Let’s Talk About Guilty Pleasures (And Why They Don’t Exist)

We’ve all heard the phrase “guilty pleasures” before, but have you ever stopped to think about what a weird idea that is? If something is a “pleasure” that means it feels good. If something is “guilty” that means it feels bad. So…what on earth is a guilty pleasure?

I’m sure you have an answer in mind already. Maybe it’s cake. Maybe it’s lying around watching TV. Maybe you like to double up by lying around watching cooking shows. Whatever your thing is, it’s something that feels good but also makes you nervous about your fitness goals.

Brace yourself, because I’m going to blow your mind here: guilty pleasures don’t actually exist. What most people call “guilty pleasures” are just good times spoiled by guilt.

What you really need in your life is straight up pleasures. In fact, let’s call them “treats.” And let’s look at some steps you can take to make your treats fun, not guilty.

#1 – Stay on Track with Your Goals

For those of you who aren’t already signed up with Fit Body Boot Camp, we have something in our program called a “cheat day.” This is the one day out of every week where we encourage you to eat whatever you want. Seriously, no rules.

Sound crazy? Come on, half the reason why people sign up is to get access to our expert nutrition plans.

But here’s the thing: we allow cheat days because we know that 6 days out of 7, our people are making healthy choices and they’re committed to their goals. When you are committed to your goals and you have an expert fitness plan on your side, you don’t have to stress about pausing for treats. Those 6 days are enough to keep you on track.

#2 – Treat Yourself Less Often

This one’s quick and easy: whatever your treat is, have it less often. Notice I’m not saying you should never have it again – that would suck. In fact, I want you to keep having your treat and have even more fun with it.

Repetition can take the fun out of anything. Likewise, a treat that is rare becomes more special. So limit the number of times per week you have your treat. In some cases, you might even realize you stopped enjoying one of your treats a long time ago and were just doing it out of habit.

#3 – Clear Your Head

When you decide to do something for fun, you should have fun. You shouldn’t worry about your to-do list, you shouldn’t be on autopilot, you should be present and enjoy your treat to the fullest. To do that, you need to clear your head of any thoughts that might distract you. Luckily, the first two steps on this list should get you most of the way there. The last part comes down to your mindset.

We talk a lot about mindset here at Fit Body. To us, mindset is almost like a muscle: you have to keep it healthy and active if you want it to work for you. And just like your muscles, your mindset needs periods of rest so it can recharge and rebuild.

So take the time to treat yourself. Take your fun seriously. Don’t let anyone or anything spoil it for you. That’s what keeps your positive attitude alive.

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Real People With Real Results

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