Do any of these guys beleive in cheatmeals durring contest prep?
Whether or not a cheat meal (or a high-carb “refeed”) is warranted is based on a variety of factors, including an individual’s metabolism, body fat level, how long they’ve been dieting, how far out from their show they are (if competing), etc.
Utilized properly, and under the right circumstances, they are a great way to stimulate metabolism, refuel glycogen stores, and give some mental relief.
All too often though I see guys (and gals) giving themselves a cheat meal because they “think they deserve it” (maybe they completed 8 hours of dieting successfully, or something equally unimpressive). This is obviously a case of a cheat meal being misapplied.
Some signs to look for to indicate a cheat meal or refeed is warranted:
- fat loss has stagnated
- weight has dropped significantly in just a few days (indicating too much glycogen and water loss)
- body temperature is lower than normal (you feel cold all the time
- you feel like complete shit
Don’t feel guilty if you really do need to take a cheat meal or refeed; they won’t set you back at all.. in fact, NOT taking one is what can you set you back. It’s not always about who can diet the hardest; it’s about who can diet the smartest.