thoughts about the 90/10 rule?

So, I'm just kinda making this up, I think, but my philosophy is that as long as I'm on plan 90% of the time, I'm good.  That means that I can have the occasional "cheat", I can stray from my plan for a day or two, but as long as I reset and get back to it, I will eventually have weight loss (or eventually maintain, once I get to goal).

What do you guys think about this philosophy?  I've been working it for the last 6 months or so, and just recently restarted my weight loss.  I'm down 10lbs since September. 

I'm 8 years out and that is pretty much my philosophy. I do weigh myself several times a week to make sure I am not straying too much.

I also weigh almost every day.  I have skipped weighing here or there when I'm super busy, but most mornings I get on the scale.

Let me start by saying "if it works for you, great!"  

For me, it's never just 10% :(

My dietitian says 90/10, too - but I'm probably more like 95.  I weigh myself almost every day, too.

I can't think in terms of a cheat. I try to plan everything. If I'm going to eat a couple of cookies, it's going to be part of my plan, not a cheat. Everything is part of the larger plan. And since everything gets fitted into the plan, it's not 90/10, its 100/0.

I could go pretty crazy with 10 percent off plan. I know I'd convince myself it was "only" 10 percent. But in real lfe, it would probably be 50 percent. Things have a way of getting out of hand.

And losing phase should be different than maintenance. Losing should have no wiggle room. The honeymoon phase is too precious. Every bite matters.

You have very valid points.  I aspire for 100/0, but usually come out at about 90/10 because I'm human.  I've learned, for me, that it keeps me sane.  Sometimes you just have to do damage control.  I've spent a lot of time beating myself up for not being able to stay to plan 100%, and now I'm finding that if I loosen my grip just a bit, it helps ME.  Of course, everyone is different, and each person needs to find what is right for them.  I think it's important to find exactly what works for each individual and go with that.  

while losing - I NEEDED to have a cheat meal if not a "cheat day" and eat what ever I wanted. I learned to call them "carbs reload to reset leptins day" .. or "my high calorie day in calories cycling" ..that is real and it has been a part of my eating during my last year..

I have to take cheat out of my vocab. I have to plan things or I feel guilty. With pretty much every feeling I have it could lead to me going on a bender.

If it works for you that is great. 

So you will have a cookie or 2, but because it fits your daly goals, it's not a cheat. I think that's a great way to be! :)  I'm stalking all the vets (not literally lol) for the best way to be successful when I finally have my surgery.