Diets need a day off, too

Dieting can be hard work -- paying such close attention to every bite you take, counting calories, and saying, "No, thank you," to some of your favorite treats is made even more difficult when there's no real end in sight. But, according to DietBlog, a day off from your diet not only lets you recharge, it has other benefits too.

For one thing, letting yourself take a day off from your diet keeps your body guessing. If you're always keeping your daily caloric intake low, your body will eventually go into super-efficient mode and hold onto whatever calories it can in the form of fat.

Also, knowing that you've got a "cheat" day coming up can help you avoid a binge. I don't know about you, but if there's no dessert night in the near future, I'm more likely to succumb when I crave something.

When you're only looking at six days of dieting, you're more likely to stick to the diet for a longer period of time. You can start each week with renewed enthusiasm, instead of feeling like you've been doing the same thing forever and ever.

And, probably most important for me is the fact that, with a day off on the schedule, it's easier to schedule social activities with friends. While it's great if you go to a restaurant and still choose the low-cal option, you won't feel obligated to do so every time. However, remember that having a cheat day doesn't mean you get a free-for-all -- have a tasty dinner and maybe a little dessert, but you don't need to eat the whole pint of ice cream!