Is having a cheat day a good or bad idea?

[32_4_EvEr]

How's it going all. I just wanted to get your opinion. First a quick summary, I started lifting weights after about a two year layoff. I started in June of this year and I was around 231 pounds which was my heaviest ever (F'ing sick). Today I am around 207 and hoping to get down to around 200 by the end of the year hopefully.

My question is, should I be having a cheat day where I get to eat anything I want at the weight I am, or should I avoid cheat days all together until I hit my goal? The reason I ask is that after I have a cheat day, I really don't feel like working out again the following day. In fact, I feel like a total loser and demoralized. Will having a cheat day make a huge difference? Is it possible to gain weight from it? Thx guys I really appreciate the advice I get on this board. It's helped alot.

[Gears]

From what I understand cheat days a nessacary to recovering proprely and increasing metoblic rate, so yeah, its very helpful unless you go overboard. You should still be staying away from the bad foods (Saturated fats/simple sugars).

[joshmv]

I'd say a cheat meal might be a better idea and I believe is whats normally recommended but I've heard both. Try just a cheat meal every week and see if that will do it for you.

[djdefcon]

Aright, people post like this all the time. "Cheat Days" are not recommended, because most people consider a cheat day a day when they eat whatever they want all day long. Most of the time people go overboard with these days. If you need that to stay sane, then go for it.

What you should really be looking for is a "refeed day". A day in which you eat a few hundrad calories over your maintanance calorie limit. The food you eat though should still be healthy, no fast food, fried food etc. You can sneak in some unhealthy things, but nothing overboard.

[prolificdavid]

I read your original post asking the question, and it really seems like you've answered it for yourself.

Should you have a cheat day? Judge by your results.

Forget what has worked for others on this point -- by your account, it throws you, so don't do it.

It used to have a similar effect on me, but now that I've dropped a lot of weight (166 from 214 lbs. four months ago and only lost 5 pounds of muscle doing it), my idea of 'cheating" is dropping about three cashews into my brown rice. And it tastes fantastic and I'm satisfied with my cheating.

I'd say: be strict until you get some more weight off your belt, then see what works. Tightening the belt three notches will be satisfaction enough that you won't want to pig out but, instead, keep rolling.

Good luck, man.

[IRCRomeo]

How's it going all. I just wanted to get your opinion. First a quick summary, I started lifting weights after about a two year layoff. I started in June of this year and I was around 231 pounds which was my heaviest ever (F'ing sick). Today I am around 207 and hoping to get down to around 200 by the end of the year hopefully.

My question is, should I be having a cheat day where I get to eat anything I want at the weight I am, or should I avoid cheat days all together until I hit my goal? The reason I ask is that after I have a cheat day, I really don't feel like working out again the following day. In fact, I feel like a total loser and demoralized. Will having a cheat day make a huge difference? Is it possible to gain weight from it? Thx guys I really appreciate the advice I get on this board. It's helped alot.

During my five month cutting diet, I had four cheat meals the entire time. Two were out of my control, and the other two were planned meals that fit into my daily caloric values. I personally still don't like cheat days as I feel it's one step back instead of a step forward.

I do try to have an off meal once a week when I go out on the weekends, but it's always something healthy, I don't overreat and nor have desert, and it usually fits in my daily values.

[32_4_EvEr]

I read your original post asking the question, and it really seems like you've answered it for yourself.

Should you have a cheat day? Judge by your results.

Forget what has worked for others on this point -- by your account, it throws you, so don't do it.

It used to have a similar effect on me, but now that I've dropped a lot of weight (166 from 214 lbs. four months ago and only lost 5 pounds of muscle doing it), my idea of 'cheating" is dropping about three cashews into my brown rice. And it tastes fantastic and I'm satisfied with my cheating.

I'd say: be strict until you get some more weight off your belt, then see what works. Tightening the belt three notches will be satisfaction enough that you won't want to pig out but, instead, keep rolling.

Good luck, man.

Wow! 214 to 166? Good job bro! So you're saying since it throws me off, to forget it. I kind of figured that's what I should do but I wanted to get the advice of this board first. I think i'll postpone my cheat day until I hit 200 pounds hopefully by the end of this year. Thx guys!

[wild_stato]

dont have a cheat day, cheat meal only

[Mike83]

I read your original post asking the question, and it really seems like you've answered it for yourself.

Should you have a cheat day? Judge by your results.

Forget what has worked for others on this point -- by your account, it throws you, so don't do it.

It used to have a similar effect on me, but now that I've dropped a lot of weight (166 from 214 lbs. four months ago and only lost 5 pounds of muscle doing it), my idea of 'cheating" is dropping about three cashews into my brown rice. And it tastes fantastic and I'm satisfied with my cheating.

I'd say: be strict until you get some more weight off your belt, then see what works. Tightening the belt three notches will be satisfaction enough that you won't want to pig out but, instead, keep rolling.

Good luck, man.

hhhaahah 3 cashews!?

[mizone]

If you want to have a cheat DAY, just eat more of the clean foods. If you want something 'naughty' to help keep the cravings away have a cheat 'meal' once a week.

