How often do you cheat?

[Scout200]

Several people believe that you need to have a "cheat day" or a "cheat meal" to stay sane lol. Do you have a cheat day or cheat meal. If so, how often?

[gbrice75]

I think it's all dependent on where you are in reaching your goal, and what that goal is. i.e. if you just started working out a month ago and are 40% bodyfat, I think you can live without the cheat meal for a while. If you've been dedicated and going hard for 6 months and making massive progress, I think you deserve the break and reward.

That said, i've been cheating way too much lately. I need to get my ass back in gear!

PS - I agree with a cheat MEAL, not a cheat day. It just goes too far and you can easily kill a week's worth of fat loss in a day.

[bodybuilder]

I am also a firm believer in a cheat meal not a cheat day. I tend to cheat once every two weeks or some times once a week.

[bruary17]

I cheat once a day, I'm not a body builder, I lift weights to be and appear strong.

[FireGuy]

On a precontest diet...never.

[bigslick7878]

I average about 5-10% of my calories in a week being "bad calories".

Lately it has been closer to the 10%, mainly because every Sunday I drink some lite beer watching football. That is about 700-900 alone depending on how many I have. But from Feb-Sept it is closer to 5%, or about one a week and little alcohol if any.

I would love to know where this concept of a cheat "day" came from, I have heard that a lot around here lately and 5 cheat meals in one day is utterly ridiculous.

[FireGuy]

Probably need some clarification here. For guys who dont compete I dont think anyone expects them to go through life without cheating or eating some crap food ever now and then. I eat clean year round and if I am craving something or at a social function I will go outside of my normal food guidelines. Also love to partake in some wine tasting with Mrs Fire on weekends every once in awhile. But...once the calendar show 14-16 weeks out, the food scale comes out, the diet is written down and not once will you ever see me deviate or cheat during that time.

[baseline_9]

For most people i think factoring in a cheat meal is needed...

I agree with planing a cheat meal,,, i do not ever agree with cracking under presure and then eating a cheat meal.

They are two completly different things


If u crack, ur mental edge has gone, you are no longer sharp

[First6]

For most people i think factoring in a cheat meal is needed...

I agree with planing a cheat meal,,, i do not ever agree with cracking under presure and then eating a cheat meal.

They are two completly different things


If u crack, ur mental edge has gone, you are no longer sharp

Agree 1000000000000000000000000% Did I mention I agree?

To answer for myself though.... This time of year WAY to often. I crack under the pressure. Most of the time though I am a cheat planner and it is once a weak but my cheat meals are usually minimal. (2 scoops of fat free ice cream or something)

[SergeantCarbs]

Once day per week here. And considering I go from low carbing throughout the week to retaining water after a cheat day, I find my biggest spike in progress for the entire week right after I shed the water weight back off (about 2 days)

[gbrice75]

For most people i think factoring in a cheat meal is needed...

I agree with planing a cheat meal,,, i do not ever agree with cracking under presure and then eating a cheat meal.

They are two completly different things


If u crack, ur mental edge has gone, you are no longer sharp

Agreed 100%, and I haven't found this balance yet. I still crack under pressure, more often then not. Working on it!

[Sgt. Hartman]

I have a cheat meal every Sunday evening - whatever I want with the exception that it has to be home cooked, no McDonalds or chinese buffet BS.

If I stray from my diet during the week, I don't allow myself the cheat meal on Sunday. I know I'm a head case but I look forward to the cheat meal all week and it really motivates me to stay on the straight and narrow.

[Sir Anabolic]

If it's a cutting diet, then never. I like cheating once a week when massing. Sometimes more.

[Scout200]

I have a cheat meal every Sunday evening - whatever I want with the exception that it has to be home cooked, no McDonalds or chinese buffet BS.

If I stray from my diet during the week, I don't allow myself the cheat meal on Sunday. I know I'm a head case but I look forward to the cheat meal all week and it really motivates me to stay on the straight and narrow.

I like your idea of rewarding yourself...

[Brewster]

I never consider it cheating....
I consider it living...

[Matt]

I have two cheat meals every week, Sat and Sun evenings and they really are cheat meals...

However if im cutting then i dont have any....

[Reed]

Probably alot more than I should. But its ok, I'm enjoying life still eat healthy. Precontest- well thats a different story

[jngymrat]

I agree with fireguy, regarding the necessity of really cheating. It is called cheating for a reason.

[T_Dubp]

Typically cheat on the weekend with adult bev's, in moderation. Or a clean carb up on Sunday's