Losing weight is a struggle. Keeping it off is a struggle. I have had many failures and successes while losing and keeping off 130 lbs over the last dozen years. One strategy that has helped me is the Un-Cheat Meal.
I am not a big believer in cheat meals. One doesn’t get to 330 lbs by showing restraint. My experience with cheat meals is that they send me spiraling either into overeating or lamenting the fact that I ate a week’s work of calories in one meal.
Looking forward to rewarding yourself can help you stay on your plan. That said, the reward doesn’t always have to be an all-out eating orgy. It doesn’t even have to be a cheat.
One of the ways I have rewarded myself is by going out to a nice restaurant for a big juicy steak. My wife and I hardly ever go out, so that in and of itself is something to look forward to. No meal prep, no dishes, and by eating a steak and some veggies, no guilt.
By making an event of the outing, it's not just about the food. It's about the entire experience. You can reward yourself without going off the rails and still feel good about doing it. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
