What’s the deal with ‘cheat days’?
Oh this question comes up a lot from people before they become my clients. This refers to a day of eating any kind of food wanted; in most cases it’s not a part of your meal plan. So I’ll start by saying, and listen very carefully. There is no such thing as a cheat day!
Look at it this way, put all of the food you eat into 2 main categories:
1 – Either it will help you move closer to your health goal or
2 – It will push you further away from the goal
In my personal Elite Wellness Solutions health program, I have written in an ‘anything day;’ which means every Saturday I eat pretty much whatever I want with no guidelines. Calling it a cheat day makes it even more tempting in your mind, because as humans we are drawn to things that are bad – that we should not be doing (like cheating) … don’t forget it’s primarily a mind thing. Reprogram your brain into making all meals a part of your health journey, as opposed to cheating on your health journey.
Why do I get an ‘anything day?’
Never watch or compare someone else’s journey to your own. Clients ask me sometimes, ‘Well how come you can eat grease and I can’t?” First of all, I never tell people what they can’t do, because that’s something I only tell my 4 year old child. I’m quick to remind people they are adults and in charge of their own health journey.
I’ve achieved my last target, which was 180 pounds and 8% body fat. I’m now in my bulking phase to gain lean muscle mass. I train every day; sometimes twice per day. I eat ‘clean’ calories 6 days per week. I’ve been strong on my health journey for the past few years. This is why I get an anything day.
If you haven’t reached a certain point in your journey, where you can afford to have an anything day then leave it alone. The goal is always to get better and move forward.
I have a certain formula I follow, if I eat or drink something that was not on the plan. For example, if I have an unplanned slice of pizza, then I do about 45 minutes of cardio to burn it off. Or if I drink a beer, it would be an extra 15 minutes cardio.
I’m not telling you to do this … do not rely on this method to keep you on track!
The problem with this is that the time you take to burn off those extra calories, is time wasted. You could be moving further ahead, but instead you’re at a stand still trying to get back to the point you were at before you have that unplanned meal or drink.
Your best option (by far)
Stick to your Elite Wellness Solutions plan (or any other health and wellness plan you may be following).