Why you NEED Cheat Days! (And 4 Tips for Using the 80/20 Rule)

 

80-20-rule 

This is a great theory that I get a lot of motivation and inspiration from when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy diet. It keeps me on track with my healthy eating habits and I never feel like I am depriving myself of anything. I tend to lean towards using what people are now referring to as the 80/20 rule. I look at the 80/20 rule as a lifestyle instead of a diet. When you are focused on eating more healthy meals, more healthy snacks, and figuring out ways to incorporate more of something instead of less, your crowding out the bad stuff.

 To keep it simple: you eat 80% healthy, and 20% of the time you can have “cheat” days!

Here are my 4 tips for using the 80/20 Rule!

1: Cook More At Home:

 

healthy-fridge

 

+ A useful tip to keep you healthy throughout the week is to cook your meals at home at least Mon-Thurs or Sun-Wed.

 

 

+ Home cooked meals when prepared with the right ingredients can keep you on the right track 80% of the time. Then when you decide to indulge, you won’t feel guilty.

 

+ Stock up on healthy condiments like Greek Yogurt, Braggs Amino Acids, Nutritional Yeast and Apple Cider Vinegar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2: Keep Sweets Out Of Reach

 

vegan-peppermint-squares

+ Do your best to not keep any sweets like cookies, cupcakes, and cake at home to avoid temptation. Have alternative sweets on hand like frozen bananas and cocoa nibs  so that when you crave something sweet, you’re still healthy.

+ This is a good practice especially around the holidays. When you’re at a special occasion; family get together, birthday party, or culinary event, you can indulge in a cupcake without the gilt. All because 80% of the time you aren’t regularly eating sweets.

 

 

 

 

 

3: While Dining Out During The Week:

 

healthy-dining-guide

+ If you’re dining out during the week and don’t want to drink until the weekend, order sparkling water or club soda. This gives you the fizz of a cocktail without the alcohol. Plus, a lot of restaurants have interesting house made sodas for this purpose.

 

+ Many restaurants are starting to serve more plant based menu items or dishes that are catered to specific dietary needs, so eating out during the week will not be a bearing on your eating habits unless you feel like indulging that night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4: Remember to Keep Things Balanced:

 

the-balanced-babe

 

 

+ Nutrition is all about balance, which is why it is my mission  to coach and inspire you to maintain a Balanced Babe lifestyle. The 80/20 rule allows us to indulge when we have the urge, yet maintain a healthy diet the remaining time. If you don’t keep your eating habits balanced, meaning you deprive yourself often, then you will not succeed in your goals!

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