Exactly. For example, last week my no count meal was a bacon cheese burger and fries at 5 Guys. It was a total splurge meal, and I didn't bother to look up the calories (I know it was over 1000). But I stopped there. I didn't then go across the street and have a Cold Stone ice cream, and then go home and eat chips and dip. I had ONE MEAL where I didn't worry about calories or fat or whatever. And when I got up and left the restaurant, I was done. (BTW, my no-count meals do tend to be restaurant meals, rather than indulgences at home - it's easier to stop that way, and it allows me to go out and be social with friends w/out having to look like I'm being obsessive about my food.)

That night I had my regularly planned dinner (I think we had grilled salmon that night) and the next day I had my regular schedule of meals and snacks.

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I don't have one. But I really like what I eat, buy good stuff and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

The thing is, before I started all of this, I'd compromise a lot, eat stuff mindlessly, low quality more often than not. Nowadays I don't skimp on quality, I figure I'm still saving money over what I used to spend on junk food. I don't want a Big Mac if there's triple cream goat cheese, beautiful prawns and gorgeous produce at home.

When dining out I figure out what I'll do beforehand and count calories. Same with parties, I plan it out, eat before I go and tend to end up snacking on a veggie platter.

ETA: I wanted to add that starting any new habit can be tedious at first. If notebooks don't work for you, try online software and vice-versa. Give it a few weeks, it's really not a task at all once you become accustomed to it.

I have a high calorie day once a week, but I count the calories for it - so I have some measure of control. For me, if I give myself a 'free' day - it gets ugly fast, and then getting back on track afterwards is very difficult. At my current weight - I am lucky to have a 1/2 pound weight loss in a week. I could easily consume that 1/2 pound on an unplanned day. An extra 1750 calories is super easy to eat, and if I didn't keep track it could easily be an extra 2500 in a day.

So, I have that high calorie day, which usually means dinner out, and I normally split a dessert with DH. Desserts are really treats for me now - and I enjoy them a *lot* LOL!

I did the same thing retire described with a 'cheat day' when I was in active weight loss mode - I planned in one day each week with higher calories and I still counted and logged them.

Now that I'm maintaining I'm still trying to find my stride. I've been afraid to do one higher calorie day, but since I just got back from vacation with three 2000-2200 days and maintained weight I feel a little more comfortable. :)

no experience this time around as I just got started again a week and a half ago..

but in the past I did this. I had one day usually Saturdays where I ate what i wanted in moderation all day long. It didnt work. I eventually started thinking i could eat whatever whenever.

So this time around im going to allow myself one meal like posted above each week and thats it. Im hoping this will work and ill still lose weight..

you could try it and if it doesnt work stop, do whatever works for you!

I don't have any no count days or meals. I use calorieking to log everything. I do, however, on occasion eat a meal or something that is high in calories, but I still count it. Even if I eat somewhere that I have no idea what the calorie count is in what I'm eating (like a meal at a friend's house for example), I just estimate.

I can't think in terms of having a whole "day". When we started dating 4 years ago my DH had a cheat day (and it lasted allllll day) and it just did a number on me- not only diet-wise, but emotionally, too. As far as working something off plan into my diet, it's usually in terms of a meal or a treat. Like tonight we're having hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps. I'll be good for a couple of days on that ;)

I have tried entire days of eating whatever I wanted. It was during a 'girls day out.' I felt miserable afterwards so I haven't repeated that experiment. I do have high days when I eat on (usually once a week) and I try and estimate the high meal and keep tract of everything else.

I stopped counting calories or got very sloppy with it for a couple of days when I was sick. But I was too sick and tired to care. Soon as I got better, I went back to work.

I don't like not counting calories because I worry so much about how much I'm eating. For me now, it's easier to count than to worry, even if I have to estimate occasionally when I eat out.

PhotoChick:

Most of my no count meals are from 5 Guys... they have the best fries around and like you said... this was it... I am usually full for the rest of the day. I don't go get ice cream, then have another huge meal later at home. It works for me...

I should also note that during the first 4-month's of my weight lose, I had no cheat days. It was important for me to recondition my mind to eat better and not automatically head for the junk food.

I have a meal that I don't count, but not a whole day. I'm kinda with Lori Bell on this one, I feel like I'm cheating myself too much. You work so hard all week trying to stay on track & eat healthy, why ruin it? And ruin it for what? A piece of cake? No thanks, I'd rather wear the size 10 jeans that have been sitting in my closet since I become to fat to wear them 6 years ago!!! But different things work for different people. If you can do it, and want too, then go ahead. But if you notice that you are not happy with what you are losing, that should def be the fist thing to change!

Since I have just started trying to lose again I don't think I will allow myself a cheat anything(meal or day). Maybe once I have continually lost for a while I will. Hoping I forget what OIP pizza tastes like:)

I count calories every day . I don't find it nearly as tedious as it would be if I regained 83 pounds.