Do you feel guilty?

Lots of people do, but I personally don't understand it. It's just food. It didn't hurt anybody. In fact, if you only do it occasionally, it's good for your metabolism. Guilt is useless. If you're going to eat it, enjoy it and move on.

I do sometimes but I think so long as you don't go crazy you don't have anything to feel guilty about. We wouldn't be human if we didn't have cheat days! xx

Nope

I try not to associate emotion with food, its counter-productive.

'I felt bad, i ate so much, now I'll eat more to feel better'

And the cycle continues.

You are not alone if you sometimes feel guilty. I joined MFP last year, and I developed such an unhealthy obsession with food and tracking calories, and I was constantly berating myself for going over my calories every now and then. I finally had to pull myself away from the website until I felt I was in a better head space to try keeping a food diary again. I was still trying to eat healthy, but I enjoyed the freedom of not tracking every thing I was eating (I just happened to maintain my weight instead of continued loss). I feel that I am much more stable this time around, and I made myself a mental promise to pull away from the computer if I feel I'm spending too much time thinking and obsessing about food. I'm no longer going to get angry with myself for going over calories because I'm trying the best I can, and what happens, happens. As another poster said, it's only food and you're not hurting anybody. You shouldn't feel guilty, though those feelings can creep up every now and then. I just suggest you try taking some time to reevaluate yourself if you are constantly feeling guilt every time you indulge a little.

Normal but it is apart of growth process too. How you view different foods. Is cake bad? Well, it may have minimal to no nutritional value but it sure is nice on your birthday!!!! Special occasions? Would you feel guilt then?
How about wine? Chips? It is often do we make it forbidden or labeled "BAD" that makes us guilty. Happy Eating!!!!!!

Last night I had my first "cheat night" in nearly three weeks and I WON'T be doing that again. I've been eating really healthy, whole foods.Last night I went to Friendly's and even though I probably got one of the more healthy things (until it was time for the ice cream, of course) but it really threw me off and now my stomach STILL hurts

I had a cheat night yesterday. It was my son's birthday and I enjoyed a piece of cake and ice cream. I am back on track today and feel great

I actually just had my first cheat meal tonight, and I felt slightly guilty at first, but I realized that I should still be able to enjoy my favorite foods every once in a while. I was still under my calories for today, so it's really no big deal. Enjoy yourself every once in a while, it won't hurt :flowerforyou:

Sometimes a "cheat" can help you stay on track...get it out of your system and enjoy it...tomorrow is another day. Constantly denying yourself, can lead to throwing in the towel.

I don't like cheat days. I find that I don't bounce back to my routine easily when I have them, so instead of scheduling them in like many others, I just spread out my cheat meals (which are usually not too bad anymore) over several weeks and compensate for the meal overage with a lighter dinner or other meal.

Nah. You need to indulge every now and again so you don't wear yourself out and give up on your goals all together. Just don't go crazy all the time.

In fact I think the term "cheat" is a bad idea. I don't cheat. I eat what I want, and if it's more than usual I can make up for that the next day. But cheating is a different concept that I can't support.

Exactly! Why call it a CHEAT day/meal? Who are you cheating? lol Shame and Guilt are just counterproductive and a way to make us feel bad about ourselves. I'm working on being kind to myself. Doing my best at eating as healthy as I can and exercising. If I make a choice that is not optimum, log it, enjoy it and move on.

^^^ what they said ) it's not cheating. This whole food diary thing to me is to teach me "everything in moderation" and learn how much of everything I can have and not go way over in calories. I don't believe in 'diets' and don't feel like it works in the long term. Eat everythign you like, just learn to do it within moderation and go back to healthier choices the next day and move on. And most importantly good job staying under your calories no matter what it was you ate!!

Lots of people do, but I personally don't understand it. It's just food. It didn't hurt anybody. In fact, if you only do it occasionally, it's good for your metabolism. Guilt is useless. If you're going to eat it, enjoy it and move on.