Once again…
Every holiday, I hear the same thing over and over again. However, before I get into that. I need to update you all. I tried upping my carbohydrates for one day and I didn’t like it. My weight loss stalled due to my reduction in calories, so I upped my calories to 2900. Now, I am feeling much better.
Alright, as we all know the 4th of July is tomorrow. I am already hearing people talk and messages being posted about "eating clean". Food is neither clean nor dirty. It serves a purpose of your providing your body with energy in which you burn. Human perception has shaped food into either "clean" or "dirty". I bowl of "clean" almonds or "clean" apples, can make you fat just like a "dirty" steak can.
At the end of the day, we’re all here on this planet to LIVE life. Let me say that again, LIVE life. You being a fitness prune while everyone else is enjoying themselves, is going to leave you isolated in the corner. Holiday’s are great because they are just that Holiday’s. A time for you to relax and enjoy yourself with friends and family. Now, before I go to the gym for a second time today. It’s time to recap.
One day of eating whatever you want, will not hurt your progress. Well if you just started the Anabolic diet or any low carb diet that requires an induction phase… well you choose the wrong week to start. Sorry homey. If you’re overweight and thank one day is going to hurt your progress, well you need to chill. Did it take only ONE DAY to be where you are now? I think not. Now, go out and enjoy life, because you only have one.
Oh, and don’t buy the book "Eat Clean Diet for Men". The book clearly mentions not to eat after 6pm. I returned the book the next day.
July 3, 2009 at 9:45 am
Can’t you enjoy life and eat healthy at the same time? Wouldn’t eating healthier prolong a happy life? I understand the point you are trying to make, but for most I think the emphasis of eating clean needs to be established throughout holiday weekends as well.
If you have not yet established a foundation of healthy eating, then to say that one day wont hurt isn’t eactly true. In one day you can add 2lbs back on. Those same two pounds can take a week to take off. If you binge one day, what’s to stop you from adding a 2nd day onto that. Isn’t the old addage for diets to eat like crazy on the weekend, and then start fresh on Monday? I think if you can exhibit control in the face of temptation then you are better off.
July 3, 2009 at 11:16 am
I love this post! You’re so right…we do need to enjoy and LIVE life. Incredible insight
Have a wonderful 4th!
July 3, 2009 at 11:57 am
Sorry Ant, but I gotta agree with Lex, if you don’t know how to eat "properly" falling off one day IS going to hurt you, because at the end of the day, all we need is an "excuse", and then we tack on another day, and another, and another. Just like people who say "I have one or two cheats a week!" WTH? You’re cheating no one but yourself. You can enjoy life without gourging yourself to death. Either you’re committed, or you’re not. Period. JMO. Begin the hate mail in 5,4,3,2,1. Ha!!
July 3, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Lex29us, eating healthy is not just about putting "good" food in your mouth. Food is also a psychological reward. People act like the human body is some sort of glass house. You make one move and it all shatters. I am sorry but it doesn’t work like that.
The body is a dynamic machine. Give it a little more credit.
@China2u, I don’t know who you take me for but I am not going to get upset over someones opinion. It’s only an excuse if you don’t get back on track. If that is the case, then food is not the problem. It’s your lack of willpower.
Once again, what exactly is a cheat meal? A meal is a meal, regardless of what it is.
July 3, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I don’t think Ant was talking about the phychological consequences. I believe his assumption was pure discipline. As such he is absolutely correct. Lex and China are comming from the perspective of psychology without as much attention to discipline. In all fairness that too is a good point. Personally I need that psychological break once a week so I can maintain my discipline the rest of the week…. Nowadays though it’s more like a few cheat meals instead of a whole day. BTW, I’m not a hater, I love all of you… so keep counting china, LOL.
July 3, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Dang Ant, I don’t know where that came from, but when I said "In 5,4,3,2,1, I was talking about people that were going to respond to my rost, not to you personally.
But you just solidified why I don’t post. And the only thing that I take you for is someone who is trying to get the job done, just like everybody else. Enjoy your holiday:-)
July 3, 2009 at 3:56 pm
post (sp)
July 3, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I agree with you A.Wright. I enjoy chocolate and bread. I’m on a low carb diet, but you can bet i will allow myself those foods once a week.
As for holidays. Your right. Depending on what program you’re on and how you work it, one day won’t hurt you. Obviously you can’t gorge yourself with every piece of candy, chocolate, and bread stick available or YES, you will gain those few extra pounds. Indulging once in a while shouldn’t be frowned upon. Enjoy the little things in life.
July 3, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I need to forward the article my boy Trapt wrote for beachbody.com. He’s one of there coaches and he lined out 5 major reasons why people can loose weight or stick to a program. One of the reasons that strikes a chord with me is "You think you’re being deprived of something". That talks about how you have to have some of those "comfort" foods, in moderation, to keep focus and mental sanity. I’m with you Ant! You gotta have those meals that deviate a bit from the program just so you don’t begin to resent yourfelf. Another reason that ties right into that is, "You try for perfection and/or make it too complicated". Unless you’re pre-contest, do you and your family/loved one/spouse a favor and lighten up and enjoy the holiday. Preach on Ant!
July 3, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Interesting perspectives on both sides. I too believe that a cheat meal, deviation, or whatever you want to call it can be beneficial when used appropriately. #1, you can not gain 3 solid pounds of fat over night. So, a day of eating and not counting claories isn’t going to kill you…yes, adding an extra amount of sodium/carbs to your system when we deviate from are clean way of eating will cause you to retain some water. All that is water and the glycogen in ur muscles. If your lean and good carb up has you looking super ripped the next day #2, following a keto style diet for excessive periods of time can bring a burning fast metabolism to that of a snails pace….having that "cheat meal" "refeed meal" "deviation" day will reset your system…kind of like informing your system that you are not starving it.
I also understand what Lex is saying. If you are not careful…one day can turn in to two days, etc. But, I believe you can enjoy life and still have an ice cream every so often.
I do believe you can stay fit and health while enjoying a slice of birthday cake with your child. When done in moderation you can enjoy all the treats that most ppl claim are "bad" foods. Keep in mind too much of anything is bad for your health….rather it’s good or bad. Heck, drink too much water and see what happens!!!