[PinkLotus]

Hi,

My weight loss has really slowed lately, and I have finally had to admit that my cheat day is the culprit. I have been cheating every Saturday, and sometimes it's been spilling over into Sunday, so I must put a stop to it. But I still want to have one day a week where I can indulge just a little bit more than usual, so I thought maybe eating whatever my maintenance calories would be on Saturdays is a good compromise. (I am open to any suggestions as well).
I've looked online and tried a few different calculators and formulas - half said that at 5'7" and 231lbs (female, 32 years old) my maintenance calories were approx. 2200, and half said 3000! I'm guessing the 2200 is more accurate, but could someone help me out?? Confused...

[LockItUp]

1st -- how many calories do you eat on non-cheat days?

[PinkLotus]

1400-1500, usually closer to 1500.

[LockItUp]

I'd say don't go too crazy on your cheat days, but that it would be "safe" to go up to 2000-2200. That should be enough to feel like you are giving yourself a little indulgence without worrying about getting into a calorie excess!

[lin43]

Well, it really depends on a number of factors ---activity level, metabolism, etc. I can eat a lot more than I thought I could and that many calculators told me I could.

With that said, though, I agree with the previous poster. You should be very safe eating 2200 or so on your cheat day.

[dstalksalot]

I second the others and stay around the 2000 range and keep it to one day a week :-)

[PinkLotus]

Thanks! I appreciate the help. I was eating around 3000-3500 calories on my cheat days before...for a long time, it wasn't hindering my weight loss and it was keeping me happy. But it's time to get that under control now, because my weight loss has slowed the past month or so, and also because (even though I didn't want to admit it before) that was a little excessive!

[dstalksalot]

I started thinking of it more as a cheat meal (not day) and that has helped. I cycle calories and and have one higher 2000 day but It is usually one really nice meal with dessert.

[PinkLotus]

Originally Posted by dstalksalot

I started thinking of it more as a cheat meal (not day) and that has helped. I cycle calories and and have one higher 2000 day but It is usually one really nice meal with dessert.

I think that's a good way of going about it. There's really no need for me to have an entire day (sometimes two!) to eat junk every single week. One meal a week sounds much more reasonable.
The cheat day thing wasn't hindering my weight loss at all for the first few months, but now it's slowed down quite a bit...it may not be from the cheat day, but regardless, it's time for a change and I think the this is the most logical thing to change!
Thanks for the help everyone.