Have you ever heard someone recommend to eat healthy Monday through Friday, but have your way (cheat day or free day) on the weekend? As one of our clients did the math, this would mean a lifestyle where you eat healthy 71.5 percent of the time and eat unhealthy 28.5 percent of the time. Believe it or not, folks, there are weight-loss programs and people who advocate this approach to healthy living. Some programs feel that having one day to eat whatever you want is beneficial psychologically. We say hogwash to such statements. If you haven't heard, LIFESTYLE literally means a whole way of living-100 percent of the time. People ask us all the time whether or not we believe in a free day and we always respond by saying, "Everyday is a free day."

Have you made a decision to release fat? If so, shortly after making this decision, did you feel deprived-craving sweets, chocolate, and high-fat and refined foods? As you were craving these foods that you don't typically eat, did you notice the communication going on in your head? You start telling yourself that this is the last time…you will succeed…you have the willpower and discipline to fulfill your self-promise. But, somehow, for some odd reason you can't seem to understand, you find yourself sitting at the kitchen table eating that very thing you felt deprived of. Sound familiar?

It's hard to imagine going from eating practically anything you want, whenever you want, to never having a donut or fried food again. Even those with somewhat strict eating habits can find themselves having periodic splurges (i.e., ice cream, French fries). So it's wise to remember that whatever its form-donut, pizza, cocktail or fried shrimp-unhealthy foods are nonetheless unhealthy.

As with any food, healthy or unhealthy, its effects on the body largely depend on the amount consumed, with caloric excess causing fat gain. So, you eat reasonably all week, watching your portions only to have your goal disrupted by what many refer to as a "free day" or "cheat day;" the widely accepted method of postponing unhealthy cravings until that one day per week where you engage into conscious, yet reckless consumption. With that said, the choice of a free day or weekly cheat may open the door to sabotaging your weight-loss efforts.