Words like "cheat" and "fall off the wagon" I don't use much because they make food emotional or like it's out of your control.
I'm on plan to lose or I'm on plan to maintain. I eat to lose during the week. On weekends and during TOM, I eat to maintain. Either way, I'm on plan because I choose to do it that way. Who am I cheating? I'm not falling off anything.
Most of our socializing happens on weekends. Dealing with a social situation or my period time is challenge enough without the extra stress of ALSO trying to diet at that time. I chalk it up to practice for maintanence and call it good enough to break even. I can enjoy my social life, get through rough periods as best I can, and then carry on as usual.
Overall, most days I'm eating to lose, so I'm still losing overall. Taking some maintain days to be able to go the long haul with less stress? I'm ok with that.
But going with your terms... I drive my own wagon, thanks. So I choose the road.
I rather take the slightly longer but more comfortable road than deal with a shorter but much bumpier one.
If you find yourself having a hard time sticking to the road/plan you chose -- can you adjust and pick an easier one to follow? Why pick this one?
A.