Does everyone have cheat days?

2

Replies

  • karenjoy
    karenjoy Posts: 1,840 Member
    I did not have cheat days, or meals or what ever, while I was losing weight, now I am beyond my original goal, and starting to head towards maintenance, I do have days when I eat things that I would not normally consider, like cake or a pizza for instance, but I usually log it, and am not going to start having regular 'cheat' days, I just eat what I usually eat, and then when it comes up, like Birthdays, or special occasions etc, I worry less about what I eat
  • Nfairley
    Nfairley Posts: 83 Member
    My whole life has been a cheat day...time to make up for it:)

    I wish I had seen this before I wrote that novel below your post, this sums up my sentiment quite nicely!
  • MeeshyBW
    MeeshyBW Posts: 382 Member
    My cheat days are never intentional but are always die to alcohol. :(

    The guilt is terrible and they probabaly happen ince every 2-3 weeks. Bad Meeshybw :( lol
  • NoxDineen
    NoxDineen Posts: 497 Member
    99% of people "mess up" occasionally. Don't do it often, and if possible try to limit it to a single cheat meal rather than a full day. If your overall habits are healthy don't beat yourself up, instead think about what healthy meals you can have tomorrow or what workout you'll do.

    I ran up a mountain today (well, a ski hill) and I darn sure don't regret the hot fudge sundae I had on the drive home. It happens once every few months, to me that seems fine.
  • BaileyBoo13524
    BaileyBoo13524 Posts: 593 Member
    I only have a cheat day if I am going out with friends or family and don't really have much of a choice, but it's more of a cheat meal and not necessarily a cheat day. Cheat days make my body feel crappy so I try to avoid them at all costs!
  • baptiste565
    baptiste565 Posts: 590 Member
    never cheat days. cheat meal every month. about 400 extra calories on cheat meal days
  • xHelloQuincyx
    xHelloQuincyx Posts: 884 Member
    try chat meals
  • knighthood77
    knighthood77 Posts: 47
    So far, no. I think the only time I go over my calories is a mistake or I'm at some sort of social function.
  • Martin0524
    Martin0524 Posts: 59 Member
    No my cheat days do not make me feel like crap afterwards.. My cheat day is usually the two days I run for an hour or more.. I usually do chinese food, panera bread or some other favorite. I haven't gained weight from cheat days..
  • treimnitz
    treimnitz Posts: 51 Member
    I have a cheat meal or treat once in awhile, if it's within my moderation.
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
    you will not be gaining pounds of fat if you have a "cheat day" problem is if the cheat day turns into a cheat week, progressing into a cheat month of just continued bad eating.

    people who are successful know how to eat what they like in the confines of their calorie goal or are super alien health nuts and nothing is wrong with either one, they both get the job done in terms of weight loss
  • sofia0586
    sofia0586 Posts: 71 Member
    i have a cheat meal 1x/week.

    i usually feel sick if i try to do a whole day.
  • wftiger
    wftiger Posts: 1,283 Member
    No. I have learned to not use food as a reward. Why cheat and have to lose the weight all over again?
  • splashangel
    splashangel Posts: 494 Member
    Cheat days and diet coke w/ splenda were a big help to me while loseing the biggest part of my weight. I was pretty much "good" knowing I could eat whatever on day 7. And the Coke helped me feelw like I wasn't being deprived. Now I don't go near soda. Eh, well, I have had a few Zevia's. My cheat day went to cheat meal. Now, I have cheat occasions. This Friday night we are having a church dinner and I will eat what ever. Do what you have to in order to get healthy.
  • tennisbabe94
    tennisbabe94 Posts: 444 Member
    I don't do cheat days, I feel like it's a slippery slope. However, it does work for some people, so it's more of a preference thing. It's important to get your body used to eating healthy food because after a while, that's what you begin to crave. Even though I don't do cheat days, I don't restrict myself. Moderation is the key, so if once in a while, I want a little treat, I have it. No guilt or anything. Whatever!
  • MSepp
    MSepp Posts: 228
    That's why I don't have cheat days. :)

    I've really never understood that. If you eat food that tastes great and is good for you, why would you purposely put crap in your body? It makes no sense to me. I DO go over on calories on occassion, but it's always with healthy options. I'm ok with that.

    Because for some people, certain foods become a "forbidden Fruit"....something you used to love before you started your diet plan...say my weakness, cheeseburgers.

    If I tell myself that never again will I eat a cheeseburger, that is not realistic. I allow myself to have one but it's a rare treat.

    One cheat day a week means that if I'm not able to get to the gym that day then that's ok...if I allow myself to eat something that I normally avoid because of calorie content-again ok.

    Case in point: The Batman movie came out last Thursday. I permitted myself to have a cosmopolitan and eat popcorn at the theater.

