Confessions From A Personal Trainer: I Think You Should Stop Weighing Yourself – NOW
True Confession Tuesday:
Where every Tuesday: I confess.
Confession: I think you should stop weighing yourself. NOW.
Put the scale away. Stop using it as your measure of success. It’s breaking my heart.
It’s the new year, people are setting goals, changing their nutrition and their work out plan. All of this is AWESOME. But using the scale as the only measure of SUCCESS will likely lead to disappointment.
I’ve had several conversations with friends and clients lately about weight. Here was part of today’s conversation.
Me: I haven’t weighed myself in forever. If I did, it would probably say I weigh close to 160 lbs. That would make me mad, upset, and probably be pissed off at myself. Why do that to myself? And why would it matter if I did weigh 160??
I feel the best I have – ever. I am the happiest with my body – ever. I am the least stressed out about food – ever. But I probably weigh more than I think.
Friend: Oh – that makes sense.
Me: Have you really ever gotten on the scale and been happy at what you see? Nope – you probably aren’t even happy with a low number. And who says what numbers are “good” or “bad?”
Friend: Hmmmmmmm
Last week I asked a client some questions after she said she had gained 10 lbs in the last year and was terribly unhappy about it.
- What are 5 things you know have been doing with your nutrition that has not been helpful?
- Where are areas of your life that need improvement?
- Have you had your blood work done recently?
- Have you had your hormones tested?
- How’s your sleep?
Ask yourself some of these questions and get some DATA before you resort to the scale.
I found this outstanding article from Precision Nutrition called “When the scale sucks: 7 better ways to know if your nutrition plan is working.”
- You feel satisfied after meals
- You have more energy
- You’re sleeping better
- Your clothes feel a little loser (or tighter)
- You’re in a better mood
- You’re stronger and have more endurance
- It feels more like a “lifestyle” than a diet
These are some of the BEST things to ask yourself when you’re making nutrition and exercise changes to see if you’re making progress.
For me – I can easily say I have all 7 of these things covered.
You deserve more than the information from the scale. And besides – you could just set yourself on fire and roll in broken glass. 🙂
TELL ME – what do you use as a measure of success that isn’t the scale?? SEND ME A MESSAGE
PS – I realize I have written several pieces on relatively the same topic. And it’s because these are the things on my heart. I hear from so many of you that you struggle with body image, weight loss, goals, resolutions, not seeing “success” and more. We are so intricately tied to our bodies and our weight that it affects our whole life. I have struggled right along side you. I can promise you that a change in perspective can help.
Have a great week!
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