days off of diet?

Don't diet.

Just make lifestyle changes, ones you would be happy to continue forever. Far easier, and far more likely to stick with it.

Just eat small portions of food. Don't put yourself on some extreme diet becuase when you go off of it, the weight will come back.

I have heard that if you set certain days to "splurge" a little bit then it will help your weightloss.... What are your thoughts on this???

I think it CAN be helpful for some people in some circumstances and I think it can also be an excuse for others.

IMO too many people are in a hurry... it's not necessary nor is it healthy to lose weight in a hurry.

I think it's good thing to give yourself a day off, but that doesn't mean that you can eat for two. It's better once in a while have something you want than trying to keep yourself away from it all the time and later lose control.

I eat above the goal I set for myself occasionally. Not because I feel I need to, but because I am human...I have weaknesses that I occasionally succumb too. Too often the "having a cheat day" topic comes up on the boards and I'm going to have to agree with some of the others here and say it's too often used as an excuse. Just be honest about it.

You have a problem.
You like to eat
You eat

The entire process (if taken seriously) is a lifestyle change not so much a diet. I view it similarly to smoking. Some people can quit cold turkey, others need the patch to gradually reduce how much they smoke. And, it often depends on if they were a pack a day smoker or a social smoker. Weight loss is similar. The poor habits formed that causes weight gain, typically form over time and in some cases, certainly not all takes time. The purpose of my lecture? Try what works for you. Some people can go without it others use it as motivation. You may not need an entire day, but may be a just a meal. Also, test and decide how you will define “splurge”. Is it a meal, wrong in every way; fat, sodium etc. Or is simply going over your cals, but still keeping it clean. All that will make a difference.

I've found it works for me. I can still lose 1 to 2 pounds per week setting one day as a "free" day. I usually make Saturday or Sunday the free day. I don't do it every week, sometimes every other week. But I still think it's a good thing to do now and then because you don't feel deprived. I don't agree with the theory that a "free" day off from a diet is just and excuse for those who are not serious. I'm serious about my diet. I weighed 220 four years ago and now way 167.

over 4 years you lost 1.1 pound a month. thats good if you are ok with that.

feeling deprived is a self inflicted state of mind.

Studies increasing suggest that deprivation diets are difficult if not impossible to maintain with a healthy mindset. So I agree- rather than diet, just try to make healthy swaps and use calorie counting to keep you in loss mode.

That being said, with a calorie deficit, it is beneficial to get a higher amount of calories sometimes so your body doesn't learn to operate on the lower amount. I also found it makes me less cranky.

Try keeping everything in moderation- even splurges.

I totally agree with this reply. If you never had the things you liked, your diet or changes in eating habits would be much harder to maintain, expecially in the long run.

I lighten up once in a while. I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I don't ruin everything I've done all week but I'm not going to stop living. I do believe some use it as an excuse. But as long as I get right back to it, it's fine for me.

Totally agree!