Science Proves What Dieters Already Knew: Cheat Days Are Good For You - Newsy

Dieting is hard.
But cheating is easy.
A new study says planned hedonic deviations, or cheat days, can help dieters stay on track.
The study says cheat days help, (1) regain self-regulatory resources, (2) maintain motivation and (3) provide a more positive experience overall.
All of those things help with "long-term adherence," which in turn helps with "final goal attainment."
It also helps you avoid counter-regulatory eating, or the "what-the-hell" effect.
The what-the-hell effect: After breaking one small dietary rule, you give up on the diet as a whole and think, "I've already failed once today; might as well give up on the week."
This study tested dieting, but the authors say the logic applies to a variety of tasks.
So remember: It's OK to cheat as long as it's part of the plan.
This video includes clips from Universal Pictures and Tri-Star Pictures and images from Getty Images. Music via Frenic / CC BY 3.0.
Sources:
The Atlantic
www.theatlantic.com/health/arc...
Journal of Consumer Psychology
www.journals.elsevier.com/jour...
The Guardian
www.theguardian.com/lifeandsty...
Universal Pictures
• Bluto's a Zit - Animal...
TriStar Pictures
• Matilda 1996 Bruce, Br...
-------------------------------------
Newsy is your source for concise, unbiased video news and analysis covering the top stories from around the world. With persistent curiosity and no agenda, we strive to fuel meaningful conversations by highlighting multiple sides of every story. Newsy delivers the news and perspective you need without the hype and bias common to many news sources.
See more at www.newsy.com/
Like Newsy on Facebook: / newsyvideos

[@Wmom18]

Awesome!! Nicely done!

[@Mind.of.Max.]

"Bruuuuccceee!!!" Great thumbnail!