Cheat Meal !
BY BROOKE CLARK Certified Life Coach and Certified Personal Trainer
It ’ s prep season ! We ’ re coming out of our bulking cycle , reducing our calorie intake and cutting out desserts . But deprivation is hard to do , and that ’ s why we incorporate cheat meals . The key to cheating right is having a strategy .
Under the right circumstances , cheat meals can give you a mental break and allow you the freedom to socialize . In additional to the psychological affects , cheat meals can boost your metabolism and help to maintain your strength in the gym . These effects can last for days after the higher calorie meal to prevent a fat loss plateau and feelings of starvation . It ’ ll also improve thyroid function , which in turn burns more calories .
When using the cheat meal strategy , there ’ s often a question of a cheat meal or a cheat day . Most often , people will eat one cheat meal per week during the season , but this can vary depending on how lean you are and how deep you are in prep . For some people , full days of higher calorie foods may help to fill them out , for others a more reserved approach may be more beneficial .
Lastly , a common mistake is not incorporating a cheat meal at all during prep . Dieting may feel like a chore if you don ’ t give yourself a break during the long season . The goal is to get as lean as possible but it doesn ’ t mean we should stop living or allow our hormones to plummet . Transforming our body is a process . Give yourself enough time and don ’ t make it dreadful .
As with any prep plan , the cheat meal strategy must be complimented by a healthy mindset and realistic goal setting . Incorporating a cheat meal or a higher calorie day will only be effective if you can adhere to the game plan for the rest of the week . If you have a well built plan , you ’ ll be more likely to stick to it because it ’ s designed to support you .
Brooke
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