The Prison of Abstinence and the Art of Cheating

Scientific studies of human behavior have shown a strong correlation between a sense of personal control and happiness. Therefore, a lack of freedom and control depresses us. Couple that with the allure of forbidden pleasures (Hello cravings and fixation!), and we have a losing combination when it comes to dieting.

This is because dieting often possesses you with two distressing thoughts: “I can’t eat what I want – my choices are severely limited.” And “Things I’m not supposed to eat look really awesome!”

So is there a way to avoid these factors that undermine dieting? I think there is, and that is the Art of Cheating.

If you intentionally plan to cheat on your diet, you diminish the likelihood that you’ll abandon it completely when the going gets tough. How does this work? Simply like this: You absolutely can have what you want, just within reason. There is one day a week where you can partake of the forbidden food or drink. Decide in advance how much is a reasonable amount to have, and then eat or drink it not just without guilt, but with enjoyment. “Yum, it’s my favorite, and I get to have it once a week!” Planned cheating turns moderate consumption of favorite foods into a positive experience rather than another reason to kick yourself in the teeth and feel guilty about your lack of self-control.

Having a cheat day accomplishes at least two things. One, it prevents the body from going into starvation mode (decreased metabolism, increased fat storage, hormonal changes), and two, it gives you psychological freedom (the happiness factor) that reassures you that that you are not in some sort of Prison of Abstinence.

As a friend pointed out to me, however, this idea treads near some dangerous waters. Using food as a reward is a Big Bad Idea. So for people with life-long eating issues or serious food addictions, controlled cheating can easily turn into uncontrolled cheating, and then a downward spiral that results in anything but happiness.

But if you are like me and find the thought of “never” and “can’t” to be paralyzing, perhaps this idea can free you to move forward with your goals.

In the end, which is better, a diet that is 80% effective yet sustainable, or a diet that is, in theory, 100% effective, but becomes worthless because you quit?