When Can You Eat Your Favorite Cakes? When is the time to enjoy your favorite foods, Cake, and desserts - without the following guilt or feeling of regret?

A few years back I went on a 1-week vacation with my family. This 7 day hiatus from and work and discipline was the perfect time to break my patterns of healthy eating and exercise.

I went all out on this vacation, thouroughly enjoying myself - which included lots and lots of Cakes.

I had no problem adjusting to the overeating and lack of exercise. It was great fun - at least temporarily!! After following 7 days of this glutinous way of life, Cakes and candies and pies......

I went up a whole size of pants as well as packing on an additional 37 pounds. Moral of the story, don't do that. You can eat your favorite Cakes - just don't over do it.

As a personal trainer this is what I suggest for how to go about it the proper way.....

Make eating healthy eating and regular exercise the rule in your life.

As you know there are always exceptions to the rule no matter the subject matter - and yes this does include eating and exercise (Even Cakes)..

When you make healthy eating and exercise the rule, the occasional Cake or other exceptions are not a cause for vexation. Let me clarify that, if you make fitness your normal habit, the occasional outside pattern or desert or treat, such as a birthday cake, wedding cake or even a party cake, will not ruin your body.

As long as you return to the original plan, and not change it as you go.

A few desserts each week, even a few missed workout sessions will not damage you, as long as they are exceptions and not the norm.

Say that you eat 28 times a week - 5 meals a day each day of the week.

If you allow a 10% exception rule that allows for about 3-4 meals of less-than-optimal eating each week, that can be Cake, desserts, candies, anything you like (in moderation)..

When you engage in an "exception meal", don't eat enough for the next 3 days worth, just eat the same amount of calories and portions of food as normal, except this time it's in the form of your favorite foods or Cakes.

Make a healthy way of life the rule rather than the exception - and you can enjoy that occasional treat without a trace of guilt. That is your guide to eating Cake and staying fit.