cheat day?

[myabigail]

I'm on Day 13 of induction, and I think I'm going to stay in induction for awhile because I've actually enjoyed it. Besides, I kind of messed up in the middle with some Atkins bars, and it knocked me out of ketosis for a few days.

Anyway... the point is that I have this event to go to next week -- a wine & chocolate tasting. obviously, this will put me way off plan for that day.

Is it OK to do this and then go back to ketosis as quickly as possible? I don't want to let my friend down by not going. It's a pretty big deal to him.

[not2late]

Re: cheat day?

I'm on Day 13 of induction, and I think I'm going to stay in induction for awhile because I've actually enjoyed it. Besides, I kind of messed up in the middle with some Atkins bars, and it knocked me out of ketosis for a few days.

Anyway... the point is that I have this event to go to next week -- a wine & chocolate tasting. obviously, this will put me way off plan for that day.

Is it OK to do this and then go back to ketosis as quickly as possible? I don't want to let my friend down by not going. It's a pretty big deal to him.

Some people will tell you to go ahead, one little day off plan won't set you back at all. In fact, they do it all the time and they're losing weight. So go ahead and do it because you don't want to disappoint your friend and you don't want to be a party-pooper if you won't eat or drink anything while you are there. But please note, some of these people aren't even close to goal and/or have started and restarted so many times that they are perpetually on Induction.

Dr. Atkins wrote in Induction Rule #5 "Eat nothing that is not on the acceptable foods list. And that means absolutely nothing! Your "just this one taste won't hurt" rationalization is the kiss of failure during this phase of Atkins."

During my Induction and my OWL, I attended wine tasting events like these. I opted to be the designated driver for my group. While they indiscriminately downed glasses of reds and whites, I spoke with the vinters and learned about the wines. My companions couldn't have cared if they were drinking reislings or riojas. So I got more out of it than they did.

[myabigail]

Re: cheat day?

Goodness. The problem is that my friend is a chocalatier, so the chocolate tasting is really the big thing for him. Fortunately, it's not full glasses of wine or tons of chocolate -- very European, small pieces -- more about quality than quantity. I honestly think I would offend him if I didn't taste the chocolates. The wine tasting is more about the glasses (Reidel) than the wine itself -- so I can get away with a few sips without appearing rude.

I'm thinking the equivalent of 1/2 glass of wine and a few bites of chocolate -- probably the equivalent of 3-4 Hershey's kisses.

[Georgiana]

Re: cheat day?

Is it OK to do this and then go back to ketosis as quickly as possible?

No, it is not okay to do this and you know it. Your theory is perfect, but in practice, things are a little more complicated. If we all had such an excellent control of our food choices and portion sizes, none of us would have gotten fat in the first place.

The problem is that my friend is a chocalatier, so the chocolate tasting is really the big thing for him.

I think the problem here is that you care more about your friend's feelings than about your own health. If your friend really cares about you, I am sure he would understand why you cannot taste the chocolate. We are not bashing you here. We have seen many members on the Board do what you plan on doing. You know what happens to most of them? They go out of ketosis, overeat, make some bad food choices... until they completely fall off the wagon and we either never see them again or we see them coming back after a few weeks/months/years, heavier than they were when they first started. As Megs put it, we could tell you "Oh, it's okay to eat a few chocolates and drink some wine. Have a little fun, nothing bad will happen. You'll get back on track the next day and you'll be back in ketosis in 2-3 days. Not a big deal at all. The stuff written in the book is just for folks with an eating disorder, for people unable to control their appetite." But we are not telling you this, and that's not because we like exaggerating or you, but because experience tells us otherwise and we want you to succeed in reaching a healthier weight.

I'm thinking the equivalent of 1/2 glass of wine and a few bites of chocolate -- probably the equivalent of 3-4 Hershey's kisses.

In 1/2 glass of wine and 3-4 chocolates, there are 10-15 g of sugar. This amount could kick you out of ketosis. I've replied to another thread of yours where you had this problem, so you know what happens -- cravings & constant hunger. Is it worth it? You're the only one who can tell. We've told you what the dangers are and we've told you what is our experience with "cheat days". Now that you have this information, it is you that has to decide what you are going to do.

[EverLosing]

Re: cheat day?

I'm on Day 13 of induction, and I think I'm going to stay in induction for awhile because I've actually enjoyed it. Besides, I kind of messed up in the middle with some Atkins bars, and it knocked me out of ketosis for a few days.

Anyway... the point is that I have this event to go to next week -- a wine & chocolate tasting. obviously, this will put me way off plan for that day.

