The “Cheat day,” is a day during your week when you are allowed to go off your diet. Some trainers allow it, some think it’s sabotage. For some, cheat day is a blessing. It allows them to eat whatever they like and feel free from the constraints of a diet. For others, this freedom from their diet sends them straight back to their old ways. As trainers, it can be an issue. Should the client stay on their diet for fear that they will never return or do they take a break so they don’t feel entrapped by the regiment?
Why You SHOULD Cheat On Your Diet….
- Eating a low calorie ALL the time allows your body to adapt to a smaller calorie intake. Throwing in a higher calorie day every 3-4 days can actually help speed your metabolism back up.
- Most feel constrained by diets. If they are allowed to cheat here and there, it serves as motivation to stay on the diet routine.
- If you’re working out at the same time as you’re dieting you will be burning A LOT more calories then normal. For some, this SHOCK to their body helps them drop weight fast (ie ~men). For others, like myself, this actually sends a warning signal to hold onto the fat (as if there was famine). Having the cheat day tricks the body into releasing more fat and having better success.
Why you SHOULDN’T Cheat …
- There are two types of people in this world. Type A and type B. If you are an overachiever, type A that is “all or nothing.” Then you have trouble with the cheat day and should avoid it. If you are a type B and you are more laid back then usually you will be fine.
- 80% of America has desk jobs. This means that we, as a nation, don’t move enough!!! Having a CHEAT DAY without being on an exercise routine could actually omit your weight loss. You should only have a cheat day if you are combining a lower calorie diet with a fat burning exercise routine.
- Personally, for myself and some of my clients, I usually allow them a CHEAT MEAL. Having a whole day to cheat could slow them down too much and lead to frustration. Having one meal that doesn’t exceed 1,000 calories seems to be the key to weight loss without feeling deprived.
The cheat day can be a savior to your diet routine or it can be the start of you falling off the wagon. Knowing how you react to foods is the key to staying on tract. Be honest with yourself and before you decide which road is better for you. Remember, the cheat day was created to help dieters, not harm them.
Adria Ali
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