Depending on what your goals are, cheat days can do a lot of damage. For example, if you're eating at a 200-300 calorie deficit 6 days a week but go all out on oreos, pizza, etc. on that cheat day, you've negated those deficit days.
Personally, I focus on a sustainable diet of high protein and low carb. I try to eat out no more than once a week and when I do eat out, I plan in advance. This week, I really want to try a fried chicken place in town. I'm planning ahead and establishing this as my one "cheat" / exception meal for the week. I'll adjust the rest of my food intake that day slightly to accommodate.
For what it's worth, I don't track calories now a days.
First I have to note weight gain comes from consistently eating over maintenance calories. One day is not going to make or break you and generally any weight you see on the scale after one of these days is from water retention and the extra food in your belly.
That being said I usually strive for indulgent meals instead of a whole day of pigging out mainly because I can really enjoy an indulgent meal but a whole day is going to leave me feeling sick.
These kind of days for me are a once in a while thing (maybe once or twice a month) like a birthday or a night out to dinner. On these days the only way I’ll prepare is by having lighter meals throughout the day.
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Depending on what your goals are, cheat days can do a lot of damage. For example, if you're eating at a 200-300 calorie deficit 6 days a week but go all out on oreos, pizza, etc. on that cheat day, you've negated those deficit days.
Personally, I focus on a sustainable diet of high protein and low carb. I try to eat out no more than once a week and when I do eat out, I plan in advance. This week, I really want to try a fried chicken place in town. I'm planning ahead and establishing this as my one "cheat" / exception meal for the week. I'll adjust the rest of my food intake that day slightly to accommodate.
For what it's worth, I don't track calories now a days.
First I have to note weight gain comes from consistently eating over maintenance calories. One day is not going to make or break you and generally any weight you see on the scale after one of these days is from water retention and the extra food in your belly.
That being said I usually strive for indulgent meals instead of a whole day of pigging out mainly because I can really enjoy an indulgent meal but a whole day is going to leave me feeling sick.
These kind of days for me are a once in a while thing (maybe once or twice a month) like a birthday or a night out to dinner. On these days the only way I’ll prepare is by having lighter meals throughout the day.
Makes sense, thanks! Yeah I was really only thinking for a meal (but I guess did say cheat day like it was a whole job lol)