I don’t know that it’s entirely possible to stay sane while dieting, but here’s a few tricks that may work.
1. First and foremost: when you’re hurting focus on your goals. Remember why you undertook this crazy challenge in the first place and what it means to you. This is my most effective means of staying disciplined while on the diet.
2. Cheat meals! These should be planned and normally no more than once per week early in the diet and then used only when needed to stave off catabolism in the final weeks. These not only prevent the body from breaking down too much, but also help the mind. The mental break can be very valuable and reduce stress levels. The most important part of these is to totally indulge what ever cravings you have. That is the entire point of the meal. However, it must be one single meal. This means all of the food should be eaten within approximately a 45 minute window. It also must be the last meal of the day, and if it can be the post training meal, that’s even better. So, if you want a whole large pizza and ice cream – go for it!
3. If you have a sweet tooth, sugar-free Jell-O can be a savior. It tastes great and provides no calories so it can be a guilt-free pleasure when needed.
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Matt made quite a statement at the 2006 Arnold Classic. Lifting in the 220 lb class, he squatted 926 lbs, bench pressed 617 lbs, and deadlifted 733 lbs and came away with the win. A cancer survivor, Matt has overcome many obstacles on his way to becoming one of the most dominant forces in powerlifting today. He currently trains in Michigan and has competed in the USAPL, WPO, and the APF.
View Matt’s Training Log 
Completely agree on the cheat meal with the last meal of the day. After eating sensibly all week, and that usually includes moderate carbs, eating a meal of a large pizza, a bag of chips with a jar of salsa, and washing it down with a few Sam Adams… that carb coma is all too ready to whip your ass. Nothing worse than carbing up mid-day and then feeling like a sluggish shit the rest of the day.
Yes! Coming to this I was hoping I’d see the Sugar free jello. A definite help when dieting.
Sugar-free jello has 10 calories per 1/2 cup, you numbskull.
Limit to a couple per day.
^^^^^ busted!
I’ll throw a Crystal Light in the magic bullet and make a slushy or a diet mt dew or something like that. That really curbs my sweet tooth.
I was wondering what is the verdict on crystal light? Some say 5 calories per serving, most of the off brand stuff says zero. On carb cycling I know Shelby has said up to a gallon per day. Is crystal light something to be embraced or avoided on a very low carb diet?
IS beer good with a cheat meal?
i would avoid alcohol after training. supposedly, your body will burn the “empty” calories of the beer before using carbs or protein as a source of fuel. the alcohol will prevent burning fat and protein synthesis will be haulted. not a good combo if you’ve just trained. it actually nulls the effort you just put in to your workout.
i also agree that the fattening, greasy, too much sodium pizza should wait until after the workout. prefferably, an hour after your post workout carb, creatine, protein, etc. shakes to allow your body time for them to digest first.
love this site!
artificial sweetener can hurt some people while diet (&yes, crystal light does have approx 10cal’s per serving) but for the most of us it’s fine.
My goodness, you even have to count the 10 calories in a cup of sugarfree jello?
I will never diet bodybuilder-style. Sounds like a good way to lose your mind.
But with that, I have no doubt Kroc will take first at whatever show he’s dieting down for. That muscular density only comes from lifting lots of heavy weight lots of times and most bb’s don’t have that look.
working and eating