You are not a dog. You don’t need treats for good behavior.
Sadly I see this way of thinking on social media all the time. It’s the “I had a good workout so now I’m going to eat and or drink something bad because I deserve it!” thought process.
This is one of the most ridiculous, self defeating ways of thinking you can have.
Health and fitness is about goals. You make a goal and then you work toward the goal. Every rep, set and workout is a stepping stone toward your goal. It doesn’t matter if your goal is a Ironman, Spartan, 10K race, or just to lose weight and feel better. You need to take steps to reach that goal.
When you decide you need to reward yourself with junk food for taking one of your steps toward your goal, you are undermining the work you just put in. It’s like going to work for the day to earn money, then flushing part of the money down the toilet when you get home. That’s not getting you ahead!
Now I’m never going to be a believer in never eating junk food or having a cheat day. I think saying you will never cheat on your diet again is setting yourself up for failure. I don’t believe in anything that isn’t sustainable.
That’s why I tell clients to plan their cheat day, have it once a week as long as they have been clean with their eating during the week. A cheat day like this is planned. It’s part of your fitness model that will help you reach your goals. It’s not a reward for one hard workout, rather it is a step in the process to help you reach your goals.
Drop the “I deserve it” mind set. It’s self defeating and does nothing to help you get where you want to go.
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Devin Sherrington was named #2 trainer in Canada 2015, is 8 time Best Personal Fitness Trainer Halifax award winner, and owner the award winning fitness studio 360fit in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He lives in Fletcher’s Lake, Nova Scotia with his children Reign and Journey.