Cheat Meal??

[jackie423]

I usually have a big cheat meal about once a month (usually after racing). This past weekend I went to Arby's and had a beef & cheddar, fries, diet soda, apple turnover and THEN had a McFlurry from McDonald's about an hour later.

I was stuffed, but felt pretty good. That was in the late afternoon/evening and the only thing I ate for the rest of the day. The next day I am back to the healthy eating w/o trying to overcompensate, guilt, etc.

Is that too much for a cheat? How much are big cheat meals like that going to throw me off? I usually aim for 1700 calories; on those days I don't even bother tracking the cal/macros. Should I?

[robinsteal]

I usually have a big cheat meal about once a month (usually after racing). This past weekend I went to Arby's and had a beef & cheddar, fries, diet soda, apple turnover and THEN had a McFlurry from McDonald's about an hour later.

I was stuffed, but felt pretty good. That was in the late afternoon/evening and the only thing I ate for the rest of the day. The next day I am back to the healthy eating w/o trying to overcompensate, guilt, etc.

Is that too much for a cheat? How much are big cheat meals like that going to throw me off? I usually aim for 1700 calories; on those days I don't even bother tracking the cal/macros. Should I?

it wont harm you. if you want to track it then track it. but if your stressing over it then don't eat it. i know you said that you don't have guilt but it seems to bug you enough to ask. that is not a bad cheat, you could have done wayyyy worse going to two diff fast food joints.

[Amanda76]

Don't worry about it. I totally pig out an average of once a month when I'm leaning up. I might get a bit bloated, but the next day's workout is normally pretty awesome. ;)

[rockstar55]

YUMMY!!! A cheat meal is good to have once a month, some people have better results as far as long term weight loss because it keeps the metabolism guessing. I used to have one every week. Just depends...

[Tiffany_P]

If it's not slowing down your progress, then don't worry about it. If you reach a plateau, then you might want to analyze it a bit. If you're keeping a very small deficit, then a really large cheat meal can offset it pretty easily.

[PremierGirl]

I usually have a big cheat meal about once a month (usually after racing). This past weekend I went to Arby's and had a beef & cheddar, fries, diet soda, apple turnover and THEN had a McFlurry from McDonald's about an hour later.

I was stuffed, but felt pretty good. That was in the late afternoon/evening and the only thing I ate for the rest of the day. The next day I am back to the healthy eating w/o trying to overcompensate, guilt, etc.

Is that too much for a cheat? How much are big cheat meals like that going to throw me off? I usually aim for 1700 calories; on those days I don't even bother tracking the cal/macros. Should I?

dont worry , you had diet soda =)

heh anyways yea compared to my cheats thats a joke.

[jackie423]

Thanks ladies!!! I was wondering if my cheats were crazy compared to other peoples. Knowing I will have that one meal really helps me stay focused the other days of the month and I always feel "refueled" after it and ready to hit the weights even harder.

[ljsparkleee]

hahaa, and im feeling guilty just eating too many peanut butter protein balls!!! But that only brought me up to maintenance! But once a month cant hurt!