Cheat Day

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hello all! 

Recently, I heard that you can loose more weight on cheat days, what do you think about that? Which food you think is best for cheat day? For me it would be definitely pizza!!! What about yours?

[Malme84]

Pizza is definitely my goto on cheat days as well.

[todd_a]

I gain on cheat days, but within a few days my fat mass is down further than I was... and usually the gains in lean mass stick around after. 

[Dominique]

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@AlejandraFitbit wrote:

Recently, I heard that you can loose more weight on cheat days, what do you think about that?

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Weight loss usually isn’t fully linear, so it’s perfectly possible you lose weight after a "cheat day" and gain some after a day of perfect eating and exercising. In general, daily fluctuations in weight are caused by water, so they are not real weight losses/gains.

Real weight loss is caused by the cumulative deficit created over time. If your cheat day cancels out your cumulative deficit, it won’t work. If it allows you to keep your sanity (by giving you access to the foods you love, even if they are "bad"), avoid relentless binging, reset your hormones etc. while still keeping your cumulative deficit, it will work.

I’m a proponent of flexible dieting, which means that rather than having a cheat day (or a cheat meal) once a week or so, I’m allowing "cheat" items almost every day. In the end, it’s all about the numbers. 

[alexmg]

I never understood cheat meals. I mean, why would you want to ruin the progress you've worked so hard for. What I would do is continue clean eating BUT you pick your favorite "healthy" meal and double/up to triple the portion. You are still getting the health benefits without the guilt you would get from say a pizza, tacos, or cheeseburgers. 

[WendyB]

I dont call it a cheat day. But I do go out to lunch once a week and get what I want for that one meal.

[abby_p]

Even I look forward to cheat days, but frankly they are more of "rest day for the body" rather than "whatever I can eat day". I hog a lot of chinese/Tibetian or even some munchies with beer. But I still avoid cheese, cola & deep fried food in any form. I don't like the "heaviness" I feel when I eat unhealthy even on cheat days.  My cheat days are all about not going to the gym, getting rest or some fresh air.

[MariamV]

My guilty pleasure is: french fries! I love them!  But please don't forget the ketchup, it's just not the same! 

[short-n-sassy]

My cheat food would have to be chocolate.  It doesn't have to be sweet.  I think I am craving the caffeine.  Gave up coffee.  Honestly, I will have a cup every now and then.  And a  couple of bites of chocolate are enough for me.  After that, I'm out of the kitchen.  I cheat almost every day, but I limit my treats.  

[MariamV]

@short-n-sassy that's so delicious! Actually, it has been proven that dark chocolate is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. Studies show that dark chocolate (not the sugary/milky one ) can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease. Way to go! 

[extra_medium]

You're not going to lose more on a day that you consume more calories but it can be nice to break up the monotony.  Just be careful your cheat day doesn't wipe out the deficit you built up during the rest of the week.  It's scary easy to do depending on your appetite lol

[MariamV]

@extra_medium that's true! What has worked for me is that whenever I have a treat or a cheat day I double the effort the next three following days on my routine. Adding an extra set or adding 20 minutes on a cardio workout. They key is balance, I think!  

[Jeff_M]

I'm not sure about loosing more weight on cheat days, but I had one yesterday. A microwavable pizza from the grocery store as my late night meal. I think if you keep on track overall cheat days are fine.

Is there science about loosing more on cheat days? Haven't heard that before.