After a few weeks of being on Keto, there came a day when I just wanted to give up. It was as if my mind had stopped working. All I could see, hear smell and taste was a hypothetical bar of chocolate. It is for days like these that the ‘Keto cheat days’ were made.
What is cheating?
It is an extreme urge to consume carbs or to go off the diet altogether. I had gone on the diet on the 1st of January, 2015 and by the 14th I was totally losing it. From somebody who used to have a packet of chocolate chip cookies every day, along with a bar of chocolate, I had become a No Sugar lady. I wanted to cheat at any cost or go off the diet.
Then I got to know of cheat days and started looking forward to it. Instead of thinking of what I wanted to eat, I started making a list of all that I would eat on the cheat day. Coincidentally all birthdays in my family fall in the first week of the month, which suited me perfectly. I decided to cheat on the 31st of January.
In my words a cheat day means, eat all you can and eat what you want. Plan your cheat days in a pattern, pick dates where you know that you will not be able to go on without a break.
Why does one cheat?
Keto cheat days can be triggered due to certain simple reasons, which make absolute sense to somebody who is trying to lose weight.
You could be feeling low and emotional, you could be drunk or you could be just dying to have the comfort food that you have been having for the last decade or so. It is for days like these that the cheat day was made.
Take a break and tell yourself – ‘I’m going to have a chocolate today!’
Coming back to my story, I had intended to eat like a glutton on the 31st, but I could only manage to eat one fourth of my to-eat list. With reduced portion sizes, I just couldn’t hog anymore. But the freedom I felt in my mind was delicious.
What should you expect the day after ?
Let me be honest you will feel guilty like hell the next day. But that’s OK! What is done, is done? Sulk, fret for as long as you want. Once you are over it, get back on the Keto wagon again.
No significant changes are seen in the body as such. You might have a loose stomach and you may feel the energy dropping. That is because your body is out of Ketosis. It will start the process from scratch again. Just stay clear of carbs now and do not panic at all. And if you want to speed up the process just have a big mug of Bulletproof Coffee.
How often should you cheat?
Technically you should not cheat more than once in the first month and once every two months. In other words in a period of six months, you should not cheat more than three or max four times.
I have had two-cheat days since I went on the diet and they both were very helpful in keeping me inspired and motivated. On both occasions, I emerged more determined to meet my target and to get fit no matter what.
My next cheat day is exactly after a month and my to-eat list is getting ready. A box of dozen Dunkin-Donuts along with a red velvet cake is what I intend to have this time. There are different opinions on how often you should cheat and whether you should cheat at all or not. This is my version, any feedback and personal experiences are most welcome.
Eat Keto, Get Fit..
8 thoughts on “Keto Cheat days – Don’t Drop Off The Wagon”
Yoginder Sadana
I am very interested in learning about ketosis diet recipes and your blog is of serious interest to me. I discovered it only today
I wish to thank you for this blog. Shall seek your advice.
Penelope
I have been sugar free (all refined and fruits) for 65 days. I have lost 18 pounds and am stuck there bouncing back up and down. I’ve found the keto strips are useless. I have not cheated at all and have stayed between 15 and 20 carbs a day. Does anyone have advice on how to break this plateau? I was at 18 pounds down, two weeks ago and now I go up and back down but never more than the 18 pound loss. I eat very little dairy and get the majority of my fat from coconut oil and meat, some butter (on my cabbage).
I have researched and researched and found nothing to help. I don’t want to blow it now! I have 12 more pounds to lose.
Priya Aurora
Firstly, calm down, see the positive side, oh how well you have done till now. Before you panic, I have two suggestions for you. Firstly, stick to the diet no matter what and secondly, read up on Intermotten Fasting and water fasting, they can be use dto break the plateau. All the best !
P krishnan
Hi, I had started keto diet n after religiously for allowing it for 6 days, I had to go off due to death in family. How do I go about re-starting the same? Pls advise. Thnks
[email protected]
Calculate your macros and make a diet plan ASAP.
Marlon
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you
can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog.
A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
Fabiana
An entire box of donuts AND a cake? Really? Wouldn’t you enjoy 3 or 4 donuts and be happy? Cheat meals are ok, eating to death is not. Have your cheat day without guilt. 🙂
priyadograurora
Hi. Like i said, i am dreaming of eating that much. But in reality all my previous cheat days, i could only eat like a small bird. Thanks.
Related Post
Crispy Keto Cauliflower Hash Browns Recipe
कीटो अंडा और मशरूम सूप
Keto Pancakes – Quick and Easy Keto Dessert
Keto Almond Butter Espresso Bars
कीटो तंदूरी टोफू/शाकाहारी व्यंजन
Keto Sesame Chicken Recipe
Keto Instant Pot Cauliflower Curry
7-Day Vegetarian Keto Diet Plan to Reach Your Weight Loss Goals