So then, how do you work these treats into your life, or is it better to never allow yourself to splurge on an 'unhealthy' treat?
Most experts are of the opinion that if you attempt to follow a plan that never allows you to have your favorite things you will fail.
One school of thought says to count your calories and work your treat into your total caloric intake. Even though they may not be nutritionally dense calories you are still staying within your daily requirement.
I came across another way of thinking in a book I was reading a book last week. The author suggests that you follow a very strict eating plan for six days, and then the seventh day is a 'binge' day, literally eating anything in any amount that you want.
He uses Saturday as his 'all you want to eat' day. He said that by making himself a little sick each Saturday he didn't want to look at junk food the rest of the week. He also believes that dramatically spiking your caloric intake in this way once a week increases fat-loss by ensuring that your metabolic rate doesn't downshift from extended caloric restriction.
Which if these methods have you tried? Was it successful?
Have you found another way that works for you?
I tend towards a combination of all of the above...no just kidding, but I do think that to never allow yourself to eat things you love will lead to plain unhappiness. I do love the one day a week method. For me it is figuring out what works best for your life and being able to stick with it. I like this post except that it really made me want some frozen yogurt!
ReplyDeleteI don't feel like following an extremely strict diet 6 days a week with 1 day of freedom would work well. I honestly can't imagine the sheer volume of food I'd eat that 1 day....for me it would not work.
ReplyDeleteI allow typically have sweets daily, nothing huge but I have a massive sweet tooth and if I don't have something small(usually in the evening) it drives me nuts then all I want to do is eat, its literally all I think about. I do however keep it in my calorie allowance for the day, I set aside a few hundred calories each day for that reason. I have still been able to see a weight loss each week.
I think you have to experiment a litte and see what works best for you, what makes you feel as though you're not depriving yourself.
I agree that depriving yourself of something you love will lead to frustration and possible binging.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that you need to experiment to see what works best for you. Kudos if you can allow yourself something sweet every day and still stay within your calorie requirement!
It isn't always easy but I eat super clean and I make most of my sweets bc its easier for me to control my calories that way.
ReplyDeleteInteresting theory. I also agree the one day of cheating would probably not work for me. Not unless the day was a major workout day. Then it'd be hard to fit the 'all you can eat' into your schedule and likely be less prone to want to over indulge. Still, I'd love to hear from anyone who's had success with it. Still, the best way is certainly to NOT cut out your favorite foods entirely. Because it does lead to depression and binging. I'm speaking from experience.
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