Cheat days in dieting: Myth v/s facts
What's the story
Popularized by social media, cheat days have become quite a thing in the fitness world. The concept revolves around indulging without guilt while on a diet. The idea is that by giving yourself occasional leeways, you can stick to long-term dietary discipline. But is it really effective? Let's find out if cheat days are actually beneficial or just another fitness myth.
#1
Psychological impact of cheat days
Cheat days also affect you psychologically by serving as a mental break from strict dieting. For some, knowing that they have the opportunity to indulge may lessen feelings of deprivation and keep them motivated. But for others, it could spiral into guilt or binge eating behavior. Knowing one's own triggers and responses is important when it comes to the psychological effects of cheat days.
#2
Metabolic effects on the body
The metabolic effects of cheat days are often cited as a reason for their use. Some believe that occasional high-calorie intake can boost metabolism by increasing levels of leptin, a hormone involved in hunger regulation. While there might be short-term metabolic benefits, these effects are usually temporary and may not significantly impact long-term weight loss goals.
#3
Impact on dietary discipline
However, cheat days may impact dietary discipline on a more personal level. For some, scheduled indulgences keep them on course through the week. For others, cheat days disrupt the routine and make it difficult to get back to eating healthy afterwards. It's important to assess your level of discipline when figuring out if cheat days work for you.
#4
Alternatives to traditional cheat days
Instead of traditional cheat days where you indulge excessively for an entire day, consider smaller treats spread throughout the week as an alternative approach. It allows you to enjoy without overindulging and helps you maintain balance in your diet plan while still satisfying your cravings occasionally without derailing your progress entirely.