[wild_stato]

If you want to have a cheat DAY, just eat more of the clean foods. If you want something 'naughty' to help keep the cravings away have a cheat 'meal' once a week.

but doesnt the word "cheat" mean you arent going to be eating ne clean foods? hence the word cheat?

[maffie]

disagree... i used to do 2 cheat days a week, sometimes 3 when im mentally too weak, and still obtain pretty fantastic results results.

Time difference between pics are only 3 months.

[maffie]

What i want to say is, maybe at 207 at probably 20% bf, it may not be feasible. However, as you get leaner, you definitely NEED(not an option) to progress with your cutting diet.

[wild_stato]

disagree... i used to do 2 cheat days a week, sometimes 3 when im mentally too weak, and still obtain pretty fantastic results results.

Time difference between pics are only 3 months.

yeah but hes saying he feels demoralized and doesnt feel like working out... so y put yourself through that? eat clean as much as possible and avoid those feelings

[vja2000]

A "cheat" day should always first and foremost be kept in proper perspective. I do not agree that one should diet hard all week and then trash it all on the weekends - it seems and logic dictates, that it is a rather foolish thing to do. However, each to his own I suppose.

I cheat on my diet all weekend, but here are a few examples of what I consider cheating; white rice instead of brown rice, buttered toast instead of dry toast, strip steak instead of sirloin, and etc. I do, on occassion, have a slice of pizza, but I don't do it often because honestly, I can't handle how I feel afterward; bloated, greasy, weak minded, heartburn, etc.

Sometimes, if I have forgotten my fish oil at home, I'll eat something greasy like bacon or fries to slow the digestive process. For example, if you eat eggs and yellow corn grits for breakfast, you're good for about an hour after eating it before you get hungry again. But, if you add regular bacon to the mix (or fish oil), you'll be good for about 2 hours after eating it, sometimes longer before the hunger pangs kick in.

So, cheating really should be kept in perspective. Think weekly and monthly with respect to your diet and you'll see where careless or thoughtless "cheating" can slow your progress...

Vince

[IRCRomeo]

A "cheat" day should always first and foremost be kept in proper perspective. I do not agree that one should diet hard all week and then trash it all on the weekends - it seems and logic dictates, that it is a rather foolish thing to do. However, each to his own I suppose.

I cheat on my diet all weekend, but here are a few examples of what I consider cheating; white rice instead of brown rice, buttered toast instead of dry toast, strip steak instead of sirloin, and etc. I do, on occassion, have a slice of pizza, but I don't do it often because honestly, I can't handle how I feel afterward; bloated, greasy, weak minded, heartburn, etc.

Sometimes, if I have forgotten my fish oil at home, I'll eat something greasy like bacon or fries to slow the digestive process. For example, if you eat eggs and yellow corn grits for breakfast, you're good for about an hour after eating it before you get hungry again. But, if you add regular bacon to the mix (or fish oil), you'll be good for about 2 hours after eating it, sometimes longer before the hunger pangs kick in.

So, cheating really should be kept in perspective. Think weekly and monthly with respect to your diet and you'll see where careless or thoughtless "cheating" can slow your progress...

Vince

I completely agree, except on the parts about bacon and fries!

My cheat meals when I go out are things like grilled salmon, lean steaks, grilled chicken, etc.

Reps there for ya though. =)

[prolificdavid]

hhhaahah 3 cashews!?

Yup. Most days, no cashews. But if I really want to live it up...

I completely agree, except on the parts about bacon and fries!

My cheat meals when I go out are things like grilled salmon, lean steaks, grilled chicken, etc.

...salmon and grilled chicken are cheating, for you? Why's that?

[ironchefjon]

I read your original post asking the question, and it really seems like you've answered it for yourself.

Should you have a cheat day? Judge by your results.

Forget what has worked for others on this point -- by your account, it throws you, so don't do it.

It used to have a similar effect on me, but now that I've dropped a lot of weight (166 from 214 lbs. four months ago and only lost 5 pounds of muscle doing it), my idea of 'cheating" is dropping about three cashews into my brown rice. And it tastes fantastic and I'm satisfied with my cheating.

I'd say: be strict until you get some more weight off your belt, then see what works. Tightening the belt three notches will be satisfaction enough that you won't want to pig out but, instead, keep rolling.

Good luck, man.

Three? Wow, you are living on the edge, man.

[IRCRomeo]

...salmon and grilled chicken are cheating, for you? Why's that?

A cheat meal to me is when I'm out with friends at a restaurant and having one prepared for me. I opt for the healthiest choices on a restaurant menu.

[prolificdavid]

Three? Wow, you are living on the edge, man.

Yup.

A cheat meal to me is when I'm out with friends at a restaurant and having one prepared for me. I opt for the healthiest choices on a restaurant menu.

Ah. I get it.

I know salmon is fatty, but it's my major source of fats, so I have it pretty much every day; if there were some real problem with salmon (or chicken breasts, my other major protein-from-meat meat source), I'd want to know.