advice on "cheat meals".................

LaLaMicha
LaLaMicha Posts: 37 Member
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I am in my healthy weight range, but am desperately trying to drop 10 lbs. that I have recently fluctuated up. I am having the most difficult time getting them back off. Would it benefit me to have 1 cheat meal a week? Maybe that would prevent the occasional binge I seem to have every once in awhile? Or would having a cheat meal (planned for) once a week prevent any weight loss?

Please advise your experience with cheat meals or cheat days. Do they hurt or help?

P.S. I am going to concentrate more on weights and circuit training.

Replies

  • Shredded2011
    Shredded2011 Posts: 109 Member
    One cheat meal like lasagne yes would be good stos metabolism slowing down too much.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member

    Please advise your experience with cheat meals or cheat days. Do they hurt or help?

    Here is my opinion:

    Cheat "meal" is irrelevant provided you're still hitting your end of day targets for calories and macronutrients. If you're hitting these targets then you're not cheating by definition. If you're badly missing these targets then it's a cheat day, essentially.

    Not trying to nitpick about terminology, it's just that individual meals in the presence of accurate daily intake, are pretty much irrelevant unless you're deficient in micros.

    As far as cheat days go, I recommend it provided that you aren't going to have some ridiculous binge-fest where you manage to out-eat an entire weeks deficit. Stay around a small surplus of calories and I think it can be helpful physiologically (hormone levels) and mentally. I think it becomes more important as you get leaner.
  • iuangina
    iuangina Posts: 691 Member
    I'm not at or near my goal weight, but I have found that when I have a cheat day once a week it helps me lose the cravings and lose weight. The key is to make sure that it is only once a week. If you do it more often than that, it will not help you.
  • SassyCalyGirl
    SassyCalyGirl Posts: 1,932 Member
    I don't have "cheat" days. I figure it defeats all my hard work.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,159 Member
    and I think it can be helpful physiologically (hormone levels) and mentally.
    that
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    I don't have "cheat" days. I figure it defeats all my hard work.
    Can you elaborate on why you believe this?
  • mem50
    mem50 Posts: 1,384 Member
    I don't call it a cheat meal but a "treat" meal. I do one a week. I think long and hard about something I really, REALLY want and keep focused on that. Helps keep me straight during the week. I don't do a whole day. Sometimes it is a meal and sometimes it is just a........bowl of Culvers Custard. Keep it simple. Best of luck.
  • Dtrmnd86
    Dtrmnd86 Posts: 406 Member
    I have a cheat day once a week. I make sure to stay around my maintenance calories though. Although, sometimes I go a little over. I haven't had a plateau yet. I also make sure to stick to my MFP calories and exercise and I have been consistently losing.
  • robinogue
    robinogue Posts: 1,117 Member
    For me cheat days help a lot. They help my mind continue this journey, they help my wants I can have it and be done. I don't think about it anymore after I've had it. Also we have to live, we have to enjoy life. One bad meal will not alter your progression.
  • mrsrice86
    mrsrice86 Posts: 79 Member
    I have a "treat meal" every sunday evening. Usually pizza, kebab, something along those lines. And maybe some chocolate too :)
    I stick to my normal eating throughout the rest of the day though.

    I work hard during the week, and eat well. And i find having my treat meal, keeps me from craving it as much during the week.
    If i feel myself really craving, i just think about how much more i'll enjoy it on Sunday.

    I also class it as a "treat" not a cheat! If i called it a cheat, i would feel guilty for eating it and lose motivation.
    Plus, i'm not cheating, as it's part of my routine :)

    It works for me!
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    I have always taken 1 or 2 days off from counting calories. Eating a higher amount of calories once or twice a week can keep your metabolism going properly. Even if you aren't in starvation mode your metabolism will start to slow eventually if you are consistently eating at a calorie deficit (which you do if you're trying to burn fat). Your body will start to think that you don't have access to enough food. Eating at or above your maintenance amount once or twice a week shows your body that you do have access to food so it doesn't slow down.

    If you only have 10 pounds to lose you might want to assess whether your goal is simply based on the number on the scale or if it's based on an actual need to lose some fat. You might want to focus on strength training to improve your muscle tone and body composition rather than just losing weight. You also need to make sure you're eating enough (close to maintenance) because your body doesn't burn fat as efficiently when you have little to lose.
  • hpsnickers1
    hpsnickers1 Posts: 2,783 Member
    I don't completely deprive myself of any food, even as Primal follower. Of course the thought of never eating ice cream is much more depressing than never eating another piece of bread.

    I figure if you stay on track - say 80% of the time. Then that other 20% isn't so bad.

    Unfortunately, in my body, I usually pay the price for that 20% in the form of messed up digestion (and water retention). And it doesn't take much to kick my sugar addiction back in so I have to be very, very careful.

    I did find out last night that a sweet potato loaded with some Kerrygold Irish butter just might turn into a dessert for me. Since I've killed the sugar monster (hopefully for good this time) I'm starting to taste natural sweetness again.
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