Cheat Meals

There are always a lot of questions about a "Cheat meal" here and there.  People I think want to know if it's ok every now and then just to let down your guard and eat whatever you want.   Some say no, you'll be doing more harm than good.   Some say yes, you need to do it for your sanity.

Personally, I'm a member of the second group.  Having been through a really bad starvation diet in college that left me extremely resentful, and lead to uncontrollable binge eating, I can tell you that giving in from now and then keeps me sane.  I know when I'm craving something not so healthy and it gets to the point that I'm annoyed by NOT getting it, that I need to give in.

There is also an argument from many sources that says you need to cheat every now and then on your caloric intake to keep your body guessing.   Plateau effects in exercise are well known, but the same thing occurs in your nutrition: eat the same amount or same thing all the time, your body gets used to it.  So, if you're losing weight eating a specific number of calories per day, over time the weight loss will likely dwindle if your exercise output remains constant as well.

To keep yourself off of a plateau, one bodybuilder suggested going over your normal caloric intake by as much as 50% one day per week, every week.   He also suggested having something a little less than healthy on that day, BUT that is by no means a license to pig out on every nasty thing you see.  That means if you want a burger and a beer that day, go for it..as long as it's not the 32 oz monster burger.   Pizza?  Have a couple of slices, just not 1/2 of a large pie.   Ice cream?  1/2 to 1 cup won't kill you.

Then when you get that out of your system, get back on the bandwagon and stick to the healthy nutrition. 

Keep this in mind this week as we roll into Thanksgiving.   Enjoy the meal, and time with your family and friends, but don't gorge/binge.