Does anyone else NOT do a "cheat" day?

I have tried, but I go crazy and then it takes a while for me to get back to 'myself' again. In saying that if I really want something I'll work it into my calories or do some exercise to compensate, plus I often have dessert on a Monday as it is weigh in day and if I go over I don't worry about it - but I can't do a whole day!!

So 'cheat days' hmmmm... I disagree with them on a number of levels. My first question is 'who are you cheating?' and the answer to that can really only be 'yourself' and why would I want to do that? I think nomenclature is really important. The word suggests that you are on a diet and for one day you are going to 'come off the diet' and eat whatever you like.

Well, I follow the 80/20 rule. I can already eat whatever I like but I try to keep it to 20% of my intake. I prefer to call foods 'indulgent' foods rather than 'cheat' foods. The word indulgent means to me that I know they aren't so healthy for me but I indulge my desire for then. Although I tend to just have a small indulgence each day, I suppose could even have a '20% day' and eat really healthily for the rest of the week. That may seem to amount to the same thing but psychologically I think it's very different. To me, a 'cheat day' is reinforcing the bad eating habits that you are trying to eliminate. Bingeing on crappy food rather than trying to bring it back into moderation and handling foods sensibly.

If I don't log it means I don't know what I've eaten, so I don't know how much I'm over or under in the week. I balance my food intake over the week so I can have over and under days and still know I'm in control of what I'm eating. It doesn't take long to log everything anyway and I'd rather be able to make informed decisions on my portion size

Yes I'd like that bit of cake but how much can I have and be sensible about it? It helps me regulate my portion control.

I think it's interesting to note that only my US friends tend to talk about 'cheat days' but even so, all of my friends still log what they eat even if they intend to go over. In fact one friend renamed her days 'indulgent days' rather than a cheat day - but in logging it she still remains in control of her eating and accountable for it.

So in line with my 'don't diet' and the 80/20 rule, cheat days aren't necessary, nor are they really desirable, as they encourage you to view this journey as a 'diet to be cheated' reinforcing bad eating habits rather than as a way of working indulgent foods into your week in a healthy and sustainable way.

Everyone has their right to their own philosophy and if they've found cheat days work for them then ok but they aren't for me.

What is "cheat day"? Cheating on yourself???
I don't do cheat anything. I eat what I want, when I want, planned or unplanned! I just try to moderate. And I don't succeed at all ;-)
I don't understand this whole restriction/craving/binging system. I wouldn't want to miss my chocolate for the rest of my life, so why would I not eat some now... same goes with fries, some glass of champagne or fast food, pizza etc. Just find a way to include it in your daily diary. Work out some more, or just accept you're going over on calories for once.
I am over calories most days, and still lost weight. I lose weight much slower than most people on here, but I don't miss anything: no food, no occasion, no party! I still live life and without this attitude, I would still be 50 lbs heavier!!!

I agree with this. I do the same. I do not worry about going over my calorie goal. I do ensure however that I am in a deficit over the course of the week.

Me neither. Im not in obsession with dieting, and if I want chocolate, I just eat it sometimes. Maybe not the whole bar, more like squares or two, but still

I don't believe in cheat days.
Occasions when I might over-indulge? Sure, but I'd never call it cheating. It's my life, and I do my best to live it AND love it!

Im day 36, and I have never had a cheat day yet! Trust me, I would love to!

My idea of a cheat day, unless beyond my control of course, is to stay under cals and eat something not particularly healthy lol

No cheat days here by that name or any other name.

I allow myself one day a week to cheat a little. I weigh in once a week on Saturdays and usually for lunch or dinner that day I will treat myself a little. I try not to go overboard but I allow myself to have a little of whatever I have been craving all week. It helps me on those hard days when I'm craving different things. I just know that on Saturday I can indulge a little. I also do my Insanity workout on Saturdays so I end up burning between 500-700 calories.

I don't have cheat days. I eat what I want, when I want it - I simply do it in moderation. I'd much rather have whatever I'm craving RIGHT NOW vs having to wait for a special day.