Effects of cheating

[tfek70]

Here is hopefully an answer to some people's questions about the effects of cheating. Below is my Fitday weight graph. I had one cheat day and one cheat meal. They are obvious on the chart by the spikes. The first was my New Years Eve/New Years day cheat. I cheated for 24 hours. I cheated real good. Nothing was off limits. I cheated every minute of the 24 hours and put on 7 or 8 lbs. Those 7 or 8 came off quick, but the important thing to notice is that once I got back to where I was, there was a plateau that lasted for about 4 days. Then I had a cheat meal (chinese food) and went up 4 lbs. Again the weight came off in a few days, but once again produced a plateau that I am just getting over. It was very pronounced and lasted about 10 days. In summary, if you feel the need to cheat or are wondering about the effects, you will have about two weeks of plateau time to think about it. It was like two weeks of induction with out the weight loss.

BMI
My Weight Graph
Change Stats
Weight Goal
Actual WeightGoal Weight

[not2late]

Re: Effects of cheating

On one hand, I'm glad that you posted this, but on the other hand, I'm sad the data was obtained through your personal sacrifice.

[tfek70]

Re: Effects of cheating

No sacrifice, just a setback. I have plenty of time and actually enjoy this WOE. It was a free lesson that I have no problems sharing. I think it's a lesson everyone has to learn on their own, but I was able to quantify it. Kinda like telling your kids not to put money in their mouths. Everyone has swallowed change at least once, no matter how many times you tell them not to. I'm 38 and still missing a quarter from my childhood.

T. J.

[Parouz]

Re: Effects of cheating

Thanks for the post Tfek70 ,great results for you. The ''cheats'' illustrated like that is extremely effective.Certainly makes you think.....before anything illegal gets swallowed.

[EverLosing]

Re: Effects of cheating

Another very good post, tfek70!! It's always in the back of my mind...that I COULD...but, I have a commitment to NOT do it. I really felt like I needed comfort food last night and almost posted to ask for suggestions. Then I thought, I shouldn't because that's falling back into using food as a reward, comfort, whatever to fill another void that's totally emotional and has nothing to do with hunger. That would defeat the purpose of eating to live and using food in a way we should stay away from.

My only future concern is my birthday. It will be a real mental challenge to replace the birthday cake!! That's 2 months away. We'll see down the road!

[liv]

Re: Effects of cheating

Thanks for that T.J. Great illustration
I don't worry so much about pounds and stalls as I do about will power. I think in induction we need to get very basic just so that we can get a sort of normal relationship to food and nourishment rather than some kind of psychological medication. So therefore staying strict that first 14 days is really really helpful for everyone.
Also, and I have seen it with so many ADBB members, when they step off Atkins they have problems coming back and many people do not manage to do that. That is really sad.
Personally I worry about playing around with my own metabolism (or what little I have left of it )

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Effects of cheating

I hope it's okay.... I saved and am planning to print that chart out and put it on my refrigerator to remind me that there are major consequences for cheating.

Thanks so much for posting it, tfek70!

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Effects of cheating

Better yet.... I superimposed the chart onto my before picture and am using it as desktop wallpaper!

Now that is a MAJOR incentive!

[kimbat06]

Re: Effects of cheating

My Christmas through New Year's cheat set me back an entire month. Looking at my mini-goals, I was losing 10 lbs a month, but by the latest one there was an obvious stall. The plateau was very discouraging but I am still going. No more cheats for me... it's just not worth it! I would be close to my 5th mini-goal if it wasn't for that...

[tfek70]

Re: Effects of cheating

Better yet.... I superimposed the chart onto my before picture and am using it as desktop wallpaper!

Now that is a MAJOR incentive!

Wow, I feel almost famous. I've never been someone's wallpaper before, not even my own.


Glad I could be of service!

T. J.

[shannon07016]

Re: Effects of cheating

OMG Thank you all for your stories. This isn't even my post, but I had no idea how quickly and effortlessly a cheat can destroy a lot of serious, hard work and dedication. It has really made think about my past mistakes, and even moreso now, in the moment, as I am on day 1 of my new "clean" induction. Thank you so much for opening my eyes yet wider once again. And PS PapaDuece: I freakin LOVE Indian food with a passion too. If you come across any LC recipes for Chicken Korma, please let me know!

[scaleskl]

Re: Effects of cheating

I have plateaued after every cheat and if you have 2-3 a month it can set you back 2-3 weeks each month. Thanks for reinforcing that cheat days...planned or not have consequences.

[boonie stomper]

Re: Effects of cheating

What's really scary is how quickly the 7-8 pound gain from a 24-hour cheat turns into an extra 20 -50 - or more poundage gain when the cheat starts a binge lasting a week or more! Not to mention the embarrassment of clothes ripping, etc. - I hope I never go through it again. t really kills your self esteem.

[mare]

Re: Effects of cheating

Thank you so much for putting this out there. I have to say, it really cleared my blurry vision --- I started Atkins last April and had lost 25 lbs...then the BF (who had lost 40 lbs) and I thought maybe we could allow ourselves one cheat day per week. Surprise, surprise, it all came back. We restarted on Feb. 2 this year and I felt we were more committed. Then I made reservations for dinner for Valentine's day. I've been perusing the restaurant menu online and had already planned on ordering the yummy jalepeno cheddar mashed potatoes and chipotle mac & cheese, creamed spinach....and, of course, dessert.

Then I saw your post. Wow. Dinner on Saturday will now consist of steak, green veggie and a salad. I'll be making an induction friendly dessert to be enjoyed on our own after leaving the restaurant.

It's just ridiculous to be thinking of cheating after only 2 weeks...clearly I have work to do! Again, thanks for pointing out effects of even one cheat meal. Now pardon me while I go fill my water bottle again.

mare

[EverLosing]

Re: Effects of cheating

TJ,
I had to review this post again this morning. Today is "Sweet Day" at work. Jerks. I looked at the list in the break room of what everyone is bringing. Oh, man....I thought about it, really thought about it for awhile. I wondered if I jumped off track for a day or two if I could restart some rapid weight loss reentering induction. It worked for me 10 years ago. In fact, it worked really well but it's 10 years later now. I don't know what the effect will be and it's a huge gamble I just don't feel willing to make! D*mn, it sucks. I've got to tweak other things...like cardio, not a "sweet day." Maybe I should put a sign on the door of the break room that says, "High Fructose Corn Syrup Celebration Station! Enter at your own risk!" Maybe management should just send out a companywide email that says, "We know your jobs suck and you hate your lives...so, we thought we'd celebrate your misery with a sweet day to get you one step closer to your demise. Enjoy!! Oh, and if you do get closer to your death due our lack of good judgment regarding your health, please don't forget to give us your 2 weeks notice!"

There. I feel better. I got to b*tch about it and there's no way in h*ll I'm getting any closer to the break room today than the bathroom where I'll be peeing out my water at least 6 times today.

Rant ovah!!!