The Ominous Scale

I’ve decided to tackle an issue that can play such a controlling factor in people’s lives- the scale. Yes, the dreaded weekly (daily or even hourly?!?) weigh in . So many of us let our self-worth, mood for the day, exercise and eating habits be controlled, monitored and checked by a machine that should be used for baking purposes only! I myself try avoiding it as much as possible.  There are moments in life where I too succumb to the pressure of a certain number placed upon myself with no rhyme or reason. Why must I weigh 129? Often my clients beat themselves up over the fact that the numbers are not going down, although they feel better, and their clothing is fitting better. You see, when you start training and eating better, things are changing. Your energy improves, you are setting yourself up for success, your skin and hair glow, you walk with pep in your step, posture and self- confidence improve and the list goes on.
I fell into the trap again last year when I started my new regime with my trainer Tommy of Hybrid Fitness. I asked him to keep me accountable by checking my food diary and weighing me in as well as doing my calipers for fat percentage. 2 weeks into our program, and not only did I find muscles I didn’t know existed, but I also felt a new joy for training ( I was beginning to resent what I was doing after not changing things up after 2 years!). I had increased energy and started to feel tighter in my clothes. Photographers and friends were telling me that it was the best I’d looked! Even my hubby gave me a few compliments about my new posterior shelf! I was on cloud nine until I decided to step on the “kill-my-mood-machine”. I couldn’t believe the number glaring up at me. I stepped off and on again. 2 pounds up?! What? I asked Tommy if the battery on his stupid machine had to be replaced? This number did not reflect how I was feeling. Tommy assured me that the battery was fine, and that I had nothing to worry about. I looked great, my strength was improving and we were getting my body to a state of functionality that I so desired. He then asked, why do you care?
Oh, men…… The truth is, after getting my calipers done, it turns out I lost 1.5 % body fat in 2 weeks (harder when I was sitting at an already low 14%). Tommy made me feel secure about myself and made me realize that setting a physical goal of lifting more, getting lower in a squat or beating my last time of box jumps, is that much more important than a number on the scale, that in the end proves very little. My body is actually in a better spot now than ever. Thank you Tommy for your support. The scale will not be avoided all together, but you are teaching me how to take it with a grain of salt (sea salt of course;)