Reset with a cheat meal

Why do people love a cheat day? Why do our bodies love a day of junk food? WHAT is so important about these things!?! 

A bit of background before the science: 

Something that has kept me on track for my years of being dedicated to clean eating is the promise and knowledge of a cheat meal or even a cheat day.  It is so much easier to eat 6 clean meals a day for 6 days knowing that a "cheat" is coming your way.  It is weird to call it a cheat meal when technically it is part of your meal plan or diet though isn't it? 

Sometimes people prefer to just indulge in moderation throughout the week which is all part of what works the best for them! But I am going to be writing on the topic of following a very clean plan all week then having a day of freedom foods!! WOO!

First of all, Who doesn't love some junk thrown in? or even just extra calories, carbs or fats.  All of that can count as a "cheat day" because you are just going off of the norm to keep yourself on track.

In the beginning of my journey I only did cheat meals but found that I would eat so much in that meal that I could probably spread it out through the day and feel a lottttt better and not like I am going to explode or to the point where I am like did I even enjoy that?? 

Then again, I also know it is the best way to start for people new to the process, just one cheat meal, helps keep your discipline in the right direction so the rest of your journey is a piece of cake ;) literally. 

So what's our body going to think about this food overload...??

• Your body has now gone into an energy conservation mode and needs a reboot.  There will be a spike in hormones like thyroid T3 and T4 for metabolism, Leptin for fat burn and satiety, and Gherlin for appetite control. 
• Gherlin releases the growth hormone (lower cal restrictions throughout the week make these hormones flood which is why you want to eat more or have cravings so a cheat is going to regulate that hormone so it is back in control and you can get a clean slate). 
  
• Leptin (one you are probably most familiar with in terms of its relation to cheats) is another appetite hormone but it also regulates the amount of food you take in while controlling energy and calorie expenditure.  When you have a cheat meal this hormone is going to help you get back in the fat burn phase! Basically what happens is your brain produces more during and after a cheat which tells your body you are all full or have the fuel you need so your metabolic rate speeds up and in turn rev up that fat burn.  This is no excuse to eat like crap all week, it is only going to go in full affect when it goes from that deficit to refuel to full and engaged.
• Throughout the week your glycogen stores are being depleted not only with your eating habits but through exercise as well, so by the time you are thinking about a cheat you are prob feeling less energized or strong in the gym. The Thyroid has hormones T3 and T4 which stabilize the metabolism which are decreased for conservation during your strict eating habits, a cheat meal brings those back up as well.  

After a cheat meal your metabolism will stay elevated for a couple of days so your caloric deficit throughout the week is going to be neutralized with a cheat meal. So... a cheat meal could be exactly what you need to reset your body and get out of a plateau. MMMHMMM