The right way to use "cheat meals" and the ridiculous side of the fitness culture

[@MikeMatthewsFitness]

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[@BeautywithMady]

And this is why I think you are the best in this industry I couldn't agree more with the last few comments in this video, your work and dedication to helping us is amazing so thank you mike

[@LukaPregelj]

This video has way too few views. Especially the last 10 minutes. Keep up the good work, you are one of the rare few, who back up their content with some sound science and restrain from becoming egomaniacs with a god complex. I have great respect for you and your work.

[@DJcs187]

First video of you that I see. Well spoken, competent, informative. Digging it. *Subbed*

[@Akrobata25]

Thank you for the honesty. It means a lot to us aspiring toward a better body.

[@beastlybball55]

Love the vid man! Articulate and confident. Wheres the tank top from?

[@cletotirabassi]

Excellent video Mike. Can totally relate to all you discussed. Great to see that the fitness industry still has some well-grounded realistic people - even though we're perpetually faced with too many gung-ho yolos and extremism. Take care.

[@cletotirabassi]

***** :)

[@bebergeron]

Excellent commentary on keeping things in perspective.

[@Auniesauce]

Love your cheat MEAL emphasis. I think there's so much misunderstanding and lack of knowledge when it comes to what really goes into restaurant food. People just don't realize they're consuming an entire day's worth (if not more) in one sitting, depending on what they order. And that's for people who are not even intending to have a cheat meal! I'm so glad you pointed it out! Thanks again, man!

[@cristianpetri1]

Love the strategies, man - simple and effective

[@reallukx]

As long time different split type of routine workouts user I recently started Stronglift 5x5 and then found your channel which made me even more curious so I got the book... I really would love to try it as I'm starting to feel that 5x5 soon might be a bit too much but somehow I have hard time to believe that only 3 sets with only max 6 reps is enough as you preach in your book to achieve quality physique as yours.

[@redboycaptures]

Mike - thanks again for the informational and entertaining video("conquered a country in hand to hand combat", lol) Just a bit curious about the whole carb intake question. I see in your current cut excel sheet below as well as in bigger,leaner... book and your videos that you cut on a 200gm+ carb daily diet. I have been following an extremely low carb diet(

[@Alinnfresh1]

Another great video. Got a lot of good information. So true about these selfie obsessed guys. Most of them live at home and don't have a job.

[@thomaspierson9331]

Hello Mike, I enjoy your input on weightlifting and dieting. I have a question if you would be so inclined to respond that would be great. I have been trying to work on a good diet regiment to stick with and I have been on one for 7 weeks now. Currently my calories, carbs, and proteins are 2618 calories 208.4 protein 208.4 Carbs That was my beginning calorie intake of a 20 week regiment I want to do. The first 5 weeks was the base diet, the next 5 weeks of which I am currently on is the reduction in carbohydrates. I took out my one cup of rice and replaced with vegetables. I figure the replace will reduce the carbs and reduce the high calories of rice so I get that benefit as well. Every 5 weeks Ill shed off a little more of my carbs, not wiping them completely, but Ill get pretty low, and add cardio on the last 5-10 weeks. The question(s) I have are, Am I going at it the wrong way? Did I start off my base calorie intake too low? I've always thought I dont eat enough in the first place, but I wanted to get your opinion on the matter. Im a 200lbs guy with a 600 lbs squat, 550 dead and 350 bench, to give you an Idea of what your dealing with. And to put it into perspective Im not much of an eater. It takes me a couple hours to eat my breakfast, 8 egg whites and a cup of oatmeal. I really dont know where to begin as far as cutting, because as you have stated and some of the articles Ive read these diets only pertain to people who are on PED's or steroids. So I cant eat like they do and lose like they do, because well my testosterone levels arent that high so I am not burning calories like a furnace.

[@Alvaroartist]

You have no idea how much I agree with what you say about being arrogant. I see this so much on instagram and other social networks. Honestly I'm more proud of my academic achievements than about lifting things up and putting them down. But yeah, I've had friends that started taking drugs and sort of went to the dark side and now with great physiques they look at the rest of humanity as if people should give them a Nobel prize or something. Don't get me wrong, I love the gym and everything related to that but it's so hard dealing with these overnight meatheads. Also, the body dysmorphia aspect of it all I think is a serious issue, you see people get obsessed and when you call it out they just repeat something out of... wait for it... instagram, like "obsessed is how the weak call the dedicated" or some other quote. Anyway, just sharing my thoughts.

[@ougoah]

Love your work Mike!

[@kblak21]

Lots of info. this guy stands out.

[@jerome1lm]

Thanks for the video. I liked that you didn't touch your nose, it looks much better.

[@Tombonzo]

Great Vid, Mike.... Thanks!

[@teamplayer1000]

Hey Mike, git a quick question. Do you lower your calories on non workout days or do you keep it the same everyday?

