Just remember that even if you decide not to count calories for a day, your body still counts them anyway. Before I tried to lose this weight I had puzzled nutritionists on how I was able to maintain 265 lbs when I generally ate 1800-2000 calories per day of a very balanced diet. When I started tracking every single day, I found that about every 10 days I was eating 4000 calories extra which was cancelling any deficit I had going. Perfect formula for maintaining.

Now that I've really grasped the math, there are times that I sometimes choose to have one of those high calorie days (generally restaurant meal with new guy) BUT I know I'm chosing to not lose any weight that week by making that choice.

I've chosen this way of eating as one I can do for the rest of my life so this trade off is fine with me, but for some folks slowing their rate of loss discourages them from continuing.

When I first started here, I met a woman named IdealMuse, I adore her by the way and she gave me the best piece of advice ever. She told me that a huge percentage of those who are successful (she was referring to those who had lost 100+ pounds) could count on one hand how many "cheat" days, they had in a year. And so that's what I did.
The first one, I went crazy, ate and ate, anything and everything I wanted to. And then I was sick as a dog, I mean really, the bathroom and I were best friends for like two days. The second one..well was more interesting..what I thought I wanted, what I was dying to have...well it tasted like crap. I had a McDonald's cheeseburger..which is something I used to love, ok maybe be addicted to...it was gross. I ate three bites and then through it away. Reeses cups-my version of crack-also disappointing, somehow they lost their luster. We went out for Chinese...that we were all happy with.
My final three are Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You know what...I don't miss it, I thought I would but I don't. Haven't craved a donut in months. You have to do what works for you but once you see those numbers on the scale getting lower and lower and your pants getting baggier and baggier, it's just not like it was before. It's not comfort anymore, it's just food.

I'm one of those 1 hand counters...while I was losing. My birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas that first year. Though I have to admit, each was divine...because it was excellent food and not just crap from a fast food joint or a candy bar so full of preservatives that it can sit on s store shelf for months before the expiration date hits.

I think this is really a "to each his own" deal. I personally didn't "cheat" because I wanted the weight off yesterday. I knew every time I did go off plan it would take longer to reach my goal. I simply didn't want to go off plan. I didn't feel cheated, or deprived because I chose to eat healthfully 99% of the time. I was also highly motivated and I knew that once I allowed myself a mini candy bar or a 100 calorie snack pack of cookies I would not stop. I'm a junk food junkie...and one is never enough. I didn't want to take a chance. I am a sugar addict clear and simple. I don't need sugar to live, just like an alcoholic doesn't need booze to live. SO..."cheating" wasn't in my cards.

I think sometimes when a spouse or significant other tries to get us to go off plan it's because they miss their eating partner. They start feeling guilty eating crap by themselves and want a co-dependant.

I don't have a regular cheat day. I have been going strong since the end of May this year, and there has only been one day since then that I went way off plan. That was when I was on a beach vacation in July. I ate wonderfully the whole week, we cooked at our beach house and I stayed on plan. We went out to a really nice restaurant one night while we were there, and I gave myself pre-meditated permission to go a little overboard, after I had made a solemn promise to myself that when we left that restaurant, that was it, done, back to plan. I kept my promise to myself (even though I really did have to fight those demons over it!), and now as I think back on it, it was really worth it. I ordered a broiled fish for my main course, but I indulged in some of the fresh crab dip appetizer, had a couple of my brother's fried oysters and scallops, a bit of my daughter's pasta alfredo, and shared a piece of key lime pie with my stepmom. Those oysters tasted like the sea itself, absolutely sublime. Key lime pie is my fave, and they sure knew how to make it. I did not waste one single calorie on something that wasn't completely amazing, or something I could get any old day. Fond memories of that meal. And in 2 years or so when we go back to that same beach, I may just go there and do it again!

Now in contrast, I was at work on Labor Day, and there's always a potluck of total junk food on every holiday at work. I guess it's supposed to cheer us up since we have to be at work!! Anyway, I was actually getting pressure from some of the girls to "oh, just go ahead, one time won't hurt". I'm sorry, but some boxed brownies or crusty crock-pot meatballs does NOT qualify for my "one time won't hurt" criteria. If I'm gonna go off plan for it, it's going to be the VERY best.

Geez, I'm so wordy. Sorry!

Shannon, I really like your style!

Thanks Lori, that means a lot coming from you!

So pinkpolkadot, what's your cheat/splurge policy gonna be -- did you figure it out yet?

Pinkpolkadot, I am curious too on what you have decided to do. I am another who does not do cheat days. I can easily cancel out a whole week's deficit in one day. I do calorie cycle. I get 1200 - 1250 calories during the week and then on 2 days, usually the weekend, I have 1500 calories.

There have been times when I was tempted to just not count but I remember something I have heard here many times. Like caryesings said even if you decide not to count calories for a day, your body still counts them anyway. It is important for me to be honest with myself and keep as accurate a calorie count as possible.

I have decided to count calories everyday..for health reasons and a little bit of obsession . I like knowing what is going into my body. Plus my Dr. started me on Metformin last week so I have to watch what I eat even more now. So, no splurging or cheating for me. Everything is going down in my food journal and ever calorie is going to be counted. My husband and I still go out to eat but I always look up calories before we go. Thank you all for your advice

I try to not let what I ate ruin the day. I spent thousands of humdrum run of the mill days eating like it was a special occasion-take out, chips, snacks willy nilly. The next day, I would do the same. I see now that most days what I eat doesn't really matter, in that I'm not going to remember it, so why not have 1500 calories instead of 3400?

When it comes to special days I will remember I don't want to look back and say "Jeez, I would have had so much more fun at Rob and Erin's wedding if I hadn't been freaking out about my calorie count!" Nor do I want to say "Oh man, I feel so guilty about the day I went to their wedding! I pigged out!" I try to relax a little and enjoy the occasion and making eating choices that will not overshadow the actual import of the day one way or another.

I have one day -usually Sat - where I don't count points or calories. I eat instinctively and once I am full, I stop. We usually go out to eat on Saturdays so I order whatever I want. I have noticed that now that I am truly in tune with my body, I eat much less.

I allow myself certain days that I will have one meal with a "treat".

For example, I just had a birthday so I gave myself permission to go to my favorite restaurant, have the meal that I really wanted and eat a piece of chocolate cake. I refuse to feel guilty and I got right back on program.

I will not let myself do that very often - but if there is a special occasion, I will let myself have a special meal. I know myself well enough to know that if I feel deprived, I will just keep overeating. By giving myself this flexibility occasionally, it really keeps me from binging.

Hi Brand new and looking to change things. Can anyone recommend a treat that tastes great but has the least penalty in dead calories? I like sweet or savory things so ice cream or a slice of pizza, both of which are no good are the sorts of things I am looking for substitutes for.

I usually make a point of planning and accounting for any indulgences I allow myself, so that I stay well within my calories and still manage to lose. On Friday, however, my friends from school said we should go for dinner, no one could decide where, and I said "well I'll just eat reasonably, use good judgement, and enjoy myself." Yeah. That didn't work at ALL. They picked me up way later than I normally eat, the service at the restaurant was atrociously slow, and by the time my food came the plan of "eat half and take half home" was out the window. Saturday another group of us went bowling, and it didn't occur to me to bring my own snacks because after 3 hours at the bowling alley I was starving, and there was only crap at the bowling alley diner. After two days of eating crap (even though I technically stayed within my calories, it was right up near the max) it was agony to get back on plan Sunday and Monday. Today's going a little easier... but... this is a slap in the face reminder of why I make a plan, and stick to it. It makes my life so much easier.