Every food program I read about, see on a blog, magazine, TV show, etc. just absolutely IRRITATES me to no end! (I know… tell us how you really feel.) I hear/read “cut this out, don’t have this, don’t have that, no more this, no more that” and 12 weeks later – look at you!

Here is the problem: No one will follow that advice because we love food! There is no way you are going to cut the food you love out for good … you know cookies, cakes, ice cream, cheesecake, pizza, burgers (hgad;fjaj;udsf;adsfjadskjlfads, sorry cleaning off keyboard from spilled cheese from nachos). You get the idea. Can you really eat perfectly for 12 weeks? I’m willing to bet you wouldn’t last 2 weeks. But really, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO?!? So I am here to tell you, you can have your cake and eat it, too.

“Benefits” (side effects) of not having a cheat meal:

  • Slower metabolism
  • Muscle loss
  • Massive food cravings (which will eventually devour you)
  • Less energy
  • Less strength
  • Less fun because you can’t go out to eat
  • Low glycogen stores (sluggish feeling during workouts, fatiguing faster, lower performance)

Benefits of a cheat meal … or if you are in top shape … Cheat Day!

  • Faster metabolism
  • Maintain all muscle/possibly gain some (building better arms or a better booty requires MUSCLE!)
  • No more food cravings and higher compliance during the week
  • More energy
  • Increased strength
  • MORE FUN BECAUSE YOU CAN GO OUT ON FRIDAY NIGHT!

How is this so?

When you are on a diet program, your calories are restricted to a degree. Your body views this as starvation and tries to lower the amount of energy it needs to continue daily function (your metabolic rate SLOWS DOWN). Day after day, you will slowly burn fewer and fewer calories … FAT LOSS GETS HARDER!

By eating a massive influx of calories you spike your insulin, which helps inactive hormones (T4) convert into active hormones (T3 ). Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) are tyrosine-based hormones produced by the thyroid gland primarily responsible for regulation of metabolism. WE WANT MORE T3 and other key hormones in order to burn more calories and lose fat faster over the next 5-7 days. Plus, when you are hurting for “bad” food on Wednesday night, you will hold out till Friday night when you get to satisfy every craving with no GUILT. Then, when you feel guilty on Saturday morning, you will surely be very compliant for the next 6 days. It’s the perfect storm!

Imagine a camp fire that is slowly dying as the logs are turning to ash. Eating your cheat meal is like piling on fresh new logs – the FIRE KICKS IN HIGH GEAR and you are melting
those marshmallows. Have a cheat meal and feel your metabolism kick in high gear!

Clients who don’t have a planned cheat day FAIL 100% of the time. You may get temporary results, but you can’t stick to it for long. Success is losing the fat and keeping it off! (Remember: FAT loss, NOT weight loss!)

So if you are not cheating once a week, START CHEATING! Your special someone will thank you!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook. I’ll give you tips and tricks to get the most out of your cheat meals!