In 2000, while on Atkins, I had a scheduled free day every four to six weeks and it worked very well for me and I had no problems. After I had my daughter in 2001, I could not have a free day or I would become so sick for two days and have major cravings. I even tried just having a free meal once in a while, no way! I ended up being off my plan for months, eating everything bad for me. Recently, I had a little detour with a margarita and 3 cookies that I paid dearly for for two or three days. I say it's a very slippery slope.