Holiday Weekend....You STAY on your diet? Slip once? Twice?

One of the biggest questions I get in the industry is "Do I ever cheat?"

Initially, I was confused...

I wasn't sure what it meant because I never thought of food as a way to "cheat."

Which is where I think so many of you guys go wrong. Placing foods in BAD or GOOD categories can ultimately lead to poor relationships with food in general.

Over the years, I've battled many and have been around the world and back when it comes to mind games, diets, and new beginnings.

You guys all know right?

You mess up on Friday....it leads to a poor choice Saturday....then you decide to wait until MONDAY to start over.

This cycle then repeats itself weekly or biweekly....where you "start over" when you "mess up."

So where did you go wrong this weekend?

Was it Thursday at the BBQ? Overdo it on drinks and burgers? Chips and Fries?

Did it lead to a meal out Friday that wasn't on your diet plan?

And it just spiraled to you "waiting" to reset this week....am I right?

What is so magical about starting over?

What if I told you that there are no bad foods, and that everything should be labeled as nourishment. You can make room for more foods over one another...based on their ability to help you reach your goals, but overall....there is a time and place for many things.

Now, this doesn't mean you can eat your way to a six pack with McDonalds or Taco Bell, but you can stop worrying about silly facts about things like:

1. Fruit makes you fat. This is a myth. Over eating anything makes you fat. But fruit in general is one of the healthiest things you can eat. There are higher carb/sugar fruits that may not be a super as others....like bananas compared to berries....but you can't go wrong eating fruit!

2. Potatoes are the devil. This again is a load of junk. They contain many vitamins and minerals essential for muscle function and repair! Sweet potatoes are the BEST. :)

3. Rice packs on pounds. Again, rice is not the enemy of weight gain. Sure, if you are overweight and looking to drop pounds, heading to the local Asian place and eating a pound of it with loaded sodium and sauces may NOT be the best option, but you cannot automatically mark rice as a bad food.

At the end of the day, you want to be able to have a balance. Neglecting certain foods or groups in a diet is not something you can or happily sustain.

If you cannot stick to it.....then why do it?

Remember, balance and moderation is the key to sustainability.....and consistency is king when it comes to everything!

So, if you fell off the wagon and indulged in things you maybe shouldn't have over the weekend, let it go, move on, and get back on track.

Don't go starving yourself this week and cut calories, just find your sweet spot and stick to it. Allow yourself some wiggle room for foods you enjoy!

I can't tell you how many people I have watched try this...only to set themselves up for failure. Forgive yourself, forget about it, and move on! Aim to prepare and plan your meals ahead of time and don't sweat small mistakes.

Consistency is KING!

So, what's on the menu tonight?

I had some Tuna Steaks, Scrambled Eggs, Sweet Potatoes, and Broccoli.

Crush your goals this week!

And remember...

Whatever is in your way, you're better than it, stronger than it, tougher than it, and you're going to beat it!