Have Your Cake & Eat It Too (Guilt-Free)

Bet you never thought you’d hear your fitness coach say that!

But it’s true — eating should be an enjoyable process. Not a form of punishment or restriction.

In fact, the more we restrict our food the more likely we are to stray from any healthy eating habits we’ve set up. A study found when we restrict ourselves from sugary food in particular, we’re more likely to overeat at a later time.

If you’re trying to lose weight, build muscle, or just maintain a healthy diet, your meals should be full of clean, nutrient-rich foods more often than not. But swearing off cake or dairy or even your favorite chocolate bars for good won’t last, and it will only make keeping healthy habits harder.

It’s not about a diet, it’s a lifestyle change. And for many people who have gone years eating unhealthy foods, cold turkey isn’t going to cut it. So instead of restricting yourself entirely, just ease back. Here are a few ideas:

• Have a piece of chocolate every evening instead of the whole bar. 

• Find a healthier alternative for your favorite carb-heavy meal. 

• Set up one day or meal a week where you get to have whatever it is you’ve been craving. 

• Allow yourself a monthly allowance for your favorite fast food place. 

And if you’re following our macro plan — just count the sweets into your daily macro goals! It’s totally doable and you can still lose weight while enjoying your favorite treats. Eating a little something yummy daily (even junk food) helps you approach food in an emotionally healthy way. It’s even dietitian-approved!

If you need help figuring out how to count your macros and enjoy your daily treats while still meeting your goals, download The Fitt Cycle App and enjoy a free 7-day trial!