Get Back on the Wagon

Ever have a day weekend where you feel like you just blew it?  You know...that weekend getaway where you say "forget it.  I'm on vacation!" Actually we don't even need to be on vacation, I may just reach a point where I've been doing SO well and just. need. dessert.  I know better.  I know that if I eat it, the sugar will just make me want to have more; however, I don't care.  When you find yourself in this position, there are a couple things to remember:

• Its okay!  No one, normal at least ; ), "eats perfectly."  People may have different vices, however everyone needs a "treat."  In my humble opinion, working out and eating right is vain if it means that you have to be miserable when it comes to your diet.
• What makes it okay is the ability to get back on the boat.  If you lack the ability to just have a "cheat" day or meal and then snap back the next day, you're not ready to take cheat days.  
• Beware of what I call the "couple day delay." 

Here's what I mean by the couple day delay:  our bodies are very complex when it comes to the correlation between what we eat and the numbers on the scale.  9 times out of 10, it is going to be AT LEAST 24-48 hours, possibly even a week, before we see the scale reflect a pig-out episode dietary change.  This can be due to numerous factors: water retention, hormones, and the simple process of digestion.  

Note:  I'm referring to someone who has seen a consistent loss.  If you are just now starting your body transformation, give it at least a month before the scale to reflect your work.  

The delay can have both negative and positive effects.  On one hand, you may be the person who has been eating exceptionally better and working exceptionally harder for a couple days.  You have a killer night at the gym and wake up expecting results.  It is then discouraging to find that the scale isn't showing your hard work-don't give up!  If you keep it up, they numbers will match up in a day or two. 

Then there's the more dangerous side.  The feeling like "wow, I've been eating junk and I'm not even gaining weight!" This is NOT a license to continue to eat junk!  You may weigh in ok the day after, but chances are, it will show up later in the week.  Do yourself a favor and don't even weigh in on a Monday!  Why would you torture yourself so?!  Instead, recognize that calories DO count over the weekend and work your tails off all week long.

To put it simply: working out is not a license to eat as you please however, it IS ok to indulge every once in awhile!  I once saw this and it pretty much sums up my entire life:

Indulging is only bad when you can't get back on the wagon.  Now go run.