Man Loses 100 Pounds Without Giving Up "Cheat Meals"

August 14, 2024

benji xavier tiktok video — Copyright Benji Xavier/TikTok

There's been a seismic shift in the body positivity movement, but the prevalence of dieting in the U.S. might surprise you. According to Boston Medical Center, about 45 million Americans go on a diet every year. However, 65 percent of people return to their pre-diet weight within three years. Health officials also warn that restrictive dieting can lead to eating disorders and unhealthy food behaviors. It's important to stress that losing weight doesn't necessarily equate to dieting either—just ask TikToker Benji Xavier, who lost 100 pounds without giving up his favorite "cheat meals."

In 2021, while weighing in at 282 pounds, Xavier created his own weight-loss plan that wasn't centered around "looks and being thin." Instead, he wanted to prioritize feeling good on the inside, noting in an interview with Business Insider that the change in his physical appearance was just an added bonus.

Having previously lost 100 pounds in high school, Xavier already knew that calorie counting, eliminating certain foods in their entirety, and restrictive diets like keto wouldn't be beneficial for him, personally.

@benjixavier
THE REBEL DIET!!! My debut cookbook is now available for preorder!!! 100 delicious and healthy recipes to help you achieve your goals! Link in my bio 🙌🏼🧡 You'll find delicious meals from breakfast to dinner, sides and snacks with colorful images and nutritional information. This book is a direct result of years and years of struggling with my weight and finally cracking the code to healthy and sustainable weight loss without extreme restriction. This cookbook truly was a passion project. I gave it my all and I know you'll love it. Preorders are very important for first time authors and I want to thank you in advance for all your love and support 🧡 Even though cooking healthy meals has become a passion of mine I never thought I'd write a cookbook, but because of YOU I did. This book is for you, my supporters. I want to also thank my publishing company DK/Penguin Random House and their incredible team who helped bring my vision to life. PREORDER NOW MY LOVES !! 🧡🙌🏼

♬ original sound – Benji Xavier

"As a person who loves eating, when you become so restrictive in hopes of losing weight or maintaining the weight off, you become obsessive with the food," Xavier, now 28 years old, explained to Business Insider. "I felt miserable all the time."

Xavier described his old dieting practices as "unsustainable." In college, Xavier gained the weight back and developed an unhealthy relationship with food as a result. (Data from the University of Pennsylvania's Weight and Eating Disorders Program found that only five percent of those who lose weight on a restrictive diet successfully keep it off, per Livestrong.)

And so, Xavier went back to the drawing board. Going into his second weight loss journey, Xavier knew dieting wouldn't set him up for success. Instead, his building blocks included finding healthier ways to cook his favorite meals (many of which can be found in his forthcoming cookbook, The Rebel Diet) and regular exercise.

@benjixavier
A full day of good eats 🧡🙌🏼 Breakfast: Chive Egg bites 6 eggs 2 cups low fat cottage cheese 6 Tomato slices Garlic powder Salt – mix together, top with tomato slices – Bake at 375F for 40 mins or until set – I had my egg bite with doing mix and some creamy garlic dressing. Lunch: Orange chicken lettuce boats 3 chicken breasts, diced Seasoned with Garlic powder Onion powder Salt Pepper Paprika – cook fully To make sauce : 1 Tsp minced garlic 1 Tsp ginger paste 1 cup los sugar orange juice 1 tsp stevia 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce 1 tbsp sesame oil 1 tbsp rice vinegar 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp of water – Gradually add in cornstarch slurry, while stirring continuously. – Simmer on low for 5 minutes to allow sauce to thicken up – add in cooked chicken and continue cooking for a few more minutes to incorporate. Add in sesame seeds ( optional) – Top lettuce boats with white rice, orange chicken and chives Dinner: Burger Salad Romaine lettuce, chopped 95% lean ground beef Tomato, diced Red onion, diced Pickle sliced Cheese of choice Burger dressing: 1/2 cup of plain nonfat Greek yogurt 3 tbsp sugar free ketchup 2 tbsp relish 1.5 tsp of vinegar – Add stevia or honey if you like sweeter – Add water to achieve desired thickness

♬ original sound – Benji Xavier

However, the biggest difference between his old and new weight-loss regimen was that he allowed himself to enjoy "cheat meals" in moderation. Xavier told Business Insider that it wasn't easy at first and required a shift in mindset, especially after spending so many years feeling "intense guilt" for indulging while on a diet

"It's like this vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself because of that all-or-nothing mentality," he said.

With time, Xavier was able to retrain his mind and body. Now, Xavier doesn't view cheat meals as "falling off the wagon" or as a major setback because he can see the bigger picture. It's been two years, and he's been able to successfully maintain his 100-pound weight loss.

"If I were to sit here and think I need to lose 100 pounds, that's a lot. You don't want to do that. It takes time to achieve your goals, and you get there step by step, not all at once," he said.

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Emily Weaver

Emily is a NYC-based freelance entertainment and lifestyle writer — though, she’ll never pass up the opportunity to talk about women’s health and sports (she thrives during the Olympics). Read more

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