To Hell with the Scale....

I know I am not alone in the world of "weight worry" so I figured it would make a blog worthy topic. I actually do not know anyone who isn't weight conscious- I take that back, I have met ONE woman who was not small nor big that I truly believe was content with how she looked and I remember her telling me she did not own a scale- ever. She never had one as a child and never had one as an adult. I remember thinking she was crazy, who doesn't know how much they weigh? Who doesn't care about it? Is that even possible?! I have known how much I weighed since I can remember.

Having said that, I am sooooooooo tired of  knowing how much I weigh- always being weight conscious.  I am likely the most guilty of all in regards to being addicted to my scale. But I know so many who are addicted/obsessed with theirs as well. We can't seem to separate ourselves from this magic number. It holds this crazy power over us. Makes us feel proud of what we have done or discouraged by what we haven't.  What is that?! Who ever said a number even matters?! I'm not saying we should stop caring about being healthy and fit. But what does a number have to do with that?

 I have tried to ditch the scale before but it has found a way back in my home and in my head. For the last few months I have been trying really, really hard to get in tip top shape and shed my "last few pounds". I have been eating very healthy, working out very hard and for whatever reason the scale is sloooooooooow moving.  I got on the scale this morning it was the same number it has been for 2 weeks. What disappoints and discourages me even more than the number not moving is how upset I let it make me. I felt like I didn't do enough, work hard enough, eat well enough, try hard enough....and the scale doesn't lie. Right?!  But then I went even further and started thinking "What's wrong with me?" I have been doing so good with my eating and exercise, why isn't that enough? Isn't that how normal people get healthy? Why doesn't it work for me?  It shaped my day and made me feel like I had failed.

But shouldn't I instead be proud that I haven't given up? Shouldn't I be proud that I have made changes and stuck with them? Shouldn't I be proud of the example I am setting for my girls? Shouldn't I be proud that I can fit into smaller size cloths regardless of my number? Shouldn't I be proud that I can see muscle definition forming? Yes!! The answer is YES- I should be proud of eating good, wholesome food, I should feel good about how I have been getting into shape, I should feel proud about getting stronger! So I say TO HELL WITH THE SCALE. What good is it to me? It has nothing to do with me being healthy, neither physically or mentally. I am drawing a line in the sand and crossing over.

I will no longer be weight conscious. I will, however, forever be HEALTH CONSCIOUS.

(10 pounds of muscle added)

I know a lot of people will disagree and maybe you are a fortunate soul who doesn't care about what you weigh. I am, however, am not one of them so this is my solution. I have to note that I am a HUGE supporter of anyone wanting to get into shape, lose fat, get healthy. I am no way saying "Be happy being unhealthy" I am just saying, if you are eating healthy, exercising and taking care of your body- that is when a number really does becomes irrelevant.  Size is relevant, sure....excess body fat leads to health problems. So yes, to some degree, size is relevant (I am talking about axtra fat your body does not need, actual fat- not bone structure, body size, tall, short, petite or not...I am talking fat on top of your God given body.) Weight however, not so much.

 My hope is that eventually I will not only believe what I have posted today (I am sure it will take time to adjust to a number-less life) but I will be an example to my children, to my family, to my friends that being healthy, getting in shape, being "skinny" even has nothing to do with a number.The truth is that even as I type right now  (and the scale is sitting on my bathroom floor) I am wondering if I actually have what it takes to toss the scale....like, really, really get rid of it?? Yikes. What a thought. Such freedom though to ONLY focus on being fit, healthy and strong.... Yep.....here I go.....out with the old and in with the new. The scale officially has nothing to do with my day anymore. If you see me, don't ask how much I have lost or how much I weigh- because God willing I wont know!