Don't be mistaking this post for something from the Butterfield Diet Plan:
I'm referring to what I've termed the 'rhythm' of an eating plan; the day off, the indulgent lunch out, the night out on the beers, the night in bed with Netflix and Maltesers.
(No prizes for guessing which one is my preference)
From talking to different people about their diets it seems common for everyone to have a day off. I'm not talking 'if it's not nailed down, then I'm eating it', I mean that they relax a little. I have one friend who uses up some Slimming World Syns with a takeaway, one who will have what he terms 'a big food day' and doesn't stress if the MyFitnessPal calorie total hits 2000 or, my personal favourite, destorying your Weight Watchers Weekly Allowance over a weekend.
The plans I've mentioned allow for a bit of a relaxing day, so why not take advantage?
I feel guilty
WOAH. Woah, woah. Guilty for what? Eating? STOP IT. Everyone has to eat as much as everyone has to breathe oxygen. Yes, we can all make good choices and bad choices but is a takeout and a Malteser Bunny on a Saturday night going to end the world? No. If you can't do the things you enjoy whilst trying to be healthy, you're going to be a very sad little kitten. Don't be too strict and don't punish yourself, life is for living.
I can't have treats, I'm on a diet
I cannot say this enough - everything within moderation (I was even quoted saying it in my Healthy Hero interview!). When I deprive myself I feel so much worse, a little treat on a weekend makes me feel normal; that I can balance my healthy eating with a treat and feel happy about it (my last little 'treat' was Maltesers dipped in peanut butter - I await the sponsorship from Mars any day now).
My husband told me last week he offered a work colleague a chocolate and she said she wasn't allowed but she would quite like to sniff the chocolate. Whut?! EAT IT!
If I don't use all my Syns / Points I'll lose weight faster
Not neccessarily. I know Weight Watchers Points Allowances are designed to create a calorie deficit - yes, even if you use all your Daily Points and all your Weekly Points. That said, everyone is different and will find what works for them (personally I don't use any of my Activity Points, but I use all my Weeklies).
One of my friends who follows Slimming World tells me when she eats less Syns she doesn't have as good a loss on the scales (which I've told her has to be the Holy Grail of weight loss - she has to eat more to lose more - brilliant!).
Have a treat every now and then and hey, if you do go a little over don't feel bad, just resolve that tomorrow is a new day with a fresh start and you'll get yourself back on plan with renewed focus and have learned your limits from the last time.
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| Bunny, bunny, bunny, whoops bunny! |
Feeling deprived is just the worst thing for keeping up with healthy eating and losing weight long term I think - I'm sure I've came across research that says a day with a higher calorie intake can boost your metabolism anyway! I likey the sound of that ;-)
ReplyDeleteA weekend off has always resulted in a drop on the scales for me, I think it's taking the pressure off and relaxing that makes the difference.
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