Advice for "Cheat Days"

steffo365
steffo365 Posts: 183 Member
edited November 12 in Food and Nutrition
Hello fellow MFP'ers,
I am a bit confused and would love it for someone to clear this up for me. How exactly do cheat days work? Is it one day when you don't count calories at all and eat whatever you want? Or only for one meal? I feel like that would ruin the work from the rest of the week :[... unless cheat days require extra workouts included. Not sure how this works.. help?

Replies

  • Lorleee
    Lorleee Posts: 369 Member
    I think different people interpret cheat days differently..some just eat what they like for a whole day, others have a cheat meal or treat.

    Personally, an entire day of pure indulgence each week would have ruined me. I preferred having one sugary treat or dessert each week.
  • MiaRabago
    MiaRabago Posts: 12 Member
    I usually eat one meal of whatever I want...pizza! I've heard that it's actually a GOOD thing to do this because it "surprises" your body when you take in more calories than normal....This helps you avoid a "plateau" in weight loss....Personally, I think it's a good thing to eat whatever once in a while, otherwise, you'll go crazy! Good luck!
  • MariarR33
    MariarR33 Posts: 69
    I have a cheat meal about once a week. Usually I know it's going to be a cheat meal, so I don't feel guilty about it (it's something planned). IF you eat healthy the majority of the time, then one or two meals a week that aren't healthy aren't going to throw your body off. I even nibble on a few things that aren't the greatest and it hasn't affected my weight at all. All things in moderation. If you plan ahead that you will cheat, and only stick to that meal, you will be fine.
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    How exactly do cheat days work? Is it one day when you don't count calories at all and eat whatever you want? Or only for one meal? I feel like that would ruin the work from the rest of the week

    That is why I don't do cheat days. You can easily wipe out an entire week's worth of work in one day. I do cheat meals every couple of weeks. I eat that one meal, guilt free. Then I get right back to healthy eating and logging after that one meal. It keeps me sane without ruining my hard work.
  • MsMuniz
    MsMuniz Posts: 399 Member
    I have a cheat meal once a week, we usually eat out every Friday so that is the meal I "splurge" on. I don't think it has hindered by weight loss, sometimes I work out that day but not always...I don't log that meal and just start back Saturday morning. Knowing I have that cheat meal every week gives me something to look forward to :happy:
  • steffo365
    steffo365 Posts: 183 Member
    Thanks for the replies guys, I guess a CONTROLLED "splurge" for one meal every week (or 2-3 weeks) won't damage my whole week. Makes more sense now. I just was a bit worried about working my butt off at the gym and it going to waste, but if you all do it and sucessfully lose weight then I guess it's allowed, :]!

    THANKS!
  • krella
    krella Posts: 2
    I think once a week is too much I keep it to every 2-3 weeks.
  • steveprays
    steveprays Posts: 9
    I only do 1 cheat MEAL per week.
    Normally a breakfast buffet on Saturday.
    Time limit 1 hour, then I'm done till next week.

    Works well for me.

    Steve
  • Vyshness8699
    Vyshness8699 Posts: 390 Member
    I usually eat one meal of whatever I want...pizza! I've heard that it's actually a GOOD thing to do this because it "surprises" your body when you take in more calories than normal....This helps you avoid a "plateau" in weight loss....Personally, I think it's a good thing to eat whatever once in a while, otherwise, you'll go crazy! Good luck!

    YES I agree this is exactly what i do
  • maryduggins
    maryduggins Posts: 219 Member
    For me it depends; sometimes I have a full cheat day (not very often, though) sometimes only a cheat meal. I find that I actually lose *more* when I have 1-2 cheat meals per week. I tend to wait until after dinner and then decide, 'Y'know what, I'm going to have dessert and I'm going to let myself cheat.' Plus, if I do it at night for either dessert or dinner, there's less time that I have to eat food and that way I don't do as much damage(:

    Hope this helped(:
  • maryduggins
    maryduggins Posts: 219 Member
    And a great treat that you don't have to 'cheat' to have is a sugar free Fudgesicle; only 40 calories!(:
  • jammasterduggs
    jammasterduggs Posts: 54
    I only do 1 cheat MEAL per week.
    Normally a breakfast buffet on Saturday.
    Time limit 1 hour, then I'm done till next week.

    Works well for me.

    Steve

    haha @the time slot 60 minutes of cramming it in
  • jammasterduggs
    jammasterduggs Posts: 54
    I only do 1 cheat MEAL per week.
    Normally a breakfast buffet on Saturday.
    Time limit 1 hour, then I'm done till next week.

    Works well for me.

    Steve
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