Or does it?
Yesterday morning I stepped on the scale and then quickly stepped off in frustration.
I went into the living room and complained to Charles: “You know, it’s really hard to stay motivated when I’m eating well and working out and I manage to GAIN weight. What’s the point? Why am I even doing this?!”
He answered…and I honestly couldn’t even tell you what he said. I wasn’t listening. Those words coming out of my mouth were a bit of a wake up call. I mentally shook myself.
Here’s the reality of the situation: There is more to this journey than the number on my scale. It’s a “tool” to measure progress, but it’s not the only tool I own. It’s not the deciding factor on success or failure. 
Instead of measuring my success by a number on the scale, what if I measured it by how I feel?
I’ve been really proud of myself this past week. I’ve eaten well without being restrictive. I’ve put in some great runs that not only show progress in the speed department, but more importantly, I enjoyed them.
Mentally and physically I’ve felt better this past week then I have in months. So sure, that number was a bit higher then I’m used to seeing, but that doesn’t make me a failure.
It simply means I’m a work in progress. And really, aren’t we all? I refuse to live or die by a silly little number. Instead, I choose to take things one day at a time, doing the best I can on that day.
Today is MY day to be healthy. And guess what: Its YOUR day too.
I have learned that the scale can drive you nuts. I was getting on it 2 or 3 times a day like a crazy lady. Now I try to hit it up once or twice a week and use how I look, how my clothes fit, how I feel, how I've eaten, and how I've moved as better indicators.
This is a great post. Thanks for the perspective.
I have been stuck in the same weight range for some time now. Some times up; some times down. BUT my pants are looser, which proves your point. Weight is just a number and doesn't tell the whole story.
I really appreciate this reminder!! Why is it those numbers have that kind of power over us? I can look in the mirror and think wow my arms are looking toned, then step on the scale and feel lousy!! It's more about being healthy and happy and understanding that continuing to be healthy will maintain those scale numbers!
We are all a work in progress!! And as long as we're treating our bodies well by eating healthy, and staying active, that number on the scale shouldn't matter!
I like measuring myself on how I feel MUCH better!
Great post and SO true.
this is great. I recently had a similar experience, but it also made me realize that even when I thought i was eating healthy, I could do better. I'm working on it
Love. This. Post.Thank you!!
I so have a love/hate relationship with the scale. Once I finally get to goal, I plan on using clothing to let me know how I'm doing… clothing doesn't lie and tell you silly stories if you've eaten Chinese food the day before. But in the meantime, I need the scale occasionally. Still I'm sure I let it have too much importance and I'd like to stop that.
Thank you for this post! I’ve been stuck around the same weight for longer than I would like, but in the last 3 weeks I’ve eaten so much better and feel amazing. You’re so right that sometimes it’s not about the scale. I needed to read this post today.
Amen.I am actually refusing to step on a scale right now…I am doing everything I can to be healthy so if I let a 'number' throw me off…how healthy is that?
I love our perspective! Yes you are way more than the number on the scale! I have been in a rut with weighing myself constantly lately. It is something that I really need to step away from and start to look at how I feel instead of that number.
Its true sometimes the scale can hinder more than motivate! But the fact that you feel great is really what is important
Ditto on that! Thank you for sharing- I agree.
I have been floating up and down within 5 pounds on my scale for the last month. I just had this conversation with the hubby last night. I have made April my challenge month. I challenge myself to no sugar, more running than walking, eat only my 1200 plus exercise calories, and be a better person to myself. I know I can do this. I know you can do yours!
I have a love/hate relationship with mine. It is so frustating when you KNOW you've done it all right and the scale say you've gained. I have found that even taking an advil can make the scale weigh more. Glad you are pushing thru and not letting it get to you!
I'm a sucker for letting the scale determine how I feel. So I put it away and only step on it every week or two now. My goal for April is to not step on it at all until the end of the month.
I think we all go through those periods where the scale does that to us. When we know we are busting out butts to lose, the work shows but I have come to the realization that the number on the scale is no longer the deciding factor in my success! Great post!
