December can derail diet efforts with family get-togethers, office parties, and treats everywhere. Simply saying no to partaking can cause feelings of deprivation and isolation. But, is there a way to have your cake and eat it, too? I think there are several strategies we can use to enjoy and stay on track. Here are a few options:
- Adjust carbohydrate intake leading up to the event. If you plan on eating more on Friday evening, for example, try to reduce your carbs all day Friday until your planned treat meal. This will allow you to "bank" some of your calories for later that evening. In this situation, I would just eat protein and veggies for the meals leading up to the treat meal.
- Adjust your training schedule to allow for an intense workout before your treat meal, or one first thing in the morning after indulging. By training hard before your indulgence, you boost your metabolism and give your body a chance to burn the extra calories, rather than store them. If this isn't an option, you can use the excess calories as fuel for a big workout the morning after.
- Scan the food options and pick the foods you really want. Eat a clean green salad first, then fill a plate with your favorites. Eat mindfully and enjoy the meal. One meal isn't enough to veer you off track. If you feel guilty about the meal, nosh mindlessly, or decide that you might as well continue to eat junk - this is where the trouble lies. If you do happen to slip up, it's never too late to start over.
Train hard, but go easy on yourself. While you can't out train a bad diet, you can enjoy a weekly treat meal with a little prior planning.
I feel that I have been able to stay leaner by using BetaTOR! My strength is great, too! Thank you for reading - until next time, train hard, y'all!
-Erin Stern
