Trick Or Treat?

Even with all the smiles, laughter, and family fun over the days in the past week it has led to some slight disappointment and discomfort with the foods I ate and how they affected me inside and out! I guess I had a few too many cheat treats! With all of the apple hill sweets and restaurant meals I have allowed myself to consume, I am now paying the price! Even though my treats were planned, I still had TOO MANY!!!
Recently I read a blog and a nutrition article about cheating on your diet.
Both readings pretty much discussed cheating on your nutrition program or "diet". If and how cheating works for you. Stating that some people prefer to cheat with a very small item each day or throughout the week and how others choose to plan out a cheat treat or meal for the week or specified amount of time.
After feeling the effects from randomly cheating on my diet (lifestyle), I know for an absolute fact that a whole day or random cheats is definitely not for me. I end up feeling one or more of the following symptoms: sick, sluggish, sleepy, moody, bloated, fat, ugly, stomach ache. I am so glad that I choose to eat nutritious foods most of the time! I honestly don't know what I would do or where I would be right now if I didn't have a growing concern and passion for health and fitness! I could never imagine myself choosing a lifestyle of mostly poor food choices. I feel that I would be a very depressed and insecure person if I ever did change my healthy lifestyle. I would not have the confidence I have now from the benefits and results that exercise and healthy "whole foods" provide!
In conclusion, a perfect cheat for me would be the "planned cheat treat". Not only do I agree with the other blog and article about the guiltless factor because it was planned, but my body also agrees with it! I feel that a planned cheat is more so considered a "treat", while a cheat food that is consumed spur of the moment through temptation is considered a "trick"! Your gut is tricking your mind to cheat yourself, which is not productive to achieving your fitness goals. I think if you are really in-tune with your health and body then the choice should be just as easy for you! Your body won't lie to you about how ANYTHING makes you feel! I know this because healthy foods make me feel great and junk foods only make me feel good for the short-lived moment that the flavor is being enjoyed and then my body decides just how good it really is (or ISN'T)!!!
Since I do have enough nutrition knowledge to get my own idea of what foods (and the amount in which they are consumed) will negatively effect my body, the choice is up to me! I need to be aware and active about my choices and reasonings. Ultimately, I need to make the choice if the cheat is right timing and worth my while. Will it be productive or counter-productive to my fitness goals? Will it set me back too far or barely affect my goals? Be honest with your choices, otherwise you are only cheating yourself!