Struggling with junk food cravings? Have a hard time eating clean? Imagine a day where you indulge in your favorite treats without having to worry about calories. Believe it or not, cheat meals and cheat days can help you get leaner. Fitness models have been using this strategy for decades. A well-planned cheat day can rev up your metabolism and keep you sane while on a diet. Here is how it works:
How Does Cheating Work?
Most diets are low in calories and carbs. Over time, your body adapts to a reduced calorie intake and starts to use less energy. This natural survival mechanism helped our ancestors go through famine when food supply was limited. As your body begins to burns fewer calories, your metabolism slows down, leading to weight loss plateaus.
Cheat days trick your body into thinking that famine is over, which ignites its fat burning engine. Incorporating a weekly cheat meal or cheat day into your diet can help you burn calories at a faster rate and stay on track. It also allows you to satisfy your cravings and enjoy your go-to foods. If your cheat meals are high in carbs, they will replenish your glycogen stores and give you the energy needed for intense training.
How to Cheat on Your Diet the Right Way
To lose weight, plan your cheat meals ahead of time. Ideally, use this strategy on the days when you have the toughest workouts so you can burn the extra calories. For instance, most bodybuilders have a cheat meal on leg day.
Keep processed foods to a minimum. Even though you can eat anything on your cheat day, stick to homemade meals and treats. Fast food is packed with empty calories and puts stress on your liver. Take digestive enzymes or eat fermented foods to prevent indigestion after a cheat meal. Don’t succumb to guilt. One or two bad meals won’t make you fat. They can actually bring you closer to your goals and boost your motivation.
