Cheat Day...

2»

Replies

  • saxnviolin
    saxnviolin Posts: 129 Member
    I try not to cheat only because I don't have self control. My personality is like
    an addict's - I can't have a little bit of sugar or a little bit of chocolate. Once
    I start- I lose control. That's why when I gave up Coca-Cola I had
    to go completely cold turkey. It has now been 2 years soft drink/juice free. I only
    drink water and coffee. :-)
    I suppose I can count going over in caloric intake as a cheat.
  • MattGetsMad
    MattGetsMad Posts: 429 Member
    I don't do it. I know some people swear by it, but to me it doesn't make sense.

    I think the best way to enjoy life is to go on living it!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/caddymatt/view/-cheat-day-who-exactly-are-you-cheating-on-221872
  • cardiokitten
    cardiokitten Posts: 401 Member
    I don't want to have a cheat day ANY day. I don't allow any day for me to knowingly go overboard with food. If you want, ice cream or something, eat it! But make sure it fits into your daily goals or work out to earn it.

    Because, I mean, we all know it's a step in the wrong direction... who knows when that one "cheat day" will turn into 2 or 3 times a week, and soon you're eating bad EVERY day?
  • brock303030
    brock303030 Posts: 7 Member
    You can eat whatever you want. Portion size is the key. In the past when I have lost weight, I followed Body for Life. I love the program but I wasn't able to maintain just one free day per week. I love the work out part of the program and I follow the weight training part and cardio. I have lost 50 pounds in 10 weeks and I eat all the same stuff I ever had, I just have smaller portions. I am sure people don't buy calorie in and calorie out, I like processed carbs and I am never going to stop eating them. I can only eat clean for 2 or 3 months until I hate life. In my 10 weeks I have had fast food at least once a day and I do have a protien shake for breakfast most days. When you go out to your favorite resturant ask for a to go box as soon as you get there and put half of it away and have a meal for the following day. You can still have Chinese food, go to a Mexican resturant, or have Italian from Olvie Garden and you can still lose weight.
  • xafricanqueen07x
    xafricanqueen07x Posts: 98 Member
    Im really not into cheat days, because personally for me they reinforce bad habits. I'm just all about eating what I want and maintaining my calories. If I burned 1000 calories running and want a snickers bar and have eating healthy all day, I eat a snickers bar. If I want crackers or a piece of cake I eat it. There are no cheat days for me, I try to cook all my meals myself, I try to avoid going out or making healthy choices at restaurants. And I realize that for now I"m not really into fast food(burgers, taco bell..etc). Usually I have noticed that as long as I'm full, I usually don't want snacks. Its when I deprive myself that I find myself wanted cookies. SO i try to fill up on clean foods and protein, and if I still want something that day...I EAT IT....REASONABLY...but thats just me, and to each his/her own! :)
  • alharbour
    alharbour Posts: 116 Member
    I am a big cheater!!! I take a cheat day each Sunday. I eat what I want (within reason) and I enjoy it.
  • MotorCityFemmeFatale
    MotorCityFemmeFatale Posts: 222 Member
    When I started I had a cheat meal once per week to keep me sane, at that point in my journey I needed it. That turned into a refeed day by the following year, eating about 300 calories extra, but clean foods since I no longer craved to junk. Now I eat clean.
  • Elizabeth_M
    Elizabeth_M Posts: 562 Member
    I don't have a name for it, but I don't call it a cheat meal.

    You have to learn how to incorporate things that you love into your life, if this is really going to be a lifestyle change.

    No way am I going to cut out everything in my life.

    Everything in moderation, everything in it's own time.
  • JustACaJen
    JustACaJen Posts: 83 Member
    I do not believe in Cheat days because I find they do not work for me!! If I want that chocolate bar then I excerise a lot harder so that way I am earning it!! If you need chocolate try and eat dark chocolate it will help with the cravings and it is good for you!! Good luck and try to find a way that works for you and stick to it!! Everyone is different!!

