Cheating is what happens when you stop doing nice things like taking her out on dates, don't tell her you love her as often as she deserves, and tell her you aren't interested in taking dance classes, why doesn't she just take them with her friend Ron? He's a nice guy, right?

Eating food off your diet isn't cheating, it's living.

No, because every time I eat something like that, I am just disappointed by it and feel gross afterwards. :( Not to sound like a fuddy duddy or anything.

For me it's a map/territory issue. The "territory" is whether or not to depart from my paleo/primal bandwidth during the holidays. The "map" is what I would choose to call any such departure.

If I choose to eat non-paleo/primal foods over the holidays, I decidedly won't call it "cheating." Not because I consider it cheating but am in denial about it; rather, it doesn't occur to me use that frame of reference. When the enjoyment value of foods is a primary motivator (or "reward" to use the popular term), I focus on the enjoyment.

I generally feel so satisfied with my food choices that I don't crave exceptions, especially of the sugar sort. I have spent a year retooling my metabolism from sugar-burning to fat-burning, so that's probably why. The other day I came across a key lime tart in the back of my freezer, an item given me a month ago by a friend who insisted. In the spirit of a gift, I accepted it. I thought to myself, "Wonder how that tastes?" I decided to find out: cut a small slice and consumed. Sugar, wheat, gluten. No noticeable effects, and quite delicious.

Had I consumed a vast amount, I'm sure I would have felt bad effects.

Anyhow, I am "under instructions" to bring pumpkin pie or pecan pie to my Xmas dinner gathering. I have no problems doing so, because I don't plan to consume any (not a big fan of either) and I have no moral objections to consenting adults eating what they want to eat. I'll be heading toward the turkey and green beans and other veggies.

If I do pause at the dessert table and find myself wanting to take a nibble, I will. If God smites me on the spot, I will henceforth consider such choices to be "cheating." Until then...

Cheating? Yes; I won't be chasing, catching, killing and gutting the turkey.

I will be following my version of Martin Berkhan's Cheat Day Strategies For A Hedonist while I'm with my family ... I'm looking forward to my brother's homemade cherry pie! I guess I'm lucky, as having these non-paleo/PHD treats doesn't do a number on my gut nor my waistline (I actually lost weight over Thanksgiving).

My Christmas "exceptions" (rather than "cheats"):

• Cheese straws (Puff pastry, strong chedder)
• Pandoro di Verona (Golden sponge cake)
• Polvorones Selectos (Almond cookies)
• Prosecco (Sparkling wine)
• Real British Ale (Not lager, but beer)
• Hot chocolate (Baileys + double cream + 70% cocoa)

Apart from those "exceptions" we are doing a roast leg of lamb (rosemary, garlic, olive oil, red wine), roast potatoes (grated lemon zest), steamed spinach (with seasoned side of Greek yogurt) , big bowl of olives and a huge avocado and cherry tomato salad.

Personally it is simply a case of being sensible. There will not be boxes of chocolates or sweets lying around to snack on, the desserts are divided between five of us, and the drinks... well moderation in moderation I suppose. Luckily I am not a big drinker so I'll have a few glasses of bubbly as I cook, a couple of beers later and than a mug of hot chocolate.

It's not cheating, it's called being normal and enjoying the little things in life. And because I (like many others) am not affected significantly by gluten, sugar, dairy, etc... I won't give it a second thought.

Damn, a second thought popped into my head, I'm taking a huge bottle of fish oil on my vacation with me. I'll down a good amount daily just to keep my ratio in check (which is one of the things that I really "feel").

No. There is no such thing as cheating. There are foods that I eat that don't make me sick (or fat, or cause some seemingly chronic nagging problem), there are foods that make me sort of sick, and there are foods that make me really sick. Before I put ANY food in my mouth I judge whether the consequences of eating the food are worth it. Thinking of it as "being bad" or "cheating" vs "being good" will not get you into a healthy lifestyle. Everything you eat is a choice and everything has consequences, if you're fine with the consequences, then eat it.

My dad has a power rack. I'm just taking my belt and chalk with me, and calling it a micro-bulking cycle ;)

Yes. Shortbread and a small serving of stuffing for old times sake.

I will cheat but Im being very selective so a home made cookie here or there. Given me a chance to also enjoy some paleo treats too. After the holidays though I will be getting back on the regular. Been hitting the gym a bit harder too so its a good time.

