Cheat to Lose

I have not yet mentioned that the diet we're following is called "Cheat to Lose". The basic concept is this: You're on the diet (a very reasonable diet at that) 6 days each week. On day 7, you cheat.

There are several reasons why this approach works. There's science behind it (that I won't bore you with) and it keeps the fires of your metabolism burning. I like it because when I'm having a craving, I get alot of solace out of the fact that I can eat whatever I want on my cheat day.

Every time I've successfully lost weight, this is the general approach I've taken. I didn't know this book existed, but I've always taken one cheat day each week. What's different this time? If this is the approach I've always taken, why do I need a book? Well, as I mentioned before, I suffer from anorexia (bet you've never met a 210lb anorexic before). Here is a brief description of how all my past diets have played out:

- I want to lose a few pounds (or alot of weight) so I start my diet. Traditionally, there has been an external motivator such as my wedding or an acting role. Initially, I'm strict in the kinds of foods I eat on my non-cheat days (no junk, low salt, as few processed items as possible, tons of water, etc) and I'm eating enough calories to lose 1-2lbs/week.

- A few weeks or months pass. I've had consistent success with my moderate approach, but start to gradually restrict the types and amounts of foods I eat. I feel good about how "good" I'm being. I feel like I'm in "the zone". I'm committed to my diet and that's why I'm so strict. The stricter I am, the more powerful and in control I feel. This leads to...

- Very low caloric intake. Since the majority of calories I am consuming come from protein and fat, I'm somewhat satiated and the weight is coming off very easily. Unfortunately, 700-1,000 calories a day is NOT healthy. It's also not something a person can keep up forever.

- Once the external motivator is gone (ie: my wedding is over, the show closes, whatever) I have an increasingly difficult time maintaining my extremely low-cal diet. That motivator was the wind in my sails, the fuel in my motivational gas tank. Inevitably, I fall off the wagon and gain all the weight back (and then some).

The reason we're using a book this time is because I need someone else to tell me what to eat on my non-cheat days. This time, no matter how tempting, I'm not going to be any more restrictive than this book recommends. When the temptation comes, and it inevitably will, I'm going to FORCE myself to eat as much as the book suggests. That will prevent me from starving myself again (I hope). My vigilance and the books guidelines (combined with the fact that my husband knows my pattern and is monitoring me) should keep me on the straight and narrow.