I caught him just in time!
My husband was getting ready to step on the scale this morning when I stopped him and said, “Don’t even think about it!”
Why? Because over the past two days, we spent almost five hours in the car, had many foods we don’t normally eat, and skipped exercise because of our schedule.
My husband sheepishly said, “Maybe it will give me motivation for the week.” I responded, “Yes, if punishment is a good motivator for you. But that hasn’t worked in the past, and I don’t think it will now either.”
Here in the U.S. we celebrate the religious holiday of Easter with church services and family gatherings as well as lots of special candy and other treats. On the morning after a holiday weekend, the scale doesn’t give you a true picture of your weight. Instead it reflects the shift in your body’s fluid levels.
And I’m guessing a lot of you have already stepped on the scale to see how “bad” you were over the weekend. You wanted to see how much “damage” you did with all those chocolate bunnies and fluffy marshmallow peeps. But if you haven’t weighed yourself yet today, please don’t do it.
I recommend you always wait at least 48 to 72 hours after traveling, holidays or special food events before you get on the scale. This gives your body time to settle down, re-balance fluid levels, and get back to a more normal status.
Self-care time
Maybe the Easter weekend didn’t go the way you intended. You thought you’d be able to stay on your weight-loss program, but everything fell apart once you got with your family. Or you took advantage of the last minute sale on your favorite Easter candy and ate way too much of it.
Trust me, these things happen! But using the scale to confirm you’re a failure is so wrong. You are not a bad person and you certainly don’t deserve to be punished for enjoying the taste of some special foods.
Instead, use the next couple days to take extra good care of yourself and renew your commitment to being a healthy person.
Get back on the walking path or your treadmill today, and eat a piece of fruit with your lunch. If possible, get rid of the leftover candy or other temptations so you don’t prolong your eating frenzy.
And remember that this week, Wednesday is your next weigh-in day.