Stop the Cheating Mindset

I often say, “eating is not cheating.”

It is the title of my signature webinar.

And, sometimes, people think it means something different than my intent.

Many times, people tell me that they have a CHEAT DAY.

And others may be even more proud to tell me they only have a CHEAT MEAL.

I am not a fan of this word or this idea regarding food.

What does this mean? Cheating?

Let’s think about this.

People in committed relationships are not okay with having a cheat day in my marriage.

School teachers and college professors are not usually giving students a cheat day during the semester.

In athletics, people or teams who cheat can lose their titles, medals, and trophies and often must pay fines. Some are banned or suspended from the sport for a time. Or life.

So why do people find that EATING food they WANT is cheating?

Who are we cheating? What is the penalty for not following the rules of some diets?

Sometimes people tell me that they slipped on their latest diet, and I ask them: so, who is going to arrest you for that – the food police?

Really – the only person who feels terrible is you. And you have control over that. If someone else is making you feel bad about it – that relationship needs a re-evaluation.

If it is feeling bad emotionally – because you think you did something wrong, that should stop.

If it is feeling bad physically, that is different, and we need to remember that the next time we want to eat in that way – whether it is the food itself or the amount.

So many diets have restrictions for a time, then there is a “free” day or “cheat” day.

And often, that one day can make up for any “progress” made in the prior week.

The cheat day ends up with a “last supper” mentality. I must eat this today or with this meal because I won’t have it again for another week.

When I work with people, I help them set up an eating pattern that INCLUDES foods they may want or like to have any day of the week.

Often people tell me that they ate a particular food, and they know it was “bad” – like they are confessing a sin.

I include favorite foods in the eating patterns – and even if the person does not identify one food but many types of food (like dessert), I integrate them into their eating pattern.

People still feel there is an issue with eating these foods. Why? Because of past experiences – either from childhood or past diet experiences.

Eating food is not a bad thing.

Eating food – all types of food – to excess is not healthy.

But to suggest that eating a cookie, chips, fried chicken, or anything often perceived as off-limits is somehow cheating?

It isn’t.

Eating is not cheating.