How to Treat Yourself Each Week

A very important part of staying on task with your healthy eating is to reserve 1 day out of the week, and have one meal, or part of a meal that is the small section at the top of the food pyramid (sweets & fats). Here are good ways to treat yourself wisely without going over board.

1. Make A Mental Note of Weekend Events

Before the its Monday morning, we probably take a look at our calendar or recall so and so's bday dinner party that coming Saturday, the Sunday barbeque or Girls night out planned for Friday. Its good to make a mental note in advance of when this event or events will happen and figure out what your day of eating will be like.

2. Balancing Act

Say for example the coming weekend- Friday is Girls' Night out whereas you will be doing a lot of drinking and possibly eating afterward with the girls, and Saturday movie date night. Well what you could do is don't eat sugar all day friday. (I'm taking this technique from the Atkins' Diet) the diet is something like no sugar for a week or something like that. Well, if you know your going out with the girls friday, do a mini Atkins diet just for a day to counteract the food and drinks you'll have that night. But wait, then you have a movie date night Saturday. Try buying some organic popcorn and a piece of dark chocolate. (He'll think your eating regular movie theatre popcorn packed with loads of calories, and a snickers). You'll blend right in and he'll never know the difference. No questions asked!

3. Only 1 time a week. (2 x's only for emergency)

Only reserve 1 day a week. Some people think that oh well in that case I'll have one small cheescake a day and still eat the food groups (vegetables, fruit, beans/nut, whole grain ect.) BUT this will only increase your cravings for unhealthy foods and makes it harder to sustain throughout the week. Instead buy 1 bar of dark chocolate (should at least be 60-70% cocoa) and take 3 days a week to have a serving size piece. These small pieces of dark chocolate will revive you and curb your sweet tooth for any kind of food!

4. Eat at Free Food Events

If you know this weekend is the art gallery with free refreshments, save that one day to eat from the sweets and fats category of the food pyramid. Lets say the next day your going out to eat with the family. Well because you can CONTROL what you order, eat healthy this day. Many resturants have a salad, or fish you can order. (Just remember to order the most basic sounding foods). Watch the dressing, or cheese, order veggies if you can. And maybe bring a handfull of blueberries or grapes to chew on while waiting for the food. (Everyone will think its candy and you'll blend right in)!

5. Enjoy it!

Yes, it does make a difference I feel if you enjoy your treat or if you feel guilty. When you feel guilty its like you didn't have it. So if you have planned ahead to roll up the sleeves and eat a nice amount at the family barbeque. DO IT! But just make sure those other days are foods from the food pyramid, 3-5days 1hr of exercise!