I don't know about you but I find it really difficult to stick to a low strict calorie diet. It is the same boring chicken and veg everyday Monday to Friday, that will be the death of me.
So every once in a while I allow myself a cheat meal, one time in a week I have a splurge, I go all out and have a party with my food. You are probably wondering Why ruin all of your hard work and strict diet plan with food? Well it has actually been proven scientifically to help you.
We have two hormones in our body, Leptin and Ghrelin. These hormones change as we change our eating habits, i.e Low Calorie or fasting. When we do so our Leptin Levels fall and our Ghrelin levels increase. Leptin is a suppressing appetite hormone and Ghrelin is a hunger stimulant so you can imagine when the level of these hormones change thats where our hunger sensation comes from meaning we go for the nearest packet of crisps or chocolate bar if we don't have the healthy option to choose from.
When you stick to this diet throughout the week these hormones take an effect on your body but with a calorie increase (Cheat Meal) your body can regulate these hormones, keep your appetite in check and promote weight loss.
Here is what My meal consisted of at the Weekend it isn't the best Cheat Meal with a Beer too but I deserved a treat as I worked my ASS OFF
So enjoy working out and eating right but also remember you can treat yourself for the hard work!! ๐ฉ
All in Moderation
Happy Hump Day!!!
Fasting is another way to allow yourself to indulge from time to time. I fast twice a week for 24 hours which give me some flexibility to have some drinks at the weekend. Personally I'm not keen on sweet or unhealthy food anyway, but social drinking I do like.
Oh I do enjoy social drinking too ... I think I need to give this a try then ;) I have heard fasting is good, but with my training at the moment I need to eat a lot but maybe give that a try one of the weeks I am not training! Always good to mix it up :) Thanks
I do a lot of training too. I eat on weight training days and fast on HIIT training days which helps to lost body fat and at the same time build muscle.
I need Carbs after HIIT training and Cardio days my body can't function right but I know what you mean that is a really good way to lose un wanted fat ;)
Couldn't agree more, as my mother in law often says
You have to treat yourself occasionally and it helps you to be good for the rest of the week
EXACTLY your Mother in Law knows the score ;)
It also motivates me knowing at the end of the week I can let my hair down!
I think it also makes sense to time cheat meals - if you just did heavy squats at a gym, then eating a bit of cake shouldn't be a problem at all and can be even beneficial!
Yes it shouldn't be a problem and can also spike your energy levels for the next gym session!! Thats what I noticed after my cheat meal that I could go so long with out getting tired or sore the next day it was great!!