Cheat Days – Are They OK?

sophiegw

5 years ago

There is a lot of controversy around the allusive term “Cheat Day.” Personally, I don’t mind the term, but I’ve seen some people get their knickers in a right twist about it! Listen, I’m from the “You Do You” camp so if you incorporate a “Cheat Day” into your lifestyle then you are a grown-ass adult and you can make that decision.

Can You Have A Cheat Day On Slimming World and Lose Weight?

I’ve been sharing my weekly Slimming World updates here on my blog and over on my social media channels. I update my Instagram stories quite regularly with what I am up to and what I am eating. I mentioned last week that I have had a takeaway on a Saturday night despite still following the Slimming World plan. On the back of this, I had a few messages from people asking if it was ok to have a “Cheat Day?” Personally, I don’t class this as a “Cheat Day.” I follow food optimising throughout the week strictly, and if I am honest, I tend not to have many syns mid-week. At the weekend if I have a takeaway, I syn it accordingly.

I am still losing weight, and I think this is mostly down to the fact I am recording and logging everything I eat. By doing this, I can stay on top of my syns, and I am fully aware of what I am putting into my body. If I had a week where I used most of my syns each day, then I wouldn’t have a takeaway on a Saturday because it is all about balance in my eyes. I’m the type of person that if you tell me I can’t have something, then I will go crazy and then eventually end up binging on something completely unhealthy anyway. When I have a takeaway, I make an appropriate choice from the menu, and as I have said before, I use my syns accordingly.

I wouldn’t consider this a “Cheat Day”, but I don’t see Slimming World as a diet but a lifestyle so there isn’t anything to “Cheat” on as such. Will I do this every week? No, absolutely not, but I think if it works for you, there is no harm in doing it every once in a while.

Cheat Days

You have to be careful with the term “Cheat Day”, and it would be irresponsible of me to encourage people to have binge style days. That kind of yo-yo-ing isn’t healthy, and it certainly isn’t balanced. Nor is it what I am doing. Having a bit of something you really fancy or want like a dessert if you go out to dinner is absolutely fine. I think a significant factor should be how it makes you feel. Having something you enjoy shouldn’t leave you feeling bad or guilty – if it does, there is something wrong.

Do What Works For You

This works for me, but it won’t necessarily work for everybody. Slimming World doesn’t advise saving up your syns and using them on the weekend, for example. Still, if you ask around any group, you will find people that do this and successfully lose weight without issue. I think the key is to log and syn everything and then evaluate the results on the scales.

The important thing is to avoid binging no matter what eating plan you are following that type of relationship with food is unhealthy. Remember, Slimming World is about changing your mindset and attitude towards food. There are soooo soooo many Fakeaway recipes or low syn dessert style foods that are a great way to have a treat but stay on plan but still have a treat.