Cheat meals aren't actually NECESSARY, are they?

[anthrax]

cheat days aren't necessary
but cheat meals are welcomed when you "feel" you really need it

 

[NPCMONSTER]

cheat meals are a good idea when dieting for the following reasons...

1 they help keep your metabolism going and slow the downregulation of T3.
2 mentally they prevent a much worse fate of the enevitable falling off the wagon and once it gets to that point...the floodgates are open and its usually hard to get them closed again.
3 if you have a weak or laggin bodypart timing your cheat meal a few hours or even the night before you train that bodypart can make a word of difference i your training.

everyone i train and do diets for incorporates a weekly chest meal in thier contest prep or diet and to much sucess...including me.

 

[wyst]

I don't know about necessary, but if I don't cheat once in a while, I just lose interest in living and fall off the training/dieting wagon, hard.

So they're mentally necessary, for me.

Wyst

 

[BatZgirl]

I think they are

If you diet all week for six days a cheat day is definately something to look forward to something to keep one goiing.

Im currently on the Body for life program and we diet and exercise for 6 days a week and then have 1 free day on sundays where we're free to eat anyting and not exercise

Id say its kinda like a reward for dieting for the week

 

[alexiarenee]

The longest amount of time I have gone without a cheat day was about 10weeks......Its funny because after the first few weeks, I dont crave anything.
Now, I cant go more than 2 weeks without one...and as soon as I take one, I crave more......

 

[KBgrl]

Now as soon as I take one, I crave more......

me too! it's awful!

 

[SteelWeaver]

OMG! I think it must be that time of the month or something, or else this diet has suddenly kicked in BIG TIME. All I can think about is FOOOODD, and not just carbs - I mean sweet stuff - cookies, cakes, candies, chocolate.

I've NEVER had a sweet tooth - always been the type who'd rather have another serving of soup or whatever, instead of dessert, never eat ice-cream or cookies or candies. Oh, wait, I'm lying - ONCE a month, yes, at that time, I want chocolate, but never actually buy it - eat it if it's offered.

So what's going on? Is this going to continue like this for the next 16 weeks? Please, no, I don't think I can stand it! Or will it go in phases, like my usual monthly phases? It's MUCH worse than usual. Grrr

How do you tell between a real need and just sugar cravings?

 

[SteelWeaver]

This is for you to answer, not fate. Decide now that you aren't going to crave or eat it.

Oh, OK ... DONE!

That's right, tell yourself to get over it, and eat a carrot. Eventually your id will get tired of being bossed around by your ego, and lay off.

LOL! But really - carrots? I thought carrots were on the "bad veggies" list. I LOVE carrots, although have been avoiding them, but finally broke down the other night and had one, postworkout, hoping the sugary part of it wouldn't do any damage there.

Go gorge yourself with protein and some Udos!

I'd love to, but I'm so worried about calories as it is. I'd be perfectly happy eating a bunch of protein bars to kill the cravings, but I'm losing weight too slowly to increase total calorie intake. I'm even considering dropping calories a bit. But I realised that if I just cut out the small handful of almonds I eat a few times per week (outside of the allowance), that'll probably be the difference I need. I don't know - I'm starting to get worried about my progress ... will decide what to do after body fat check this weekend.

 

[KBgrl]

steel... deep breaths baby!!

I'm dieting right now too and it SUX! I make sure I'm getting enough fat which seems to help a bit but sometimes it gets to me too. I would give yourslef one "cheat meal" every 7-10 days or so because you're driving yourself nuts by not treating yourself even a little bit.

Hey -- Try some sugar free jello . Its pretty good.... Sometimes I put a lil cool whip on it too. ummmm cherry flavor is my fav

 

[rez]

since starting carb rotating i find less craving for cheat foods. I do have diet soft drinks and sugar free jello to trick my mind that its getting sweet stuff, and always look forward to the protein shake - these things keep me sane.