How do you feel about cheat days/meals?
anasf139
Posts: 101
Ok, so I have heard a lot of people talking about cheat days or meals and just wondered peoples opinions. My biggest concern for trying them myself would be not having the self control to stop after my meal or day and falling off the wagon.
If you have tried them do they affect your weight loss? How?
If not why?
Thanks in advance!
If you have tried them do they affect your weight loss? How?
If not why?
Thanks in advance!
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Replies
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Personally I think cheat days are horrible. It is so much easier to say "I can eat that today and tomorrow I'll be back on the wagon". If you haven't cheated then I suggest not to. Stay strong and stick to your diet because it does make a difference when you eat bad again, even for just one day, it makes a difference! Good luck!0
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Depends. Some people view a cheat day as an excuse to go full out and eat everything in sight. Thia does not work.
Having a small indulgence that you normally would not have is more manageable.0 -
I don't think they're a good idea. I feel like they set back progress. However, if you need to cheat to keep yourself sane, then I recommend one cheat meal a week OR incorporating a few "cheat" foods into your diet daily (make sure they still fit into your calorie/macro intake).0
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Its is better to have a cheat day and not a cheat meal. and you should start them after you have seen some changes.0
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I have a cheat day every Friday, after my weigh in. I've been steadily losing weight, with no plateaus or anything.
I am much more inclined to not over indulge when I think to myself "if I still want it, I can have it Friday" That being said, I still eat anything I want, just less of it. However, its comforting to know that if I want TWO pieces of cheesecake on Friday, I can
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Thanks! I don't really want to take cheat meals or days there's just to much risk of it all going to pot! I'd rather just turn what I'm doing into a habit. If that makes sense. The reason I asked the question was because i read somewhere that they can boost weight loss, and wasnt sure how that would work!0
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I ;have had cheat days, but accidentally, not planned. Ate lots of popcorn, lots. Skipped afternoon snack and evening meal. The next day I drank ALOT of water all throughout the day and did not have my starch allowance nor my fruit. Just veggies, protein, and dairy. After that day my weight went back down to the pre-cheat episode. However, you are so right about the fear of falling off the wagon. One cheat day can lead to another if one is not vigilant and the cheat days begin to come closer and closer together until they are not just a once-a-month, or once-a-week occurrences so it is good to beware if you are a food addict. Certain things just linger in our minds if not our bodies until we "visit" them again. Don't know if this helps or not.0
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If you like chocolate I would allow yourself a piece or two from a chocolate bar a cpl times a week. That way you never want to go crazy and over indulge. It helps me to do it that way.0
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A sound nutrition plan should include the allowance of all food. "Clean" eating is a load of bs.Ok, so I have heard a lot of people talking about cheat days or meals and just wondered peoples opinions. My biggest concern for trying them myself would be not having the self control to stop after my meal or day and falling off the wagon.
If you have tried them do they affect your weight loss? How?
If not why?
Thanks in advance!0 -
Never EVER again!0
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You'll find that opinions about this are like *kitten*...everyone has one and none are the same.
To each their own. It works for some and not for others.
I do not deprive myself of anything but always stay under or right at my calorie goal for the day. If I want a candy bar or a glass of wine, I don't reserve it for a certain day, I have it on the days I have the calories for it. If I have a bottle of wine, but am at my limit for the day, the wine waits. Days like today where I've had three full meals and snacks, but had a gym session....my net is under 700 after all of this. Tonight, I drink wine and still finish the night with a huge deficit.
By not depriving myself of anything, I find i have great self control when I do want something. I don't call it cheating. I call it a sustainable living plan. I also don't call what I am doing a diet, but a lifestyle change.
My diary is public if you want to peak at what I've eaten today.
Good luck with whatever YOU choose.0 -
I have a cheat day every Friday, after my weigh in. I've been steadily losing weight, with no plateaus or anything.
I am much more inclined to not over indulge when I think to myself "if I still want it, I can have it Friday" That being said, I still eat anything I want, just less of it. However, its comforting to know that if I want TWO pieces of cheesecake on Friday, I can
I agree. I allow myself a "cheat meal" once a week of something that maybe would not normally fit into my daily healthy cal range. Thay way I can tell myself if I still want it, I can have it that one time that week. Works for me.0 -
I just eat what I want and count it within my calories.
If I see a food and think it's not worth the calories then I know it's not truely worth it.
