occasional "cheats"

[PinkBikini]

Hey All,

I reread parts of my Atkins yesterday. Dr. Atkins talks about "cheats" and says that while it is not advocated as part of the diet, they are a natural thing...human nature. He says the problem is that sometimes once you start cheating you think, well, this day is blown, so then in addition to the ice cream sundae (my cheat item last week) you decide to go ahead and enjoy some of that pasta alfredo you havent had in weeks, consume a glass of red wine with your husband while eating it and then decide to have waffles with the kids the next morning cause you figure the weekend is already blown. Sometimes the cheats never end.

It seems like he acknowledges that as long as you can cheat with foods that won't cause continued triggers and only have small cheats (his suggestion was to cheat with low carb treats) then it's not the end of the world.

He also suggests cheats that are totally unacceptable include:
1) people "cheating" their way back up 10 lbs and then yo-yoing back down, or hoping to do so, through induction eating again
2) cheats that are planned for weekend after weekend because then you're only getting about 3 days/week of ketosis

I just wanted to let everyone know what I read when I went back through yesterday in prep for OWL this week. It makes me feel better about my ice cream sundae last week because I got right back on the wagon, had no ill side effects the following days, and even lost another pound or so this week in the end. Of course, I wonder if it may have been closer to 3 if I hadn't cheated but... que sera sera!

Enjoy your weekend everyone

[Sherhic4]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Good morning all and thanks for being here...got a question: the first time around we were allowed sugar free gelatin as part of our menu in induction...is it still allowed...please help with suggestions for quick and easy sweet tooth satisfiers!!!

[Brook]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Pink- I'm really glad you were able to get back on the wagon and keep on keepin' on.

While it's true that Dr. Atkins did say what you said he said, I think the most important part of that entire post was this:

it is not advocated as part of the diet,

I always get a bit edgy when I see people talk about this because for the vast majority, it just validates their reasoning and excuses for cheating and putting themselves on a slippery slope that all too many never find their way back from. I mean, really, weight removal is an endeavor with a 95% failure rate in the space of 5 years and that only proves that most really don't find their way back once they start justifying doing what they do with a couple of small paragraphs out of an entire book.

I am really glad you found your way back and I'm glad you've been able to work through the emotional part of your cheat!! :::scootches over on the Atkins couch:::: -- See? There's plenty of room for all!

[sallyseachange]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Am with Brook totally on this one.

Better safe than sorry. That slope is darn slippery!

[dreamof145]

Re: occasional "cheats"

I am totally with Brook on this. I know Dr. Atkins says that in his book...but in knowing that you are going to feel like cheating from time to time I suggest making alternative snacks and choices available so that you will be prepared when the urge hits.

It isn't the end of the world when you cheat, but it does make it harder to stay focused on your goal. One of the lessons I've learned doing this WOE is to plan and always be aware of my actions. This is a very controversal subject with people on both sides of this issue....To cheat or not to cheat. For each of us it is a personal decision we make and the consequences vary. I feel so much better about my choices and my life that I can't justify cheating as part of my plan.

[bambinaUK]

Re: occasional "cheats"

I totally get where you coming from PInkbikini and thanks for your excellent post.

I fell off the wagon during the week and broke my 3 weeks of no cheating. As soon as the last spoonful of Tiramisu was consummed, I went straight to the tap and started drinking water!

Too many times in the past have I used the 'ive cheated so I might as well reeeeeeally cheat' excuse. Im determined not to do that anymore.

[Sherhic4]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Well I know how you feel...had the urge for sweetness....asked all over the forums about the sugar free gelation....got disuaded...then got the bright idea about making ice cream with heavy cream splenda & a little bit of vanilla extract....mixed it and it is now in the freezer...strange thing is...I no longer haver the overpowering urge to go in and eat it half frozen....which I would have done in the past with the regular.....guess I do have a sweet tooth but it's not as ferocious....BTW is this type of "dessert" okay on extended induction?

[Brook]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Fair enough, Sherihic4- but you have to remember that you're only allowed one ounce of heavy cream per day, too. Keep that in mind and enjoy

[Sherhic4]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Thanks for the reality check....missed that part of the sermon...

[Sera]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Ah a cheating topic...yes...well...I start to understand why a lot of people get into trouble when they start cheating once.
I just came back from my 10 day vacation in Greece where I enjoyed a lot of food that wasn't legal at all but well, that was a concious decision and even though I'll find out tomorrow that the scale won't have taken kindly to this, I don't regret it.
BUT...there is something in me that wants to keep eating like I did on vacation, so I get the feeling getting back on the waggon tomorrow won't be an easy thing to do (nothing illegal in the house though, so I don't have a choice )
I really think if you cannot be absolutely sure that one cheat won't lead to more, you should stay away from it...don't even go there if you have any doubts.
I'm sure I can make it but I also know that the thoughts of fresh greek bread, ice cream, chocolate cookies and red wine will stay with me for a while and try their best to cause trouble

[michigander]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Speaking from MUCH experience...cheating here & there leads to everywhere.

