By: Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, Turbulence Training

If I had to name one thing that was the cause of the demise of so many New Year’s Resolutions, I’d have to say:

Football.

Oh, and Awards show parties too.

Why? Because that is where the diet comes tumbling down, right?

But a football/Oscar awards “cheat meal” doesn’t have to be the meal that derails your progress.

A ‘cheat meal’ (or reward meal, as I prefer) can be a valuable component of your program. It can be the biggest factor in helping you stick to the lifestyle for life.

Just check out this advice I gave to a new TT Member on the forum yesterday…

Question:
I’m 7 days into the transformation contest and its going well. I still need to work on portion control but I am eating whole, natural foods. I’ve decided to have my cheat meal tonight while watching the BCS Championship (college football) with my wife.

She wants Hooter’s wings (LOL). Are there any guidelines on what you
recommend for cheat meals (besides a healthy meal). I’d love to have the wings and some beer but I don’t want to crash a good start.

Answer:
Great question.

Very simple guidelines.

1) Enjoy the meal WITHOUT guilt. It’s just one meal.

2) But NO “gorging” or going back for 2nds. You just get one round of food to enjoy – so eat and drink slowly. No gluttony allowed.

3) Once it’s over, get right back on track. No feeling bad. In fact, you should feel good – after all, you just REWARDED yourself.

And be prepared in advance that you don’t “relapse” after the meal. Make sure you have plenty of healthy alternatives for snacking if you still are hungry later in the evening so that you don’t go back to the leftover wings.

Also, with respect to rule 2, everyone needs to make sure they haven’t “bottled up their desires” so that they end up going on a binge fest. Its not about binging, its about rewarding.

That’s why I like the term “reward meal” rather “cheat meal”, even though it sounds totally dorky.

Anyways, apply those 3 rules without guilt, and enjoy your reward.

*****************

Okay, so that takes care of the “cheat meal” issue, but if you are still struggling with your daily “best behavior” nutrition, then I highly  recommend the “Diet Solution Program” from Isabel De Los Rios.

I believe in her product so much, I promote it with as much enthusiasm and conviction as I promote my own TT programs.

In fact, I have pretty much lived the “Diet Solution Lifestyle” – since I was about 16 – even though I continue to learn and get better every year.

Isabel is as passionate about your health and nutrition as anyone in the industry – you can tell she is a student of Paul Chek, another pioneer of healthy eating and holistic living.

And today is the last day for you to get Isabel’s new bonus, a new 14-day meal plan that will jump-start your new year’s fat loss.

Please don’t wait any longer, and don’t waste any more time being frustrated by nutrition.

Click here to get Isabel’s meal plan for your fat loss:

=> The Diet Solution Program

And remember: Diet is more important than exercise. I will always admit it – and it’s in your best interest to work just as hard with the nutrition as it is with your TT workouts. That’s why I recommend Isabel’s program for you and for your SUCCESS.

Can’t wait to hear about your results.

Have a great weekend,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, Turbulence Training

About the Author
Learn about the “Dark Side of Cardio” in the free report from Craig Ballantyne at Turbulence Training. Craig is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit Turbulence Training.