Planning a single cheat week

#1

Ive been doing dirty keto/low carb for about 4/5 months now. I’ve lost about 25-30lbs (though that happened with 2-3 months, I’ve slowed considerable after that and maybe stalled).

I have something coming up next week that I have been waiting 7 years for. Its a week long event that is a big deal to me and I plan on enjoying myself as much as possible. I’ve decided this includes food. After eating nothing but meat, cheese, eggs and vegetable for 5 months- I’ve decided that next week I’m going to treat myself to 3 takeaways across those 7 days. This will include pizza, chinese food/rice etc

I just want to know what to expect. I trust myself completely for this to only be a one week thing. But will I gain ALOT of weight back quickly? I understand it will take me a few days to get back in ketosis after. I guess what I’m asking is this- if I 100% am only having these 3 high carb meals that week, and am straight back on low carb after- is that ok? Do I have to worry about anything?

(Polly) #2

I would expect you to set off unbearable carb cravings and fall off the wagon for months, but if you think you can prove me wrong give it a go and see what happens.

(Bacon for the Win) #3

So basically you want people to look into a crystal ball and give you the answer that validates your choice. You probably won’t have many takers here, but ultimately the choice is yours.

#4

You’ll likely retain quite a bit of water so it will feel/look as though you’ve gained weight quite quickly. It’s also likely (though not certain) that you will feel rather unwell so you may not enjoy the week nearly as much as you have anticipated. Long term it’s unlikely you’ll suffer any major damage but I’d at least try to limit the amount of ‘cheat’ food you eat so you don’t feel bad for the whole week.

(Jane) #5

As long as you can get back into keto when you get home you will be fine. You will likely put on some water weight which will come off quickly.

Enjoy yourself!

#6

Well, oizza, cheese, chinese food rice etc if that is what you order.
You have obviously put quite a lot of thought and planning into what you want, so presumably you are aware of what to expect, you have access to the threads.

What are you hoping for us to tell you, that you don’t already know?

(Jane) #7

I think she has decided what she is going to do so not asking for “permission” but wants to know what to expect from the veterans here since she hasn’t done this before.

It all depends on the individual but some of the experiences I’ve seen here are: bad cravings came back making it difficult to get back into ketosis, feeling like crap, water weight gain, etc.

My personal experience on my 2-week Italy vacation 2 years ago was more positive. I enjoyed fresh pasta and pizza but not more than once a day and some days stayed keto. Didn’t feel bad, no bad cravings, no weight gain. Walked a LOT so I was burning the carbs as I ate them. Went right back to keto when I got home.

#8

Take it as a learning experience. Some people are immune to the gluten exorphins while others can’t help themselves to eating more crack until their brain degenerates into various mental disorders.

#9

if you have been waiting for this for 7 years- it is a no brainer. Go for it and then go back to keto next week.

#10

To feel like you got hit by a train, hangover on top of the hangover you’ll probably have for real. Bloat, headaches, rapid weight gain

First mistake, and I’m ALL for just eating what you want when you want to, but a WEEK?.. that’ll definitely screw with your brain.

But in any case, good luck! Hopefully you hold it together.

#11

It’s very individual. I would probably feel between slightly uncomfortable to quite fine but a bit enervated and couldn’t not come back to keto afterwards if I wanted… But maybe you will feel awful after your first carby meal, who knows?
I surelty wouldn’t gain fat, one week isn’t enough for that (water doesn’t count, of course we gain water weight). But you…? Surely not much, it wouldn’t be my concern even in your stead, even if you gain a pound or whatever, you can lose it.

But be careful. Even a few months on low-carb, not even on keto is enough for most people (as far as I know) to feel bad when eating lots of carbs again. But some people handle it way better. Sometimes I handle it way better than in another times… My body gives warning and serious problems require being blind and deaf to the signs. But it’s not this comfortable for others. If you don’t know what to expect, be careful, don’t go overboard with carbs especially the very first day. Your body does what it should do on very low-carb, don’t shock it horribly.

I can’t possibly know if coming back keto will be easy for you but it wasn’t your question anyway. You hopefully know yourself. Coming back to keto is super easy to me, always was, not coming back would be the hard one :smiley: Maybe because I never forced myself not eating carbs when I wanted carbs… Whatever. You will see what will happen.

Good luck and enjoy your week! :slight_smile: 3 high-carb meals don’t sound very bad - if your body can handle it.

