How To Stop Feeling Guilty About Diet Slip-Ups

Diet slip-ups are extremely common and happen to everyone. Some people engage in endless workout sessions for every cookie they eat. Others become depressed, or give up dieting completely. Believe it or not, one bad meal won’t make you fat or stall your progress. As long as you don’t make a habit out of it, you’ll keep losing weight. Additionally, there are ways to reduce the impact of a bad meal and get back on track.

Here are some simple tips to stop feeling guilty about diet slip-ups:

Remember Why You’ve Started

When you’re about to fall into temptation, remember how hard you worked to get where you are right now. Focus on your end goal, whether it’s fat loss, muscle building, or improved health. This about how much you want to fit into those tight jeans, or look amazing at your wedding. Visualise yourself in a better shape and imagine how your life will change.

Get Right Back on Track

Let’s say you’ve just had a bad meal or a less healthy snack. Forget about it and move on. Throw in an extra workout session if it makes you feel better. Forgive yourself and stop thinking about what you did. It’s just food, after all. Keep eating clean and you’ll reach your goals.

Cut Back on Calories

If your cheat meal was high in calories, eat less later in the day and the next day. The same goes for a high-carb or a high-fat meal. Try to compensate by eating clean over the next few hours. For example, if you’ve just had a pizza, stick to veggies and lean protein afterwards.

Treat the Slip-Up as a Refeed

Athletes and bodybuilders have regular “refeeds” to get more energy and stay sane. You’ve probably heard the terms “cheat meal” or “cheat day.” Their role is to fuel your body and replenish your glycogen stores. Treat your bad meal as a “refeed” and get back on track without feeling guilty about it.