The Benefits of Cheating (on your diet)

People often relate to diets as “make or break”—that is, if you cheat just once, you’re one.  The diet is over and continuing is no longer worth your time.  However, time (and the people who have succeeded in their diet goals) have told us that this approach is all wrong.  They say, forget what you’ve been told–cheating on your diet is essential for success for several reasons.

First of all, we know well that depriving yourself leads to resentment and frustration which is definitely a formula for diet sabotage.  We all gotta have the foods we love to indulge in every now and then, and sometimes those chocolate protein smoothies are no substitute for the real deal—Snickers!  However, if you cut loose once a week with advance permission to do so, you’ll feel much more in control for the other meals and snacks you consume all week long. The best approach is to plan your “cheat” meal for to coincide with a party, a game, or another event you’ll be wanting to indulge at.  And then enjoy.

What is even more exciting is that cheating may even do your weight loss attempts some good.  Here’s why.  The spike in calorie intake one day a week gives your body the message that there is plenty of food available and this allows it to “release” fat more easily.  Also, dieting decreases muscle glycogen so metabolism can slow down since the body senses “starvation” and tries to lower the amount of energy it needs to continue to function every day, making weight loss harder.  So your cheat day gives the body the signal to chill and release that fat!  And you may even feel more energized for your next workout because your glycogen is restored.  So if you’re really serious about losing weight and building muscle and sticking with your healthy lifestyle for the long term, I suggest you start cheating right away.