Is it OK to do this and then go back to ketosis as quickly as possible? I don't want to let my friend down by not going. It's a pretty big deal to him.

You're getting some tough love on the board tonight!!! BUT, sorry, they are right. I'm 3 months in and 3 months ago, I couldn't have imagined my birthday without birthday cake. Well, guess what? I was presented a huge birthday cake at work by somebody who forgot my birthday and felt guilty. Guess what? I have a birthday cake. It's in fridge. I'm not touching it. I don't have enough coworkers who I like, so I brought the cake home for my son and my mom. I haven't even swiped any frosting. I'm sure I could have talked myself into not hurting any feelings and not letting the cake go to waste, but I am not going to touch it! It's too easy to fall off. I'm in OWL and barely losing right now. I'm not going to screw up what I've accomplished so far and I sure as heck will not sabotage my future success with the "just once" theory. PMS is here and I'm craving away...I will not allow myself to be overcome by it. It's mental. Purely mental. You have to decide what your health is worth to you. You said you already left ketosis once recently. How easy do you think it's going to be to slide back in?? It gets tougher each time for many people. I think this is your test. It's up to you.

[myabigail]

Re: cheat day?

OK then. There seems to be a lot of pent up frustration coming out here.

I have to tell you that I am not worried about over eating in this situation. I also don't feel that I need to make everyone I know adjust their lives & expectations because I'm trying to lose weight OR that it would be acceptable to (a) not go to this event that is a very big deal to my friend or (b) go and tell him that because I'm dieting, I am not going to taste his chocolate. Why in the world would I hurt my friend's feelings that way? My weight is my issue, not his.

Yes, of course I realize that it will knock me out of ketosis and that it will take 2-3 days to get back into ketosis. But honestly, this is a small price to pay for not spoiling my friend's big event. This is completely different than not eating the cake purchased by a guilty co-worker -- this is a friend, who is putting a lot of time, effort & love into an important event. This would be a snub of my friend's talent and time. This is not about fulfilling a craving on my part, but fulfilling a duty of friendship.

If this one event is going to ruin my weight loss on Atkins for life, then I'd say it's a pretty useless program.

In the end, the proof is in the pudding, and I certainly intend to prove all of you wrong. I understand the consequences of my actions, and I still feel that it is the right thing to do.

[Slapshot]

Re: cheat day?

As a fellow inductioner, I recommend that you not eat a bite of chocolate or a sip of wine.

As a fellow human being who has relationships with people who are important to me, I recommend that you go to the event, enjoy yourself, eat as little as possible without appearing rude, and then get right back on it the next day. It's not as if you're asking permission to go out to an all you can eat chinese buffet and intend to go up a half dozen times for some chicken wings, egg foo yong and dumplings. The fact that you've put *so* much thought into this analysis suggests to me that if you feel like you hurt your friend as a result of your choices, you'd start to resent this WOE, and frankly, in induction, what you propose to put in your mouth at that event pales in comparision to feeling lousy and resenting this WOE, which in the long run, might be more inclined to "throw you out of ketosis" than some nibbles and sips.

This is a special event. You can't lose yourself while you're trying so hard to lose your "self."

[EverLosing]

Re: cheat day?

OK then. There seems to be a lot of pent up frustration coming out here.

I have to tell you that I am not worried about over eating in this situation. I also don't feel that I need to make everyone I know adjust their lives & expectations because I'm trying to lose weight OR that it would be acceptable to (a) not go to this event that is a very big deal to my friend or (b) go and tell him that because I'm dieting, I am not going to taste his chocolate. Why in the world would I hurt my friend's feelings that way? My weight is my issue, not his.

Yes, of course I realize that it will knock me out of ketosis and that it will take 2-3 days to get back into ketosis. But honestly, this is a small price to pay for not spoiling my friend's big event. This is completely different than not eating the cake purchased by a guilty co-worker -- this is a friend, who is putting a lot of time, effort & love into an important event. This would be a snub of my friend's talent and time. This is not about fulfilling a craving on my part, but fulfilling a duty of friendship.

If this one event is going to ruin my weight loss on Atkins for life, then I'd say it's a pretty useless program.

In the end, the proof is in the pudding, and I certainly intend to prove all of you wrong. I understand the consequences of my actions, and I still feel that it is the right thing to do.

First off, it wasn't a guilty coworker...it was my grandmother, more valuable than any coworker or friend....

