“Cheat days”—or cheat meals, if you prefer to think of them as a single meal—are often encouraged by people who want to lose weight, with the idea that it can help break an otherwise bad diet and allow your body to reset itself back to a normal, healthy weight.

If you’re trying to lose weight, the last thing you need are cheat days, and they may even be screwing over the progress you’re trying so hard to make. You may have heard that they’re essential if you’re trying to stick to your diet and avoid cravings. However, here’s why cheat days aren’t doing you any favors, and what you should do instead to help yourself achieve long-lasting, sustainable weight loss.

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