Cheat Days on diets?
What happened to my photography blog? Argh. I haven’t been picking up the camera outside of work as much as I’d like to because I really need to re-focus on my body. Meaning Diet and Exercise. So in the off times of my 9-5 and my 5-9, I’ve been making healthy foods, lots of different salads and spreads, and working out.
Yesterday I really wrestled with the idea of a “Cheat Day” in my diet. I still did my morning workout, but I was really struggling with the idea of not eating my diet for 1 full day. I asked the question on twitter if trainers really advocate this practice. I didn’t get many hits, some I’m hoping to see some replies below. One article that I came across made me feel pretty good about this idea. It’s from Tom Venuto, and the article is here. Basically he says yes. However, not a cheat day, but a cheat meal. If you’re truly eating approx 35 meals a week, eating 34 healthy ones and 1 bad one, you’re not doing yourself any damage. I suggest reading the article so that I don’t miss anything.
Now, I didn’t read this article until last night after I had 2 bad meals…but I don’t think that’s going to throw me off as I haven’t had a “cheat day” in 2 weeks since I started this routine. I think it’s par for the course. Now this morning I was back on track with my food and I worked out extra hard. A few extra pushups and situps, and increased the intensity on the elliptical. I felt guilty for eating what I did so I wanted to make sure to burn it off. Of course, now I know that I can push myself that much more, so I can’t really go back to that lesser intensity tomorrow. I’d just feel bad.
Now it’s time to go outside and shovel that lovely snow that’s been falling overnight, the off to the pool for an afternoon swim! I think I really feel guilty about that food eh!