Planning For Cheats

[bugout429]

I'm going to a fabulous restaurant tonight with a group of friends, a place known for killer Mayan cuisine, and I have made the decision to indulge. It's my first significant cheat. I was wondering how to adjust my eating throughout the rest of the day to minimize the effect of the 'taboo' foods I plan on eating tonight?

Is it correct for me to assume that by maintaining the Induction-recommended 65% fat/5% carb/30% protein ration for most of the day, then indulging in carbs at night, that I'd be getting myself into big trouble? So with that said, is it better for me to compensate for the event by eating mostly low-fat, healthy carbs for the day? Please let me know. Thanks!

[not2sweet]

It's kind of redundant to come in to an ATKINS support forum and commit to cheat?...I don't think anyone is going to want to answer it...it's like we are condoning it. There are so many Atkineers here that have chosen to take this WOE seriously. You should decide if this WOE is right for you before you go on.

The correct answer is if you were serious about losing weight and commited to this WOE you wouldn't be asking this question. It is relatively simple to stick to Atkins even if you are eating out. Find out how their meat and veggies are prepared, make sure there are no hidden sugars in the seasoning....grab a salad with some grilled chicken, etc.

No one is perfect, I understand that...and by no means am I trying to be mean, but most people here are REALLY trying to NOT cheat and you come in asking us how you CAN cheat and get away with it. It just doesn't seem right, I guess

[iwillbethin]

I didnt even want to post anything about this....i just wanted to agree with what was just said though. Normally i dont ever post about any controversal things but i just had to this time!

[Sonya Parker]

Cheating usually happens when we are at our weakest moment in a flash of a second. Its something we cant help at the moment but then later regret. Planned cheating is really a concious decision to sabotage yourself. Its upto you if you think its the way to go, but here are a few things to think about:

- you will undoubtedly screw up your insulin levels - with carb loading you will awaken the sleeping giant and its gonna come at you even after a day or so and the cravings will be uncontrollable
- the last time I caved in , it took me 5 days to get back on track and 7 lbs heavier. Not recommended
- ask yourself why you havent broken ur mental connection with carbs. doesnt the nice light feeling without carbs incentive enough to stay away from feeling fat and bloated?

If after all this, you still make a decision to do the planned cheat, be very prepared on how you will get back on track the very next day.

[2big4mysize]

I really don't understand the shoot yourself attitude of a planned cheat. it is like a drug addict who has been clean for a period of time saying well tomorrow I plan to use again....

but just as with any cheat the next bite in your mouth should be Atkins induction food listed, drink plenty of water and hold on for a wild ride as you see the effect of the blood sugar swing you are about to experience from the rapid ingestion of those carbs your body will be functioning as a diabetics would.
Low fsatting for today would just send your insulin soaring sooner as your body would react to the extra protein in that with glucogeneses production in the liver. now you know why Dr Atkins has that warning about not eating your proteins too high in DANDR.

[DebbieY]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I do understand your thinking about cheating and wondering in which way it will affect you the least.

Although I haven't cheated (well, I do occasionally eat more cheese than I should), I have thought about a planned cheat before. Luckily I talked myself out of it, but I can't say that it wasn't something that I thought about.

I have also read on this board how some people have cheated as a way to jump start their diet if they were stalled. But I personally think that would be Russian Roulette. You never know how it will affect you.

As my husband has asked me before, "Would it be worth it?" My answer was always no. I can't say that having a bit of food at the moment would be worth the possible weight gain, the possible stray from my diet, the feeling of disappointment, ... Luckily, that has worked for me when I considered cheating.

If you still plan on cheating, I think there was a thread on either this board of the main atkins board that dealt with cheating during camping, if I'm not mistaken. An answer may be in that thread.

[clairebear]

I think everyone here has pretty much covered that you are going to feel terribly guilty and emotionally pretty rotten.
Be aware that you are going to feel awful physically!
Not just the blood sugar changes that 2big mentioned but get ready for bloat-town.
I had a planned cheat after five weeks of perfect, cheat-free extended induction. I made the mistake of breaking big time, a full five course Christmas dinner cooked by a French friend who is a chef. I couldn't even finish it, I had to leave, my stomach bloated straight away, I had an awful headache and the worst stomach pains. I know it sounds like an over-reaction, but after that long, it was like the carbs were poison and my body was freaking out. Prior to Atkins, I could eat this whole dinner and then help out making the hot chocolate (perfect for a hot Aussie christmas - a block of dark chocolate melted into a tub of cream, stir, serve.)
Combined that with me being a moody cow for the next day or so and it was not fun.

On the other hand, it was a valuable learning experience!

[Iapetus999]

What will you next excuse for a "planned" cheat be?
A birthday? An anniversary?
Friday??

All you're doing is making excuses for yourself. I've been to some of the fanciest restaurants in America on this WOE and I never used that as an excuse. I never had any problem finding Atkins-friendly food there.
The quality or the price of the food is no excuse.
If you really truly care about yourself and your health you will find a way to make this work.

Would a vegetarian eat meat because it was served at a fancy place?
Would an alcoholic have a drink becasue it was served at a fancy place?

Think about it.

[Enchantedraisin]

I agree. Even though I am not perfect (no one is)... I have had a few planned cheats and it really sets you back. Weight piles on quickly and leaves you feeling discouraged. And like someone else said... you BLOAT REALLY FAST and feel DISGUSTING afterward. It's amazing what low-carb can do to you... your body is so used to digesting protein and fiber and veggies and suddenly there's some bread and flour and sugar going through your system... your body doesn't like it at all and fills with water weight, gas, and some fat as well.

Your dinner will be tastey and excellent, I admit... but the night ahead is going to suck. You may get horrible stomach cramps and want to run to the bathroom every 5 minutes.

It's up to you totally if you think it's worth it... maybe it is?

But make sure you get back on track IMMEDIATELY after this dinner... like DON'T even cheat anymore that night... just go back to what you were doing or you'll go down a bad path... I did and I'm having a very hard time now. I kinda wish I never cheated because I was doing so well and I was enjoying my foods but I really thought I should reward myself with food and it was a mistake. Once the night is over and you hadn't cheated and you ate something Atkins friendly... you'll be like "Oh, I didn't even need to do that anyway"...and you'll be on your way

It's your choice

[ttdriver]

Originally Posted by not2sweet

It's kind of redundant to come in to an ATKINS support forum and commit to cheat?...I don't think anyone is going to want to answer it...it's like we are condoning it. There are so many Atkineers here that have chosen to take this WOE seriously. You should decide if this WOE is right for you before you go on.

The correct answer is if you were serious about losing weight and commited to this WOE you wouldn't be asking this question. It is relatively simple to stick to Atkins even if you are eating out. Find out how their meat and veggies are prepared, make sure there are no hidden sugars in the seasoning....grab a salad with some grilled chicken, etc.

No one is perfect, I understand that...and by no means am I trying to be mean, but most people here are REALLY trying to NOT cheat and you come in asking us how you CAN cheat and get away with it. It just doesn't seem right, I guess

Eat crap - stay fat. That's not mean, that's truth.

Betty