What is Reverse Dieting and Why Should You Try It?

If you're like most people, you probably associate the word "diet" with deprivation, restriction, and an all-around unpleasant experience. But what if there was a way to diet that didn't involve any of those things? Enter reverse dieting.

Reverse dieting is a term that's been growing in popularity in recent years, but seems to be very ambiguous to many competitors and non-competitors alike. Essentially, it is the gradual process of increasing your caloric intake after a period of restrictive dieting. Once contest season or dieting for vacation is over, many resort to jumping right back into their pre-diet eating habits and completely forsake any form of cardio. This not only derails any progress they may have made during their diet, but can also lead to weight gain and an overall unhealthier lifestyle.

So why should you try reverse dieting? First and foremost, it allows you to maintain the progress you've made during your diet while still enjoying the foods you love. Secondly, it can help improve your metabolism since it allows your body to adjust to higher levels of food intake after a prolonged period of restriction. And lastly, it can help prevent weight gain post-diet by slowly transitioning your body back to its original calorie level.

How to Reverse Diet
Now that we've answered the question "what is reverse dieting," let's talk about how to actually do it. The first step is to figure out how many calories you were eating during your diet. This will give you a starting point for increase your intake. Once you have that number, you'll want to increase your calories by 10-20% each week until you reach your desired intake level.

It's important to note that while you are reverse dieting, you should still be focusing on eating healthy, whole foods. Just because you're increasing your calories doesn't mean you should be eating junk food all day long! focus on getting most of your calories from lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. And as always, make sure you're staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

If you're looking for a way to maintain your progress after a diet without feeling deprived or restricted, reverse dieting may be for you! This relatively new concept is gaining popularity among competitors and non-competitors alike thanks to its many benefits. By gradually increasing your caloric intake after a period of restrictive dieting, you can enjoy the foods you love without derailing your progress or jeopardizing your health. So why not give it a try?