Necessity of Cheat Meal

[carla]

When following a workout schedule with sound dieting, is a cheat meal once per week a necessity or is it strictly based on how the body progresses from week to week as to the need for anything off plan. I have been taking one meal, once per week, and eating what I wanted. I have been following the plans from Erik since middle of January when I finally got my head in the game and was ready to really try to "diet" again and they have been successful, but I was wondering if cheats once per week are really a necessity for the body or if it is just for the mind?

[rainy]

As I understand it, cheat meals are for psychological purposes. Refeeds and cheat days however are for physiological benefits to kick up hormonal activity etc. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong though.

[kirstny]

As I understand it, cheat meals are for psychological purposes. Refeeds and cheat days however are for physiological benefits to kick up hormonal activity etc. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong though.

I think you're right.

I actually do better without any cheats. Did a 12 week prep with only 1 cheat (wonton soup--was sick and it's the only thing that sounded good). With cheating, once I start I can't stop. :piggie:

Are you thinking you'll stop doing cheats?

[Erik]

When following a workout schedule with sound dieting, is a cheat meal once per week a necessity or is it strictly based on how the body progresses from week to week as to the need for anything off plan.

It is not a necessity and has no direct benefit to fat loss. As Rainy said it's more for the psychological benefit that the 'break' from the diet provides.

However, people can definitely overdo it and as such some people probably shouldn't be taking them until they can handle them responsibly.



I have been taking one meal, once per week, and eating what I wanted. I have been following the plans from Erik since middle of January when I finally got my head in the game and was ready to really try to "diet" again and they have been successful, but I was wondering if cheats once per week are really a necessity for the body or if it is just for the mind?

Definitely the mind. But if that one, controlled cheat, makes it easier to hit 100% the rest of the week, then it's worth keeping. If cutting it out, makes the rest of the week so much harder, and puts you at risk for unplanned cheats, extra nibbles, etc., then there's the argument for keeping it.

Just be responsible about quantities.

[carla]

This answers my question perfectly..Thanks everyone. Going to try until end of March to see if I can keep my head in the diet game and then I am going to go in contest prep mode and get Erik to handle from that end on out if he is willing. My school is part time now and I work from home so I should be able to handle it physically..it is just the mental game of diet I have to keep a handle on. That and hoping I have no more injuries when I start working my routine. That is what took me out of competition last time.

[Ronaldo10]

Strict dieting can cause many psychological problems such as headaches, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and wanting to be unsocial. Marta Meana Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas states, "When you cut back on sugar, you`re experiencing a decrease in brain chemicals, such as serotonin and endorphins, that make you feel good.