Should you have a Cheat Day?
Don’t let Cheat Days Cheat Your Progress
Have you ever fallen off the diet wagon and then said, well, I may as well enjoy myself today, since I’ve already messed up. I’ll get back on my diet tomorrow. If this sounds familiar, you’re dealing with one of the biggest reasons that diets fail. Cheat days are fine, within reason, but if you’re letting them get out of control, you are dooming yourself to failure in more ways than one.
Let’s say that you simply cannot ignore that piece of red velvet cake (my favorite when my sister makes it) that is looking at you and pleading with you to partake. It’s easy enough – we’ve all fallen victim to the cake monster a time or two. But, after that piece of cake, you start to beat yourself up. You did it *again*. By this point, you’ve already mentally defeated yourself for that day, so why bother eating healthy? Most of us then turn around and scarf down a pizza for dinner, since we’ve already derailed our diet for the day anyway.
This is exactly what you do not want to do. One piece of cake may have added 500 extra calories, but how about the rest of the day? It’s time to break free of that cycle and banish your cheat “days” for good. I’m not saying that you have to avoid cheating all together. We’re human, it happens. You fall down, it’s 
natural. The key is to get back up immediately, and not roll around in a banana cream pie for the rest of the day.
By saying, “Ok, I had that piece of cake. I shouldn’t, but I’m not going to let it ruin my diet,” you’re allowing yourself to breath, to make that mistake and get back up. You may need to do a little retraining at first, but you’ll get there. It is vital to stop beating yourself up mentally. After all, it is only a piece of cake. By kicking yourself repeatedly, you’re only going to want to eat more. If you have an issue with eating for comfort, this could spiral out of control.
Cheat days can really wear on a diet, and if you banish the concept of a cheat “day” you can do a lot better. Instead, have a cheat “lunch” or a cheat “snack.” You won’t be completely demolishing your diet and you won’t fall off track. Avoid the “Well, I’ll just do 
X amount of sit-ups” routine as well. Chances are you won’t, and you’re giving yourself just another reason to beat yourself up again. Realize that every now and again you’re going to make mistakes. Also, be reminded of the “Bonus Round!!”;)
No one is perfect, and sometimes, that cake gets the best of us. Even when I’m getting ready for a bodybuilding competition, I crave foods I never ate before. Out of nowhere I’ll start wanting to eat pickles with ice cream on top. –Weird, right?! lol All I’m saying is, you may lose that battle, but you don’t have to lose the war. Get the right mindset and become your best ally instead of your worst enemy. This will help you stay on your diet, and more importantly, you’ll be building up your own self-esteem as you go, and that will pay off for the rest of your life. FYI: Cravings usually last for about 5-10 min. So, if you can find a piece of fruit or chewing gum….it’ll pass and you’ll be the VICTOR not the victim!!
Speaking of Victory – I want to brag on this young lady for her accomplishments and commitment to changing her life for the better. Great Job Danni Spann!! – You ROCK!
Here’s part of Danni’s success story:
“I would never think that exercise and losing weight would be so much fun! But that’s exactly what CC’s workouts bring. I reached my goal of losing 35lbs. and 23.5 total body inches. I have exercised much of my adult life but nothing has ever had the lasting effects as I have gotten at Trinity Fitness. CC teaches you not only how to correctly perform each exercise but he teaches you healthy eating habits and how those habits will get you results. Our motto that we call out after each workout is “FIT FOR LIFE”. That’s just it; it’s a lifestyle!
Since working out with CC, I have more energy and feel better both physically and mentally. Not only has CC helped me reach my goals but my family have directly benefited from the teachings I’ve learned from working with CC. Both of my daughters have attended boot camp and my husband has lost 40lbs. CC has taught me and my family a new way of life.
Thank you CC for all you have done! It has been a pleasure (and sometimes painful) to get to train under your leadership and become a part of your physical fitness family. I encourage anyone to join Trinity Fitness. You will not be disappointed!”
Now, go eat something healthy for me and don’t forget to put it in your food journal.
Have an Awesome Day!
CC Matthews
Posted by admin | in Fat Loss Strategies, Fitness Advice, Mind/Motivation, Nutrition Tips & Strategies | 9 Comments
Pickles with ice cream? Are you pregnant? hahaha
36-0
This is very encouraging! I’m excited about my new path!
@ Marc – Man, trust me, when getting ready for competition -anything outside of the strict eating is appealing. You’re right, usually pregnant women crave those items. ha!
@ Alane – It’s great to have you on board and a thrill to work with you. There’s great things on the horizon for you if you stay focused and committed.
CC Matthews
CC, your right about those cheat days after just one little bite you think well I messed up now why not keep eating that “so called good food”. That is how I used to think but since going to Trinity Fitness and you staying on my case I don’t think like that now, I can’t afford to. Thanks for all you do for us. Great job Danni, you look great and I know that you feel better. Thanks for all the encourgement that you give me.
Thanks for this info. Now I don’t feel so bad when I eat chips for one time during the day. We are humans and we do mess up, but the most important thing is not letting it defeat us. We eat that one bad thing, list it in our journal, CC reads its and then gives us better choices to choose from (and the bonus room if it’s too bad). The same concept with our sins; when we sin, we don’t let sin defeat us, we ask God to forgive us, pick ourselves up, and rely on the Holy Spirit to keep us going in the right direction. I love it!!!
C.C. I needed to hear this, because when I cheat I tend to keep cheating, I’m trying to retrain my mind to stop and get back on the right track
Thanks
DANNI ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with Kirtina that when we sin we have to ask for the forgiveness and keep going. One thing it is hardest for most people to do is forgive themselves.
I have learned at one time most people that stay thin we think they can eat what they want but that is not the case. Usually if they want something sweet they eat it but not on a regular basis. It may be once a day and they are mostly active at some point in there day. I have just started and I do appreciate all the encouragement I get from CC and the group. He is teaching me to not push my self to hard but hard enough. Especially since I have not been physically active for a couple of years. I cant wait to see the results.
Amen CC…you hit the nail on the head….what is worst than not eating healthy? it is beating your self esteem which makes it even harder to reach that healthy lifestyle…I learned so much from you and i may not be working out with you anymore because of the distance….but I still believe that your approach to working out and staying healthy is the best i have ever seen….you raised the bar for all trainers out there who are training poeple not because of a passion but because of personal gain….God bless you