I know! I thought it was quite normal to have a few cheat days a month...maybe thats where I am going wrong!!

I try to eat 1400-1600 calories a day. My body is a paradox because I am an extremely small boned mesomorph.

Lately, I've had no appetite, but have eaten a lot meals of low calorie foods, so I consumed an average of 700-900. Extremely unhealthy.

Thus, I needed a cheat meal to replenish my metabolism and regain my appetite.

I also wanted to add that I don't eat any pre-packaged, "diet" foods, etc. I eat lean meats, vegetables, and fruits. I drink only water and tea and avoid sugar.

I've recommitted to a healthier nutrition plan and exercise for about 6 weeks now. In the first couple of weeks, while I exercised 6 days a week I was probably "cheating" 3-4 times a week and eating more calories than I wanted to. I blame it all on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol! One drink lowers my willpower and it's off to the races, binge eating.

After realizing that didn't work, I have really tightened up my nutrition and haven't been drinking. Still working out 6x a week. I usually eat between 1300 - 1500 calories a day, some less and some more, but never over 1800 or so. I eat 6 small meals a day.

I've averaged about a pound/week but I'm hoping that will pick up since I've been more diligent about the nutrition portion of my plan. Fingers crossed!!!

*I am at 1,500 cal ( zig zagging)
*Loosing 2 lb / week
*1 cheat meal, usually 1 dinner over the weekend
*I don’t exercise when I am on law calorie diet, only when I resume my usual eating and don’t count calories , I weight train 2 times a week.

1100, which at my height, weight, and incredibly low activity level is a good fit for me. I'm losing 1lb a week, though I've only been dieting 2 months so let's see how it pans out overall. I don't cheat, I don't want to be on any diet plan where foods are forbidden (apart from my own restrictions, i.e. vegan who wouldn't dream of eating animal products - not something that makes me feel deprived and liable to binge!). If I need to go over my calorie limit one day through eating out or accidental poor planning, I simply balance it out over the rest of the week (and in the case of poor planning, usually by the end of the day).

I have a plan that my nutritionist made for me based on a insulin resistant diet so my grains and fruits are low glycemic and the plan includes healthy fats. I eat every 2-3 hours and I eat mostly whole foods and try not to eat sugar. I try to have an 800 or more calorie deficit each day except on days I have a splurge meal.

My plan includes splurge meals. I stay to my plan for 4 days and on the fifth day I have a splurge meal (I don't call it cheat because I am not cheating myself) Typically my splurge meal is whatever I wanted so i don't stress about balancing it, however I do not go insane (nor do I want to) ex first splurge day we had thin crust pizza with peperoni and mushrooms and I had 2.5 slices (and ate the crusts and I had made a huge salad with homemade garlic dressing with olive oil. it was awesome and I was satisfied with it. On days I have a splurge meal I typically end up with a 400 or so calorie deficit. I also try to do a good workout on those days.

On average I am losing 1.7 pounds a week but I have had some weeks were i lost 6 lbs (first week) and others were I lost .5 pounds. Oh and the third week I went up 1.4 pounds but it was TOM. I am happy with my rate of weight loss also my food plan is really great and I know I can eat like this for the rest of my life. I do not feel deprived which in the past rally triggered binges and giving up. I would like to increase my exercise and develop more of a routine. Currently i am just fitting it in were/when I can.

I am just starting too, but this is my plan:

How often you have cheat days/meals? I don't. If I'm going to indulge in something "bad" I'll plan for it and make sure to compensate with working out and eating super healthy earlier in the day. I'm sure there will be things I have to estimate calories for, but I'm not going to pretend I didn't eat them.

How many average calories do you take in daily? 1850-2000, this may sound like a lot, but I'm breastfeeding a newborn and do NOT want to affect my milk supply. If, after a few weeks, my weight loss is just not where I want it to be and at least 1-1.5 pounds per week, I'll adjust this number.

How much weight do you lose per week doing this? Not sure yet, but I'm down a pound for the 3 days I've been doing it, so I'm hoping to lose 1.5-2 pounds per week.

Wow--your metabolism must be fast. I wish I could lose 2 lbs. doing what you do. Do you have any secrets or tips to share?