Cheat days can actually be BENEFICIAL for you; Here's how

Regularly scheduled cheat day - preferably once each week - can actually be good for weight loss. Having a regularly scheduled cheat day means you will be preventing binges, sudden cravings, boosting metabolism, and giving your body a much needed emotional and physical break. That being said your cheat day should still be healthy. Moderation is the key and overeating can actually disrupt your progress. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favourite foods! You can balance high calorie food items by consuming plenty of water and having at least a fruit or two.

Like there’s no pressure to diet, there’s no pressure to observe a cheat day either. In fact, most of us don’t think about having a cheat day till very far into our diets. You may feel like taking a cheat only when there’s experience a mental slag. If a cheat day scares you, go for a cheat meal instead. You can relax on a Friday night or a Sunday brunch and load up on your favourite foods that one time of the day. Cheat meals prevent you from going overboard and helps you be on track. Nevertheless, if you do end up going overboard, don’t worry. Work it out the next day and make better food choices for your next cheat day!

Physical effects of a cheat day

As compared to other days, cheat days help in the increased production of leptin, which in turn boosts metabolism. A better metabolism means your body will start burning calories quickly and efficiently. Leptin is a hormone that controls hunger and feelings of satiety. However, the extent by which your body’s metabolism is boosted is by no more than 3-10% over a maximum of 24 hours. A prolonged and strict diet makes the glycogen stores in our muscles rather limited. This means that you experience fatigue more quickly and see a reduced physical performance. A cheat day can help replenish your glycogen stores by increasing the number of calories and carbohydrates consumed. This means you are equipped with the energy you need for a strenuous workout!

Psychological effects of a cheat day

Regular cheat days positively impact you by helping you stay true to a strict diet. It suppresses food cravings and prevents unregulated calorie consumption. Looking forward to a cheat day also means you are mentally prepared on the other days to focus completely on your calorie intake and workout regimes so you don’t feel guilty about eating to your heart’s content on a cheat day. Tracking your food intake, even on a cheat day, is a great way to make sure you don’t overeat. The secret to a successful cheat day is moderation!