When to have the "cheat meal" day ?

[arbit]

I'm cutting right now.
My schedule is:
Wednesday : Lats/back
Friday:Chest/shoulders
Sunday: Legs

Cardio usually on thursdays/saturday, sometime tuesdays.

Sunday is the hardest day training wise
I'd like ti schedule the cheat day so I reap the most benefit from the squats.

The candidates are: 1)saturday - this way I get to replenish some glycogen.
or 2)Sunday - Hardest day, so eating more on that day will lead to more muscle gains on that day (and only that day).

Which day do you guys recommend to be the cheat day ?

[maverick]

I find it best not to schedule a cheat meal. If you schedule a cheat meal Monday and then you are put in a situation where you have to cheat later in the week, you've eaten more than yuo planned. Just let the cheat meals happen when they do.

[The Flash]

I agree with maverick, don't plan it out. If something comes up then I'll use my cheat meal for that occassion. If nothing comes up then I'll have my cheat meal sometime on Saturday. I prefer to have my cheat meal at the end of the week as a reward for eating clean during the week.

[arbit]

Its not really a cheat meal, but rather a cheat day. I dont eat complete junk food, but rather just eat more calories.

[Firehawk]

I disagree with both of the other posters in this one. Plan it. This has worked for me, including havign a cheat DAY and here I am at 259 now @ 23%bf, all time low, probably haven't been here since 9th grade.

Sometimes you may get the urge to cheat on another day (if this happens for me it's usually the day right after myc heat day). You will eventually come to a cross road where you feel the urge but need to resist it.

I prefer my cheat day to be Saturday. Sunday is also good (actually better but doesn't fit my schedule as well) because if you tough out Saturday, then come sunday you can chow and you don't have another day during the weekend where you might have too much time on your hands and want to cheat. I have been at this for so long now that I am really in such a rhythm it doesn't usually phase me anymore (very rarely). Durign the week, with work and all, I get into such a flow that I really never think about cheating. But, like I said, there's sometimes where you just have the urge. You'll have to learn to fight and resist that urge anyways whether you have a scheduled cheat day, cheat meal, or wahtever. Just my opinion.

I've also found lately, that I've had to adjust my cheat day calories a little bit since I'm getting significantly leaner now. I'm in alot better shape, and lighter, which means less effort to get the job done by my body, which means less calories burned. It takes alot less calories to run to the corner weighing 260 lbs than it does weighing 350. That said, I used to eat alot of sugary stuff on my cheat day, but over the past time I've been doing this, I've learned to getaway from alot of the stuff like ice cream, cookies, and cakes, etc. I think that when I eat more sugary stuff, even if it's the same calorie count as if I were to eat a bunch of fattening junk that isn't really high in sugar, I lose less at the end of my next week. I think this has to do with insulin levels. So anyways, my point is I think you coudl get away with eating more stuff on your cheat day if you are able to stay away from the high calorie sugary stuff. This seems to have been what I'm finding with my body anyway. When i was 300 lbs it didn't matter, I could eat tons of cookies, cake, ice cream, and also eat pizza and tacos that day and I'd still end up losing 3 lbs over the week. Now it matters.

Disclaimer: I also have a binge problem, alot of others dont' have this problem. So take my advice accordingly.

[Firehawk]

Oh I also wanted to add, that I've found a 50/30/20 pcf ratio to work the best for me, and believe me I've really tried alot of different diets. Ask Welch, he'll verify. I have had debates with him and told him all of my concerns. But it seems the 50/30/20 has worked the best for me and allowed my strength to stay up.

[.V.]

I'm doing two full cheat days with absolutely no cheats allowed through the week. My diet is a little different than most though. Like firehawk said, just experiment a bit and find the one that works best for your body and when you find it stick to it.

Most likely, if you want to plan a day with higher calories, more carbs, add a dessert, or whatever you are going to do differently - you would be better off to put it before your heaviest workout day of the week. That way you'll be more energetic and possibly stronger for it.

[gymgirl]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

I prefer my cheat day to be Saturday. Sunday is also good (actually better but doesn't fit my schedule as well) because if you tough out Saturday, then come sunday you can chow and you don't have another day during the weekend where you might have too much time on your hands and want to cheat. I have been at this for so long now that I am really in such a rhythm it doesn't usually phase me anymore (very rarely). Durign the week, with work and all, I get into such a flow that I really never think about cheating. But, like I said, there's sometimes where you just have the urge. You'll have to learn to fight and resist that urge anyways whether you have a scheduled cheat day, cheat meal, or wahtever. Just my opinion.

i agree with firehawk. i plan my meals (i do meals rather then days) I usualy have one cheat meal on fridays as a reward after a long week. then sometimes a second cheat meal on saturday as well. I, like firehawk find it easy to stick to my diet during the week because you get into a flow with work, training etc. and the weekend when i am more likely to go out or be lazy i start to crave comfort foods. I also usualy skip the cookies, cakes, sugar stuff and opt for saltier more satisfying foods, like ravioli, or mexican.

[Blazer man]

F*ck cheat meals!! If you must cheat...drink guiness!!

[Firehawk]

F Alcohol, just give me a bag of oreos.

[arbit]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

F Alcohol, just give me a bag of oreos.

:::::

[.V.]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

F Alcohol, just give me a bag of oreos.

I'll give you a bag that's missing 6. That's all I can handle at one sitting.

Now the burritos and tacos, I think I can hold my own with ya.

[Firehawk]

On my cheat day I used to get 2 big packages of Oreos (the packs with 3 long rows in them) and eat all of them at one time with a bunch of Vitamin D Milk. Dumb but YUM. I don't know why I did that crap but it was good while I was shoveling it down lol.

[arbit]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

On my cheat day I used to get 2 big packages of Oreos (the packs with 3 long rows in them) and eat all of them at one time with a bunch of Vitamin D Milk.

[Firehawk]

They used to call me Dave Tate. LOL