calories

[chefmel]

Is it possible to maintain your calorie limit all week long, but then blow it on the weekend without hurting your weight loss efforts? I have friends who essentially eat well all week long but once Saturday and Sunday hits they eat anything they please. They say that it works for them, and they have lost weight, but not enough in my opinion that hasn't made me wonder if maybe their lifestyle is holding them back from losing more.

[tobetinytina]

I am also curious about what it is you've found ChefMel. I, myself, have been looking for a new diet to try and would love to hear what you've discovered and whether or not you like it. I'm trying to find something that I'll be able to stick to, especially now that the holidays are coming up!

[jenny25]

Thanks so much, Tiff! I think I might have found one that I like. *Fingers crossed*

That's great news! Would you mind sharing with the rest of us what it is? I'm always looking for new diets to try. I still haven't found one that I like.

[chefmel]

I'm really glad you see it that way chefmel. It really does seem like a good idea to be good to your diet all week and then cheat, but it just never works...I don't think humans were designed with this level of willpower lol. Best of luck and I hope you find a diet that really works for you and lets you enjoy some treats too!

Thanks so much, Tiff! I think I might have found one that I like. *Fingers crossed*

[Tiff]

Okay well, I'm not sure, but I think I'm picking up on the vibe that you all think it's a bad idea haha. Okay, message received loud and clear. To be honest, I thought this was a bit of a pipe dream, but I figured I'd ask, on the off chance it was actually possible, But I know what you guys mean. If I were to have one cheat day, it would be really hard to go back to my "regularly scheduled program" the next day. I'll have to figure something else out. Thanks for all your responses :)

I'm really glad you see it that way chefmel. It really does seem like a good idea to be good to your diet all week and then cheat, but it just never works...I don't think humans were designed with this level of willpower lol. Best of luck and I hope you find a diet that really works for you and lets you enjoy some treats too!

[chefmel]

Okay well, I'm not sure, but I think I'm picking up on the vibe that you all think it's a bad idea haha. Okay, message received loud and clear. To be honest, I thought this was a bit of a pipe dream, but I figured I'd ask, on the off chance it was actually possible, But I know what you guys mean. If I were to have one cheat day, it would be really hard to go back to my "regularly scheduled program" the next day. I'll have to figure something else out. Thanks for all your responses :)

[speeddemon]

Yeah. Just don'd do it. You'll fail. Even if you survive the first couple of weeks doing it, all it takes is one slip up with this sort of cheat diet and you'll spiral and put all the weight back on. It's best to restrict your calories without restricting what you eat. Eventually, you'll find the right balance if you keep at it and trying new things without exceeding your daily calorie limit.

[tracy1976]

It's possible, but it's highly improbable. As Penny pointed out, most of us are way to weak minded to be able to resist giving into temptation when we have to return to our regularly scheduled program. I would recommend you find healthy, reduced-calorie diet that works for you that includes occasional treats. It's okay if you blow your calorie limit every once in a while, but I wouldn't actively make a habit of it. This is probably the fastest way to derail your efforts.

[Penny]

I think it's okay to have "cheat day" as it's commonly called. As long as you are consistent about sticking to your calorie-controlled diet and exercise for the rest of the time, a "cheat day" shouldn't have much of an effect on your overall progress, in theory. I say "in theory" because the reality is that most of the time when you have cheat days it's hard to go back to your regular eating program the next day and your'e far more likely to keep cheating. Most of us just don't have this kind of willpower.