i have heard alot lately of taking one day off or one meal once a week from dieting. is there anyone out there that is doing that? is it easy to get back on the diet?

I personally do NOT want to do this, i'm afriad that i won't get back on the diet. I'm way too scared of this, so i haven't done it.. not even one cookie. I say if you have a fear of not being able to get back on.. don't do it.

If a lifestyle change is what you want, I feel that a "free day" goes against you.

I have a free day, but I incorporate it into my daily calories. Every Monday is my free day and Monday's calorie allotment is 2300 calories for the day, so I'll eat whatever foods I choose today (Monday), but with in 2300 calories.
Also, because I plug in my calories based on my workout for the day, every Monday is a heavy weight training day + cardio day, so I easily workout somewhere between 90-120min. every Monday.

So no, I don't find I go off track, I just look forward to having a cheeseburger for lunch if I want it, or if I want a slice of Turtle Pie for 520 calories as my pre workout snack, then I have it! No guilt!
Monday gives me some leeway and makes me feel I'm not sacrificing ALL happiness for the sake of the body I want. I have to have a "happy medium!" But that's just me! :)

We all have to find what works for us! :)

Donna

I have been doing a free day since I started more than a year ago.

A free day is NOT going off your diet so there is no going back on. A free day is there to allow you to eat those things you stop yourself from eating the rest of the week - not to pig out on them.

I limit myself to about 1500 - 1800 calories a day and on a free day go up to 2300. That's just enough to allow me to go out to a restaurant and not be bothered (diet wise) about what I can and can't eat. I am more relaxed that way and more fun for my companions.

John, there are not many people in the world that can deny themselves certain foods or pleasures forever. And there are certasin foods and pleasures that would require a free day in order to be enjoyed.

I don't ever take a "free"meal. For me food is my addiction, same as heroin is to a junkie or alcohol is an alcoholic. One piece of pizza and forget...its all over! As for a "free"day from working out, in a perfect world, I would never take a day off, but, my world is not perfect, so yup, I will take a day off here and there, or just do something short and simple.

From the time our Children were babies (4 of them all teens now) My husband and I have had Date night once every couple of weeks if he was home. We normally go to dinner and a movie or just wander around the mall. I let myself eat what I want that night. However I do have to say that I tend to go for the better things on the menu these days. If we get a desert we share it. I have found it does not give me a problem to do this. I do how ever eat only till I am full then put down my fork.

Sixy

I don't deny. I choose healther options. I eat a wide range of fruits and veggies and I believe that keeps me from craving, so there is no need to feel that I'm denying myself. "Pleasure" isn't something I get out of eating anymore.

Originally posted by Rogue
John, there are not many people in the world that can deny themselves certain foods or pleasures forever. And there are certasin foods and pleasures that would require a free day in order to be enjoyed.

I don't give myself a free day or meal weekly. But if we have something special, like a night out or going out of town I do enjoy my meal with a few extras. Not as many extras as I would have before though. I try to leave the bread alone and go for the healthier things on the menu.

Maryse

QUOTE: "Pleasure" isn't something I get out of eating anymore. "

that's really too bad john, im sorry to hear that..

I'm not at all... I'm extremely happy.

im glad you are happy..it's just that eating is one of life's fundamental pleasures..we are meant to enjoy eating..there is no reason not to enjoy and find pleasure in food, just because we are eating to be healthy also...

in some ways, we can even enjoy it more now..now that we may be eating LESS..we can take the time to really experience it, and to make wiser choices that might have more flavor or taste better..than when we were just cramming whatever down our mouths ..

Yep, I'm sad to hear that too.

Eating is something we HAVE to do.
Don't you think you would be happier if you actually did enjoy it?

I have a free meal each week which I think is good for combatting cravings. A free day, in my opinion, is an extremely bad idea.

The problem with the words "free day" is that people automatically think it means that they can eat what and however much they want.

That's not what it's about at all.

Your free day is there for you to have that free meal (or do you eat nothing for the rest of the day so that you can eat it?)
Your free day is there so that you can satidfy cravings and help yourself over them.

I generally don't eat more than 500 calories over my daily limit on a free day. But at the same time I don't bother to balance my nutrients on that day either. So if I want to eat all fat or all carbs, I let myself.

Actually my free day is there so that I can go out and drink with my friends. Alcohol is too expensive (calorie wise) on a normal day.

I always say, eat what you're going to eat
for the rest of your life, just when you are
losing the intial weight eat less of it.

Xo, Tanya