"Cheat Days"

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  • medennison123
    medennison123 Posts: 191 Member
    never not once
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    I drink on the weekend. I feel a little guilty about it, but you gotta have something right? I do make sure I come in under my weekly net calories still though, but I would probably be better off not drinking and having the calories spread over the week more evenly.
  • tkcasta
    tkcasta Posts: 405 Member
    I have a cheat meal/day on Saturdays, but I still keep myself in check. Most days I still wont go over my calories, but if I do I've built up enough of a deficit to make up for it. I think it's nice to have something to look forward to. I don't binge out on McDonalds and I'm still not eating processed food or soda but for instance this weekend I'm going to make fetuccini alfredo with shrimp and I'll probably have some kind of dessert.
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    Actually I just remembered I made a yummy slice which has far to many cals so I have been having stuff I shouldn't be for days haha, I have been fitting it into my calories though, so feel guilty but not to guilty.
  • carolyns19
    carolyns19 Posts: 51
    I have Cheat Days for types of food, but not portions. For example, this past Friday I went to a Happy Hour and the movies. I split a burger basket with someone (whereas in the past, that would have been all for me!) and bought a small popcorn (no soda, no candy, no extra butter) at the theater. It was AWESOME! It felt like such an indulgence, but when I calculated my cals, I was really only over by 400 or so (I've heard of people blowing their entire daily intake on one cheat meal).

    For me, I am trying to be realistic about my food relationship journey. And the reality is, I will go to parties, restaurants, fast food places, etc. What I need to start balancing is how and what I eat there. I think using Cheat Days to figure that out is ultimately best for you in the long run b/c its realistic about how you'll relate to food.
  • colobon
    colobon Posts: 49 Member
    I call them "off plan" days - cheat has such a negative connotation. I generally go off plan on weekends. I know it slows my weight loss but for now I'm able to absorb it. I also think if you go over your goal by a couple hundred calories once in a while that's not really so bad. Keep in mind your calorie goal is already a deficit. If my goal has a negative 700 built in and I go over by 200, I'm still at a 500 calorie deficit. And the "over" days are usually balanced by some "under" days. I eat for real life with a close eye on the scale.
  • LenaMena87
    LenaMena87 Posts: 469 Member
    I eat and drink whatever I want on weekends!
  • pauljharvey
    pauljharvey Posts: 3
    I think it's okay once a week - and especially if you've earned it by being good during the week.

    Also, keeping your cheat item (for me its a beverage) limited to ONE - (so one ice cream bar or one hamburger or one drink) makes it more special and I tend to savor it vs binging out.


    I'm new here.
    my blog is...http://packerfan1970.blogspot.com/p/weight-lossfitness.html
  • Jules221
    Jules221 Posts: 69 Member
    I take 1 day a week usually to cheat. I figure it is my way of staying more true to my diet by allowing myself to eat whatever I want that 1 day.
  • StrawberrySt
    StrawberrySt Posts: 235
    I still log any cheat meals to keep myself accountable.

    My problem is going out for dinner, I try to pick healthier choices and make sure I've exercised that day.

    Any time I know I have a full on cheat day planned (wedding, birthday, event) and I know I can't control what I eat and I'll be drinking alcohol I will make sure I have a really good week in calories and exercise.

    I think a cheat 'day' every week is a bit excessive!
  • bluebird321
    bluebird321 Posts: 733 Member
    My cheat day consists of basically eating whatever I want and not logging it. I try to be somewhat mindful and not go crazy. I do it more for psychological reasons than practical. i may try to phase it out at some point, but right now it makes the other six days easier to stick to.
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    I think for people who are comfortable with their routine without really fussing over meals/workouts, cheat days are fine. Me, I may have my meals planned every day and drink a good amount of water, but I'm very obsessive about what goes in my mouth, the portion, and the calorie intake. I couldn't handle a day where calories didn't matter or portions didn't matter or whatever because I like having the order I do. Then again I have nervous problems and OCD.

    I do, however, have a "cheat" meal once or twice a week, usually just after I get weighed for the week or when I know I'll exercise enough to make up for it. Usually Chinese food, but now and again I have a burger and some fries. I feel a little bad and I end up tasting the salt for hours after but it's a break and I still control how much I eat.
  • KDM417
    KDM417 Posts: 1 Member
    I have cheat days and they seem to be doing ok for me. What I do is I plan ahead. If I know we are going say camping and i'm going to be eating burgers and hotdogs and s'mores then I work out a little harder and a little more that week. Kinda like the WW plan(which I tried and found MFP is better and free) I never deprive myself I eat when I'm hungry and if I have a craving then I eat what I'm craving because if I don't eventually I will give in and eat much more or eat a bunch of other stuff to try to avoid the craving. Plus for most things there are healthy options and substitutions so you feel like you are cheating but you are not. I found a lot of help on Pinterest so many healthy options for some my old favorites. It's like cheating but not. This is what I do but for everyone it's different just find what works and feel good about your choices. You've already made the best choice to get healthy CONGRATULATIONS!!
  • Quinn827
    Quinn827 Posts: 9
    In the past I found my most successful weight loss regime did include a cheat day. HOWEVER, I did not add this cheat day until I was about 25-30 lbs into my 40 pound weight loss goal. I also found that even when I said it was a cheat day that I planned ahead for it and I really could not just go totally crazy. If I planned for them I did not beat myself up, whereas if I just fell of f the wagon I would FREAK out and get thrown off. For me the cheat day helped keep my binges under control, they also helped shock my body and I lost weight even better after incorporating them.
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    I think scheduling in "cheat days" are a way to not really change your lifestyle. And if you aren't making a real change to your life, you aren't going to keep the weight off. I don't agree with building them into your weight loss plan. I think it's a set up to fail.

    That said, I think it's normal to occasionally NOT eat "perfect" if you have changed your life. I ate a cupcake earlier today because I baked them (no frosting, and I knew I'd be WAY over on my work outs today so I knew the calories were ok). Cupcakes aren't in my meal plan, but that kind of stuff occasionally happens. I just don't plan it and I don't let myself have those "breaks" from my lifestyle very often.
  • margeb102
    margeb102 Posts: 18
    Usually have a cheat meal once a week. generally over by 300-400 calories for the day. do log it all. however, usually a 100 or so below for 1 or 2 days most weeks.

    am maintaining right now.lost about 20 lbs before i started here.

    so far so good. have been maintaining for almost 3 months.
  • DFWTT
    DFWTT Posts: 374
    Cheat day every Sunday. I think about what I have been craving all week and when Sun comes, I eat it. This week I will be making my ultra awesome gourmet beanie weenies consisting of a large can of maple syrup and brown sugar baked beans and an entire package of Earl Campbell's hot links with my special blend of other stuff. I will certainly eat most of it. I do budget through the week though. Still losing, or winning, however you wanna look at it.

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