My approach to weight loss includes one "free day" a week. This is a day when I forego exercise and don't worry about what I am eating. Its a "break" so that I don't get tired of the diet and exercise.

At first I was skeptical about this -- petrified that I would overeat and ruin all the losses from the week. But then I considered more rationally that considering it takes 3500 more calories than you work off, to regain one pound of weight, I would have to truly "binge" on that one day to kill all my weight loss.....

I don't abuse my "free day". I still choose to eat whole, healthy foods. But I don't obsess about how big the portion, how many calories etc etc. I'll consume some wine on that day. I'll add some sauce to my meat. I'll eat a dessert or piece of chocolate. But I don't log my food or count my calories. And I always still drink my 10 - 12 glasses of water.

I also take an exercise "free day". Most times it coincides with the food "free day" but sometimes not -- it depends on my schedule for the week. I may plan my exercise "free day" on a day I've got to be at work early for example. The food "free day" may fall on another day when I have a social event.

The concept of the "free day" is not only about taking a psychological "break" from the rigors of dieting and exercising. It also has some physical benefits. If you consume far fewer calories than you have been, your body may switch on its "starvation mode" and actually require less calories to maintain its weight. Keeping one day a week helps combat this occuring in your metabolism. I know with me it keeps all the machinery "oiled" and "working" giving my metabolism some calories to consume and burn.

I think the "free day" has helped me stick to my weight loss plan this time much more easily than I have in the past....

I'm doing a free day as well, actually it's more like a free meal. And like you I don't use it as an excuse to go all out. For instance, when I get mexican I leave off the sour cream and when I get pizza I even leave off the cheese. I think it's very important to treat yourself once in a while, you can't supress cravings forever. That being said, the day of and the day after this meal are the toughest. I get the urge to do it "just one more time" but luckily I've been able to fight it so far. Once I get past it then it's no longer an issue. As for an exercise free day, that's about every day for me. :( But that's something I'm going to start working on.

So overall I think it's a great idea but for some it can be very dangerous and I'd imagine this is how most diets meet their demise.

I have a free day as well, and I look forward to it all week. It keeps me on track during the week, whenever I have cravings, because I know that I can wait until Saturday (my free day) and eat without regrets.

And I totally agree with being skeptical, especially AFTER the "free day" is over, and you realize how much you have eaten, but like you say, it takes 3500 EXTRA calories to gain a pound, and I don't think I have enough room in my body to eat 3500 calories worth of food!!!

I also take an exercise free day, mostly because I'm a runner, and my knees and ankles NEED a free day, and its also important to let your body rest after a week of exercise.

I COMPLETELY agree with you about the "free day" and how important of a break it is.
So...the weekend is here, and my "free day" is coming...what a great thing!

I have also been using the free day concept.

I use it to eat the things that I usually don't allow myself - the things you tend to binge on.

I also use it so that I can go out with my friends and eat and drink without being the annoying "on diet" person.