Cheating on the diet without gaining pounds is far from ideal but sometimes temptation wins out.
We know better than to think that following a “diet” is about being deprived and we are fully aware that diet is all about health and wellbeing but every so often we cannot help but crave the unmentionable, those naughties that we spend a great deal of time and emotional energy avoiding. I am talking about you, sugar; the greatest temptress of all.
Winter is nearly upon us in the northern hemisphere and it is the time when all my best intentions are challenged. I am aware that I am heading into weight gain territory. The shorter days are condusive to delicious dinners and more sedentary behaviour. How we dress is about covering up and even without calculation, a multitude can be hidden.
We all strive to be our best but sometimes we have to live a little and break the routine. Even the most disciplined of us have to let go of the diet rules on occasion. The art is to find the balance and reward without going completely off the rails. Nobody is perfect, we all crave indulgences, and whether they are sweet or savoury, it is how we manage them that makes the difference.
The fast path to decline is breaking the regime once and then subconsciously accepting that those patterns can continue. Indulging ourselves every now and then is a necessary part of life, repeating what we know we shouldn’t time and time again is not beneficial.
If you are fortunate to have a racing metabolism then cheating on your diet is irrelevant, if you are like me and your metabolism moves at snail’s pace then this cheat sheet might help.
The Diet Cheat Sheet.
We know we shouldn’t but what if we do want to cheat a little when we are on our diet. Here are a few simple ideas that will help us toughen it out and get us through without putting back those unwanted pounds.
1: When breaking the diet make it worthwhile.
Break with the finest and enjoy those extra calories, every mouthful and with no recriminations. Do not break for something that is half-hearted. Restaurant meals are full of hidden calories. Try and cook yourself with the best of ingredients.
2: Take time to consider choices.
Are you sure that extra packet of M&M’s after dinner and right before bed is a good idea? Sleep on it and if you still want them the next day, indulge, enjoy and start again. Most likely the mood will have passed.
3.Cheat in small doses.
Don’t go overboard all day long. Indulging over one meal doesn’t mean it is a good idea to indulge all day.
4. Exercise more often.
The more you eat, the more to exercise. Take a long walk or go to the gym; there is nothing better than a dose of physical exertion to elevate our mood and keep us motivated.
5: Portion control.
Indulge but don’t over indulge. Leave a mouthful, a spoonful or a sip. Enjoy and savour the taste. Avoid tell tale triggers, those foods and beverages that leave you wanting more. Don’t buy what you shouldn’t and make those excuses that “it” is for someone else in the household. How often that white lie has lead to unwanted pounds.
Have you any tips that makes dieting easier or any little ways that we can indulge without falling completely by the wayside?