    It doesn't work for everyone, but I'm getting fit and feel very healthy. It's a personal choice to allow myself to still have some fun and not be too rigid on what I eat.
  • KS_4691
    KS_4691 Posts: 228 Member
    Yesterday was my cheat day. Surprisingly, I almost always look leaner when I wake up after one of these days.
  • jerbear1962
    jerbear1962 Posts: 1,157 Member
    I figured I had a cheat day for the last 30 years...enough was enough I didn't start this plan to take a chance of gaining weight. So I can't take that chance...I'll keep to the grind stone...Good luck with whatever you decide.
  • jrutledge01
    jrutledge01 Posts: 213 Member
    cheat meal once or twice a week.. unplanned - the way i like it!
  • DianneBoo
    DianneBoo Posts: 226 Member
    I do not do cheat days. i have not taken much away from my diet....mostly just more regulated. But, every Tuesday, I have an INDULGENCE DAY. We have a family dinner (which is loaded with calories and fat) and then play cards. After a few games, we then have dessert (again, loaded with calories and fat).

    But, I make sure that I am still in my calorie goals. Plus, i make sure i burn at least 400 calories that day.

    My regular daily goal is to do 800+ cals per day. So, I am typically under calorie by 500-600 calories every day.

    So, on my INDULGENCE DAY, I know that I have the calories to work with if I want to go all in. I don't. I enjoy both the dinner and dessert, but in moderation. And, i am completely satisfied with that!
  • Bobby_Clerici
    Bobby_Clerici Posts: 1,828 Member
    I could not progress without my cheat day, or as we prefer to say in the scientific community: "RE-FEED THERAPY"

    The science behind calorie spiking is about shocking your metabolism, stoking the fires so to speak.
    Who knows?
    I set aside one day per week where I eat about twice my daily goal, and once a month I set a day for a total food orgy where I eat like a pig for 24 hours.
    This has both physiological and psychological benefits.
    It's nice knowing I am never more than 7 days from eating anything I desire in whatever quantity I want.
    And here's the kicker.
    Every week I have a free day I lose weight.
    It's never once failed me.
  • SteffieMark
    SteffieMark Posts: 1,719 Member
    No. I have learned to not use food as a reward. Why cheat and have to lose the weight all over again?

    ^^This.
    I do not have cheat days or cheat meals. I do not go over my calories. This is important enough to me, to not cheat myself. I think it's a preference thing too. Some prefer to have what they consider cheats, some don't. I don't.
  • rjcm58
    rjcm58 Posts: 8
    My thinking is . . . I thought I would allow myself cheat days, but I find it working against me at this stage in trying to lose weight (this weekend was not good). I have just started getting back on track to lose unwanted pounds and this weekend I had been too free with what I have been eating. During the weekday, when I have a routine going, I can easily stick to healthly eating and come the weekend I have to be more on guard and more aware with my end goal always in sight. I am determined once and for all to do this. I can still have fun while keeping my goal in sight, because nothing, I mean nothing, is sweeter or more powerful than being in a body that is limber, agile, strong, and full of wonderful life without being weighted down with crappy food.
  • vade43113
    vade43113 Posts: 836 Member
    Yeap, I cheat every day on my girlfriend, by jumping MFP.... wait, I don't have a girlfriend... so, is it technically cheating? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    Nope, I don't... I have days that I eat more, or less... but that is more because of stress and such than a cheat day... evil stress :grumble:
  • Bobby_Clerici
    Bobby_Clerici Posts: 1,828 Member
    No. I have learned to not use food as a reward. Why cheat and have to lose the weight all over again?

    ^^This.
    I do not have cheat days or cheat meals. I do not go over my calories. This is important enough to me, to not cheat myself. I think it's a preference thing too. Some prefer to have what they consider cheats, some don't. I don't.
    BORING!
    But hey, to each their own...
    I love it and get results, so why not?
    The challenge sometimes was turning it off at day's end. Sometimes I did not, and my results suffered that week, so be careful.
    Again, the arguments for a free day/cheat day are both mental and physical; all I know is that it's fun and it works for me.
    Anyway, good luck to YOU!
  • cathiaflock
    cathiaflock Posts: 112 Member
    My cheat day is Friday's cause I made it through another week and deserve it. I just still portion control is all :-)
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
    I don't have cheat days! I eat what I want (just not too much of it) and account for it in my diary always. :flowerforyou:
  • AJ_Pete
    AJ_Pete Posts: 863 Member
    What are we cheating on here? Cheating sounds super negative, so I don't ever use that word.

    Helloooooooooooooooooo, moderation! I had pizza Wednesday. I had oreo ice cream cake last night for my parents' anniversary.

    No such day dedicated to cheating. If I want it, I eat it. THAT BEING SAID, I eat fairly clean so if I want something, it's okay. There's no guilt. AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE EITHER.
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    Should probably reward yourself with something besides food. Now there are people who use Zigzagging to boost their weight lose as in do a lot of calories one day and then drop it the other. With Zigzagging you are still eating health just increasing calorie intake.

    I view cheat days or such as hitting the pause or the stop button on all the hard work, which just prolongs the goal I'm heading towards.
  • GnochhiGnomes
    GnochhiGnomes Posts: 348 Member
    No I don't have cheat days because I normally binge twice a week so having cheat days would ruin me.
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