LenaBerdecia's Journal, 11 August 2018

Why are you having a cheat day? Usually they are to satisfy cravings, or for a celebration when you don't want to be restricted. If no reason, then why cheat and slow your progress? 

I read that tricking your body every once in a while helps boost weight loss. Also, I’m on a 14 day cycle of Keto/paleo that I got from my training group. 12 days on, day 13 is cheat day, day 14 is fasting day. This is my first actual cheat day though because I was on vacay. Plus I just need a break from Keto. Planning on trying to fast for two days starting tomorrow. Need to reset.  

good point. if you have to cheat to eat carbs then is it really worth a major set back 

… I am no help because ALL I have to do for my 'cheat day' is eat ANYTHING high carb (donut, frosted flakes, French fries, Big Mac), and my 'mental cravings' will take care of the rest :) I do understand why 'mixing it up' is desired. I normally fast 5 days a week and I will 'do something different' on the weekends or I will 'plateau'. My body will always try to reach 'equilibrium' and will lower metabolism, retain water, ect. to 'maintain a weight level'. So 'changing things up' helps break this pattern. 

I just hit a plateau with my weight loss. I now know nutrition experts recommend a cheat meal to kickstart your metabolism. I would have enchiladas or spaghetti and meatballs. Or both 😂 

I would have corn on the cob or sushi. or szechuan chicken. yikes. I will ignore you now 🤤🤤😫😂😂 

If you must have carbs try something with complex carbs like oats, wheat, etc. They are slower in becoming energy so you don't have a sugar rush on your body which stores it as fat. Also, if you like spicy, make it spicy 🌶️ 

Tanks for the tips everyone! Chris, I think that since this is my first cheat day I’m all over the place with my options. Having steak with salad go ight and some jalapeño poppers. Not going to go crazy this evening, although I will have some red wine and some light ice cream. I haven’t had enough fat today though. Should I even bother with a fat bomb?  

Lol! I said tanks. I mean thaaanks!  

try not to freak out it's ok I just went through it I went up 2 lbs but went down 3 so itll be ok 😁 

Thanks guys 😊 

ha now I understand it is some kind of routine, you should pick something you are really jonesing for. Mine was ben and jerrys chocolate fudge brownie. It has been months and months! I don't seem to have a problem with sugar and ice cream so it was a good break for one time.  

My first tip is to have a cheat meal, not a day. Secondly, on days where you have a cheat meal it’s good to try and consume mostly protein all day because, generally, cheat meals contain some protein but usually not enough and excessive amounts of carbs and fats. I also try not to drink alcohol with a cheat meal as you will store more fat when alcohol is involved. Here’s a fantastic article on how to cheat effectively. https://www.muscleforlife.com/cheat-meal/ 

“If you need a break from your diet find a new diet” 

I don’t believe in cheat days or meals....than again my diet allows me to eat anything I want 

One interesting fact, is that all the fat you consume will go to body fat storage. This is due to that the body can not make use of 'foreign' fat directly. It has to be made compatible with you first. Then, when you do intermittent fasting or the last hours of sleep, you make use of this fat. High blood sugars are damaging, and is of first priority for the body. Alcohol is even more damaging, and the body priorities that over blood sugar. If eating carbs, keeing fat very low seem to be sustainable for some. If eating fat, keeping carbs low is good. The combination of 45% fat, 45% carbs an 10% protein is what they use to make mice obese very quick 

Thanks for the tips. I think next time I will plan ahead. I’m not where I want to be yet so I still can’t eat whatever I want but I’ll get there.  

Keto for 2 weeks at a time sounds like torture! and not enough time to become fat adapted and reach all the benefits Keto is good for (like no cravings, serious mental clarity, and stable energy levels- at least in my case). But I guess if that is not your purpose, then going HF is a great way to reduce carbs and drop some weight faster. 

There’s no scientific evidence, I.e. studies, that show cheat days are beneficial for loss. However, it’s theorized that it will be easier mentally for SOME if they get to cheat. Personally, cheat days ruin my routine and are a slippery slope.  

You don’t need to be at ideal weight to eat anything you want. if One practices portion control, you can eat anything but in small portions. tracking food is a great tool for weight loss. You can eat anything but you must be on caloric deficit. Just like with keto if you don’t have a caloric deficit you will not lose weight