[aeliz24]

I'm not talking where you load up on greasy, fatty foods and binge, but if I am aiming for 1400-1500 calories, will a day of, say, 2000 calories be beneficial? Someone was telling me that if I constantly eat 1400 calories my body will get used to running off of that and stop losing weight, or at least severely slow down the weight loss. If I had a day every so often (not too often) where I eat a bit more it will trick my body and help with my metabolism?

[PamC]

Yes, it might. I think the body gets used to whatever you do consistently, and it's not a bad idea to surprise it now and then, to maybe stimulate the metabolism into a higher gear. I remember reading an article about this years ago when I was doing weight watchers and hearing about the whendie plan where on one day she ate much more than the other days and it helped move her off the plateau her body was stuck at. You could easily try this with calorie counting in the way you mentioned. Here's the article if you want to read more.

http://www.stormpc.com/ww/wendie_plan.htm

[out from under]

It may, it may not. You've got to try it to see where you end up! Personally, though, I had three days of eating whatever I wanted during Christmas. Two weeks later I weighed in. The results? 5lbs gone! Mind you I had been on the same weight for a couple of months before this woosh.

I have no idea if it was actually the direct result of upping my calories for a while, but I'm not complaining lol!

[hiddenstar]

It works for me and i am your same height. 2000 is my maintenance calories so it doesnt hurt. I dont plan which day but usually 1 or 2 days a week i feel extra hungry so i will eat more but only up to maintenance.

[Silverfire]

I think its important to have a cheat day if not for physical reasons, for mental ones. Every once and a while I think you need to treat yourself to things you normally wouldn't. The challenging part for me is not having treat days 2 or 3 in a row! As long as you stay on track in the long run, treating yourself shouldn't be bad!

[mccull83]

Originally Posted by Silverfire

I think its important to have a cheat day if not for physical reasons, for mental ones.

I totally agree that having a cheat day helps mentally! Also, on the Biggest Loser last season (the TV show), Bob Harper talked about having a day every month that is a little higher calories which would help "mix it up for your metabolism", and this is beneficial whether you are trying to loose or maintain.
I say "go for it!" as long as it doesn't cause problems with continued binging

[RavenWolf]

I'm petrified of having a cheat day and getting myself into trouble! Yesterday I thought I was going to have a cheat day by wanting and having dessert, but I still stayed within calories! Hahahaha! Thanks to my husband for bringing me home Weight Watchers ice cream for the dessert!

I just don't know if I can have a cheat day. I'm worried I will spiral and go down the weight gain path again.

[betsy2013]

A cheat day definitely doesn't have to be the chips and dip and all those other things that got us here. It can be adding 200-500 calories; i.e., having a multigrain slice of toast with breakfast or two ounces of cheese for a snack instead of one. I've found that when I "cheat" that as long as I keep it within what I now view to be the good foods, then I can stay on plan. And mentally, I feel like I've gotten away with something.......my mom who had eyes in the back of her head is laughing at that statement!