Has anyone tried to have 1 cheat day a week?

[Rubber Ducky]

I have been Low Carb dieting/maintaining for years. It seems I start to gain and I just go back to a more strict low carb diet and it works. But after reading Wendy Chant's two books, it seems that once your body starts using it's stores of fat on a low carb diet, then adding carbs and switching back to cutting them will not interrupt the diet. So my thought is: Has anyone tried to do this type of eating (having a cheat day or two a week) and have been successful? If so, what was your experience? For how long? etc.......
It seems that when you think about it...all diets work. But, sticking with it is the key. If you went all week looking forward to a day of "whatever", would that work? Could you then go back to the low carbs without continuing to cheat and go overboard? If it meant next Sat or whatever day you chose, you could have that pizza taco or whatever you chose? Could you plan around a wedding, birthday?
Let's face it, when you go off your diet this is essentially what you do anyway! So why not plan it? Just a thought and would like some feedback.
Thanks!

[mcjful]

you need to post this in main lobby or other plans to get a response more quickly.

[jill72]

I tried to not cheat when losing the weight via low carb. Now that I'm on maintenance, I admit it's a bit more tempting. The one thing I've managed to adhere to is cutting out all sugar. Not only is it good for maintaining, but I think I just feel so much better.

So if I decide to 'cheat' once in a while, it's most likely with something like tortilla chips or other high carb product. Never sugar, though.

[Charski]

When you're maintaining, you shouldn't HAVE to cheat. I hate that concept anyway, because in the end, who the heck are you CHEATING?

OK, so that's my rant - but for me, 98% of the time I stick within my accepted "circle of foods" which does NOT include sugar, potatoes, white rice, or grains. On RARE occasions, I might have a creme brulee, a corn tortilla or two, or a piece of freshly-baked sourdough bread slathered in butter. If I overdo ANY of those, I pay for it by having a "carb hangover" the next day (or two or three!) and a big jump up on the scales so it's a very rare time that I CHOOSE to do it.

[JuliaL]

I've been maintaining for 6 years while having one "free eating" day per week. I don't call it cheating because it's not - I just eat what I want and don't worry about portions. What I have found is that I don't crave sweets or junky food. I typically just eat things like nuts and peanut butter, maybe a small portion of low sugar ice cream, but that's it.

I only did this after I reached my goal weight. While I was losing I didn't have a free eating day. That's not to say I didn't have a day during my weight loss when I ate more than I should have here and there - I did. I just didn't plan it.

[ljguitar]

Hi RD...
My wife and I probably have one non-low-carb meal out once in every 4-6 weeks, and I don't think of it as cheating.

First there is no law or contract I'm breaking, and it doesn't cause me to lapse into unhealthy eating patterns, so for us it works.

[LouieLouie2007]

I tried it. I spent the whole rest of the next week trying to re-lose what I gained from the cheat day.

[Magicsmom]

Originally Posted by LouieLouie2007

I tried it. I spent the whole rest of the next week trying to re-lose what I gained from the cheat day.

^^^^ This! I spent the week re-losing it, and it was two weeks on plan before I saw a loss again. Totally not worth it!

[Sanandlou]

I have cheat meals on the weekends. For some reason, one of the protein plans talks about eating the whole meal within an hour so I dont call them cheat days because very rarely do i eat all day off plan. I'll usually eat dinner out and have something off plan.

I DID NOT cheat for 6 months though.

My stomach is shrunk so much that i can barely eat anything, low carb or not!

[flatferenghi]

let me say that if u can manage it, and come out ahead, then the gods have truly shown you favor. i was not so fortunate. Love & Profits: FLATFERENGHI

[Indychick829]

i know this can be a big discussion a lot on these boards...i've posted my own experiences on them before - BUT from reading everyone's posts on other disussions concerning this topic - it's a serious "YMMV" (your mileage may vary) sort of thing - some people CAN "indulge" (i like that word better than "cheating") and it totally works for them - some can not and CHOOSE not to for many different reasons. I try not to - for the most part - as I'm pretty carb sensitive. I've only had one full-blown out "cheat day" to call it that - and that was my 30th birthday back in August where I ate cookies, cake, brownies, fries, alcohol, you name it. i paid for it and learned my lesson - lol...

But I've also come to realize that it's ok for me to "indulge" once in a while and say have real bread with my burger or sandwich when I go out to eat (maybe once or twice a month).

But it truly is a YMMV thing - and I think MOST people here would not have a full blown out cheat DAY - if anything maybe just one meal where they're not conciously eating only low-carb foods and instead enjoy a few other options for that meal.

[AllieCat0817]

Not when trying to lose. Might be a slippery slope for many.

[Joy-FL]

I think I tried this... um... several years ago.

...Yeah.

[Blood Sugar 101]

You will experience water weight gain when you go off plan and if you were at a ketogenic level while dieting this will mean you gain 3-8 lbs (the same as what you you lost the first four days of the diet.)

It is water, not fat, but many people find it fightening.

When I was in the weight loss mode of my diet I found that I did best if I stayed on the plan except for 1 day ever 2 or 3 weeks.

I don't do high carb days as part of my maintenance, but I do a much higher daily intake, above the ketogenic boundary. So my stable weight includes the pounds you will lose on the first 4 days of a ketogenic diet.

I feel strongly that if you raise carbs without raising calories, you will do fine. But if your "off plan" days are filled with donuts and cake, fries and other very high calorie foods, you will harm your weight loss prospects.

