Nicki, I feel the same way, I do need breaks every once in a while and I do take them.
I schedule my cheats
I try to make sure they are a few weeks apart because I don't know how good it is to do it to the body but for some reason when my period comes, thats the week I need to take one day's break.
I have never gotten on the scale after I have cheated. I wait until the following week and usually I am down a few pounds
I know whats going to happen so why torchur myself mentally.
I was telling my husband that if I cheat at one meal, like just desert, the next day I feel unsatisfied. But when I cheat all day, lunch, dinner, snacks at night, the next day I go back on the diet full force, feeling great and really strong like okay, I can do this. And I do. For the next couple of days, I keep my calories at 1200 - 1400 and woosh 2 - 3 lbs come off that following week.
And then there's this girl here at work who doesn't cheat, she's lost over 55 lbs in only a couple of month where I've lost less then half of that...oy lol.
I'm happy though, its coming off slow but thats okay, I really don't mind. I look forward to my cheat days and I control myself during the rest of the time.
Everyone is different, this seems to work for me
BTW, I can sit and eat a 2 lb bag of pnut m&m's in one sitting w/no problem. LOL
Hugs