IT'S CHEAT DAY

How many times have you heard someone use, "It's my cheat day" or, "I can't wait for my cheat day."? The question I typically get asked is whether or not a cheat day is programmed into the nutrition plan. My typical response is that it depends on your individual goals. As a blanket statement I would say an entire day dedicated to cheating on your nutrition plan, which usually entails eating whatever your heart desires is never a good idea. Now, with that being said I don't mind a cheat meal per se. But again this depends on the individual. If you are a physique athlete and hope to rise in the ranks of the bodybuilding world I would strongly suggest avoiding cheat meals altogether. My athletes who have enormous energy demands can get away with a cheat meal or two a week specifically timed post workout or post competition as most of the nutrients will be utilized for recovery. What about Karen "poor Karen" who just started her journey back to her ideal body composition? To Karen I would say use your discretion. If you have the goal to be fit for your summer vacation on the beaches of Hawaii in 8 weeks I would stick to the plan. Now, if Karen did not have time constraints and has historical struggles with maintaining healthy nutrition habits I would say add a cheat meal intermittently. Believe it or not doing so has a positive psychological effect. If Karen did not strategically curb that craving she would be much more likely to give up on her nutrition plan all together. At the end of the day the best nutrition plan is one that you can stick with over time. Balance the cheat meal days with clean nutritional foods and you can absolutely maintain the healthy lifestyle you have always desired.