[cleochatra]

My dad was an Atkineer for years and ate off plan for one meal a week in the mid-80's. It never hurt him; of course, he followed Atkins '72 and went biologically zero for Saturday and Sunday to get 'back on track'. He did really well!

Of course, it is totally a YMMV.

[LisaLisaLisa]

I never plan an off plan day, but it has happened. This past weekend, we were insanely busy and on Sunday we didn't get home until around 5:30pm. DH wanted to order a pizza for him and the kids and I was just going to make myself something. By the time the pizza arrived, I was still up to my elbows folding laundry and I figured, what the heck, one slice of pizza is ok. I had one for dinner, with a side salad. Then later in the evening, I had one more slice and *gasp* and an Oreo Cakester. I woke up the next morning one pound heavier. Of course Monday, I was extremely strict and didn't even think of eating off plan. Today I was back to what I weighed before the pizza and oreo. I knew exactly what would happen and that it would probably result in no losses this week, but I thought about it, made the decision, and was ok with it. Luckily, eating off plan like that doesn't trigger crazy, wild binging like it does with some people. For me, and just speaking for myself, having the occasional off plan meal works for me. That's the first off-plan meal in several months though.

[Ilpirata]

not for losing weight. more possible during maintenence.

[rene50]

Originally Posted by JuliaL

I only did this after I reached my goal weight. While I was losing I didn't have a free eating day. That's not to say I didn't have a day during my weight loss when I ate more than I should have here and there - I did. I just didn't plan it.

Your have such a nice figure! And, I enjoy your posts because they seem to have that "been there, done that" tone and a real willingness to share your experiences. Thanks!

[chiody]

Hmm, that's 52 days / year.... a bit much for me at least. Last yr. in total, only a few (probably 4) times I sampled itty bits of off plan food. Oh yeah, on my son's birthday I splurged with a 1/2" slice of lemon cheese cake. Luckily, I'm not a fan desserts in the 1st place.

[livinlarge]

Be careful........I had a "cheat day". Sept 20th we went to a Cubs/Cards game in St. Louis and I told myself that I was gonna have whatever I wanted that day. Garlic fries, beer, beer, more beer, chicken strips, captain & diet, did I say beer? Anyway, I'm just getting back from my "cheat day". Guess we'll call it a "cheat month". I now have to lose 9 lbs just to get back to my siggy weight. I learn everything the hard way.

[Indychick829]

Originally Posted by livinlarge

Be careful........I had a "cheat day". Sept 20th we went to a Cubs/Cards game in St. Louis and I told myself that I was gonna have whatever I wanted that day. Garlic fries, beer, beer, more beer, chicken strips, captain & diet, did I say beer? Anyway, I'm just getting back from my "cheat day". Guess we'll call it a "cheat month". I now have to lose 9 lbs just to get back to my siggy weight. I learn everything the hard way.

THREADJACK:

GO CUBS! (yes, i know the season is over lol)

[JuliaL]

Originally Posted by rene50

Your have such a nice figure! And, I enjoy your posts because they seem to have that "been there, done that" tone and a real willingness to share your experiences. Thanks!

Awww....thanks, Rene! You made my day!

[2bflawless]

Can you say backfire? I had a girl from TOP who was at goal for a long time and started a cheat meal once a week for date night with her DH. She said she started having cravings and before you know it she gained 15#. I think if one doesnt have issues with carbs and relentless cravings sure. But for some of us it can be a recipe for disaster. I'd rather make LC versions of things I "think" I miss and that usually does the trick.

Good luck.

[livinlarge]

Originally Posted by Indychick829

THREADJACK:

GO CUBS! (yes, i know the season is over lol)

U A Funny Girl!!! (Go Cards!... further than the Cubs anyway!!)

[Houston Heather]

Could you then go back to the low carbs without continuing to cheat and go overboard?

Short answer, in my case, no.

Resounding NO.

[FloridaShell]

I say....whatever works for you. A free day for me would end in disaster. Like I've said before...the only time I may have an off plan food is on Thanksgiving or Christmas. That's it for me. I don't ever want to be on a food rollercoaster ever again.

[ozdancer]

There is a LC plan called Body Trim that has 1 'free' day per week built in, I think followed by a protein only day? There are several people on the other LC forum (local Australian one) I am on that are using this program sucessfully.

Not for me though I have too much of a problem getting back on track due to insulin resistance & cravings. Mind you the BT plan is not a ketonic diet as far as I'm aware so I guess you wouldn't be changing from fat burning to carb burning & back again every week which stuffs up your metabolism.

[xxxxBryBryxxxx]

I had a small splurge today,just munched on 6 dark chocolate hersheys kisses (roughly 17g carbs)

I'm not one for going crazy on splurge days.I might have a little dark chocolate,a few pieces of fruit..or at most I might double up on something thats still safe to eat in the diet

[hatchetfat]

all i know is when i really craved pizza i got low fat mozzarella and turkey pepperoini and put it in a skillet with some basil and fried it. it totally cured my pizza craving.

[chiody]

I eat pizza but only the toppings/cheese, and scrape some of the tomato sauce off. Prefer the combo or "supreme" so I can pick off the olives, onions, sausage, pepperoni, bell peppers, cheese, etc...no crust consumed of course. Quite satisfying once you get used to this eating method. YMMV....