    ^^^ This is me. If I know that I am going to be eating a big meal, I exercise harder. I pre-burn calories. Then my "cheat" becomes a well earned prize. And some days the opportunity to pre-burn isn't there, but know that I have been good, then I enjoy it. But I have never been a fan of regularly scheduled cheat days, because I think we just cheat for the hell of it. I don't like denying myself, but it's all about moderation!
  • MrsHumphrey2010
    MrsHumphrey2010 Posts: 12
    i have a cheat meal, usually breakfast on saturday :D I have pancakes, or cinnamon rolls or french toast :D i think it's helped me maintain those cravings for chocolate or something..and it keeps me going because i know i will get something yummy on saturday lol
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    In my opinion - staying under you Daily Cal goal is not a cheat day... Thats just me, I like to go over.

    ^ This.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    When I cut, I do 6 days of food tracking at just a touch beyond 20% below TDEE, and 1 day of not tracking, where I end somewhere around +500 surplus, at a guess.

    I think there's psychological benefits to it.
    I think there is some evidence to suggest physiological benefits from it but I would speculate that this becomes more beneficial the leaner you get, and that the more overweight you are, the less physiological the benefit.
  • EngineerPrincess
    EngineerPrincess Posts: 306 Member
    I usually have to include at least one 1800+ calorie day in my week to spike my metabolism, otherwise I have more trouble losing! I don't consider it a cheat and binge all day though because that triggers more binging and I have trouble stopping, instead I eat bigger portions. I scatter in unhealthy foods I'm craving throughout the week, just in tiny portions. Like, three bites of my friend's cheesecake or something. Keeps the cravings away and prevents binge days.
  • sarahjaynestewart
    sarahjaynestewart Posts: 19
    I have a cheat Day on Sundays, it's usually just 1 meal but I allow myself whatever I want, I still try to keep with in my calorie limit but if I don't it's no bit deal I just work out a little longer the next day.

    I find it helps me to work harder all week because I want to feel I have earned it, and it always tastes better then.

    last Sunday was Pizza and this Sunday is Chinese....Mmmmm!

    I also have a rest day in the week, (Wednesday) where I don't work out so hard, Just a walk or some light Yoga.
  • methodless
    methodless Posts: 62
    I'm actually finding that my cheats are not as bad as they have been in the past. Worst I've done recently is 5-600 calories over, and considering there's a 500 calorie built in deficit, I wouldn't say that's too bad

    Truth be told however, it's more circumstance than restraint, I haven't gone out as much as usual the last couple of weekends either.
  • MattGetsMad
    MattGetsMad Posts: 429 Member
    I would speculate that this becomes more beneficial the leaner you get, and that the more overweight you are, the less physiological the benefit.

    me too.
  • EricDe90x
    EricDe90x Posts: 51
    Today, my cheat was over by 1165 calories. So that's bad. Don't do that. I can get away with it though because I'm trying to gain.
    The day after a cheat I do a recovery day where I eat under what I normally would on a diet and do extra cardio. It usually works out for me. I'm not sure how effective it'll be this time with the extra 1165 though.
  • CamsMama22
    CamsMama22 Posts: 27
    I'm actually finding that my cheats are not as bad as they have been in the past. Worst I've done recently is 5-600 calories over, and considering there's a 500 calorie built in deficit, I wouldn't say that's too bad

    Truth be told however, it's more circumstance than restraint, I haven't gone out as much as usual the last couple of weekends either.

    Today was my cheat day. I was only 64 cals over and I haven't done my workout yet, going to after my son goes to bed. I wouldn't really consider it to be a cheat day tho because so far I've been eating what I usually do, just watching my serving sizes so I stay within my cals I'm suppost to take in. It hasn't been to bad. I had one extra pop then I would on a normal day tho. :)
    I've decided I'm still going to do my workouts on my "cheat days" that way I don't get in funk. lol
    Thanks everyone for the advice, tips, and opinons! :happy:
This discussion has been closed.

Categories