cheating or treating self?

[poppie]

I just read Livin La Low-carb by Jimmy Moore, he says that every 6-8 weeks to eat one meal of anything you want, is this cheating or treating? He also said that it would take a few days to get back to the weight at which it was done? what do you guys think of this, can this help a stall or hurt us?
poppie started 2/16/06 sw361cw342gw200

[Richt]

Re: cheating or treating self?

To cut a long response short!

yes it is cheating and it will potentially hurt you. It will more than likely knock you our of ketosis and give you the taste for the "bad foods" all over again.

DO NOT DO IT!!!!!

Rich

ps there are certain foods that I havent eaten now for 2.5 years! Why risk it?

[big_bad_john]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Just keep living lavida low Carb

or one day it could be

super fraga cajalistic ketoacidosis for you....

[I_WILL_Lose_Weight]

Re: cheating or treating self?

No no no! It is such a slippery slide...

There's something that someone has said here before that really inspires me to not get off track, and I think Cleo said it.

It went along like, "Your way of life pre-atkins is what got you this way. Why would you want to go back? Stop doing yourself badly by trying to revert back to your old life."

That isn't the exact quote, but it's what I got from it. Why eat the sweets and goodies when they're just going to add more to your weight?

:P A moment to the lips is a life time to the hips! And all atkins deserts are good Good luck!

[not2late]

Re: cheating or treating self?

I just read Livin La Low-carb by Jimmy Moore, he says that every 6-8 weeks to eat one meal of anything you want, is this cheating or treating? He also said that it would take a few days to get back to the weight at which it was done? what do you guys think of this, can this help a stall or hurt us?
poppie started 2/16/06 sw361cw342gw200

I think it depends on how you prioritize your life:

If eating a bag of potato chips is more important to you than losing weight, then you'll see this practice as a "self-treat" and helpful to your weight loss effort.

If weight loss is more important to you than a bag of chips, then you'll see this practice as a "cheat" and as counter-productive to your weight loss effort.

[Angseu]

Re: cheating or treating self?

You can call it whatever you want, but eating a "special" meal could set you back so too far to even consider it.
It could trigger cravings and that could take you right back to square 1, or even worse.

Not worth taking the chance.

[Tommy]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Hey all, I've missed everyone. Anyway at the risk of re-uniting and being flamed at the same time I'll have to say that the occasional reward/cheat meal is a good thing.

Now if the occasional snack turns in to snacking out of control thats a different story.

Let's face it, of course we can't eat 100% correct all the time and it makes sticking to the diet even harder and makes ya feeling like you failed if you do have an occasional treat.

I'd let your overall goals and your current progress dictate if this would be a benifit or not. The occasional cheat isnt to say go gorge to the point that you ruin your calorie deficit for the week, make sure you are continuing with your progress.

On something like extended induction (not during the 2 week induction though) I would allow myself pizza once every week or two. Overall I would still lose weight for the week and found at times that the cheat would actually boost my metabolism.

As for your question about it taking a few days to get back to the weight at which it is done. Lets face it, your not going to put pounds on by having one meal but you may and will probably start retaining water again which you could see as a drastic increase on the scale the next day.

[theredhead]

Re: cheating or treating self?

I think you need to remember too that Jimmy has been on maintainance for quite awhile and probably knows his limits well. Too bad we're not all there!

[Tommy]

Re: cheating or treating self?

I think you need to remember too that Jimmy has been on maintainance for quite awhile and probably knows his limits well. Too bad we're not all there!

Hi Red, if your referring to me as Jimmy I'll have to say I was speaking of while I was in a extended induction.

None the less as mentioned, knowing your limits is important and as I've already said I would defintely make sure I was still continuing with my progress. I logged everything and could see exactly if what I did stalled my weight loss or not.

[sunflowergrl]

Re: cheating or treating self?

If I went and ate pizza right now, it would take me weeks to get back to where I am now. Food is not a treat!! You should not 'reward' your hard work, by doing something that will set you back!! That is like telling a drug addict that if they can go 6 months without, they can have 'one hit'. This is a bad idea! If you want to reward yourself, buy yourself some new pants your couldn't fit into before. You can live just fine without cookies, cake, even pizza (which is the one food I miss). You need food to live, not live for food.

[2big4mysize]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Tommy she wasa refferring to Jimmie Moore the fellow quoted in the first topic who wrote Livin La Low-carb not you.

If you are a carboholic then ask yourself if that advice would apply to an alcoholic? would having a drinking night help them stay sobber? you know the answer is NO so if you are a carboholic or an emotional eater you know that as Dr Atkins says in rule 5 just one bite is the kiss of death. Besides there isn't any food or meal that can't be low carbed legally.

[sombersusie]

Re: cheating or treating self?

i think for most people it could be a disaster, like the smoker, who quit smoking months ago, says to himself, i'll just have one for memories sake....and then smokes the whole package. i'm thinking that would be me cept with oreos...

[Perry]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Personally I think it's OK to treat yourself to a meal/treat once in a while (if you have the discipline). This is a life long journey. A few slices of pizza or a Chinese dinner once every few months won't damage anyone.

Perry

Still low-carbing and loving it - even with a bowl of spaghetti thrown in for good measure

[Richt]

Re: cheating or treating self?

I feel that I need to point this out. Perry has been very successful on the Atkins WOL. He reached goal quite a while ago and is obviously in the maintenance phase. Perry, you've been at goal for over 2 years now havent you?

In that case and already being at goal, Perry knows exactly what he can and what he cant do. he is happy with his eating.

The same can not be said for someone starting out. Induction and OWL are a different thing completely.

Personally I think it's OK to treat yourself to a meal/treat once in a while (if you have the discipline). This is a life long journey. A few slices of pizza or a Chinese dinner once every few months won't damage anyone.

Perry

Still low-carbing and loving it - even with a bowl of spaghetti thrown in for good measure

[Perry]

Re: cheating or treating self?

Rich, I am indeed at goal for over 2 years. Thanks for remembering.

I will add that during my short weight loss phase (7 weeks) I did enjoy a 'higher' carb meal several times. Induction is defined as the first 2 weeks. I did NOT stray from the accepted food list during that time. However, as you pointed out, I know what I can and cannot eat to maintain or lose (when necessary).

My apolgies to the posters in this thread - or those reading - I did not notice this thread was in the Induction forum. Heed the advice of the successful people and do your best to adhere to a squeaky clean Induction period. After that time, have fun and experiment. You need to live with your body for a *long* time. Take some time to stop and taste the finer foods in life.