A lot of people think getting in shape and fit is about constant restriction. Which in many ways it is, but not in the ways you think. Let's talk about one of the ways it isn't by talking about cheat meals and how they help your fat loss (I'll talk about the other ways getting fit can free you later).
Cheat meals or "free meals" are an essential part of how a personal trainer eats and we recommend them to our clients. A cheat meal is what it sounds like- you get to cheat on your diet plan for just one meal. This is not a whole day or weekend- just one meal. The reason why its a not a full weekend is that you can undo your entire progress in one epic eat-a-thon. You'll be wondering why you aren't getting any results and you'll feel like quitting- not productive to achieving your fat loss goals. However, a single, reasonable, cheat meals do wonderful things for both your soul, weight loss and metabolism.
After eating clean and sticking to your diet/what you have decided to eat for at least five consecutive days, you can have a meal off your diet. It can be whatever you truly like to eat. I love fried chicken but its not practical for me to eat when I am in a cutting mode (trying to lean down. Yes, even personal trainers need to lean down sometimes!). The key with a cheat meal is to not go hog wild and eat everything in site. Because I can typically eat more, being a male, I will have a couple pieces of chicken, a small fries and a dessert. When I am really struggling with a plateau with my weight loss, I peel off the skin and maybe have half the dessert I normally would eat. I also add in more days in between my cheat meals.
Now the key with having a "free meal" is you have to get right back on eating healthy and clean the very next meal. Don't let having one meal that wasn't on your clean eating plan throw you into binge eating on chips or chocolate cake. I like to cut my carbs to a minimum to the next day, as well and replace them with more fruits and veggies. I see the most results from the benefits of cheat meal through eating like this... and it really spikes your metabolism!
Benefits of a Cheat Meal
- Keeps your body from suspecting you are eating less (i.e. going into fat storage mode)
- You have been eating clean so your body will just burn the food off because its extra. You will generally feel warmer after you consume a cheat meal
- Preserve lean muscle mass
- Provides an uptick in metabolism
- Keeps you strong to eat healthy and not give into temptation of eating foods that will fatten you up, rather than lean you down
- Its like adding more wood to a fire to aid in your fat loss
Apply these tips and you'll be on your way to being fit as personal trainer.
Cliff Pape
Cliff the Personal Trainer, Certified Personal Trainer in Houston, TX
To read more tips on losing weight and getting in shape, visit: http://www.cliffpt.com/thetrainerlife
If you are interested in personal training, please visit: http://www.cliffpt.com/personaltrainingdealhouston.html
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