I don't think anyone had any pent up frustration except the OP. I guess we assumed by the question mark you typed after cheat day....that you were asking for advice. Sounds like you made up your mind before you finished typing your original post which makes me wonder why you posted. We thought you wanted opinions.

You were given great advice by all. No one is trying to make you feel guilty or beat you up for doing this. We're just trying to save you some frustration. You're in induction. You've left ketosis once already according to you. Deviating from plan once and then....again, makes for a pattern. So, go for it. Enjoy. I sincerely hope it doesn't set you back but been there, done that. So has everybody else here that gave you great advice.

[myabigail]

Re: cheat day?

Thank you, Slapshot.

Great work so far, by the way.

[Slapshot]

Re: cheat day?

No problem. Thanks for the kudos on the 12 lbs so far. I've been good....!

I know others will question my opinion as it goes against the book. I wasn't writing to give you a sense of "permission" or anything like that. As an inductioner, I think you're making a short term mistake. But, there was enough angst in your post that I am convinced you can go the event and come back into ketosis.

EverLosing's posts have made me think some more about the issue, and I can definitely see where she's coming from. This is a tough one and I posted after thinking that you resenting this WOE would have a worse long term effect on you than the indulgences. That's just my un-scientific opinion based on 36 years of being a guy, nothing more than that!

[myabigail]

Re: cheat day?

EverLosing,

Before coming to this board, I bought some Atkins products, including some Day Break bars. I found, through experience and the advice on this board, that the Day Break bars can throw you out of ketosis, even though the box says they are OK for Phase I. I didn't have any reason to doubt the Atkins product claims when I purchased them, but now I do. I'm not sure that makes for a 'pattern.' As soon as I realized what was going wrong, I made the necessary adjustment.

You're right -- I shouldn't have asked for advice in this forum for the issue of my friend's event when I already knew what was the 'right' thing to do in the situation. I guess, more than anything, I was looking for support & encouragment -- people who had dealt with similar situations and been able to get back up on the horse, so to speak.

I appreciate everyone's input. I also appreciate that learning to recover from the curve balls life sometimes throws is a very important aspect of any WOL or WOE. I know I'm going to have to get off my horse for my friend's sake. I'm just looking for the best way to make sure I get right back on and ride into the sunset.

[IrishIrish]

Re: cheat day?

It sounds like you have already made up your mind. Don't be surprised if you regain whatever you have worked to lose. I don't take those chances because I knew that I had lots of slippery slopes that could send me crashing, but I may only have one recovery from overeating ... and that just isn't a chance I'm willing to take to keep "friends" happy.

[imagood1]

Re: cheat day?

someone already said what I feel -- you've already made up your mind so do what you must do to not feel bad....meanwhile we will be here staying on plan.

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: cheat day?

hello!

I just was cruising the boards and came across this thread...and I just want to say that asking to cheat on this board is almost like a death sentence...we are all here because for one reason or another we want to lose weight. when we are told, "here is a plan on how to do that - and here are the RULES you must FOLLOW in order to do that" - and everyone follows those rules, then no one is really going to say, "go ahead and cheat, it's ok" because it's not.

If you really want to commit to a new healthy lifestyle then that means giving up certain things such as wine and chocolate (until you are ready to add them back in) but that is NOT during induction.

there's no need to get offended when you ask on a board like this for "permission" to cheat - even just a little - when the RULES strictly say "no cheating, not even one bite".

I understand your feelings for your friend - but like someone said, you need to explain that right now you are choosing not to eat certain foods that you know will put weight on your body.

Anyone who's been successful on the atkins diet KNOWS that "just one bite" is NEVER "just one bite". The plan works. It does - we can all attest to that - but if you also ask - pretty much anyone who HAS had a "cheat day" will tell you #1 it's NOT worth it and #2 they've usually always gained something back and it takes forever to get those pounds off.

like someone else said earlier, if we were all able to actually "deal" with cheat days and NOT gain weight / maintain our weight - then no one would be here and this board would not exist.

I wish you all the luck though in whatever decision you make.

[Zarabelle]

Re: cheat day?

Hi there

I am not sure what response you were expecting?!! This is a support board and people are always going to try and talk you out of a cheat.

I honestly wish you the best of luck and hope that your friend's event goes well and that you have a nice time. If it was me, I would avoid the chocolate and have one glass of wine and make it last. The wine will be less damaging than the chocolate.

It's entirely up to you what you decide to do but I doubt you will find anyone on here telling you to go for it and that it will be OK! If I cheat, it takes me three weeks to get back to where I was weightwise - I am talking about one cheat meal. It's just not worth it to me.

Zx