Many health buffs are afraid of having "cheat days" in their weight loss program. Top pros recommend cheating on your diet once in a while. They say that restrained indulgence can be at times be waived and lifted in order to stop depriving yourself and likewise get the motivation back. Weight loss experts say that you can still shed some pounds even if you literally cheat on your diet.
Working your way to your fitness goals can be both exciting and challenging. Those who drastically engage in these weight loss fads actually feel frustrated and deprived of eating what they used to love and indulge. They go for these rules: no sweets, no cream sauces, no chips, no wine, no fun - all these things they think can speed up their way to reach their fitness goals.
However, WebMD reported that this kind of weight loss plan can actually lead to more cravings, fixating on forbidden foods -- and goals abandoned long before their time. The truth and perhaps a good news to those who are on a diet: You can "cheat" on your diet - granted you eat cakes, indulge in some yummy desserts, and fall in love again with some chips and chocolates moderately and sensibly.
"Taking away a person's favorite foods can be the death knell to a diet," David NW. Grotto, RD, LD, author of 101 Foods That Can Save Your Life, explained. "I think splurging on a diet is mandatory, not an option," he added.
Referring to it as structured cheating, this highlights "the difference between enjoying your favorite foods occasionally and eating everything you adore," he reminded. The key to maintaining control is deciding what you want and how much you'll have, and then to "eat it with full consciousness ... lick your lips, and then move on with your life."
Likewise, healthy nutrition author Carolyn O'Neil, RD, agrees to him and said, "I think sensible splurging is really the key to being able to achieve a healthy lifestyle." As the experts say, when you know what you're getting into, you have more control.
Anyone can follow a restrictive diet for a short period of time and coming up with a sensible diet won't actually hurt you.
As O'Neil sums up her diet philosophy on knowing the calories of your favorite dishes and sweets: "The more you know, the more you can eat!" Yes, it's practically a matter of self-discipline.
