Cheating by Percent

[theapexxxx]

I'm just writing this because every once in a while I see some thread concerning whether or not to have a cheat meal in their diet. And while I was reading an old Flex Magazine (Oct 2005), I came across a short article where Jay Cutler speaks about cheat meals and I think he puts it best so I decided to share it with everyone who didnt get a chance to read the small article:

"A bodybuilder can definitely include a cheat meal of a burger or pizza - heck, even fries - as long as he's eating clean and wholesome foods at other meals. I figure that a bodybuilder has to eat at least 6 times a day, which is 42 meals a week. In that context, eating two or three cheat meals a week won't hurt; three out of 42 meals a week means that your cheating less than 10% of the time. It also means that your sticking with natural clean foods or protein shakes for more than 90% of your meals" - Jay Cutler

Now I believe he is talking about having cheats meals while trying to grow, whereas 2-3 cheat meals wouldn't be so bad. But even for a cut, 1 cheat meal = <2% cheat, >98% healthy. So if you can go through a cut and not need to cheat, awesome, all the power to ya. But if you feel the desire to cheat on a meal, awesome, 1 cheat won't kill you.
My 2 cents!

[iPerfectDark]

Of course it won't, the problem is though a cheat meal such as a large pizza can contain as much as 2000 calories, that could ruin your progress for 2-3 days.

My thoughts: The only cheating is when you go over your cal limit for the day.

[theapexxxx]

IMO, even if cheating takes 2 days off of your progress, its still better than ruining a diet or feeling low and depressed. 2 days off, means 5 days of clean eating. So you'd still be in the clear for the week.

I'm pro cheat day, so really it comes down to whoever is cutting.

[iPerfectDark]

I consider weekends as Damage Limitation time. If I end up eating under 3000 cals per day then I know I've done 'well'.

It's all about eating better than you were though really, every little bit helps and in time things will even out.

[red_cat]

Originally Posted by iPerfectDark

Of course it won't, the problem is though a cheat meal such as a large pizza can contain as much as 2000 calories, that could ruin your progress for 2-3 days.

My thoughts: The only cheating is when you go over your cal limit for the day.

That's why you always count calories, even on your cheat days/meals. If you count, you're less likely to go 2,000 kcal over.

Cheat meals are fine. I normally try to find one small thing to splurge on every day. Yesterday I had corn dogs for dinner (still came in 350 under) and on Sunday I had a small sundae at DQ (still came in 500+ under). Each day I also hit my macros with 2-3%. It feels like I'm not even dieting, or cheating for that matter, when I do it like this.

[lee__d]

Originally Posted by red_cat

That's why you always count calories, even on your cheat days/meals. If you count, you're less likely to go 2,000 kcal over.

Cheat meals are fine. I normally try to find one small thing to splurge on every day. Yesterday I had corn dogs for dinner (still came in 350 under) and on Sunday I had a small sundae at DQ (still came in 500+ under). Each day I also hit my macros with 2-3%. It feels like I'm not even dieting, or cheating for that matter, when I do it like this.

x2. i have a tendency to go overboard on the weekend. if u count and u can actually see what ur eating on paper it helps give it a frame of reference (something concrete at least) so ur less likey to fall off the cliff.

im going to start counting down calories now, rather than counting up....seeing what u have left may help u control urself

[theapexxxx]

Originally Posted by red_cat

That's why you always count calories, even on your cheat days/meals. If you count, you're less likely to go 2,000 kcal over.

Cheat meals are fine. I normally try to find one small thing to splurge on every day. Yesterday I had corn dogs for dinner (still came in 350 under) and on Sunday I had a small sundae at DQ (still came in 500+ under). Each day I also hit my macros with 2-3%. It feels like I'm not even dieting, or cheating for that matter, when I do it like this.

Wow, whats your maintenance at? My maintenance is about 3200 give or take, so I'm cutting at around 25-2600. And I find it hard to leave enough room for carbs to fit any kind of sweets in there. Most of my carbs go to pre and post workout fuel leaving little room for too many "treats".

[red_cat]

Originally Posted by theapexxxx

Wow, whats your maintenance at? My maintenance is about 3200 give or take, so I'm cutting at around 25-2600. And I find it hard to leave enough room for carbs to fit any kind of sweets in there. Most of my carbs go to pre and post workout fuel leaving little room for too many "treats".

I'm cutting at around 1,900-2,000 right now. I'm guessing that my maintenance is somewhere around 2,500-2,600. I just build the "treat" into my diet for the day or take something out. I lose weight...I lose fat...I'm doing something right. lol

[theapexxxx]

Originally Posted by red_cat

I'm cutting at around 1,900-2,000 right now. I'm guessing that my maintenance is somewhere around 2,500-2,600. I just build the "treat" into my diet for the day or take something out. I lose weight...I lose fat...I'm doing something right. lol

I know, I think its great that you can manage to squeeze treats in. If I wanted to adjust things, I could probably cut out some protein (250g) for the extra carbs (187g), but its working for me, and I never really get any urges to snack.

[DuLac]

Originally Posted by red_cat

I'm cutting at around 1,900-2,000 right now. I'm guessing that my maintenance is somewhere around 2,500-2,600. I just build the "treat" into my diet for the day or take something out. I lose weight...I lose fat...I'm doing something right. lol

That is where I am cutting right now as well, 1950 calories (or as close as possible).

At your weight, are you sure you're cutting?

[XSolidusX]

If your especially lean you can cheat a lot. I can eat whatever I want a couple times a week and still lose weight at the same pace (when Im very lean). People always tell me its my genetics but I dont buy that, lean people can just cheat more I found.

[Shr3dJunki3]

Depends on your definition of cheating, some people binge on excess calories so their bodies would have to burn off the excess calories in relation to stored calories in muscle and fat tissue slowing down their progress. I find that this happens with me although I'm not THAT lean, maybe around ~11%.

[venom151]

I still have a cheat day once a week and ive still lost alot of weight too. I will admit that my cheat days have changed alot over time. I used to gorge the whole day and eat what ever I saw... Now I have maybe a breakfast sandwich in the morning and at night I go out to a restaurant too eat. Funny thing I dont even finish the food I go because its just part of my eating habit and I like going to new restaurants

[LiftHeavy85]

more LBM=more nom nom=more chances to cheat without problems