Does anyone do a cheat day?

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't do any cheat days. If I want to go above my allocated calories, I spend some extra time in the gym. If I plan on going out that night, that might mean an hour and a half of cardio.

I find it's also helpful to do this cardio before going out so that I earn it before I use it. It keeps me from saying, "I'll just work it off tomorrow". All it takes is one time of not following through, and I've undone a few days of progress. Not worth it in my opinion.

i do allow my self a cheat day every sunday i dont work. i dont go crazy but i allow myself to eat what i want within reason. I log everything though just so i know.. But i also do 1.5 ish hours of cardio 4 days a week.

I absolutely do cheat meals but only 1-2 per week. I am careful about it because it IS easy to fall back into old habits! I have done that before but I'm never going back now


Oh and IF I feel like I overdid it on a cheat meal, I aim to do better. I have to remember that every day is a new day to eat right and work out

im not ready to cheat yet... my cheat days are "not going to the gym" days... which is usually a friday or a monday. Im to scared to scarf it all down and completely blow it.

I go over my TDEE at least one day out of the week.

Yes, I generally take a Saturday as a "day off" from my eating plan. But lately I've tried not to get too "carried away" on my day off - I just have a few things that I wouldn't normally have through the week - and I don't bother to count or log them. I don't know if it's necessarily the best way of doing things, but it gives me something to look forward to, and stops me feeling deprived! I've still lost weight doing this, but I suspect I may have lost it faster without the cheat days!! :ohwell:

According to lots of stuff I've read cheat meals are probably helpful in the long term because they prevent your body from going into "holy crap we're starving to death" mode and you continue to lose weight. Also, it seems to me that most people that PLAN for a cheat meal once a week and indulge a little bit are happier and stick with it. Those that don't cheat (in my experience) tend to burn out....or they're just going to go through life foregoing a lot of happiness. It's life....live it. Tomorrow is my cheat meal and I'm pretty psyched. It's easy to pass on eating bad the rest of the week because I know I have one pass each week.

I do a "treat" day. Its on my kid free Saturdays every other weekend. I try to stay around my cals but if I go over I don't get upset. I tend to not eat breakfast on those days since I'm going crazy through the morning to get the kids up and over to their dads. I will treat myself with Chipotle or something like that for lunch.

toho5555 wrote:
... Also, it seems to me that most people that PLAN for a cheat meal once a week and indulge a little bit are happier and stick with it. ...

Absolutely! That's what keeps my wife going; knowing she has a day to look forward to gives her more will power on the other days. It also reinforces the idea that you don't have to completely give up those things you like.

BTW, awesome profile picture!

I totally have "cheat" days. However, my definition of a cheat meal is something totally unhealthy with ALOT more calories then I would normally eat during the week (ie, fast food without the healthier option or non-healthy option at a restaurant). However, I usually try to workout harder that day to help compensate for the increase calorie intake. AND I make sure I still fall within my allotted calories for the week. So really I try to make it a "splurge" instead of a "binge".

Last time I did a cheat day it took me almost a week to start losing weight again. No more for me.

I second that, I went out drinking with friends (actually my profile pic was taken that night) and I won't be doing that again until I hit at least a 40 lb weight loss. :-)

I do a cheat day every 2 weeks or so. girls get cravings for certain hormonal reasons.. i gotta satisfy them or people are gona see a grumpy meee :laugh: I work it off at the gym though!

HI everyone!
Just found this site and I love it Anyway, I have been counting my calories and trying to work out more. Just wondered if anyone allows themselves a cheat day once a week? I only have about 10 or so pounds I want to lose and am currently eating about 1500 cal a day.

Thanks for any advice!

I agree with Tourney; I do the same thing. Of course, I have a lot more pounds left to lose (156). I am currently eating around 1800 calories a day but that's because I've become more active since starting my weight loss plan.

The only time I have a "cheat day" is when I do my long runs. On those days, I still log, but I can almost eat anything I want (within reason), and still not go over my calories.

I have the odd cheat meal, but I make sure that I still log what I have eaten so I have to 'face it;. I have heard that it is helpful to rev up your metabolism as your body gets used to your calorie allowance.