Cheat days . yes or no? [hello everyone] [quot]
Hello everyone,
I am just curious . Does anyone have a cheat day once a week? Once a month? Only at Christmas? I still want to lose 10 pounds, and was wondering if a cheat day a good or bad idea? There are weeks when I tried to not false, but that ended in me being less strict with my diet the other days, resulting in many more calories than if I had allowed a cheat day. Then I get disappointed with myself to do, and usually end with a “cheat” day sooner rather than later. Im really sick of this seven months or so plateau. Im ready to do the right things now, and would really appreciate your input.
I always try to aim for 1400 calories per day on average, but lately things are not so good. Oh and yeah, I try to exercise four to five days a week. However, Im just out of a rut, so again things that are not so good. It is so easy to turn into a depression, especially when my life changed. (I go to university in two weeks, and my first job. Im going to take the personal training program, have felt so much pressure to work, so I have more a chore than a release).
I am desperate for this to all you for reading this out.
Thank.
Reply:Nope, I don't see the point. It is like telling someone not to think about elephants except on Friday. Of course, ALL you will do is think about elephants the rest of the time because you know you are not supposed to…
if you follow my logic. At least, that is the way MY mind works so I don't let it get the best of me – or try not to. When I cheat, it is because I think I can handle the calories or I am willing to work out extra hard beforehand to earn the extra calories and not have it affect me too much.
In short, I'd rather practice moderation. Exercise, eat right most of the time and give yourself treats within reason. Yes, there may be a day now and then when I throw caution to the wind and eat everything in sight (like at the State Fair) but those days are far and few between.
If you are good 99% of the time, believe me, the other 1% won't cost you much in terms of health or weight. Heck, maybe even if you are good 95% of the time or 85% of the time. :confused:
Reply:Hi guy,
You are right. That is an unhealthy weight. I am 17 years old, and sometimes I become to obsessed with what the scale says. I sometimes allow the magazines and tabloids to get to my head. Rather than concentrating on my weight, I am going to exercise and eat better because I want to better my being. I realized that I should focus on the good, inner characteristics instead of my exterior body. It is not about the size of your waistband, it about the size of your spirit, right?! Anyways, I desire to feel my absolute best. I achieve greater results from within, rather than outside, which helps me to become a better, more helpful person in today's world. I decided that I do not want to have cheat days, because like Slinky911 also finds, I begin to spiral out of control, and sabotage and negate myself.
I am on the path to personal success and satisfaction! Something finally clicked. It is time to live my dreams, and focus on other daily problems.
I became sick and tired of continually ruining my success. I really honestly think that I was forming some sort of eating disorder because I took things way to seriously, and only thought about my weight.
Although I have many problems to fix, I got over the biggest, hardest step. Looking around, and seeing what life has to offer, really let my spirit grow!
Thank you all for posting… This site is wonderful, and is a huge bundle of support.
Everyone have a wonderful week.
Reply:No cheats unless it's legal cheats. I do low carb so I make a mean cheesecake!!! Or strawberries and land O lakes whipped cream in a can made with splenda, or I make a ice cream shake. Who needs cheats when you can have something that tastes exactally like the full sugar cheats.
Reply:Hi,
I'm on a 1200 calorie plan and have 10 lbs to go.
I have cheated on a day from time to time. For ME, my cheat day turns into cheat day 2, cheat day 7… I put on about 6 plans from cheat days!!! For me it just spirals out of control.
Keeping up on my food plan is not easy, but I feel devastated when I gain so much weight back.
Dr. Phil had a phrase that helps me. I have to behave my way to success.
Also, I have to make the environment support my goal. There is no ice cream, no candy (except hard candy), no chips, nothing super good.
Good luck all!
Marilyn :bouncing:
Reply:I am 5"3 and 113 lbs. That may not sound like alot, but I have a very fatty tummy… and but, and well everything! Mostly my midsection. Anyways, I know that I am at a plateau because I have been doing the same thing each week – around same amount of calories, and same amount of excercising. So time to change things up!
You do realise that everyone has a bit of a tummy? You are already at a healthy weight for your height. Anything thing under 105lbs will put you underweight and unhealthy. How old are you?
Reply:Oh, and my goal is to get to 105 lbs ish by December 4th (my birthday).
Reply:Wow,
everyone, I really appreciate everything! I am going to reflect and think about my situation some more. I think that it is a good idea that I set up days where I have some fruit or healthy pizza or something. I really like that idea – redefining a cheat day.
I just have to stop focusing solely on this. There are many better things in life!
I have gotten better in the past year, but I am sure that this advice will help me strive to find what is right for me – and like everyone says, without busting the calorie bank.
Thank you all so much!
Reply:Yeah, I have a cheat day, its usually on Saturday's and sometimes it goes into Sunday. My definition of a "cheat day" is when I don't have to count my calories for that day. It has worked for me, I have lost 30 lbs so far (all in a year-which means it will stay off), and I haven't deprived myself of ANYTHING! I am definetly not eating like a pig like I used to, my eating is more structured now (every 2 1/2-3 hours, and I only allow myself 1340 cals per day but Saturday). I only have about 5-8 more pounds to lose to be at my final goal, and those are always the hardest to lose and take the longest. But I just look at it as, at least I'm not gaining it all back, and at least I am NOT depriving myself of any one thing so that when I "re-introduce it" into my life I blow up again. That's what happened last time I tried to lose weight, I stopped eating bread/cheese/potatos, I lost 10 pounds but once I started eating them again I blew up 10 lbs+. I think that my cheat day helps me out because it shocks my body/metabolism….but that's just my own opinion. Everyone's body works differently.