If I had a cheat day I would probably feel guilty and loose motivation. 0 -
I would say that a cheat day would be alittle over the top. Allowing yourself to have a cheat meal once a week is a good way to keep things rolling along and also helps keep you sane.
Pick a day of the week and get some friends together and go out and have a nice meal. You dont have to binge just a meal and 1 dessert. Replace your last meal of the day and go with it. As you get leaner you can incorporate more of them into your weekly meals.
goodluck0 -
I saw a thing on tv the other day (today show i think) where they were asking questions and the nutritionist was answering them. One lady asked how she can maintain her weight once she hits it and the nutritionist said that basically she should keep doing what she is doing now by counting calories and exercising about an hour a day and then to add in 2 cheat meals a week. If she finds she gains weight then to only have one cheat meal a week.
So that is what i am going to try once i hit my goal. That does not mean i don't get to eat what i want occasionally, i just need to add it to my daily calories.0 -
everyday is a cheat day when you don't feel deprived like this<
GIRL
you learn to eat what you like in the correct way, and learn to say "no" to things when you have maybe already had your treat that day
but for one day of eating what you like, in moderation, having a meal that you enjoy, that may be high in calories, go for it.
the scale may go up, water weight of course, you'll be okay0 -
it easiest if you just don't restrict yourself from having what you want. For example, if you are going to have a doughnut, you may want to choose lower calorie options for lunch or snacks to help even it out. Being deprived will only make you want it more and then you'll go nuts0
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I cheat every Friday. ... So far, it works fine for me. As long as you MAKE yourself work out and eat right the next day. ... because on Saturdays I would really like to skip all that stuff after a carby, 1800+ cal Friday. ... but I know that if I did I would fall off the wagon!...0
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I keep a cheat meal in there. The trick to making it work is to be disciplined about it - it's once a week and it's planned, not just oh I think I'll cheat now. It allows me to feed a specific craving without going crazy or enjoy a really nice meal out with friends. and then the next day, I'm back to my healthy routine and may even exercise a little more. I find it keeps me from going crazy and completely breaking my new lifestyle because I know that come saturday, I can have something a little indulgent. But you have to figure out what works for you0
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did last night and felt bad, but worked it off today and with the encouraging words of others i am better. i am committed to not have them very often and dont want to beat myself up if i do. just know what i got to do the next time, just turn walk away or work my *kitten* off in the morning.0
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I think "cheating" every once in awhile is okay. As long as you don't go overboard. I think it's important to enjoy a piece of your birthday cake or partake in the family holiday dinner. However, I don't think cheating every week is such a great idea. Instead, I try to find healthier alternatives to the foods I crave. Instead of chocolate, I have a chocolate-flavored rice cake with a tsp of peanut butter or sugar free chocolate pudding or a no-sugar-added ice cream sandwich. Instead of chips, I have lightly salted almonds or salted dried snapeas (they're better than they sound). This tricks your brain into thinking you're cheating when you're really not.0
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I've thought a lot about this since reading about "spike" days through the Spike84 group.
Personally, I didn't get to be where I am because I can handle eating certain kinds of foods well. I also didn't get to be where I am because I was honest with myself about certain kinds of foods. Can I honestly say I can buy a bar of chocolate and eat only a few bites of it at a time? No, I cannot.
I also never met a rationalization I didn't love. Or a program (until this one) that I couldn't game.
So, for me, cheating is what it is: Part of an old pattern of lying to myself about food. I don't say this is the way it is for all people, just for me. I don't want to invite a philosophy of dishonesty about food into my life, nor do I want to fool myself into thinking that I can buy certain foods, have them in my home, and stay in control of my food program. This is one reason why I can't do Weight Watchers--because I cannot eat whatever I want as long as it's the appropriate portion size.
My own personal goal is overall balance, and a day of cheating once a week would throw that balance off. So I can't say I can go for it, or that I would encourage anyone trying to keep it real with weight loss to do it.
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I don't plan on having cheat days, but now that I've read about them, if I overindulge, that's what I call it and then I'm able to say,
"Well, maybe that was a good thing." (based on what some others have said about them having a good effect on one's metabolism). I don't think it would mesh with my psychology to actual plan them, as I have weaknesses that I will occasionally indulge in no matter what and they don't occur at regular intervals - they are random. As others have noted, it is useful to get people's opinions, but the 'science' of weight-loss does not seem to be completely cut and dried and you have to figure out what works best for you.0 -
I found when I was big they helped my weight loss....now that I am soooo close to goal they hinder my weight loss.0
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I personally think they reinforce bad behavior and are not a good idea. Some people do well with them and good for them. For me it would be bad as one would lead to many.
