People's Thoughts on Cheating

I've dieted on and off for years, but last week started to diet once again and I'm so happy I found this website.  I just have one question and I'm hoping to get some feedback.  How does everyone feel about occasionally cheating here and there so that we don't get discouraged?  It can be so overwhelming to feel as if I'll never have a burger and fries again (or a little bag of M&M's), so I'm wondering if it's OK to allow myself one "cheat" a week.  Or, does going off my diet make me crave the bad stuff even more, thereby leading to even more cheating!!  I know there probably isn't any one right or wrong answer, I'm just wondering how other people deal with this issue.

I've found that the idea of "cheat" meals just doesn't work for me, while it totally works for my fiance (pshaw, him and his self-control).  For me, the first bit of sugary or fatty foods and my ability to control my portions goes out the window.  Even worse, I'll then continue to crave those foods much more than if I just bypass them altogether and it can throw me off-track for more than just one cheat meal.  

My family reunion this past weekend was a classic example.  I way overdid it on the desserts because rather than just staying away from the dessert table, I thought "Oh I'll just have this tiny piece of brownie." The result was me devestating several cookies, two almond bars, and my cousin's very delicious pecan pie. :) When I got home, I was still craving sweets even after all that.  Anywho, I wouldn't have missed it if I hadn't had any and trying to log all those desserts into CC wasn't very sweet at all.  

I think you should do whatever helps you best embrace an overall lifestyle of healthy eating.  Just know thyself and your eating weaknesses.  (As you can see, mine is a penchant for the wares of my family's fantastic bakers.)

Nothing wrong with treating yourself from time to time!

I think the main thing is if you have a treat/cheat day, try and get some nutritional value out of it.

For example, if you fancy a burger, buy some lean mince, make your own, and grill them instead of frying. 

That's the way I try to look at it.  Also I tend not to use a whole day as a treat day, I'd pick just one of my meals to be a treat.

What the heck do you mean never having burger or fries again, the thing I love about this website is that I still have a burger and fries once a fortnight.  I had Burger King the other night and stayed within my calorie allowance and got an overall grading of B on analysis as I made up for the salt content with being careful in my breakfast and lunch options.

I don't cut anything out that I want I just reduce the regularity I have it or the amount I have ie I have 20 grams of chocolate at least 3 times a week as I love chocolate and that way I don't crave or feel the need to binge.

If you don't cut things entirely out and are just more sensible ie with BK I only have half my fries and have the lowest cal burger on the menu I like and have a diet drink then you don't feel like you are missing out.

Also on a day when I am naughty ie BK I do extra exercise to burn off the naughtiness so that the little extra fat won't harm me.

Following this regime to date I have lost 30 pounds in around 3 months so its working for me.

I have only been doing this for about 3 months, so I am not an expert, but I can tell you what works for me.

The first 2 months I was very careful and did not eat fast food, soda or chips, which are my weaknesses.  I only ate SF jello and pudding for sweets.  I lost 30lbs the first 2 months.  I have now tried to keep my calorie intake a little higher, adding more whole grains like pasta and bread as well as being able to go to lunch with friends or a party and not feel like I can't eat.

I usually plan to eat a small breakfast and plan ahead for lunch(out with friends) but I still count it all in my calorie allowance.  I usually allow myself an extra 200-300 calories on that meal.  I don't have a total "cheat" day because I would probably go way over my calories, besides I feel yuckie when I eat too much now.

I have heard on The Biggest Loser, the women have one 2000 calorie day a week.  Since you need 3500 calories overage to gain a pound, that sounds reasonable.  I have not gone that far over, but it is nice to know if I do, it's not the end of the world.

I like the idea of this not being a "diet" and being able to eat "real" food, all of it in moderation.  It's working for me so far.  Good luck.

I dont cheating is a huge problem unless you lose control.I cheat sometimes but only a little treat every now and then.

I think it comes out to the averages ... that's why the "analysis" is so valuable ... if, for instance, you have a calorie goal of 1500 ... and one day you go over (say, 2500 !!!) but your average for the month is still within range ... then the "cheating" should not be any problem.