I don’t know about you but I’ve slipped up on one of my new years resolutions already.

Things are going well..mostly.

Actually, I got close, and then corrected myself. But today, Jan.2, has been a very WEIRD day.

If you are overcome with the feeling to go grab a pint of ice cream. If you can’t not have a sugary fatty drink from Starbucks, fine…but you have to do it tomorrow.

Get through today or the rest of tonight. You’re allowed to cheat. You shouldn’t and you can’t allow yourself too much freedom to do so. But if it comes down to cheating this time or giving up on the entire goal…you might as well allow yourself the temporary cheat meal or whatever the fuck it is.

There are certain habits that you absolutely should not breathe any life into (extra marital sex, gambling, drug abuse).

When it comes down to picking up a Starbucks on the way to work or a movie theatre soda and popcorn, and that’s how you want to fuck up your progress…go for it.

First off, you have to have rules for the cheat meal.

Secondly, I’m referring to everything as the cheat meal because we’re all familiar with what that is and I don’t know what else to refer to this as.

Third, you have to honor your rules and be accountable.

It’s not that complex so here are the rules you need to have.

• Cheat DAY, is not to exceed any 24 hour time limit.
• You MUST limit cheat meal/day to no more than once a month
• You’re allowed that indulgence, whatever it is, but you have to wait 24 hours.

It’s not rocket science. But it is/has been a ton of trial and error.

You need to set parameters for yourself so that you’re not spinning out of control for an entire weekend.

You remember watching those videos in health class at high school? Binge Purge is an eating disorder, and it’s not something that we want to pick up for our new years resolution.

If you give yourself a cheat day once or twice a week, you’re really impeding potential for progress.

It’s the kind of strategy that has you taking three steps forward and two steps back. You need to remember what you’re there for in the first place.

We all know that it’s going to happen. If you don’t think it will, you’ve got another thing coming. If you know and you resist any and all temptation, good for you.

My rule, that I think I stole from Jocko Willink, is to delay that gratification just a little longer.

You know I want that sleeve of girl scout cookies. But, you can’t have it tonight. If you still want it then, you can have it tomorrow.

Odds are good that the craving will pass. And not only will the craving pass, but I’ll be in a frame of mind where I achieved something, I WON.

I came a pinch away from opening that sleeve of cookies and had enough discipline to keep my grubby paws off of it.

Now, I have another win in my column. Not only did I abide to the diet that day but I also demonstrated supreme resistance to the cravings that I had.

The best part, it makes the next instance of overriding the craving that much easier.