Maybe its not fair to call it cheat eating. When you are trying to lose weight, you need to reward yourself for reaching goals. A reward sounds better, right? After all, you want to feel good about reaching your goals.
its not sensible to expect anyone to comply 100 percent to a meal plan. Actually, if you comply with your meal plan about 90 percent of the time, you can be successful with your weight loss and fat loss plan.
So, how you manage your reward eating can roadblock your success. Which reward system is right? It depends on the person. As with many things in life, you have to see what works for you.
Whatever reward eating system you use, always do your workouts! Comply with your workout schedule 100 percent of the time if possible. A great workout can sometimes make up for eating mistakes. Missing workouts certainly won’t help you reach any goals.
With that in mind, here are the two reward eating systems I see the most:
1. Take one day each week to eat what you want (not gorging, but sensible meals). This is a tactic that I use with success. On this day, I will split my workout into two shorter workouts to take advantage of extra growth hormone and fat loss. So, I would do a 25 minute workout in the morning and a 25 minute workout in the evening. Research proves that you actually get more fat loss benefit from doing two separate workouts on the same day.
2. Reward yourself with a meal or two once a week (preferably after reaching your goal). I see this tactic used by many people with success. A variation would be to reward yourself with a small dessert once a week. In either case, go back to your meal plan immediately.
Even with a reward system in place, you still have to live during the week. And, that means you will probably not eat perfectly every day. The key is to always go back to your meal plan as soon as possible. One bad meal for the day doesn’t have to lead to four bad meals for the day. And, one bad day of eating doesn’t have to lead to five straight days of bad eating. Jump back on the wagon immediately!
Weight loss and fat loss is a journey that doesn’t end. Its not a 30 day or 60 day program. Its your life you’re living and you want to give yourself the best chance to live fit and healthy. That’s why you need to make a commitment to a lifestyle of health and fitness. This commitment will carry you through the setbacks that come your way. Your main goal will always trump any setbacks along the way.
So, what are you eating today? Hopefully you have a great meal plan that you’re following most of the time. If not, get a great meal plan. If you have one, you are more likely to follow it.
Mark Dilworth, BA, PES, CPT is a Certified Personal Trainer and former NCAA Division I athlete. Mark’s Fat Blaster Athletic Training System has been proven to give his clients the fit, sculpted and athletic-type bodies they want. Visit Mark’s sites:
My Fitness Hut http://myfitnesshut.blogspot.com
Her Fitness Hut http://herfitnesshut.com
Sports Fitness Hut http://sportsfitnesshut.blogspot.com