opinions on what exactly a cheat is..

cocopuffs · 12-19-2007, 09:10 PM

so do you guys consider a cheat a time when you eat over your calorie allowance..
or say something like some crackers and a tootsie pop even if it fits into your caloric ratios for the day?

ATCGal · 12-20-2007, 01:23 AM

I have a treat meal (I don't like to call it a cheat) once a week.

I eat whatever my heart desires... and follow it with dessert!

I only eat a treat meal if I ate clean all week.

But no, I do not track the calories/macros for my treat meal, and I know it doesn't fit within my daily allowance. It does wonders mentally for me. If I thought that I could never have my favorite foods again, then there's no way that I could stick to my diet w/out binging. The only thing that I make sure of, is that I eat enough protein on that day.

Take care

fittchica · 12-20-2007, 01:32 AM

For me, a cheat is supposed to go over my normal daily caloric expenditure, as it boots your metabolism again. Your body is amazing thing--it gets used to your low-calorie diet and then you stop burning as much weight. So a cheat meal is a great thing, not just to keep you from binging and screwing up your diet, but it also helps to do the above mentioned. It's also good for your psyche. My cheat is normally some sort of dairy product, (since normally I eliminate all dairy) and white pasta (like fetticine alfredo-YUM!) and a milkshake...

twinnett · 12-20-2007, 03:13 AM

Calling it a "cheat" I think is unhealthy in that it categorizes things as "good" and "bad". No food is "bad". Just enjoy in moderation! You are at a very low weight for your height right now.I honestly wouldn't worry about eating a cracker, esp if it fits in your macros! Hopefully, you are eating enough for your activity level?

Amanda76 · 12-20-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocopuffs

so do you guys consider a cheat a time when you eat over your calorie allowance..
or say something like some crackers and a tootsie pop even if it fits into your caloric ratios for the day?

Looks like it's turning into a rather "personal" idea.

If you consider that in bodybuilding, you're always eating for a purpose--that your greatest tool is the kinds of food you consume--the importance of WHAT you eat becomes more clear. "How much" is important, too, of course...but that can vary wildly depending on your goals.

To me, a "cheat" is when I'm eating something I'm not supposed to. Something that isn't a part of "the plan." Especially when I'm leaning up, if I'm reaching for candy or something overly processed, I'm cheating, regardless of whether it fits into my macros or not as there are more nutrient dense things I could be spending calories on.

I'm bulking so this doesn't really apply at the moment (I don't have daily treats when I'm bulking either--but I do have treats more often

), but when I'm leaning up, I prefer to not cheat on a daily basis and have something that's REALLY WORTH IT every couple of couple of weeks or so--something I don't count into my macros at all. It gives me a chance to go out with family and friends and just have a good time without thinking about what I'm consuming. I think a regular weekly cheat meal (maybe even a couple of them, depending on the person) is fine too, but I don't find that I personally have a need to cheat that often. Mentally, I do fine in the months heading up to and through the summer without cheats but it is nice to be able to sample (and re-sample

) all the awesome flavors out there, especially when vacationing.

I don't think that intentionally bumping your calories up with clean foods is a cheat, as some people seem to--that's a part of "the plan."

So far as "can you get away with eating a tootsie pop?" I'd say so, so long as that's your only little vice...but lots of little vices can add up really quick. I think you can normally tell when those things are getting out of hand by how easy it is to consume your bodyweight (or more) in protein with the amount of calories you are eating. So far as calories go, 2 empty calorie tootsie pops = about 20 grams of protein you missed in a serving of whey, egg whites, cottage cheese, chicken or tilapia.

chelly88 · 12-20-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinnett

Calling it a "cheat" I think is unhealthy in that it categorizes things as "good" and "bad". No food is "bad". Just enjoy in moderation!

I agree...when I do this, even if I don't particularly want it, I end up bingeing or constantly thinking and obsessing over it. Once I stopped and really thought about what I was craving... which was 9/10 something super healthy like a banana in plain ff yogurt, flax plus cereal with soy milk or even just some pb toast... my desire to binge and "cheat" almost disappeared. I'm not a bodybuilder but my goal at the moment is to lose fat... but i don't get all bent outta shape if I have some extra's because I know how to keep it in check now. I just think, do I REALLY want that or is it just because I'm telling myself it's "bad" and "off-limits"... but everyone to their own! Everyone has different views and goals

vis viva · 12-20-2007, 11:44 AM

A cheat for me is an item, any item that is not on my scheduled meal plan. I don't set aside one specific day, meal or item for a cheat as life is too unpredictable (or I just can't think that far ahead). So instead, it's that one glass of wine with a client I had not expected to have; or that latte with a friend who needs to chat over coffee. I only allow this to happen once a week, for one item.

ATCGal · 12-20-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanda76

So far as "can you get away with eating a tootsie pop?" I'd say so, so long as that's your only little vice...but lots of little vices can add up really quick. I think you can normally tell when those things are getting out of hand by how easy it is to consume your bodyweight (or more) in protein with the amount of calories you are eating. So far as calories go, 2 empty calorie tootsie pops = about 20 grams of protein you missed in a serving of whey, egg whites, cottage cheese, chicken or tilapia.

So true about the "little vices". I used to be addicted to sugar free popsicles when I was on a really restrictive diet. Now mind you, they are only 15 calories and 4 grams of carbs (and that's exactly what I told myself). But when you're eating damn near the whole box every two days, LOL, that can really add up! Plus it made me crave more sweets.

Amanda76 · 12-20-2007, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATCGal

So true about the "little vices". I used to be addicted to sugar free popsicles when I was on a really restrictive diet. Now mind you, they are only 15 calories and 4 grams of carbs (and that's exactly what I told myself). But when you're eating damn near the whole box every two days, LOL, that can really add up! Plus it made me crave more sweets.

Keeping "sweet" around (whether it's real or fake) makes me crave it more, too...I have a hard time eating sweet when I rarely eat it...I can't finish off even a small dessert on my own and I'm totally satisfied with a taste if I'm curious about something new. But when I'm eating it regularly (like now), I want it more often...and I can pretty much finish off whatever is handed to me.

Scarl3tbutt3rfly · 12-23-2007, 06:25 AM

I have a 'treat' meal once a week. Me and my hubby go out usually once a week to dinner. I use it as an opportunity to just eat and enjoy it without worrying about what Im eating. It might even mean a drink, possibly some nibbles of dessert, etc. That entire day I eat clean except for that one meal. It is a refreshing replenishment of not only glycogen stores if Ive been eating lower carbs all week, but also a replenishment of my psychie

. If necessary I sometimes plan my 'treat' meal around other special occasions. For example Christmas, so that I go have dinner at my mom's without everyone questioning my eating habits, and I seem more 'normal'