Not anymore than my regular "cheats". I do diary, and sometimes have a beer. So other than that, I could see myself having a bit more of the paleo treats (baking w/ almond/coconut flour) more than I normally do. In fact my mother is making her christmas cookies this year almond flour, walnuts, coconut flakes, so I feel no reason to add another treats.

I don't find it hard to stick to my diet, as there are no shortage of good meat and veggies at dinner.

I'll not be cheating. I'll simply be aware of when I'm eating for sustenance, and when I'm eating as part of a family celebration/ritual.

Yes I will but only dinner. During Thanksgiving, I allowed myself to have an traditional dinner. Needless to say I lost 3 pounds that week.

I'm lucky in the fact that it doesn't upset my stomach either.

While I'm away visiting my family, I intend to keep up with my grass-fed beef and eggs breakfast. Dinner will be tough - eating at various relative's houses I can't imagine how I will find anything I can trust to be gluten free. I'll probaby pick at veggies and carry some snacks with me. For Christmas Eve, I made a few paleo-friendly treats, and we're having leg of lamb. Christmas Day, there is a large Italian feast which I will have to aviod entirely, but ususally hidden in the back is some venison my uncle killed. I'm pretty psyched for that at least.

Frankly, I'm amazed how GOOD I've been (hope you're listening, Santa!)

I declared open season on November 15th and my first real cheat was last night when I ate one Walker's shortbread cookie. And to my delighted surprise, all that caused was a mild stuffy nose this morning that disappeared after a couple hours. No stomach ache, no swelling of hands and feet and no flushed face!

I made a mental note that I was drinking blueberry water kefir while I nibbled the cookie. If/when I cheat again you can believe I'll have water kefir in the other hand!

It appears there’s lot of talk about cheating of late but for us this is the wrong emphasis. If you re going to adapt and take up a paleo lifestyle then you have to lift your game a little and move away from the patterns of eating, the behaviours that got you to a stuck point in the first place! So it’s not “cheating” or “treats” or the like: that’s old speak, old behaviour that’s slimming world, that’s weight watchers! We’re just eating but eating to give us the fullest possible life and the best sense of well being we can achieve. It is learning to eat nutrient dense foods that nourish our bodies and that create energy and strength and the ability to repair. If that includes cookies, mince pies, quality street and buns, it’s a choice and so be it but it’s not paleo!

Paleo Cake - oxymoron anyone? http://paleoworks.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/paleo-cake/

Katie

I'll eat off-plan selectively.

I don't care much about bread products, but I have already given in to my mom's peanut butter pie and I am currently eating a peanut butter cup made at a local chocolate shop (a gift from a coworker).

As I don't have any noticeable reactions to gluten, I will nibble at offerings from my family out of respect for their hard work (or b/c of my love of a particular dessert), but I'll keep it small. I don't react to gluten, but I definitely feel it when I have too much sugar!

Luckily, Christmas this year is at my house and the centerpiece will be a 7-pound rib roast...is there anything more primally delightful?? I'm making some gluten-free desserts (chocolate torte and pumpkin cheesecake w/ a nut crust), but I have a feeling I won't save room once I dig into that roast. 8)

Fortunately I'm the cook on Christmas day, and everything is going to be very paleo friendly. :)

I've cheated more in the past week than in the rest of the year combined.

I've also had an old wrist injury act up, headaches, and some digestive unpleasantness, none of which is the norm for me these days. And my husband and I have been fighting more, too.

I'm ok with it. It gives me evidence that I really am benefiting from this, and the temptations will largely go away in a week and a half.

I already had a couple of pieces of Turkish Delight (with pistachios) and a little bit of Christmas cake. I'm making mince pies as we speak. Perhaps I'll have a little bit of glace fruit as well. Definitely some stuffed dates.

Well, considering the holiday didn't arise until well after the advent of agriculture, and by default not technically Paleo, I'd venture to say yes. But then that's being nitpicky ...

I'm compromising. My mom does a big breakfast, so I'll make my own paleo bread or crackers, but I will have a little cream and coffee and even a little cheese.

Hell yes. Only because it's very easy for me to get back on track. However, I shall only be eating junk on the 24th, 25th and 26th. Then back to paleo for me. I've already resisted Halloween even though I've only been doing paleo for 2 weeks. So for then, bring on the Lindt chocolate bunnies and homemade chocolate fudge cake!

I won't be "cheating." After about a year of Paleo, I FINALLY got to a point where cake, pie, etc. doesn't appeal to me at all. I have been "strict" Paleo for four months straight and haven't craved junk food since. It took so long to get here; I wouldn't change it for anything.