The other day I had a conversation with someone who was complaining that they had a “cheat” meal…which led to a cheat day… which led to a cheat weekend… which lead to massive guilt because they felt like they have to start all over again. And that’s one big problem with dieting, feeling like you’ve messed up and have to start over.
Over the weekend, I had a delicious dessert of an Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookie with ice cream right after having a big hamburger…with a skinny margarita….such a great Memorial day bbq meal in my eyes!
But am I a cheater? No.
I tracked my food and made sure I stayed within my macros and boom!
No bad feelings.
No guilt.
No weight gain.
Tracking macros is such a blessing because it takes away the idea that you have to stay away from certain foods. And that’s just not the case at all, een if you want to lose weight. You simply work them into your macros. And if a full portion of a certain food can’t fit your macros, then you eat less of that food, or you find a way to cook it so it can fit.
Nothing to stress about.
So, you can finally stop feeling guilty if you ate something labeled ‘bad.’
Loving the foods you eat and making progress toward your goals are not mutually exclusive of each other.
Now let’s talk more about the CHEATING mentialty…
‘Cheat meals’ also imply that you’ve done something wrong and there is nothing wrong about eating a cookie, ice cream, chips, etc.
The term ‘cheating’ also brings up guilt, and guilt is a complex emotion. On one hand, it can keep you on track. But too much guilt will poison to your mindset, results, and happiness! Guilt can tell you that you aren’t capable of achieving your goals when that couldn’t be FURTHER from the truth!!
So after that conversation I mentioned above, I was inspired to share a SIMPLE shift that can help you break out of that cycle FOREVER and enjoy your life more! I know getting out of the ‘on track/off track mentality’ is hard to do. So here’s a little tip to help you get started.
In fact, I promise it’ll make a MASSIVE difference in your long-term success and happiness.
You are only ONE WORKOUT or ONE CLEAN MEAL away from being back on-track.
“Starting all over again” doesn’t have to be a big production. All you have to do is eat ONE healthy meal (whatever that looks like for you) or go get your sweat on. Personally whenever I have indulged a little more than I should, I will make sure to make time the next morning to get in a good sweat sesh on an empty stomach.
If you adopt the “one workout or one meal away” mindset, you are never “off” or “on” a program … you are simply living a fitness/wellness lifestyle. Your “cheat” meals suddenly aren’t “cheats” … they simply are meals that contain foods you don’t normally eat. They are no big deal!
Stop torturing yourself with cheat meals and start living ith more diet freedom.
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