Can someone explain why my weight goes down about a lb 1-2 days after a cheat day? The weight doesn't go up on/after the cheat day so I don't think I'm retaining and then losing water; I lose about a lb below my weight before the cheat day right after the cheat day...

I can't give you an exact explanation but I can tell you if you worry to much about the scale says, You'll go insane.

I can't give you an exact explanation but I can tell you if you worry to much about the scale says, You'll go insane.

Agreed, don't worry about the scale that much. General trends -- the scale is helpful. Day to day -- no help with the scale. I weight myself 4 or 5 times each week, and I chart my weight. It goes up and down and all around, but from week to week and certainly from month to month, it is moving in the right direction. That's how a scale can be used properly.

Cheat days usually increase your metabolism. When you go back to your regular "diet" your body is still wanting more calories.

This is at least the mechanism behind it. Of course if you eat 6000 calories on your cheat day you will do moe damage than good.

Can someone explain why my weight goes down about a lb 1-2 days after a cheat day? The weight doesn't go up on/after the cheat day so I don't think I'm retaining and then losing water; I lose about a lb below my weight before the cheat day right after the cheat day...


I second the metabolism answer. While on a lower calorie diet (or a high activity exercise jag) your body is slowly working away at it's reserves. But at the same time it is paying attention and noting that it isn't getting enough to maintain it's current weight/metabolism. So, it considers slowing down. When you have a cheat day, it perks back up - realizes it has enough to keep itself going, and thus speeds itself back up. (plus it wants to handle those extra calories)

Sometimes a metabolism is more like a ball. You can give it a shove and it starts off quick, but then it slows down. Sometimes it just needs a little push. Hence Cheat day. Though, as stated - if you over do or do it too frequently, it will work against you instead.

All of these reasons is why cycling your calories (zig-zagging etc) is so effective for so many people.