A few years ago, I use to be fixated on what the number on the scale said and at times, I let it rule my life. I was obsessive about wanting to lose weight and would weigh myself constantly; when I got up, after I went to the bathroom, after a run, before bed, etc… I created this notion in my head that I had to be a certain number in order to feel good, pretty, fit, or overall happy. The scale became an unhealthy obsession for me, so a few years ago, I ditched it. I started to realize that I was more than just a number and that I didn’t want the number on the scale to control who I was or how I felt about myself. So I started to workout for me because I wanted to live a healthy life and be my best and strongest self. When I want to see improvements in my body, I don’t need the scale to tell me, I can see it by how my clothes fit, how much faster I can run, or how much more I can lift. Those things let me know that I am making progress.
I was looking back at pictures of myself from a few years ago and when I compared them to the pictures I’ve taken recently, I was amazed at how differently I looked. I’ve decreased my body fat and have more muscular definition. However, I was curious about how much I weighed, so I decided to step on the scale. I am 156.6 pounds and almost 2 pounds heavier than what I was in the picture. It blew my mind. I could see the difference in my body, but couldn’t belive that I was around the same weight. Plus, I’ve gone from a size 8 to a size 4 and weigh more. I feel way better and am so much stronger than I was four years ago, when the picture was taken and yet I weigh more.
So what I want you to know is that your weight doesn’t mean a thing!! It’s much more important to think about living a healthy lifestyle, a lifestyle that is sustainable over the long term, not to just shed a few pounds. Listen to your body, eat what makes you feel good and the rest will fall into place. Same with exercise, it should be about being happy and healthy, not just about some silly number. If you exercise and eat properly, your lean body mass will increase and your body fat will decrease; this means that you can be healthier and look better, all while the number on the scale creeps up.
When you are working out, it’s more than just weight loss and when you make it about that, you are setting yourself up for disappointment or unhealthy habits. Have the best body you can in health terms, rather than in numbers on a scale. This picture proved to me that I’m getting fitter by the day, regardless of what the number on the scale says. So ditch the scale and remember, this is about changing your life, and being happy with yourself, mind and body.
Use the following tools as your new “scale”:
How do you look in the mirror?
How do your clothes fit?
How you feel? Do you feel strong and healthy? Do you have more energy? Are you performing well in the gym, or other activities? Do you find daily tasks easier?
Focus on your actions. Are you eating well? Are you training consistently? Are your actions in line with your goals?
If you need to track some numbers… track of a few measurements like waist, hips, thighs, and arms. But ditch the scale!!
By following these actions you too can begin to help improve your self-confidence and body image.
