The Effects of Calorie-Restricted Diets on Motivation

Those in behaving badly condition were asked to eat just 1,300 calories on six days of the week. They could then enjoy a blowout of 2,700 calories on the seventh. The people who had planned those days of indulgence reported more positive feelings and remained more motivated throughout. Those who simply cut their calories without the treat days, in contrast, seemed to find it much harder work to maintain their self-control and stick to the diet. That could be crucial for a diet as long-term success.