The Importance of Having One Cheat Day When Dieting!
Dieting may seem like an impossible feat, especially when you're trying to do it for long periods of time. Allowing one cheat day every 10 days is encouraged and we have seen great results from those who have followed this advice. While you don't have to allow yourself a cheat day, you will reap benefits when choosing this weight-loss strategy.
Feel Satisfied - So while doing the Tree for Life protocol allowing yourself one cheat day can help you feel satisfied. So have that pasta or Mexican food you have been craving and enjoy it. Then the next day go right back on your diet. A cheat day isn't mandatory when dieting but it often helps curb week-long cravings, allowing you to refocus in the week to come. Your body will feel good and your mind will follow.
Avoid Boredom - Eating the same thing all the time can be boring and drag you down, both mentally and physically. Furthermore, severely restricting certain foods makes it difficult to stick with a diet long term. A cheat day often helps dieters change up their routines and eating patterns, and increase variety -- and certain nutrients -- in their diets.
So a cheat day every 10 days will help you jump start your metabolism and get your leptin receptor working again.
What is leptin, and how does it work?
Leptin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in appetite and weight control. It is thought to have at least two primary functions. First, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to receptors in the brain's appetite center, regulating brain cells that tell you how much to eat. Second, it increases sympathetic nervous system activity, which stimulates fatty tissue to burn energy.
What is leptin resistance?
Studies in mice have shown that giving animals leptin reduces overeating and obesity. However, many obese humans have been shown to have high amounts of leptin circulating in the blood, but it doesn't seem to affect appetite or energy expenditure. This is termed "leptin resistance," because even though the body has more than enough leptin, it doesn't respond to it the way it's supposed to.
Why does leptin resistance happen?
While the definitive cause of leptin resistance isn't known, there are two main hypotheses. The first is that leptin in the blood is, for some reason, not reaching the right targets to control appetite. The second is that the receptors that leptin binds to stop functioning correctly to tell the cells to respond to the hormone. This commonly happens in overweight and obese people and makes it even harder for them to control appetite and weight gain.
What can people with leptin resistance do to control weight gain?
People with leptin resistance may find that they have frequent or even constant cravings or feelings of hunger. Researchers are still working on understanding and developing effective treatments for leptin resistance, but for now, controlling cravings is the key to combating the effects of this condition.
If you're eating lots of foods with high-fructose corn syrup or lots of carbs, or if you're very stressed or sleep-deprived, you're more likely to feel like you have an appetite can't satisfy. To beat your cravings, protein and fiber are the keys. Here's how to get your hunger back on track:
Step 1: Have a cheat day. Have some pasta or your favorite dish you have been avoiding while doing the diet protocol.
Step 2: Do this on your cheat day. Start your day with plain oatmeal and peanut butter. Studies have shown that oatmeal is one of the most filling and satisfying breakfast options and can reduce eating during the rest of the day. Peanut butter is a rich source of protein, which has also been shown to help reduce the brain signals that cause cravings.
Step 3: Use our Advanced drops, which has African mango extract, and has been shown to potentially improve leptin sensitivity and help improve body weight and waist and hip circumference. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement.
Step 4: Take a 12-hour break from food. Leave a 12-hour gap between your last meal of the day and the first meal of the next day. So if you eat dinner at 8 p.m. on one day, wait until 8 a.m. the next morning to eat breakfast.