Cheat meal?

[puggypeggy]

Hello! I'm officially wrapping up Phase 1 tomorrow and starting Phase 2 Monday. I am so excited to say that I have made it the full 2 weeks with no fruit, no alcohol, and staying within the rules & guidelines of Phase 1. Ahhhhhhhh! Awesome! Phase 1 was difficult for me because I love, love, love my fruit! But here I am wrapping up Phase 1 and 7lbs down!

Anyways, last night I almost crumbled. I had thoughts of all the things that I cannot have on South Beach (any phase). I was able to stay strong but it became fairly obvious to me that if I did not incorporate "treats" from time to time I would fall off the wagon completely. I'm the type of person, however, that if I have the bad food around - I will eat it... ALL. So I was wondering - do any of you incorporate a cheat meal once a week? Just one meal in 7 days where you can enjoy the bad stuff? Do you think this would "undo" all of my work? I am sincerely afraid that without it... I might go back to my old ways, as it would give me something to look forward to all week long. Thoughts?

[Kimboroni]

An entire off-plan meal every single week would probably result in a fairy longterm stall, and it could reawaken cravings and send us completely off plan. Not a good idea.

That said, any of us who have been able to follow this longterm don't eat 100% perfectly 100% of the time. That's not real or sustainable. That's why some treats here and there are built into the plan. But here and there isn't an entire cheat meal weekly-- it's more like the example in the original book where you have a good meal at a restaurant with lean meat and lots of veggies, then have 3 bites of whatever their best dessert is.

So don't think of cheating-- think of treating. Where you find a balance of treating and still reaching your goals is up to you.

[ami]

I agree, an entire meal of "bad" stuff can derail your best intentions to go back next day to eat healthy.

It's much better to very slowly reincorporate the foods you have been missing and when you rich P3 like many people that follow this diet for a long time then you can eat anything you want with moderation. As you know, there is NO Avoid List in P3, so hand in there and shoot for your goal that's to reach P3!

[puggypeggy]

Ok, yikes, not what I wanted to hear at all. I honestly didn't even want to post my idea about the "cheat meal" and that's because I was pretty sure I already know what y'all were going to say. And that's also because I already knew it was a bad idea... err...

For today, I will keep on truckin... :/

[Kimboroni]

Try shifting your thinking. It's not that you "can't have those foods." You're just "choosing not to have them," since they're not doing your health or body image any favors.

You can also try coming up with some non-food things to look forward to.

And you might just find that you really enjoy the food on SB! I know that I have!

[puggypeggy]

I hope so! And I am really hoping that my taste buds change as I love, love, love my fruit (and sweet things) and have had a hard time with all of the veggies (but powered through it). I am very proud of the weight loss so far and look forward to more.

[Magna]

I second Kimboroni's post. Make whatever you do your choice.

I would not plan on a weekly "cheat," but I also wouldn't feel bad if I decide to eat off-plan for some reason. Usually it's either an emergency where I just have to make the best choice available, or a very special occasion, or an unusual opportunity (a chance to try a local specialty while traveling, for example). One of the problems with a planned "cheat" is that you will also run into unplanned "cheats," which makes for a lot of "cheats."

[Healthybound]

One of my favorite snacks on P2 (when I was on track) was 1/2 cup f/f, s/f chocolate pudding with 3/4 cup strawberries. In my mind, they were chocolate covered strawberries. I also enjoyed them with the vanilla pudding. Or even a banana with vanilla pudding (crustless banana pie). I didn't dare try the coolwhip. But I was so satisfied with those sweet treats and they were all legal, too! Even strawberry milkshakes (1% milk, ice cubes, & 3/4 cup strawberries), were a great treat. I was down to my 2 last bananas for fruit in the house before I re-started P1 last week. I put them in the freezer and will look forward to a combo strawberry/banana milk shake in a couple of weeks. I hope these ideas help a little.

[SBCAgal]

healthybound, what great snack treats. Thanks for the tips.

I'm returning to SB after being gone for a few years. Honestly, this is the only sensible plan around. A member of my family is doing it, and I finally recalled my old username and password. It's great to be back! Frozen fruit milkshakes are great treats for Phase 2.

[Healthybound]

I agree. I tried just about all the rest, except for the Adkins Diet. I fell off the wagon this summer and when my clothes were not as loose as before I decided to get back into P1 to cure the cravings. It took me a couple of tries, but I'm doing gret. I just feel so good when I follow South Beach, that it is impossible to describe. I know I don't look thin, but what I eat makes me feel thin, and not stuffed, but satisfied. I don't know what made me fall off the wagon, but I hope it never happens to me again. This plan is so healthy and beneficial to my A1C, cholersterol and triglycerides that I have amazed my doctors. I guess I just have to concentrate on all the good benefits to avoid any other pitfalls; but I sure do feel GOOD!