[@atmahbabnawaz1032]

Salute you as you can think as beatifully that's really inspiring ... Best,

[@victorsmith7470]

perfect work..thanks a lot

[@danielbreez]

At around 4:00 you're talking about saving calories throughout the day before having your cheat meal at night. You just have protein during the day. I do this as well, through intermittent fasting. On a day that I know I will have a lot of calories for dinner, I will fast until that dinner to make sure I'm not going over my target calories. If I don't go over my calories for the day, is it still considered a cheat meal?

[@TVResults]

Interesting about the 10-12 rep workout meal primer..borderline waste of time to me though..I wanna live my life. Interesting as usual, ty Mike

[@TVResults]

I also agree..lifting and eating are the easy parts of my life..its not near the challenge as my business, marriage, friendships, & community work.

[@mnoy91]

oh yer another mike matthews video!:)

[@_Only_Zuul]

i cycle 100km every few days. would that deplete glycogen? and should you eat back calories that you burn? my fitness pal does auto calorie adjustments and i usually eat back the calories but whatever it says i cut it by about 500-1000cals depending on what i've done. some of my rides are 3000 cals burned according to garmin and MFP so i assume its wrong and cut it to much much less say 2000 extra cals on top of my BMR being approx 1700 i usually just make my own "cheat" foods at home. much more affordable than eating out and can make it my way and i know whats in the food.

[@greenslimexx]

Hey mike I have a question when I do a cheat meal I gain like 2-3 pounds, when Is every other week after I train legs. But when I cheat I can't drop those 2-3 pounds. I have gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks. And also are you supposed to have a cheat meal on the same day as you did last week. Please help and thank you.

[@goontube74]

Dont you mean the drug-"ee" lol.. Luv your vids man!

[@VinceGuitarHub]

I have a question, in my cheat days which are only two meals I cannot eat more than 5000 calories. I only get two meals max, no crazy, just enjoy myself and I do them every 2 weeks, is it fine?

[@VinceGuitarHub]

+Mike Matthews yes, I'm kind of hit a plateau on 163 and 13 to 14% bf, goal bodyweight 155 or 158

[@anwaryoma6012]

31:20 - 33:30 describing joey swoll

[@nicolnorris7748]

Mike, how can I increase my appetite?

[@beng8514]

You talk about not ever feeling hungry. Could that be the caffeine in your pre workout drink causing that? As i'm taking caffeine pills as part of my cut for fasted training and never seem to be hungry.

[@sirleyac]

How stupid would be to replace protein with BCAA when you run out of calories to save up for a cheat meal? Is it completely useless because the aminos don't have a full a full profile ?

[@bunthansephierothkong5478]

so when is it the best time to have a cheat meal when you actually get cut and see gains or?

[@bunthansephierothkong5478]

cool man liking this site..... most smartest fitness channel in a long time......... all i here now is he natty, sickening, and do you lift......

[@bunthansephierothkong5478]

yeah they seem so less intelligence now. It's seems like its all a set up to theme, like your suppose fail looking threw those channels. So you can do more then subscribe and actually join there training programs online...... I meant it's like a cooperate sponsors are just running a justin bieber muscle show lolx.... Like honestly who can do those exercise on a normal basis because the targets seems like one's that's overweight and never went to a gym besides p.e. and the others is same with skinny guys. But anyways it's laughable but in the near future we'll see how all this will go................

[@rampageashton]

Mike its a little bit easier than that isn't it. If you are saving your calories for the "cheat" meal and don't go above your daily total calories then it doesn't matter what macros you eat as long as it's under the calorie goal. The key is how the fuck do you track calories on a cheat meal. Real restaurants don't have calorie guides.

[@_Only_Zuul]

well after a few years of tracking macros you can get a good idea and estimate of size and weight of food portions just by eyesight.

[@austindowns2682]

yes, it is much easier than this. utter nonsense. this is basically just reverse bulimia 'purging' before you eat, basically. really just eat your damn cheat meal and move on. don't binge but eat whatever the fuk you want for the meal.

[@lickmetender]

did u say wife? my heart just broke

[@TimeStopper20XX]

I'm sorry but please take this into consideration. Cut your videos they're a little too long and try to get to the point.Ovet half an hour for just one can make people lose interest.

[@mp-sv2cp]

hmnmn I see we have someone here who has no time for real advice and just wants quick and dirty like v-shreds lol.. Mike always provides quality info.. you do know these are podcast still videos right?

[@jonathaniliffe661]

Keep saving those calories Mike.

[@austindowns2682]

why the fuk are you recommending all this nonsense? restricting fats for a cheat meal? smh. obviously don't binge but a cheat meal is when you are supposed to eat a fattier meal ffs and eat all the high fat sauces and what not that you don't typically eat.