Wouldn’t it be great if eating sweets could somehow be a hack for weight loss? According to one top nutrition advisor, it is. Adam Bornstein, a best-selling nutrition and health writer & former fitness editor for “Men’s Health” who’s worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger and LeBron James, says easing up on your diet rules is actually the key to success.
Bornstein explains that being too strict with your diet and depriving yourself of treats can backfire, leading to frustration and guilt, instead of results. A big reason diets fail is that they include extreme lifestyle changes that people can’t stick with long-term, and based on years of his research, he’s found a better way to shed pounds and keep them off. And it’s all about eating foods you actually enjoy.
"Start with what makes you happy, and then add the other healthy behaviors around that," Bornstein explains. "That's the cheat code in life." Restriction sets you up for failure, according to this expert, whether that’s cutting out carbs, swearing off take-out meals or avoiding all sugar. But if you stop depriving yourself and make space in your diet for things you really like - even if they’re considered “unhealthy” - you may find it helps you stick to your other diet goals.
- Bornstein lives by this himself, indulging in a bowl of Frosted Flakes several times a week.
- He recommends that being consistent, instead of trying to be “perfect,” is the way to get lasting results because you’ll be more likely to stick with it for longer.
- He says, “Health should not be a prison that prevents you from living.”
Source: Insider
Scott's Thoughts:
- Eat more treats? Now this is the diet advice I needed to hear!
- This seems like good advice. But for me, I have to get in a certain frame of mind to be in weight loss mode!
- I don't agree with the whole "cheat day" thing that people do. If I want an ice cream, I have an ice cream. I try not to have anything else with sugar that day or the next. Works for me!