Cheat Day- How many calories more?

[Johan]

Hi everyone.

I'd like to know how many calories more a "cheat day" should be, compared to a regular weekday? 500 more? 1000 more?

Thanks,
Johan.

[jaz75]

Originally Posted by Johan

Hi everyone.

I'd like to know how many calories more a "cheat day" should be, compared to a regular weekday? 500 more? 1000 more?

Thanks,
Johan.

I'm also wondering, how about beer for a cheat meal? Calorie-wise it seemes better than for example chocolate, 35g chocolate is about the same amount of calories that .5 liter of beer!! But is there something about alcohol wich makes it worse than other things?

[rein]

I have read in more than one place that it is not good to go over or under your normal caloric intake by more than 500 in one day. Some places have said even lower than 500. I'm not sure if that defeats a cheat day though since the theory is a cheat day shocks the body and let's it know it is not starving. I don't know much about cheat days but I will sometimes eat anything I want but keep it in a normal sized portion. The point is, I don't over eat and get stuffed but I still get to enjoy something I wouldn't normally eat. I hope someone else can answer a little more clearly for you than I did.

[Nate]

When I cheat, I stay within my caloric guidelines - I just eat different foods that aren't really clean.

[Two Step]

As far as the beer, it is not so much the caloric value of the beer as the effect that consuming it can have on your system as a whole. For one, alcohol is a depressent, i.e. it slows down your metabolism. Another drawback is that it also is a diruetic, that is it will leave your body in a dehydrated state - which also lowers your metabolism. However, probably the most common problem is that beer lowers your will power to resist other junky/high calorie foods.

In regards as to the excess calories in a cheat day, I would aim for 300-500 above your maintenance level.

[Jim]

Saturday, home drinking with friends, 300 calories every two beers or so. 6 beers I take, and thats um... 900 calories, and probably about 400 calories from food. Meh.

[jaz75]

Originally Posted by Jim

Saturday, home drinking with friends, 300 calories every two beers or so. 6 beers I take, and thats um... 900 calories, and probably about 400 calories from food. Meh.

I've been out four days in a row, and not touched a drop of alcohol! I'm so proud of myself, all my friends just shake their heads and wonder when I will return to normal! haha.. We'll see, mabe june 1st..

[tantan]

Originally Posted by jaz75

I've been out four days in a row, and not touched a drop of alcohol! I'm so proud of myself, all my friends just shake their heads and wonder when I will return to normal! haha.. We'll see, mabe june 1st..

Well... Good Luck, Jaz75 !!

I also did not drink coffee (my fav drink) for a couple of days when I just started this "healthy Prgroam" Its just yesterday that I decided to give myself a break. But the feel is different. I dont seems to like the taste as much as I like it in the past, and I even dont feel comfortable after finishing the whole cup !!!

Oh my, what the hell is happening to me ?????

[Johan]

Originally Posted by Two Step

As far as the beer, it is not so much the caloric value of the beer as the effect that consuming it can have on your system as a whole. For one, alcohol is a depressent, i.e. it slows down your metabolism. Another drawback is that it also is a diruetic, that is it will leave your body in a dehydrated state - which also lowers your metabolism. However, probably the most common problem is that beer lowers your will power to resist other junky/high calorie foods.

In regards as to the excess calories in a cheat day, I would aim for 300-500 above your maintenance level.

Hi.

So is there a difference between cheatdays in maintenance periods versus cheatdays in fatloss periods?

Thanks,
Johan.

[Two Step]

Originally Posted by Johan

Hi.

So is there a difference between cheatdays in maintenance periods versus cheatdays in fatloss periods?

Thanks,
Johan.

I suppose it can depend on several factors, but I will give you my reasoning. You have a "maintenance" caloric level, where you would neither gain nor lose any weight. As soon as you begin to diet, i.e. drop your caloric intake below the maintenance level (say by 500 Kcal) your metabolism will begin to slow down and compensate for the reduction in calories. If your aim is to make a cheat day "beneficial" in that is shocks the system and jumpstarts your metabolism you are going to have to base the number of calories you eat on the amount of calories necessary to maintain the body's status quo - the maintenance level. That is why I suggest using this figure, whether or not you are maintaining or cutting. Obviously, in a bulking cycle you do not need to worry because you are easily consuming enough cals to keep the metabolism fired up.

[Johan]

Originally Posted by Two Step

I suppose it can depend on several factors, but I will give you my reasoning. You have a "maintenance" caloric level, where you would neither gain nor lose any weight. As soon as you begin to diet, i.e. drop your caloric intake below the maintenance level (say by 500 Kcal) your metabolism will begin to slow down and compensate for the reduction in calories. If your aim is to make a cheat day "beneficial" in that is shocks the system and jumpstarts your metabolism you are going to have to base the number of calories you eat on the amount of calories necessary to maintain the body's status quo - the maintenance level. That is why I suggest using this figure, whether or not you are maintaining or cutting. Obviously, in a bulking cycle you do not need to worry because you are easily consuming enough cals to keep the metabolism fired up.

Ah ok, interesting info - thanks!

// Johan.