On the train to work today, all I could think about was how I would kill to have a coconut doughnut RIGHT NOW!
But cheating on my diet this weekend really made me think…is it really worth it?
I do believe in indulging a bit and enjoying the weekend, but I do think that once you start, sometimes it is hard to stop and one snack can become one meal and then become a whole weekend of binge eating.
The first consequence of a cheat meal is that it will load your body with fat, bad carbs and sugar that will throw you out of balance and change your blood chemistry significantly. I know this because I have been craving sugary treats for the past 2 days, and i normally have those cravings under control. Since giving into them this past weekend, it is all i can think about!
It can take 2-3 days for your body to re-stabilize from a cheat meal, and not to mention the extra calories one has consumed. This can halt your progress if you are trying to lose weight. So to answer my own question…no, its not worth it!
The second consequence of a cheat meal is the consequences of your mind!! Once you binge on certain foods, it becomes so much easier to do in the week, and also harder to get back on track. The mental aspect of losing weight is often harder to control than the physical, and that is why we always need to do a gut-check and remember why we have a goal in mind and the blessings and achievements that will come from the hard work we put in.
When I started cutting junk food from my diet, the cravings just disappeared. Yes, it took some time, but the more i starved myself from them , the less the cravings became.
Now, when I crave sweet treats, I have a rice cake with natural peanut butter and honey, or fruit. There are many foods that are sweet and that will satisfy the sweet tooth, without the added calories.
So before you put that high-calorie food in your mouth, have a think about it…Is it really worth it right now???
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I am a all or nothing type of person. Seems like once I cheat it is all over. I really wish that I could eat something sweet then go right back to eating healthy. Right now I am having a really hard time, because I know that alot of people feel you should not eat processed food. That is hard for me with working late. I cant seem to eat what they call clean. I try to watch what I eat but it is not as clean as it should be.
Hi!
Thanks for the post!!
How about replacing unhealthy snacks with more healthy ones? Popcorn is a great replacement for crisps, and how about having a protein bar, dark chocolate or a fruit instead of sweets? Almonds are also a great alternative, and they are high in protein too 🙂
What works for me when i crave something sweet (and that is every night after dinner!) is to have a protein bar or a cup of chamomile tea sweetened with a little honey. It really works in staving off the sweet cravings, because once you give in, like you said, its hard to stop. After a meal, your blood sugar level spikes and you immediately you crave sweets. And once you have one, you want more! Its not worthit if you want to stay on track.
The other key is to plan plan plan!!! If you know you are working late, make sure to pack some nice yummy, healthy snacks so you always have something to grab if you’re in a bind.
Hope this helps!
Natalie 🙂
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Thanks Sharon!!! Keep checking my fb page for updates…and tell your friends too…would love the support xx