However, I do have one bit of advice that I've combined from other weight loss programs into this. First off, if you "cheat"...and feel like you're TRULY guilty of a sin, then it's gonna make you feel worse, and generally, I'm a comfort food eater, so basically, I'll polish off that "snitch" just because I'm now feeling guilty about doing something bad, and might as well make it worth my while. So, I've learned to consider it "eating off the diet". Cheating means you blew it. Eating off the diet means you intentionally plan to eat something that isn't within your guidelines. You have no intentions of making it a staple in your diet. You know you'll need to make up for it. You've CHOSEN to eat off the diet, NOT that you've cheated. That helps me "get back on the wagon" much quicker, because cheating to me, goes from one snitch, to one meal, to one day, to one weekend, and pretty soon, I'm looking for the next holiday to declare my re-start day! LOL!

Next, is if you decide to eat something off the diet...for goodness sake, ENJOY it. If you're going to do it - don't woof it down with guilt. Make a concious decision IF IT IS WORTH the work it will take to undo what you're about to eat. And if you've chosen to do it....SAVOR EVERY BITE. If you spend TIME enjoying what you ate, it will be worth while. If you chock it down in 3 seconds, your taste buds haven't had a chance to enjoy it & will probably be asking for more.

That's just my 2 cents. It's a lifelong journey for me, still trying to learn to do it right.

[Sera]

Re: occasional "cheats"

Next, is if you decide to eat something off the diet...for goodness sake, ENJOY it. If you're going to do it - don't woof it down with guilt. Make a concious decision IF IT IS WORTH the work it will take to undo what you're about to eat. And if you've chosen to do it....SAVOR EVERY BITE. If you spend TIME enjoying what you ate, it will be worth while. If you chock it down in 3 seconds, your taste buds haven't had a chance to enjoy it & will probably be asking for more.

That's just my 2 cents. It's a lifelong journey for me, still trying to learn to do it right.

I absolutely agree with that part and that's what I did too, damn did I enjoy the food while on vacation
no use in making this kinda decision and then feeling guilty about it while carrying it out

[jengeesh]

Re: occasional "cheats"

I've been eating atkins 7 months now. I had 100 to lose "50 now". In that 7 months i've had 2-3 very small slip ups "like over eating nuts" legal foods just too much of them. ONE MAJOR bud lite, mixed drink, pretzel, slip that set me back with 3 pounds of water weight that STUCK about for a week!. I never cheated at all the 1st 4 months. After time it was easier to give into temptation i was pretty mad at that 3 pound gain that will keep me in check next time some pretzels are calling my name. I cheated i planned it! i knew it was a one time thing. Yes, it was enjoyable while it was going on... the after effects were so crappy it'll be next to never that i do it again!.

[Angelasherell]

Re: occasional "cheats"

To cheat or not to cheat! That is the question! I cheated today and ate the icing of a cinnamon bun, but I had only 4 carbs all day. So I just ate protein for dinner and am going to the gym later on. I am OK with it as long as I can balance it out and I have no intention of eating any more, I gave them away. As a former smoker,. I realized that I should have given it more thought and I probably would not have eaten it. It truly is mind over matter and my sweet taste is a small compared to my smoking addiction so I know I can do this. But I have to be honest, I am not going to deny myself forever. Once I drop the weight and begin OWL I will factor in the occasional sweet, maybe once a month.

Live Life!!!!

[sallyseachange]

Re: occasional "cheats"

To cheat or not to cheat! That is the question! I cheated today and ate the icing of a cinnamon bun, but I had only 4 carbs all day. So I just ate protein for dinner and am going to the gym later on. I am OK with it as long as I can balance it out and I have no intention of eating any more, I gave them away. As a former smoker,. I realized that I should have given it more thought and I probably would not have eaten it. It truly is mind over matter and my sweet taste is a small compared to my smoking addiction so I know I can do this. But I have to be honest, I am not going to deny myself forever. Once I drop the weight and begin OWL I will factor in the occasional sweet, maybe once a month.

Live Life!!!!

If you can handle that with no ill effects then that's fine for you (though not very healthy) but, it's your personal choice. It isn't Atkins, just low carbing in a way you feel you can cope with.

I wouldn't advocate this though, especially to newcomers to Atkins. So very many of us simply cannot handle this kind of planned cheat. It upsets our ultra sensitive blood sugars and sets us right there, teetering at the top of the slippery slope back down into Fatsville. Please be warned, if you're new to this way of eating, and think very carefully before taking such a risk.

There are wonderful tips for "living life" right here on the board, particularly once you've pushed through induction and have reached the later phases of the programme.