April 17, 2023
Stepping on the scale can be a daunting experience, and for good reason: it often feels like a judgment day. The scale never offers a comforting word, like, “Hey, I know this isn’t the number you wanted, but you’re still beautiful and healthy!” It doesn’t clarify that some of the weight could be from water retention or apologize for ruining your mood. Instead, it simply presents a number, instantly feeding into that nagging voice in your head that says, “You’re not good enough.”
Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows this scenario all too well. You commit to shedding some pounds and dive in headfirst, determined to make this time different. You follow a strict diet, convincing yourself that those bland banana and egg white pancakes are a worthy substitute for your favorite breakfast. You skip the fast food and sugary treats, munching on carrot sticks instead, all while you’re working out more than you have in years.
Then comes the moment of truth: stepping on the scale. You do everything possible to optimize that number—relieving yourself beforehand, removing extra clothing, and holding your breath to avoid any unnecessary weight. But when you finally look down, that dreaded number appears, and it hasn’t budged, or at least not by as much as you hoped. Frustration sets in. You feel defeated, and suddenly the thought of returning to the comforting embrace of ice cream becomes all too tempting.
It’s incredibly unfair how much power we give to that scale. Weight can fluctuate several pounds throughout the day due to various factors like water retention, hormonal changes, or muscle gain. Yet, we often view that number in black and white terms: either we’re fit, or we’re not. This binary thinking can be damaging, especially for those on a weight loss journey.
So, it might be time to say goodbye to the scale. If you must weigh yourself, do it once to establish a baseline, then tuck it away in a closet (or better yet, at a friend’s house across town). Instead, let’s shift our focus to non-scale victories—those achievements that a mere number can never capture.
There are countless victories to celebrate if you look for them. For instance, I felt an immense sense of accomplishment when I could squeeze between two closely placed clothing racks without knocking half the store’s inventory to the ground. Or when I could confidently open my car door in a parking lot, knowing I could exit without worrying about denting someone else’s vehicle. These may seem trivial to some, but for me, they were significant milestones worth recognizing.
A scale won’t tell you when your clothes fit better or when you can drop a size without feeling like a stuffed sausage. It won’t acknowledge that you can now climb stairs without gasping for air or tie your shoes without maneuvering around your belly. It doesn’t account for improvements in your cholesterol or rising energy levels, or the joy of playing with your kids in the park—like the ultimate triumph of fitting into a swing.
Your weight is merely a number, but your health, happiness, and self-confidence are so much more than that. If those are what truly matter, then why should we measure our progress by a single, often misleading number? It’s time to dismiss that scale and celebrate the victories that truly reflect our journeys.
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In summary, it’s essential to recognize and celebrate the non-scale victories in your life. These moments reflect your progress and well-being far better than any number could.