(Allie) #12

Expect to feel like crap and struggle to get back on track after. Personally it wouldn’t want to spoil such a long awaited event by making myself feel crappy for the whole week but it’s your call.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #13

One week probably won’t set you back too far, but there are some things to consider. First, start increasing your carbohydrate a couple of days before the event, to avoid any digestive tract surprises. Second, try sticking to keto-friendly alternatives to the extent possible during the event. Make sure the carbohydrate you do eat is worth it! Third, be prepared to experience some aches and pains, and also some bloating, since glucose causes the body to retain water.

You may also experience a bit of difficulty re-entering ketosis, but you eventually will. If you are a carbohydrate/sugar addict, you may also experience some difficulty with cravings, much like an alcoholic trying to return to sobriety after a binge.

Enjoy the event, and let us know afterward how things went for you.

(Candace) #14

If you do this, understand that you may feel like total crap. When I eat high carb meals now, I have bloating, joint pain, and upset stomach. Your body is different, so none of us can accurately tell you what will happen, all we can do is let you know our experiences. I still have these days, but I know I will pay for it. I hope you have a great time though!

#15

This is grain consumption. Not carbs per se.

(Bob M) #16

Isn’t this just “vacation”? :wink:

When I used to go on vacation, I would have many more higher carb meals. After a while, I toned them down to just a few meals in a week.

It depends a lot on what you’re doing. If you’re in a new city and doing tons of walking, you might not gain any weight. If you’re just sitting around eating bags of chips, that will be different.

When I want high carb, I want pizza and ice cream (how I got fat originally, though add beer to that, which I don’t drink anymore). Those are what I have.

Another trick is to eat vegetables and meat, then eat high carb. For instance, this weekend, I had a salad, then meat, then pizza. This limits the blood sugar and insulin hit.

Another trick, if you can: drink apple cider vinegar in water (or have a lot of vinegar on salad, though maybe not balsamic).

If you’re not an addictive personality, it might not end badly. I’ve done many high carb excursions, usually on vacation or holidays or special events. Often, I’ll fast for multiple days after them. For me, it’s not a big deal, but I’m about as far away from an addictive personality as you can get.

(Candace) #17

True - but they did say they were planning on having pizza, Chinese food/rice, and pizza is one of the things that typically get me.

#18

I have a carby (and therefore very high-fat, I work this way) week right now. Mostly sugar, though but sometimes grain as well. I feel no problem at all now but I don’t do high-carb days and even if I would, that would be a single one between two very low-carb ones and my body handle that well.
It does work for some people. If they are careful (or know they can handle anything they are able to eat. I am not very careful, I simply don’t desire carbs just can’t avoid my fruits in June :wink: and my inner rebel needs its freedom sometimes).
Grains with lots of gluten are fine for me (at least in moderation but it would take a huge amount to cause real uncomfortable feelings) but they are bad for many others. Too much simple sugar at once isn’t good. Crappy processed things are the worst but I avoid them since ages. Too much lactose may be a problem.
In the end, we need to test it to figure out what out body can handle at the moment.

(Kirk Wolak) #19

Sallou,
The reason your weight probably stalled is Carb Creep, and not counting Total carbs. Still consuming artificial sweeteners.

DO NOT do a whole week. First, understand what you are doing to your body. You are drastically changing fuel systems. And TRUST ME, every time you come BACK to keto, it’s slower, because your body seems to KNOW it can force you back to carbs!

In fact, from my experience, ONE BAD MEAL can throw off my bloodwork for DAYS. That “Have a Cheat Day every week…” For me, that would be disaster.

Yes, you will gain a LOT of weight in a week. Carbo-Hydrate (The Water is bound to the carbs), you will fill up your liver (requiring 3 full days at least to empty it and start burning fat). You have to empty all of your stored glycogen. And during this process… That’s when your body fights you and CREATES Glucose from protein if it thinks it needs the glucose. (Study talked about by Dr. Boz)…

For what it’s worth. It depends on your body. I can swing 7lbs in a SINGLE DAY from one meal! (I am basically 200lbs). That’s 3.5% of my bodyweight. But worse, I can keep gaining at that rate for many days in a row (in the 3-7lb range). And for the record, that’s not even REAL cheating.

I’ve not had pizza in over 2 years… IT was on my “Cheat” list. But being allergic to dairy and tomatoes, and gluten/lectin sensitive. It doesn’t seem like a smart move… I’ll pass…

But this is getting to you late… So I will check for an update…

#20

My point is that carbs from natural sources like organic fruit doesn’t cause “bloating, joint pain, and upset stomach.”

It’s not the carbs. It’s the anti-nutrients.