I don't think of it as "to cheat or not to cheat" I think in terms of "is this a treat or not?" If it is an expensive piece of chocolate that I can sit back and enjoy, then it's a treat. If it is M&M's from a co-workers candy jar, it's probably not a treat. If it's a hot dog from a $0.89 pack of hot dogs is it really a treat? If it's a Nathans or a speciality hot dog maybe. (Yes, I'm a hot dog snob.
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Think of what you are really craving. I found that if I indulge with a small amount of what I'm really craving, then one bite is enough and I'm happy and can walk away. But if I'm substituting that cookie for something like "I'm really thirsty and need some water or I haven't eaten lunch yet and I'm starving that cookie will hit the spot" Then a bite of cookie isn't enough and I tend to go back again and again or run away so I won't be tempted. And if you have emotional hangups with food, then a cookie may not be what you want, it may be to yell at DH because he's really upset you with his thoughtless remarks.
When I first started phase 2, I was very strict and didn't eat anything op. It was after about 6 months into phase 2 that I started adding my treats because I didn't want to give up all my favorite foods. I found that many didn't taste as good as I remembered and I can easily give them up for ever. And I've also found that I'm satisified with a whole lot less then before. I could easily eat half a bag of chips by myself. But now, a handful is enough. I could polish off a bag of cookies in one evening watching tv.
I also think that treats are a part of life. After we've been OP for awhile, we have to learn to live with the foods around us with out going overboard and regaining all the weight that we've lost. Do you plan on never having birthday cake ever again? But maybe not in the beginning.
My weight loss is very slow, but I find that it's staying off because I'm trying to incorporate all this in my daily life. I'm working on only eating what taste good, leaving the "clean plate club" for life. Since I've started getting picky about what I eat, I find that it's not so hard to pass up a piece of cake after a spoonful becuase it's not that exciting.
Are you planning on staying on phase 1 until you lose 25 pounds? Or am I misunderstanding your post? It's really not good to stay on for extended time. 2-3 weeks is about the limit because it's not very balanced.
Good luck,
Sarah
To cheat or not to cheat...that is the question
When you get to Phase 2, you can have a bite, or even three bites of a cheat if you can actually walk away after (I can't). If you have cravings after that, you'll have to do Phase 1 for a couple days to get back on track. If you don't have cravings, you can keep going. However, if you had such cravings in Phase 2, I'm assuming it may have been either because you did a cheat that affected you strongly or you added in carbs too fast. I have found that I have huge cravings if I eat my starch or fruit in the morning. They go away by the next day as long as I stay OP, though.