contraversial... bewear..

[melimeli]

I am thinking of a planned cheat meal on valentines day. I have not decided completely but I am thinking of not going off the deep end but maybe getting a nice steak with a small baked potato or maybe some lobster with some breaded type butterfly shrimp... anyway I am really not asking whether I should or not... what I do want to know is have you had a planned cheat meal? if so was it hard for you to get back on? what was your experience...

[Tumtum]

Hiya Hon

I've done it before in my previous attempt at Atkins, and I didn't find it to hard to just continue the next day. I just made sure I went in with a clear determination that this was not me ending the plan, but just a little cheat day. Plus I tried it as many people claimed this helped them loose weight??? It didn't with me, I just stayed the same...

I also allow myself a night or two now and then when I have a couple of bourbons and diet cokes so literally that can be classed as a cheat but as I see this as a way of life and something that I want to do forever.. I have to be realistic in the sense of what will work for me.. and what will make me keep to eating the way I do.. (I know I will get slated for saying that), but its the truth.
Plus.. I think sometimes having a cheat day, might make people realise that what they thought they were missing, they actually weren't and realise the reason why they started this plan in the begining.
I will be 30 on Thursday, and if there is champayne and so forth involved, I will 'slightly' indulge.

Let me know how you get on
xx

[blueberrylady]

Cheat days are often very hard on a diet but I don't see why anyone needs them on Atkins anyway. Induction is only for two weeks and should be done 'cleanly', and after that, if you're bored with the variety of food, move up the rungs where these things are allowed so you don't have to 'cheat'. Alcohol is allowed on rung 5 and a small baked potato on rung 8.

There is something about 'cheating' that makes the mind think, "Well, it didn't hurt my loss so I'll just keep doing it", and then it does start to hurt your losing and the next thing you know, you're back where you started from and wondering what happened! I recommend exercising a little restraint and staying on plan. I think in the end, you'll be glad, and proud, that you did!

[DebbieW]

The only thing you will be cheating on is yourself!! Don't do it.

[MommaRuthie]

I have allowed my self a few cheat days in the past. I never went hog wild, just added in 1/2 slice of the best cake in the world one day. another day I did have a baked potato with my steak just as you are planning to do. I didn't gain any weight but I made sure I worked out the day of and after for an extra long time...However, I felt like doo-doo for 3 days afterwards. my intestines were not liking the cheat as much as my brain and my taste buds did. I no longer plan cheat days becuase of the intestinal ramifications. The only time I allow myself to cheat anymore is if I am sick- and then it is never a huge cheat (and I don't consider it a true cheat if you have a temp, or are puking your guts out..) just enough of something so I have a bit of energy becuase I have a hard time eating a lot of fat-or any food- when I'm feeling ill. I don't worry about 10 carbs from my bowl of chicken noodle soup and if a teaspoon of honey can soothe my sore throat I use it... I find that I recover much more quickly and am able to get back on plan w/o cravings if I keep it to a few simple things when I am sick.
good luck on Valentines day. Let us know how it goes.

[judyintn]

I can eat on Atkins forever with no problems IF I DON'T CHEAT! The last time I was on Atkins, I started doing a few "planned cheats". After a cheat meal, I was once again ravenously hungry, which led to more snacking, which led to poor food choices. The next thing I knew I had gained 13 pounds back, and I just started over the day after Christmas. This time I will not cheat!

You can go out to eat and still have a great meal staying on plan. I went to the Outback Steakhouse one night last week. I had a steak, steamed green beans, and a salad with ranch dressing. It was delicious, I was full, and I didn't cheat. You can also get grilled shrimp or chicken. If you will pick things on the menu that are not bread, potatoes, rice, or pasta, you can still eat out and do very well.

[Mr Papageorgio]

4 years ago I lost 70 pounds and was only 2 pounds away from my GW. We went out and had pizza for my birthday (Jersey shore style pizza, hard to find in Va.) I still regret having pizza that night. I felt horrible afterward and I never lost those 2 pounds. Now 4 years later I find myself on day 5 of induction, 2 pounds lighter than my original start weight.

Thats what a planned cheat did for me!

[Zarabelle]

I cheated at Christmas, gained 2.5 pounds and then took four weeks to get to my pre-Christmas weight... I vowed that if I had a planned cheat again, it would be when I am in maintenance and not OWL.

[Sunny_0ne]

I am feeling so good now... starting to see a real difference in my body and in my mental outlook.

There is no way I would consider endangering what I've gained by a cheat at this point.

Why not get a wonderful grilled steak, lobster drenched in butter, a permitted veggie and a salad?

[clogger]

In my opinion it's not a good idea to cheat .

You are taking a gamble if you cheat. It may be the worst thing you could do for yourself at this stage.

When I go out to eat to celebrate (like Valentine's Day) I get something that I normally don't eat at home - like King Crab with yummy melted butter or a delicious piece of grilled King Salmon. It can still be a treat without cheating.

Just know that if you cheat it's like playing Russian Roulette. You may be fine one time, but the next sends you on a 6 month binge. Seriously!

You say this in your siggy...

1-30-09 CW 190 17lbs gone in month one!!!
almost back to pre preg weight! AND I FIT BACK INTO MY SIZE 14´s!!!

Look how excited you are. That is great progress and you will truly be risking your hard work and determination by cheating .

Good luck !