Reply:I've been having Cheat Days, once a week. Sometimes they work for me and sometimes they don't. Sometimes I buy a package of four Chocolate Bars, and I end up eating them all. I should really just buy one Chocolate Bar at the Checkout. I also have a Cheat Day on Christmas. :blob_fire
Reply:1200-1500 is not going to be beneficial for some people. In fact this number is extremely low for many individuals and will only cause them to burn out. Everyone is different and the number of calories you need is NOT going to be the same for someone else with much different stats than you.
I worded it funny but I was just saying what I do, not what someone else should do. Im 5'6 240 pounds trying to get down to 160. Its worked for me before so Im doing it again.
Reply:My opinion would be that you (a) focus really clearly on the issue of losing the weight, and (b) re-define what a "cheat" or treat is. If you get into the cycle of having any kind of lapse day once per week at the moment, you're just as likely to see that weight sit there and sit there and sit there. I would think really clearly and carefully about when you want to lose the weight by (work out a goal that is realistic for you), keep up the exercise you are doing, and then think up some "treats" you can enjoy along the way without busting the calorie bank. Personally I don't count calories at all. But there are plenty of things that can be appealing and saved up for a special treat meal per week which don't need to add stacks of calories to your week's total, if counting calories is what you are doing. Have a non-food reward thought up for when you achieve your goal. I don't know whether you enjoy sweets or savoury most, or both, but you can adapt things with a bit of planning to allow yourself a tasty treat or meal at a particular time each week that need not be counter-productive. If you like sweets, think of something fruit based – low carb fruit. If you like savoury, make things like pizza without the base – dream up some creations of vegetables and lean proteins you like, add low-fat cheese but don't add a big thick crust – maybe some thinner crackers or something. Maybe with some planning you can think of a meal where you can eat something extra like this as a "reward" without doing damage to the whole week. But whatever you do, you just need to focus on those last few pounds, it isn't a big total and will shift again once you seriously focus on a time-line and a plan. Sometimes long periods of being "careful" with food can lead you to get sick of the whole deal, but think of it like this – what you are doing now will obviously maintain your weight once you get to where you want – you just have to get that last little bit first! Be careful on social occasions too – easy to do a bit of damage under social pressure of what's there and fitting in with everything else.
Reply:Hi there,
Thank you everyone for your input. I really appreciate it! I don't really diet either, I just eat less, and try to eat more healthy. Sometimes I have days where I eat junk, but not that much of it. Of course I feel bad, but sometimes I just don't feel like doing what I am supposed to be doing. I have been alot better lately and have incorporated more healthier choices into my diet. It is sometimes a struggle, but I know it will get better in the end.
How many calories should I be consuming per week?
Around 10 000? That is about 1425 average a day. I have been counting calories for a year and a half now and still cannot figure out what is right for me. I did lose 3 lbs when I ate 1400 calories 5 days a week, 1600 calories one day, and 2200 calories one day. That equals 10 800 calories weekly.
Of course, I gained back the weight. Why? Because I started to feel like I was missing out on things again, so I would eat like a pig one day a week.
Yes, I have many overlaying issues with food, and I am sick of tired of feeling helpless.
Oh my goodness! I am just at my rut, my huge plateau!
I am 5"3 and 113 lbs. That may not sound like alot, but I have a very fatty tummy… and but, and well everything! Mostly my midsection. Anyways, I know that I am at a plateau because I have been doing the same thing each week – around same amount of calories, and same amount of excercising. So time to change things up!
I am just not to sure how to find the motivation and clarity in knowing what to do.
Thank you again.
Reply:I don't believe in diets anymore, so I also don't believe in needing to cheat. Can't cheat when I don't go on diets. The only way I find that I can lose weight is just to eat healthy. Eat breakfast, luguy and dinner and have 3 healthy snacks during my day. I also still have my bowl of ice cream just about every night. I go for a walk with my boyfriend every night after dinner. I'm losing about 1 to 2 pounds a week.
When I use to diet I always ended up putting the weight I lost while on the diet back on. This happened with every single diet I tried. So I gave up on diets and started to change my eating habits and lifestyle. So far it's working great for me. :bouncing:
Reply:I relax on the weekends, Saturday nights we go to my boyfriends sisters house and have pizza (i eat 2 slices) and beer. On Sundays I kind of go with the flow. But during the week I go to the gym 8 times, 4 days during luguy to do weights and 4 days in the evening for cardio. Also stick to a 1200-1500 calorie diet. So it seems to be working for me so far. Everybody is different. If you can allow yourself something and still make your goals, then go for it. That way you dont drive yourself crazy.
1200-1500 is not going to be beneficial for some people. In fact this number is extremely low for many individuals and will only cause them to burn out. Everyone is different and the number of calories you need is NOT going to be the same for someone else with much different stats than you.
Reply:I relax on the weekends, Saturday nights we go to my boyfriends sisters house and have pizza (i eat 2 slices) and beer. On Sundays I kind of go with the flow. But during the week I go to the gym 8 times, 4 days during luguy to do weights and 4 days in the evening for cardio. Also stick to a 1200-1500 calorie diet. So it seems to be working for me so far. Everybody is different. If you can allow yourself something and still make your goals, then go for it. That way you dont drive yourself crazy.
Reply:Thank you bluehen,
I agree that a whole day is not good. I only feel horrible when I do! I really appreciate you writing back. I think that I will try to do that from now on.
Reply:I don't have a cheat day, but I do have a cheat meal once a week. Usually something I don't normally eat like pizza, steak, pasta, piece of cake, something not in my eating plan. I don't think a whole cheat day is helpful or necessary.
