cheat days
Does anyone have a day off from their diet to eat whatever they want too? I've read where Body for Life encourages this and I was wondering if anyone does this and is successful. If not, how do you handle special occasion like vacation, family get together's, holidays, etc.? I've read where a cheat meal is better. How much is too much? I am so confused. I do real good and then something will come up and get me off track and I have a hard time getting back on track. I was wondering if I plan a cheat day every week or sometimes cheat meals if that would keep me on track to where it is part of my plan. What do you think of this? I eat 6 times a day, averaging 1400-1900 calories a day. I figure if 10% of the time I eat off my plan, which comes to 6 meals a week, I should be able to lose weight and be healthy since the other 90% of the time I'm really watching it.
Depending on the week, if I need a full day off then that would count as all of my free meals. Or, I may spread my free meals out through the week. If I have 1 free meal (1 plate of regular food, no seconds or desserts), that would count as 1 free meal. If I have a plate of regular food with a single serving of dessert that would count as 2 free meals. If have a cheat hour (1 full hour to eat what I want), that would count as 4 free meals, the rest of the day eat my normal meals, except substitute 2 meals for this plan. I can combine these however I need, to fit any situation that may arise. Let me give you an example so maybe it will make sense.
Say I go to Mom's house for dinner. I eat 1 plate of regular food, no seconds and I have a single dessert. That would count for 2 free meals. Then I go out to eat on Sunday at a buffet and I decide to eat what I want to, limit to one hour, that would be the other 4 free meals. But if I have a week where nothing special is going on, then have a free day. The rest of my meals are super healthy and balanced, combining lean protein with whole grain carbs, fruits and veggies. I do have a dessert every day. Usually a smoothie, sometimes with fat free icecream, recipes from the ABS Diet. I love the ABS Diet, BFL, Eat Clean, and BFFM recipes. I use those to plan my menus, because I figure they are already balanced. I know this is long, but I would really like some input.
Kim
Depending on the week, if I need a full day off then that would count as all of my free meals. Or, I may spread my free meals out through the week. If I have 1 free meal (1 plate of regular food, no seconds or desserts), that would count as 1 free meal. If I have a plate of regular food with a single serving of dessert that would count as 2 free meals. If have a cheat hour (1 full hour to eat what I want), that would count as 4 free meals, the rest of the day eat my normal meals, except substitute 2 meals for this plan. I can combine these however I need, to fit any situation that may arise. Let me give you an example so maybe it will make sense.
Say I go to Mom's house for dinner. I eat 1 plate of regular food, no seconds and I have a single dessert. That would count for 2 free meals. Then I go out to eat on Sunday at a buffet and I decide to eat what I want to, limit to one hour, that would be the other 4 free meals. But if I have a week where nothing special is going on, then have a free day. The rest of my meals are super healthy and balanced, combining lean protein with whole grain carbs, fruits and veggies. I do have a dessert every day. Usually a smoothie, sometimes with fat free icecream, recipes from the ABS Diet. I love the ABS Diet, BFL, Eat Clean, and BFFM recipes. I use those to plan my menus, because I figure they are already balanced. I know this is long, but I would really like some input.
Kim
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jenn R on -
I would recommend a cheat meal as opposed to a whole cheat day. I've tried having a cheat day, but a whole day of eating what you want can really add up (at least I know it can for me!!!). You don't want to undo all the good work you've done during the week with a really bad cheat day. I've also tried having a cheat meal/week and found that was alright. But I think the key is to find a balance and what works best for you. I don't really give myself a cheat meal anymore, because I don't want to think of any food as being off limits (makes me want it that much more!). I try and eat the best I can, and if I slip up I make sure the next meal or snack is back on track. I try not to beat myself up too much about slipping up because it's pretty unrealistic to think that I'll eat super healthy 100% of the time. It's all about finding a balance. You mentioned liking Eat Clean recipes - have you checked out Tosca Reno's book (The Eat Clean Diet)? I think she talks about cheat meals/days.
Hope that was at least somewhat helpful!
Jenn
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