The Importance of a Cheat Day

We're only human! Come ‘on do you really think Jillian Harris doesn't indulge in a burger here and there, or Kelly Ripa doesn’t surrender to her sweet tooth? I did some research on this topic to make myself feel better about my once-a-week indulgences. Here's what I found to share with you all who are feeling the Gut-Guilt too.

Harley Pasternak's Famous 5-Factor diet that celebrities like Sandra Bullock follow allows ONE DAY a week to enjoy your favorites guilt-free. I strongly agree with this because if you take one day a week to eat whatever and whenever you want - you will quickly realize why you stopped eating those stupid things to begin with - your tummy is gonna start to ache, your farts are gonna smell, not to mention how gross and bloated you’re going to feel - UGH!

Tim Ferris' 4-Hour Body diet labels his 'cheat day' as Dieters Gone Wild - every Saturday. He also goes a little nuts and over-indulges with his favorites until he feels like vomiting. See we're not alone people!!! Wahoo! Get this - he actually says that "dramatically spiking caloric intake in this way once per week increases fat loss by ensuring that your metabolic rate (thyroid function, etc.) doesn’t down regulate from extended caloric restriction." ummmm I know I don’t really understand those big words either so I’ve dummied it down for us: So you know when you're on a rollercoaster and there is always one really big hill to get your heart pumping and then the rest kind of...well sucks in comparison to that big adrenaline rush? Well giving yourself a cheat day gives your metabolism an adrenaline rush and kind of jump starts it again! You get it? If not shoot me a comment and I’ll try again with another fun analogy!

All-in-All give yourself a cheat day with everything you do; sleep in once/week, stay in your PJ's until 1pm once/week, get wasted once/week, indulge in something crazy once/week...etc, why? BECAUSE WE OWN OUR BODIES and need to gently remind them once per week! RIGHT?!?!

WAIT! One more thing - what can we do to fill those daily junk food cravings....

1) Well try not to get drunk, we all know that for some reason when we're drunk we feel that nothing can make us fat - that we can eat anything and not see it on our thighs the next week. WRONG-O! Not to mention the 'hang-over' day when you feel so sorry for yourself so you decide to eat everything from eggs-bennie to greasy bugers and fries to chinese food....so try to limit yourself to 2-3 drinks during your 6 non-cheat days.

2) If you're like me and crave sweet things after every meal try having some berries, chocolate soy milk, herbal tea or 5 cent candies (KIDDING! haha I bet you all were like YES! Score I can have 5 cent candies....try again bone-heads). Let me know what tricks you use to satisfy your daily cravings!

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