I'm a big cheat!

[Sp4rkl3s]

I know that cheat days are allowed, but how ofter is too often?
I average around 1500 calories a day, but this includes 4 or 5 days a week at 1200, and at least one day a week 2000 or more calories.
Would the overall pattern be of low calorie intake? Or is it important to have consistency across the week?
I'm thinking that my body won't think times are bad if it's having regular high days? Or it won't think times are safe with do many low days in between? Or is it OK to think that the overall average is low and so that will sway girl?

[EmileeJane]

This is a lot like my diet. I actually found when I started that on my wk days I eat about 1200 cals a day. I found from this diet I actually inadvertently doing it. Since my dr told me the other day that I was a bit on the thin side the other day I thought well I suppose that's what it should be. But I've been trying to eat a bit more actually. Not to over do it and not fatty foods. Just try to get my 1800 at leat in a day.

[Sp4rkl3s]

We've been out for a meal the last 2 weekends, and out again this Saturday. I didn't count what I ate, but I guess around 3000 calories! Most days I find it easy to be very strict to average my week looking good, and I'm losing weight at about 2lb a week.
I'm worried about such regular cheats though :s

[atomic sagebrush]

There is no blanket recommendation - firstly because it will be different for everyone anyway (the needs of someone who is 5ft and 95 lbs will be different to those of someone who is 6 ft and 170) and secondly because a large part of the "cheating" idea is that it allows you to stay flexible in social situations and when you're really truly NEEDING to eat a bit more for some reason be it physical or spiritual.

WHat you are describing is perfectly fine for pink and I owuld have no qualms at all if I were you.

[maidentomother]

I think that sounds fine. I've been alternating 900 cal days with 1800 cal days (those are rough estimates, I haven't been counting religiously), sort of mild intermittent fasting. It works well for me, plus it helps me lose weight more quickly. I think a bit of alternating might well sway pink.

[atomic sagebrush]

:agree: remember, before like 1978 no one ever counted calories or even knew what they were!! It is IMPOSSIBLE that all our ancestors were ever eating identical amounts of calories day in and day out.

[bluebonnet22]

I think that sounds fine. I've been alternating 900 cal days with 1800 cal days (those are rough estimates, I haven't been counting religiously), sort of mild intermittent fasting. It works well for me, plus it helps me lose weight more quickly. I think a bit of alternating might well sway pink.
I hope you are right! I've been doing something similar this month (more like 2000 calorie days and 1000 calorie days) and I'm hoping for the best.

[maidentomother]

I used to alternate 3000 cal with 0 cal days, I maintained a very low BMI doing that. Not that I recommend that while TTC or swaying pink! I wouldn't go below 20% of your recommended caloric intake on the days you eat less, while swaying.