🍽️ The Truth About Cheat Meals—Helpful or Harmful?

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The Truth About Cheat Meals—Helpful or Harmful?

Cheat meals—are they a necessary break or just an excuse to overeat? The answer depends on how you approach them.

Cheat Meals Can Be Helpful If:

• You use them to satisfy cravings in moderation instead of bingeing.

• They help you stay on track long-term by preventing feelings of restriction.

• You eat mindfully instead of turning it into an all-day binge.

They’re Harmful If:

• They erase your weekly progress by going way over your calorie limit.

• They make you feel guilty or cause an all-or-nothing mindset.

• You use them as an excuse to eat everything in sight.

The best approach? Plan for it, enjoy it, and get right back on track. One meal won’t ruin your progress, but letting it turn into a weekend binge will.

Pro Tip: How to Keep Your Joints Healthy as You Age

Lifting heavy and staying active is great—but if your joints don’t stay healthy, it’ll be tough to keep going. Here’s how to protect them:

• Warm Up Properly: Take 5-10 minutes to prep your joints before lifting—think mobility drills and dynamic stretches.

• Strengthen the Muscles Around Them: Stronger muscles mean less stress on your joints. Focus on hip, core, and shoulder stability.

• Use Omega-3s & Collagen: Fish oil and collagen supplements can help reduce inflammation and keep your joints feeling smooth.

• Prioritize Recovery: If you’re constantly sore, it’s a sign you’re not recovering enough—make sleep and hydration a priority.

Your body should feel good, not just look good—take care of those joints!

Question from Our Readers:

"Should I do cardio before or after weights?"

• Greg, 50, from Phoenix, AZ

It depends on your goal!

For Strength & Muscle Gain: Do cardio after lifting. You want to use your energy for strength training first.

For Fat Loss or Endurance: Cardio before lifting can be okay if your main focus is cardiovascular fitness.

For General Fitness: Do what feels best for you—but if you're lifting heavy, hit the weights first so your muscles are fresh.

The most important thing? Do both and be consistent.

Fit Trivia: What 1970s boxing movie became one of the most iconic sports films of all time?

Answer: Rocky! Released in 1976, Rocky became an instant classic, inspiring generations with its underdog story. Fun fact: The famous training montage up the Philadelphia Art Museum steps? Totally improvised. 

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Publisher: Ryan Engel

Editor: Michael Pender

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