I still "cheat" but it is with naughty for me food that still fits into my eating plan (calories, protein, carbs are set per day and i have to follow that). If I cheat it is by going over 20 calories or 2 carbs. Still bad behavior that I am allowing but it is very controlled.
If you don't need that kind of discipline then go ahead with them.0 -
I am doing the 12 week Body for Life program and it allows for 1 free day a week. I am just finishing up week 4 and have already lost 11 pounds and have really been sticking with the program of eating right and exercising 6 days a week. Check out my diary.
The Free Day is something that makes the Body-for-LIFE nutrition plan unique. One day a week, you have the option to indulge in all the “unauthorized” food of your choice. Pizza, French fries, ice cream, cake and cookies… it is up to you. The logic behind this is that a weekly day of unrestricted eating helps you combat the cravings you may experience during the rest of the week. In other words, it may be easier to say “no” to that donut at the Tuesday morning meeting if you know you can have as many donuts as you want on your scheduled Free Day. A Free Day is also an opportunity to remind you of how you used to feel when you ate those foods all the time. After six days of fueling your body with lean sources of protein, whole-grain carbs and healthy fats, indulging in a fast-food meal on your Free Day may not be as satisfying as it used to be. Here is how else you can use the Free Day to your advantage:
Save it for your Free Day. If you have a challenge making the right choices at restaurants during the week, try to save eating out for your Free Day.
Shop on your Free Day. Some people found it easier to do all their shopping for the week on their Free Days. After you’ve indulged in the your favorite foods, it should be easier to make healthy choices at the grocery store.
Plan ahead. If there is a specific event during the week when you know will make it hard to stick with your nutrition plan, such as a birthday party, business dinner or a holiday, re-schedule your Free Day so that it falls on that day.
Indulge the right way. Make the most of the treats you crave, and take the time to enjoy them. You may eventually find you need less of them to be satisfied. If you’re going to have chocolate, enjoy a piece of decadent dark chocolate. If you want ice cream, savor the full-fat version instead of a low-fat substitute packed with a bunch of chemicals. Have you been dreaming about a hamburger and French fries all week? Sit down and enjoy the best you can find instead of rushing through a drive-thru.
Freedom of choice. How you use your Free Day is up to you. Some past Champions chose to just have a free meal, other Champions chose to forgo their Free Days altogether. You may find that how you use your Free Day changes during the course of your Challenge. In the beginning, it may be an all-out free-for-all, but as you become accustomed to how good it feels to eat healthy food, you may find that you no longer crave the junk food you used to look forward to.0 -
I always think Im going to have a cheat meal, and then when I sit down with it in front of me I think of all my hard work and usually end up putting it in the fridge for my hubby the next day. Thats not to say I dont cheat, on days where for whatever reason Im really under goal (bootcamp days usually) I will have a higher than normal calorie meal, but it will still be healthy.
And when I REAAAAALLLLLYYYY want to cheat, I simply make my husband eat whatever Im craving, and I will have a bite 0 -
You'll find that opinions about this are like *kitten*...everyone has one and none are the same.
To each their own. It works for some and not for others.
I do not deprive myself of anything but always stay under or right at my calorie goal for the day. If I want a candy bar or a glass of wine, I don't reserve it for a certain day, I have it on the days I have the calories for it. If I have a bottle of wine, but am at my limit for the day, the wine waits. Days like today where I've had three full meals and snacks, but had a gym session....my net is under 700 after all of this. Tonight, I drink wine and still finish the night with a huge deficit.
By not depriving myself of anything, I find i have great self control when I do want something. I don't call it cheating. I call it a sustainable living plan. I also don't call what I am doing a diet, but a lifestyle change.
My diary is public if you want to peak at what I've eaten today.
Good luck with whatever YOU choose.0 -
What I ate yesterday probably would have horrified many of you. I ate half a pepperoni pizza and that's just for starters.
When I woke up this morning I knew I'd lost weight just from the way I looked and felt. So they sure do work for me.0 -
Out of control.
'cheat meals' are what got me to gain all the weight I lost back. I do indulge every now and again, but it always fits under my daily caloric allotment, so I suppose it's not really 'cheating'.
Just think of it this way. You have 500+ extra cals to piss away when you are at your goal weight, so eat it then!
But in saying that, if a cheat meal works for you and you're still losing, then go for gold!0
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