Throw Out The Scale!

I use to be so obsessed with the numbers on my scale. I dreaded getting on that thing every day and weighing myself. If I didn't like the numbers, it would predict my mood for the rest of the day. I depended on those magical numbers to either make me happy and cheerful or make me sad and depressed and loath wearing my skinny pants for the day.

It was one morning that I decided to throw out my scale. Okay...not literally, but metaphorically speaking. I made a promise to myself to not step on the scale except for once a week. The ups and downs from day to day were becoming exhausting and depressing. I picked every Saturday day to weigh myself. No other days. No matter what.

But, I also had to start really focusing on my diet and exercise and see how well this new process was going to work for me. I remember working out so hard the first week and eating a pretty well balanced diet all week. Excitedly, I jumped on that scale and it said I gained 3 lbs in one week. WTH?!

This is where many people, including myself, who was uneducated at the time, become frustrated and want to give up. But, I'm here to tell you that your hard work for the week is not a lost cause. I have learned my lessons over the years and now a days I never go off of how much I weigh. It's just a number. A "fake" number at that! I started to look at the big picture when I realized one day that I weighed the same as I did after my second baby was born, yet I was wearing smaller sized clothing and my abs were ripped as hell.

So, why doesn't my weight bother me when I gain a few pounds here and there. Because for (1), it's more than likely just water and it'll be gone in a few days to a week. (2) I've worked my butt off and ate a proper diet and my body is not the same as it once was and (3) muscle does weigh more than fat and I'm carrying a lot more muscle on my frame than I did a few years ago. (4) I feel great! I don't let a stupid number on the scale predict my happiness for the day.

What I want you to start doing is forget what the scale says. I want you to focus on how you feel.

1. Do your pants fit more loose?
2. Do people stop you and say, "Wow! You look great! Have you lost weight?"
3. You can pick up a heavy dumbbell and feel strong and motivated.
4. You're healthy from the inside out.
5. You're no longer as tired as you once were. You can keep up with your kids and they tire before you do.
6. You have to make an extra notch in your belt because it doesn't go any lower.
7. Your hair, skin, and nails feel great.
8. You feel more confident and happy.

Isn't that what matters? Not a number on the scale! If you are exercising on a regular basis and you are eating a proper low calorie diet to lose fat and you step on the scale and it reads a pound or two higher, just remember that:

1. Your scale can't tell you how much water you are retaining.

2. Your scale can't tell if you've added some extra muscle {Not that that would happen in only one weeks time, but over several weeks or months, your scale could read much different due to the increase of muscle mass.}

3. It's that time of the month when you feel bloated. Yup! You could gain some weight on the scale, but it's NOT fat. You'll lose that bloat in a few days to a week.

4. You've been dieting hardcore and then decide to throw in a carb free day and you gain 5 pounds over night. Once again, it's NOT fat. It's physically impossible to gain 5 pounds of fat overnight. It's just extra water retention due to the increase of carbs. Carbs hold a TON of water, so of course you'll gain a little on the scale. It'll be gone in a few days.

5. You weigh yourself after you workout and you've gained a pound or too. Of course you did! Your muscle are pumped and your blood's pumping.

Don't ever doubt your progress. Unless you are cheating on your diet too much and too often. Or you quit exercising and focusing on true health. Then yes, you're scale is going to go up for the wrong reasons. But, if you are working hard, you're focusing on burning calories, and you're paying close attention to what and how much you are eating. Then your progress and goals will still be pushing forward and you will have success. Your scale just isn't going to inform you on how well you are really doing. It's just telling you how much you weigh. Be patient. Quit being so hard on yourself. And throw out the scale!!

To really help you keep track of your progress and goals, start getting your Body Fat checked about every 2 to 4 weeks. That alone will tell you "how much you really weigh!"

Good luck and stay positive!!