cheat days

Sunday is usually my cheat day. I try to not totally overdo it , I just don't really count my calories and eat more than I normally do. I have found that as long as I don't binge and eat waaay too much, I don't gain from it and continue to lose if I get right back on track the next day. It helps me out a TON because I look forward to it during the week. Times before when I didn't have a set cheat day, I'd find myself binge eating way too often and it would completely sabotage my diet.

I do NOT do cheat days. I just try to do everything in moderation. But, everyone is different. If I allow myself a full cheat day, I would spiral out of control.

I have a cheat meal, but I don't go crazy. My lunch today is my cheat meal and some friends and I are going to a pizza place that we've heard a lot about. I don't stress about it and I've never had negative repercussions as a result. In fact, sometimes I see the biggest drop in weight the day after a cheat meal.

I had my cheat day last Friday and I haven't stopped yet!!!! Everyday since then has been a cheat day. Gained 4 lbs. of the 5 I lost from last week. So I am pretty bummed right now, but what do I expect eating at pizza buffets and 14 ounce ribeye steaks??? I am getting back on track tomorrow after my son's birthday party.

I agree. Have a cheat meal, not a cheat day. And if you workout hard, then you can indulge a little more It's crazy how quickly it can add up, but I find I work so hard, that I don't feel guilty about a cheat meal / treat. What the hell am I working out so hard for then? :bigsmile:

I try to stay on track Mon-Fri because on the weekends my husband & I are running around a lot and there are at least 2 meals we are eating out. On weekends I try to eat a healthy breakfast and pack healthy snacks in my purse so I won't become starving and cave into McDonalds. If I know the place we are going we are going to dinner I will look up the calories before hand and log them into my diary before hand so I know how to eat the rest of the day without blowing my calories. I still feel like I'm "cheating" because I'm eating a good meal out but I am also staying on track so I feel good about my decisions.

I got a box, and on the side i put sticky notes with a bunch of mini weight loss goals on it (for example, i have lose three pounds on 6 of them) . in the box a wrote down a bunch of treats, like go on a dessert only date, go on a dinner date, go get a piece of pizza, and treats like that. not a cheat DAY, i used to do that but i found it threw me right off track, so i have a little treat to reward myself. everyone is different but this really works for me and its like a little present to look forward to when you meet a goal good luck!

I do 'cheat' days about 1-4 times per month just depending on how life shapes up. Sometimes it just happens b/c I 'go back home' for the weekend and do not have as much control over the food I'm eating, sometimes it happens b/c I get to have a rare date night w/ my husband or girls' night out. Historically, as long as I maintain my deficit the rest of the time, cheat days have not hurt my progress and in fact I often drop a little extra unexpected wait a day or two later. Plus they totally keep me sane.

I don't have a cheat day but a free meal each week. (free doesen't sound as bad a cheat) This free meal has not affected my weightloss. I am making a life change not just a diet, I need to be realistic in the fact that I know I will want certain foods so I allow that in one meal a week. I don't blow my calories by going crazy by eating 1000 calories in that one meal but if I want to eat a very small portion of cheese fries with my steak I will do that. I feel it is all about a life change and you have to be able to adjust to fit what is right for you.

I started cheat days after reading a book called "Body For Life" by Bill Phillips. This book is extraordinary, and it's the basic building blocks for what later became P90X and all it's different variants. He strongly encourages a cheat day, as long as you stick to your diet and exercise routine 6 days a week. it's the first I had heard of this and I love the idea. It works too because you don't feel like a tight *kitten* all the time. You can cut loose once in a while. I like to use my cheat days for summer bbq's and things like that. Typically, during summer when I'm more socially active, my cheat day will be Saturday. But, if not, then it's Sunday.

The key to success here is to not be ridiculous about it. Just be cool and normal. If you want pizza, have a slice or two and don't worry about it. But, don't eat an entire pizza. If you want ice cream, have a scoop, but don't get a giant banana fudge Carmel swirl double chocolate explosion. Just be cool about it, but enjoy it.

For me, cheat days were my downfall. I try to have small indulgences each day within my calories or if I go over my calories I just let it go.

I call mine "treat days". I weigh in on Tuesday mornings, and the rest of the day I eat whatever I want. I know that sounds gluttonous but actually it's getting to the point now where I no longer crave EVERYTHING bad. For example, this past Tues. I had my treat day, and by the end of the day I was feeling blah and discovered all I really wanted was a big sandwich and fruit! :noway: I do find that my treat day keeps me from binging throughout the week. I've even kept a list of foods I want to "save" for treat day. It all keeps me sane and it's working for me. I do know the scale goes up right after, but then it goes back down since I'm back on track by Wednesday. It works for me.