What's the deal with these cheat meals?

[buffalogal]

Does this ever happen to anyone else?

All week long, I look forward to that one meal on Friday night where I can eat what I want and not feel guilty.

The last few times I've eaten a rich dessert (either chocolate or cheesecake). Every time that I do these days, I get a tremendous head-rush afterwards and then feel like crap in general to the point where I have to lay down to keep the room from spinning. Is this related to the huge amount of sugar I've just inhaled - especially since it is the only time during the week I eat sugar?

I'm beginning to think these cheat meals aren't all they are cracked up to be. I won't even mention the bad affects I get after eating something greasy. Not to mention that I never seem to enjoy the meal (at least the after-effects) as much as I think I will. I can't be the only one who feels like crap after one of these meals, can I? Blech...

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Yep - the sugar rush, followed by thr sugar crash.

That is what happens with eating clean - if you follow it strictly, eventually, the cheating becomes less desireable. You still get cravings, but you start to realize that the 5 minutes of pleaseure in eating crap doesn't make up for the 48 hours of recovery it takes to normalize.

If I were you, I would keep the cheat meal, but make the portion A LOT smaller. Even 1 piece of cheesecake can be too much - split it with someone. or just eat half and throw the other half away (or freeze it for next week).

OR you can start to cheat with less crappy food - if you are eating 100% clean, a couple pieces of white toast can be heavenly, or a nice fruit salad with some Kool Whip.

 

[thePros.TV]

Welcome to the clean life!!! I (thanks to my parents) was raised eating very well.So if I get a hanker for sugar, I will surley have a hangover the day after I eat something sweet. Dark chocolate has the least effect on me, but icecream, forget it.... I'm down for days. Grease... oh god, I get nausious. Funny thing is I can't even tolerate Splenda or any artificial sweetener, just feels toxic makes me sick too, but a different sick it actually makes my liver a hurt. Honey is the only thing that seems to be okay for me, so I eat NPB w/honey on toast for a cheat...

 

[Miss24k]

Yup everyone that follows a clen eating diet, feels terrible after.

Today was mine cheat day, nowadays my cheats are usually clean, like oatmeal pancakes with no added sugar syrup (yes I know so daring of me lol). Today though my huney met me after work so we went to eat, and let me tell you I am so paying for it now, I feel so terrible, and now I remember why I don't like to go to restaurants for my cheat meals anymore. Ouch!

 

[Sassy69]

That's the interesting thing about establishing a "Fitness lifestyle" -- what used to be your fav meal is no longer so great because your body no longer desires (or is able to easily process) major sugar or carb or fat overload. That' swhen you know your diet is workign and you get greater satisfaction from something clean or just the way you feel vs. a big fat piece of chocolate cake.

For ex, when I am post show / junk binge - I crave KitKate Bites. When I'm on competition diet, I really appreciate a great piece of grilled steak or chicken. Salt is a great crave as well. Sometimes even really good water is a kick! And my stomach feels sick just at the thought of sugar or junk.

 

[scorpiogirl]

I always crave carbs for my cheat - loaded baked potato, french fries, bread...something along those lines. Last week I paid for it (after eating a box of Kraft M&C and eating Taco Bell! I finally got back to normal Thursday morning. I've decided it's just not worth it! A lobster tail and 1 baked potato sounds WONDERFUL for this weeks cheat meal.

I'm feelin' ya' sister!!!!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

I always crave carbs for my cheat - loaded baked potato, french fries, bread...something along those lines. Last week I paid for it (after eating a box of Kraft M&C and eating Taco Bell! I finally got back to normal Thursday morning. I've decided it's just not worth it! A lobster tail and 1 baked potato sounds WONDERFUL for this weeks cheat meal.

I'm feelin' ya' sister!!!!

Loaded baked potatoes (withsour cream, butter, etc), french fries and taco bell are NOT craving carbs ..... that is a TON of grease and fat. That is likely what causes more problems than carbs.

 

[buffalogal]

Thanks ya'll.

Makes me feel good that my lifestyle change is actually working!! I will definitely have to cut back on the cheats, though. I love sweets, but am just going to have to tone it down a bit.

I'm just sooo glad I'm not the only one... I felt so bad that I crashed early and skipped the gym - talk about making myself feel worse. I paid for it today though and am feeling shaky all over from lifting. I think I like this feeling much better!

 

[buffalogal]

Yup everyone that follows a clen eating diet, feels terrible after.

Today was mine cheat day, nowadays my cheats are usually clean, like oatmeal pancakes with no added sugar syrup (yes I know so daring of me lol). Today though my huney met me after work so we went to eat, and let me tell you I am so paying for it now, I feel so terrible, and now I remember why I don't like to go to restaurants for my cheat meals anymore. Ouch!

Ugh, don't tell me that. I still eat those as a meal - minus the syrup. Those are heavenly!!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Ugh, don't tell me that. I still eat those as a meal - minus the syrup. Those are heavenly!!

Don;t feel bad. Everyone's diet and cheat meals are different. Just like every workout and body type is different. Likewise, everyone's GOALS and timelines are different. If you are getting results with the pancakes in, then there is ZERO reason to lose them.