopefully I can remember this and next time stay on track! Thanks for your feedback!
  • szuszs
    szuszs Posts: 5
    Thanks so much everyone! I do notice that I'm not craving as much bad food as I was before - and like some of you said when I am craving it I allow myself to have it in a very small portion - just enough to satisfy the craving!!
    I woke up this morning and was excited that the weekend was over - hahaha can you believe that!? only because it's so easy for me to stay on track during the week. I've lost thee pounds since joining which is huge for me as I've never seen such immediate success like this. So I'm excited to eat well this week and get back into the gym and hopefully see a few more pounds drop!

    I was very proud of myself for staying on track on Saturday by eating within my calories and working out - I don't think I'll 'schedule' a cheat day for each week but instead strive to not have them so then I'm ready for when the Christmas banquets/potlucks come along! it is a very tough time of year!

    Thanks again everyone!!! I really do appreciate your help and support!!!
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