Just remember about 10 extra calories a day (that's a lifesaver candy) = 1 pound gained a month. that's 12 pounds a year – that's really shocking. Hang in there. You've had a horribly stressful month and a lot of road trip driving and schedules off kilter. Hang in there!!!mystorychapter2.blogpsot.com
Yes indeed, so true. I ignore the scale but go by how strong I feel and how my clothes fit. You are doing a great job of setting a healthy lifestyle.
Great post. Sometimes it is the non-scale victories that we need to remember. Keep up the good work!
Thank you. That's exactly what I needed.
This reminds me of a few years ago when I bought a new scale, because mine was broken. Only to discover that my scale wasn't broken… It's so true, it is how you feel, sometimes the scale says one thing and my pants are loser and I feel great… Sometimes you just have to be happy you feel great!
I use the scale for one measure, but like you, I go off how I feel and how my pants fit.
Girl, I hear ya. It's easy for me to obsess about the numbers if I let myself, especially as someone who used to be overweight. If I look at the big picture, though, I know I'm very healthy and fit, and don't need to freak out because I've coasted up five pounds or so. I'll just refocus on what worked to begin with, and know it'll come back off in due time.
You took the words right out of my mouth! I didn't weigh myself for two years for a reason. I went by how I felt and how my clothes fit. I will have to weigh myself every day during Ironman training and it's the part I dread the most. I hate to be a slave to the number. I am in the best shape of my life and sometimes that's got to be enough. F the number!!
Great reminder! It's hard not letting that number dictate whether you have a good day or not. It's a small part of the whole picture.
AMEN! sometimes if my pants feel tight or my shirt hugs me in the "wrong way" i get down on myself. but i have to remind myself that i feel good so i must be doing something right. we're all works in progress after all.
ahhh, yes! TY for the reminder. I'm going to do my final weigh in for our gym challenge this week and I have to make it a point not to get down on myself if I didn't reach a specific # on the scale. I feel the best I have ever felt in my entire life these past 8 weeks.
I agree. If you are truly doing all you can then you have NO reason to be ashamed.
Step AWAY from the scale!Ask yourself… do you really NEED the scale there? Why? How you feel is so much more important than a number.Be happy and be healthy
Great post! I go through cycles where I weigh myself and then stop, realizing that I am NOT the number on the scale. Love your thought that it's a tool. Great reminder for the weekend!-Amywww.amymoritz.com
Um, no. I am not a work in process. I am perfect. I thought you knew that.
Great post; with that attitude, every day is your day to be healthy.At this stage, I'm still checking daily to help stay on track, but I'm learning to say "FIMO" on mornings where the weight is worse than I expected. (FIMO = "f" it, move on.)
This is a fantastic post. Thank you for your wisdom!!
Scale can't lie (if you'll chack it 6 times…)I loved this post! So well written and funny too! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Scales don't lie – this is why I tossed mine out the window a few months ago! Just kidding – but I don't weigh often, because it really is how you feel that matters. I'm getting fit and healthy and I feel good about that. Weight is a number!
The scale has that power over me too:) So I am SO proud of you for turning it around and realizing that it's just a number and not even a super-accurate one at that. Way to go!
I am very body concious and such… but forget about the scale… unless i'm forced to at the doctors. I'm still slowly learning the scale doesn't say everything… and as long as I feel good about how training and such is going… i'm good!
Thank you for this post though. I am truly struggling and your post is a great perspective. Thank you!
I hate scales…always have, always will
you are so right, it should be about how you FEEL! I love judging by how my clothes fit, makes me feel better!!
For sure. I am reading this book…it was talking about measuring our success by our obedience rather than what shows on the scale. The scale doesn't know about our stress, our period, how much sodium we've eaten, etc, huh? If we are doing what we need to be doing and know to do, everything will even out in the long run. At least this is what I tell myself.:)
I'm so there with you. While I'm still working on it, I do have to realize that though I may be a few lbs up, I also can do a lot more athletically than I could before too. I'm not going to give up on it, but I need to be rational about it. Good job about having good perspective.
Very good attitude. You do have to stop and take a look at more than the scale sometimes for sure!
Better late than never (on me reading this post)–such a great reminder!! Thanks for delivering the message!And very sorry to hear how sick you (and your son) were…no fun at all!
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