My Updated Info on the Splurge Meal

Awhile back I wrote an article on the Splurge Meal or what my girls and I call the "Metabolic Boost" (MB) meal. We renamed it because splurge or cheat meal both made it sound like the "you should feel guilty meal".MB sounds like it is OK and can do you some good. Now, in the blog Dr. John Berardi says that meal can't boost the metabolism. I'm not going to question him on that as there is much debate on both sides of that issue. Today I'm just going to focus on ways to deal with the psychological side of this meal for people who are trying to lose weight.

Before we get into it, read this post so you are familiar with the whole idea of this meal and who should take one. Splurge Meal.

You are going to be one of two people: you must have a meal each week that gives you a break or you are afraid of that meal because you aren't confident in your lifestyle.

Those of you who need the MB I say absolutely go for it when you deserve it. This means you have done all your workouts for the week and you have been eating on plan. We all know when we have done the right things for the week...we worked out hard, we kept our calories in check, we didn't have BLT's, and we made good choices. It doesn't matter to me if you are in weight loss mode or at goal; the MB for some people is what keeps them on target.

Unfortunately, A LOT OF US get upset with the MB. It's simply a cheat meal and we feel guilty for taking it. We fear we won't get back on track. Even I sometimes get whacked out about what I eat. Here's what I suggest:

1. If you can't handle it emotionally don't do it. There is nothing wrong with steering clear of your demons. Sometimes you need to just go cold turkey for awhile before you test the waters of "crap" food. Let me tell you, when you haven't had Italian, pizza, or Mexican in awhile...crap food is going to be a good description. Don't go nuts the first time out.

2. Eat your meal early in the day. I have a tougher time with my MB when I eat it at night. I don't sleep as well with all the food on my tummy. Having it at lunch gives me time to let if digest before going to bed.

3. Do a bunch of cardio. You heard me. There is nothing wrong with putting in the extra time to burn off a part of a good meal. It's not punishment; it's insurance and it will mentally make you feel better. Most really fit people (like the girls at Phat Camp) are going to work out harder when they have eaten things they normally don't. This doesn't mean you can eat extra food or junk everyday and kill yourself in the gym to make up for it. Honey, it doesn't work that way. What I'm saying is that you will probably feel better about taking that meal if you pump out some awesome cardio. 

Most weeks I take my meal. I take it with my husband over lunch and I have a burger with fries splitting dessert. Later that night I go to kickboxing or hit the cardio room for 45 min.of solid work. I go to bed feeling good, digested, and satisfied for another week.