Comments on: To Cheat or Not To Cheat – That Is The Question!

By: Erik Fisher

Erik Fisher — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:19:48 +0000

I could not agree with you more. Ultimately, I do believe that I will enjoy the food that gives me the most energy, with the least negative side affects. Sure, I love me some pizza, but eventually, if you are pursuing a balanced life, then you will find that when you are more in balance over time, you gravitate less towards the things that throw you out of balance.

I too hate the word diet, other than as a technical term to mean “what food you eat”. If I were to say “so and so is ‘dieting’” I would mean they are CHANGING THEIR DIET. We are all eating food, so we are all “dieting” at all times! I would rather refer to any changes in the food I eat as changes in my diet – the food I eat, and the manner I eat it.

Ultimately the cheat day thing is stupid, because you may excuse tons of things in one day, that can ruin any progress you have made the entire rest of the week! It’s better to manage your calories like a budget, and know when you have discretionary (money) calories to spend a little extra here and there.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:09:22 +0000

Good stuff Cliff – keep pursuing and keep honest.

By: Rick Wolff

Rick Wolff — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:07:40 +0000

About 6 years ago, as part of the Atkins plan, I cut out sugar, and went for either substitutes (as in coffee) or food that was tasty for other reasons. The plan starts with an induction period of few if any carbohydrates; thereafter, you can re-introduce complex carbs. Since I stayed away from sugar long enough, the taste of it kind of grosses me out, and any quantity of it throws my blood sugar so far out of whack that I doze within an hour. So “bad” foods show their true colors when you fast from them long enough, helping you reject them on for reasons of taste. When “comfort food” makes you uncomfortable, you’re that much farther ahead!

By: Krissy

Krissy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:37:10 +0000

I agree when you say we shouldn’t feel like we are “depriving” ourselves by not eating unhealthy foods. It should be about moderation and smart choices.

However, I do think to some degree that it is human nature to want something we don’t have, especially if it’s something we have had access previously – in this case, certain types of food.

I’m sure almost everyone has at one time been hungry and made many trips to the fridge in hope that the food we want to eat will miraculously appear, even though we know it won’t. So why do we keep going back and opening that door? If the food we were after was in the fridge, chances are it would sit there for a week before we gave it a second glance and consider eating it.

So for me, what it really comes down to is the MIND, and our willpower. The body can go on if it doesn’t have that Big Mac or block of chocolate, it’s your mind that is dreaming of eating those things. For someone on a “diet” which is strict and not allowing anything “bad”, those that have a stronger willpower can resist eating the “bad” foods and stick to eating healthy all the time, where as the rest don’t have the strength to say “no” and fall off the wagon eventually, because all the mind can think about is eating the “bad” foods.

Having said all that, you have the right idea about it Cliff. If you want to have some (chocolate, chips, icecream, insert food item here) on occasion, then have it. Of course being sensible about how often this happens and the amount you consume is a given.

With the rest of your food choices being much more healthy than previously, you will probably find you will start to not enjoy the taste of these “bad” foods as much, so a few bites will satisfy you. Once again, it’s down to the mind – it may remember things tasting good, so that’s why you wanted it in the first place, but your body and it’s changed palette will show that the certain food isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

By: kyliemac

kyliemac — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:36:38 +0000

i’ve heard it said that “diet” is just the word “die” with a “t”.

i agree with you, cliff. “cheat” days are not a good option – it’s important to structure a lifestyle choice where “cheating” is not an issue!

By: Fred from Long Island

Fred from Long Island — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:23:07 +0000

Well said, Cliff. I take issue with people who create a euphemism for the word “diet” because they don’t want to say it, as if they are fooling themselves. In effect, they are starving themselves or eating in a way that just won’t work for the long haul. No one goes on a prepackaged meal plan, for example, or drinking two diet shakes a day as a “healthy lifestyle,” although these plans might provide a jumpstart. Until someone is ready to approach their health and fitness in a realistic manner, and commit to that, it’s going to be a roller coaster ride.

BTW, my parents became vegetarians many years ago, which I thought was a drastic move, especially for my dad. As it turns out, they are in better health than many people their age, and they don’t regret that choice. I’m not saying it’s right for everyone, especially since I am not a vegetarian myself, but they have taught me about healthy food choices and I am making them more often.

Thanks for writing about a topic that is at the top of my mind (obviously), and even more so with vacation coming up next week! Keep up the great work.