How Do You Handle "Cheat Days"?

This is a really good question! This is what I do: If I crave something (usually sweets) that is high in calories I make sure I exercise 10-15 minutes longer. I also try not to deprive myself of any food that I like. If I feel like having some chocolate or a cookie, I go for it. What I do different from before - I don't eat a whole bar, but rather a small piece of two. I think if you deprive yourself for the whole week and then binge one day, your putting your body through the unnecessary stress (and potential weight gain).

It all comes down to how you're going to respond to cheat days mentally. Are they going to cause you to backslide? Are they going to make it difficult to jump back on the nutrition wagon the following day? Usually, the answer to those questions is YES.

I'd wait a good 4-6 months before you incorporate anything like that.

We rarely eat out. When we do I go for something as low calorie as possible. However, if you cut out all enjoyable foods you'll get frustrated and give up.

Just a small taste is okay. I ate a cookie yesterday, I logged it in, and it tasted good.

^ Yep I did the same! I ate a cookie, logged it, and made sure to work out!

I am 1 lb from my goal and I got here in a matter of 5 months. I was successful because I stuck to my calorie goals. Sometimes I'd go over here and there, but in the grand scheme of things, I was always at or below my weekly caloric goal.

How did I stay within my daily goals? I did what many of my MFP friends do. Pre-loged! If you know what foods you have in the house or are able to do your own grocery shopping this will be easier. Log what you plan to eat the night before and see if you think it will make you happy and satisfied! After doing this for a week or two you will know exactly what you will need at each point of the day to get you through!

I allowed myself one daily treat. It might be healthy, but it might not have been. For me, the treat could be a mug of hot chocolate, a brownie, a small icecream cone, a bowl or fruit or a frozen banana with PB. One item in the 100-200 calorie range that I could treat myself with each day. I planned for these calories and was able to eat them!

Like others said above... if I knew I wanted to go out and eat more with my family or friends... I worked out the morning of and made sure I could do it guilt free!!

These worked for me - but I'm sure its not something that will work for everyone. Think about what you want to get out of the proccess.

Best of luck - you can definitely do this!!

If your family is constantly getting fast food and snacks, then it might be useful for you to have an established "splurge" day. That way, you avoid the risk of it turning into an every day thing, plus you still get to enjoy it occasionally instead of feeling deprived.

I'm seeing this as a long-term lifestyle not a diet. That's not going to work if I ban some of the foods I like the best. So... I've decided that NOTHING is forbidden, but I have to be really sure I want it. The number of times I've had something delicious in my hand and put it down because I want to lose the weight more than I want to eat that thing *right this second*.

If its something i want enough to eat it even after that thought I am bloody well going to enjoy it and not ruin it with guilt. Then I log it and go back to consciously choosing every thing I put into my body. Works for me do far.

I eat what I want and change my daily/weekly expectations. Eating deliciously unhealthy food just means that I need to run harder to not have it negatively affect me. But as long as I don't make a habit of eating poorly, like I used to, I won't have to run everyday for miles at a time to enjoy food.

I've never set out from the standpoint of eliminating any particular food or restricting myself to certain things. If I want something, I eat it (although maybe less of it and certainly less often for a lot of things). 99% of the time, I will work it into my calorie allowance (for the day/week depending on how sinful it is), or I'll run a few extra miles to "earn" some more calories. The other 1% of the time, I say *kitten* it-eat it, log it and move on. I guess this 1% is as close as I get to a "cheat" day-but I'm in this for the long haul. Restrictions don't work for me. I had to find a way to incorporate things I really like-even if they are not good food choices. I've found a lifestyle I can maintain-that allows me to have some candy or fast food when I want it. For me, a lifestyle is not sustainable if I need to incorporate a way to "cheat". But that's me and my psyche and my lifestyle. What works for you or for others is up to you.

I usually try to stay on track all week, Saturdays, I don't cook dinner, We do a cheat meal, maybe a dessert too... but never a whole day of cheating. I do that for myself so I don't feel overwhelmed with eaters guilt, and feel like a total failure. Im SUPER hard on myself. Even on cheat days i try to stay within my calorie goals, though I know I don't have to.

I find that I do best if I eat as healthy as possible six days a week and save up some extra calories each of those days. I then spend all of those calories on one fantastic "cheat" day on the weekend. The thing is that it's not really cheating, since it fits within my weekly allowance. Having planned "cheat" days means that I can eat like everyone else at family holidays and big parties, and I do not need to feel the least bit guilty about it.

Have some extra calories saved up is also nice so that I am not in trouble if something comes up mid week. Unexpected birthday cake at a friend's house? I don't need to be the odd duck who declines it. My brother shows up with a few beers and wants to chat? I can have a couple without breaking the caloric bank. I plan for cheats, because it lets me have the social life of someone who is not counting calories.

Cheat days don't work for me. It just gives me crazy cravings for a few days after. I prefer to stick to eating healthy all days, but sometimes have a cheat meal, but not more often than once a week and even if it's a cheat meal I try to not eat too much.

I don't have them. I eat cheat things, probably everyday but I just have a small amount. If I had a whole day to eat anything I would not make progress. I can see planning one if you're having a special day, but outside of special days I wouldn't plan them every week.

Usually the way I do cheat days is if I was Under my calorie goal the entire week I'll treat myself that day when I go out with friends. But ONLY If I do good the whole week.