TGIF, folks…
I can’t even tell you how excited I am that it’s Friday! This week in SLC has been NO JOKE. LOOOOOONG work days and I’m sort of exhausted. I cannot wait to step on that plane tomorrow afternoon.
Food this week has been good though, surprisingly. And, unfortunately, I’ve been too busy to eat for the most part… grabbing a quick Subway meal every night and not having time to stop for Starbucks in the morning for an SCM. As if!!!
While I’m excited to get home, I hear that Denver is going to be chilly this weekend…. as in the snowing kind of chilly (in the high country at least.) Oh, how I loathe winter… isn’t it a little early for this???
On the bright side, I guess that means that I can curl up in front of the fireplace…. 
Letter from a Reader
I got this letter from a reader this week that I thought it would be a great one to share with you guys. When I emailed Joann back and told her I would be responding via blog, she seemed very excited to hear what we all had to say…. so let’s give her our feedback!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I love it! I have tried so many of your recipes and they have become staples throughout my week. I have always wondered, how do you feel about cheat meals? Are they safe? Do you have a cheat meal once a week or month? Congrats on losing all the weight. Can’t wait to keep reading more from you!
Hi Joann -
First and foremost, thanks for reaching out! I love that you’re a fan of my recipes… as someone who enjoys cooking and loves food like I do, that’s a MAJOR compliment! Thanks!
I think your question is a great one for several reasons: 1) I don’t schedule cheat meals regularly and 2) I have a feeling the NTTC readers may have an opinion on this!
So… Do I cheat from time to time? Absolutely. I don’t really consider it a “cheat” meal/day, but there are times when I have a piece of cake, or other times, I’ll eat out with friends. During these moments, I let my hair down a little, but I’m always conscientious of the impact. I try to keep the rest of the day on point when this happens.
I’ve been eating like I do for almost 2 years now, so it’s really become habit. On most days, it’s just not worth it to me to eat something that has a ton of extra calories and fat. I’m at a point where I can’t really splurge on a HUGE meal for two reasons: 1) I’m getting pretty good at knowing the calories of an item and knowing how hard I’d have to workout at the gym to counteract it and 2) there’s a lot of stuff that makes me physically sick now that I used to enjoy. It’s crazy to me that these indulgent meals that I used to love are now something that shocks my system. So weird.
On some Saturdays (my weigh in day), I’ll enjoy something that night for dinner that I don’t usually get to have. Example: I think I’m going to have italian this Saturday. Not a huge quantity, but some homemade pasta just the same. I usually try to pick a day that I’m not going to feel guilty about doing it, and I pick a day when I’m not going to be weighing for a few days. And, this isn’t every Saturday.
Usually, I reserve my “cheat” moments for those unexpected moments… as opposed to planning them. For example, my boss wants to take me to lunch, a friend from out of town shows up unexpectedly, a challenging work week needs to end with cocktails. Anything I plan for, I try to make sure that it’s on track… if Plan B shows up, then I have wiggle room.
My BIGGEST recommendation to you is to assess your ability to BOUNCE BACK from a cheat meal/day. If you try it and get WAY off track… I would say the timing isn’t right. If you’re able to enjoy something a little more decadent once in a while and go right back to healthy eating after, work them in as often as you see fit.
I’d also encourage you to look at your goal. Do you have a lot to lose? Do you have a goal your shooting toward with a deadline? Consider how this activity may or may not set you back and decide from there. Remember: 85% of losing weight comes down to what you put in your mouth afterall…
Bottom line: FOOD HAPPENS. You are going to be faced with that amazing meal more than one time. If it’s something you truly want, manage it into your life in a portion that makes sense and is not guilt-inducing. And, don’t let it ruin the good thing you’ve got going. You’ve been working to hard to let it all slip away!
Alright, folks, you’ve heard what I think… how about your thoughts?? What do you think about cheat meals? Do you schedule them regularly? Does it help you on your journey?
nothankstocake
nothankstocake
nothankstocake
nothankstocake
I usually have a few indulgences a week but then I am more mindful of keeping the portion small and fueling up on the healthy stuff in my other meals that day. (Beer doesn’t count because I consider that healthy. The end)
Don’t forget red wine! It’s proven to be healthy!
I “cheat” every so often, sometimes more than I would like. However, I don’t think I could schedule a cheat meal or cheat day for myself. I know myself well enough that I would probably go way off plan if I scheduled this in. I don’t think I’m at the right stage to give myself an entire day to cheat; it would lead to binging for sure! I do tend to eat off plan after my weigh in, but I’ve been trying to keep that to just a meal as well.
You have to have a cheat or indulge every once in a while or fail at this. If you deprive yourself of everything, you could likely binge and have a hard time getting back. And that, in my mind is the important part – get right back on track. If you don’t feel you can do that and stay focused, then steer clear. I, like you Kelly, will have a non JC or “diet” meal on the night of my WI (Friday). Not overindulge, but enjoy maybe a half of a of something (like a pasta dish). That way I have all week to make sure I am doing all I can for my loss. Best of luck to all of you!!
Great response! I couldn’t have said it better myself
Well said – I think your response was perfect. This was a very good question! I laughed when I read about the consequences….I do the same thing. I think..”how far will I have to run to burn that off”? but moreso, is it worth the stomach upset? right? I thought I was the only one. A splurge of In & Out Burger (a staple of So.Cal residents) puts me in knots and limits the space between me and the closest ladies room LOL!
Amazing advice Kelly! I like to call it choices rather than “cheating”‘because it is a choice and when you make it be conscious and aware when you make the choice so you are mindful as others and Kelly have pointed out that you know the impact of the choice you make. I made a choice on Wednesday and it kinda spiraled after the sushi lunch and I went to bed that night with such discomfort and will know my limits next time due to my choice. In the past I wouldn’t have been mindful and I wouldn’t have tracked it so I think when you can be honest with yourself then it can work. Be gentle with yourself and know this journey is a pathways full of learning. Take care and be well.
I have a planned “splurge” meal each week and I also have a planned fasting meal each week. I pretty much walk the straight and narrow the rest of the time. I have a lot of weight to lose so I may give myself more flexibility or splurges as I get closer to my goal, but for now the 1 splurge per week works for me and I don’t have trouble getting right back to my healthy eating plan. I used to eat whatever I wanted all weekend and then only follow my eating plan Mon-Fri but the weight loss is much slower, as you can imagine it would be. I have to say that eating sugar and unhealthy carbs definitely makes me feel a little funny in the head and can sometimes cause an upset stomach and several trips to the bathroom! I guess that just shows us how bad that stuff is for us!
Thanks so much for your advice, Kelly! Along with everyone who commented.
Well said!