Cheat on your diet and lose weight! Sounds crazy, right? In an age where it seems like every study ever done is now contradicted, I thought I would google this topic and see what I came up with. Fortunately, it did turn up some results, and I think you will be rather pleased with them!
It stands to reason that if we allow ourselves that occasional treat we won't feel deprived and will be more inclined to stick to our diets. The article I found draws a bold line between being indulgent and being delusional, though. There is a major difference between having an extra scoop of ice cream and finishing off the whole carton (unless, of course, there is only one scoop left in the carton!). As long as we are honest with ourselves, cheating can be OK and even
beneficial to our weight loss success.
Snack snack snack! But make sure those snacks are under 200 calories a piece, and consider them part of your diet, not as an add-on.
Just remember not to go overboard. Also, it is recommended that you have your drink with your entree. Having a drink on an empty stomach is one of the worst diet mistakes people make. It lowers your inhibitions and increases your appetite. Big no-no!
- Pick things with lots of fiber
According to an MSNBC article on the subject, "paleolithic man" ate about 100 grams of fiber, while the average person today eats about 15 grams. Fiber actually has more than one positive impact on your weight loss, and we all know what it's most famous for!
This one is a given. But did you know that when fiber and water come together, they expand? So you will actually eat less and feel fuller if you eat/drink these two together.
We all have foods that once we start eating them, we can't stop. Those are trigger foods and they can drastically hinder or reverse your weight loss efforts. For me, that would be any kind of junk food, really. Chips, cookies, cake, etc. I try to steer clear if there is an unlimited (or large) quantity available, but if there is only once piece available to me I indulge because I know I can't have anymore after that no matter how bad I want it!
If you're super good during the weekdays (having fruit on weeknights instead of something sweet), who says you can't have a sweet treat on the weekend?
Remember, you are actually doing yourself a
favor by "cheating" on your diet. It's all a balancing game, and you really just have to experiment with it and see what you can get away with. I've actually had some of my best weigh ins after cheat days! Remember, when you overindulge like I often (accidentally) do, don't feel like all is lost. Burn it off with some extra cardio!!
Should we blame bad genes for being overweight?
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