Cheat meal to boost metabolism?
 

I've heard several experts say that you should implement a carefully constructed and well-planned 'cheat meal' once a week to boost your metabolism so you don't plateau with your weight loss.

Has anyone done this and does it work? I'm on the fence about it. In theory, it sounds correct but I've been eating so cleanly lately that I'm afraid I'd feel sick to my stomach afterwards.

Thanks in advance for your responses. :)

LOL, I hope that's true. I'll gladly implement a cheat meal! Or maybe I already do, hahahahahaha.

Interested to see what others have to say!

I usually have a whoosh a few days after a cheat if I get right back on track and work out a little extra, so, it could work, plus if it's carefully constructed you can address all your cravings and circumvent a binge.

Fitmom, I have done that many times before and it has always worked for me. Especially if I have hit a plateau. Just be careful that the cheat meal doesnt turn into a cheat day or cheat week!! :)

I'm kind of at a plateau now so that sounds like something I could do. I've come too far to have it totally blow my progress, lol. It does sound like it would temporarily rev up your metabolism and get you over the hump, so to speak. Obviously, it worked for you so maybe I'll give it a try. Thanks.

I wonder if having a cheat meal could be almost considered as calorie cycling. Anyone know?

Calorie cycling takes the number of calories you would eat over the course of a week and divides them differently across the various days of the week. It's more like a higher calorie day, lower calorie day and so forth, rather than a "cheat meal" so-to-speak. You still average the same amount of calories over a week, you just eat a different amount everyday.

christine123: I didn't think so but thanks for clarifying. I don't think calorie cycling is for me. I think I'll stick with what I've been doing so far. Cheat meal it is! LOL.