Last week was the first week that I fully committed to getting back on track with feeling healthy and fit again. I will be sharing on the blog the shifts that I’ve made in my daily life, but I have been sharing my progress every day over on my Instagram account and keeping you all regularly updated there.
I’ve lost 2lbs in my first week, which I’m a little surprised about. I’m really happy with this progress too because it reiterates the fact that you don’t have to deprive yourself when you’re looking to feel healthy or weight loss is your goal. I’ve been eating chocolate, white carbs and loving all of my meals. I’m feeling really great at the moment too and enjoying my new workout routine, my fitness mojo has returned with a bang!
Now, I don’t own a pair of scales and I refuse to buy any, but my gym does. I haven’t weighed myself in over 10 years because it was such a trigger for me and was a massive part of what fuelled my disordered eating and unhealthy mindset in the past. However, at the start of this new phase in my life of wanting to feel healthy and strong again, I was keen to learn how much I actually weighed at the beginning of this journey.
I stand by my argument that numbers in health are BS because a numerical value can not be a direct measurement of health. There is far more to health than the number on the scale, it’s also about what you are thinking and saying too – mindset is an overarching factor that often gets overlooked.
After an interesting conversation with one of the lovely ladies in my private Facebook group, I felt compelled to get my thoughts down on paper, well the blog, but you know what I mean. It acted as a great reminder as to why I never step on the scales in the first place, it’s so easy to obsess about the numbers. The diet culture teaches us that we need to take up less space on this earth to validate our happiness. However, a set range of numbers that some stranger has said is healthy isn’t going to work, because healthy comes in all different shapes and sizes. Therefore, we shouldn’t aspire to these numbers because you can be your own version of healthy whatever your size, which the scales simply have no control over.
There is also the negative cycle associated with scales, the sheer elation when you see a loss and then the disappointment when you haven’t lost anything even though you’ve worked so hard that week. I never want to get stuck in this cycle ever again.
What occurred to me when I stepped on the scales for the first time last week and yesterday is how different I felt compared to when I was in that unhealthy and obsessive place. The number didn’t really affect me at all, it is what it is, just a number. I think this is down to all the mindset work that I’ve done in this area over the years. On a personal level, this is definitely a sign of healing. I’m in a better place and know that feeling fabulous and like my best self has nothing to do with the number on the scale.
Do I think scales have a place in health and wellness?
Yes and no. Ultimately, I think it comes down to why are you using them. If you’re looking for self-gratification and losing weight because you think you’re going to be happier, I’m sorry but it’s not going to happen. Happiness is not going to be found by stepping on the scales, making yourself smaller and conforming to societies ideals of beauty isn’t either. Losing weight simply cannot cure a negative body image, it takes plenty of mindset work and time. On the other hand, scales are a great way to track progress if weight loss is your goal and born from positive intentions, like wanting to feel strong and fit again.
At the moment, although I’m feeling better after one week of really taking care of myself, I’m nowhere near my optimum health yet. I have a long way to go, but I’m going to continue to nurture my body with the foods that I enjoy (including chocolate) move my body in a way that I love. I’m not going to focus on the numbers too much because that’s all they are, just numbers.
I have a love-hate kind of relationship with weight scales and often prefer not to use them because honestly they depress me at times and at other times have no effect on me. You’re right in that its all a mindset we have within ourselves on how we view scales.
You’re not on your own, they can be both positive and negative. Mindset really is everything.
Yay well done for the weight loss but more importantly for the positive and level-headed approach. It sounds like you are absolutely in the right mindset 🙂
Thanks Anna. I’m trying to keep everything in perspective, but it can be hard sometimes.
Nice motivational post! Best of luck with the journey – and keep on enjoying that chocolate :0)
Thanks so much. I’m definitely enjoying the chocolate.
What a great post, we do own scales and I do get them out and dust them off every once in a while, but I use my clothes as a guide, I have spent years being chained and obsessed by my scales and now find I am much happier by ignoring them x
Thank you. Sounds like you’ve found that perfect balance that works for you. Using your clothes as a guide works for me too.
It seems like a good start for you Jemma! I don’t tend to use scales very often as I’d rather not know than be presented with a bigger number than expected. Instead, I know by clothes if I gained weight and I can also feel it around my stomach area. When that happens, I know I have to be more careful about what I eat and I aim to exercise more to bring the weight down.
I think there’s pros and cons to using them. I’ve been using my clothes to gauge my weight too.
I abhor scales! ABHOR! I haven’t weighed myself in 6 years and I honestly NEVER intend to ever weigh myself ever again. When I go to the doctor, I have them weigh me without showing me. And I tell them NOT to tell me or show me my chart. NOPE! I do not let numbers define who I am!
That’s the best way to be. Don’t let them
define you, plus they aren’t a direct measurement of health.
You have such a great positive approach to staying healthy!
Thank you! ?
Until recently I never owned scales at home either and even now I tend to go by how my clothing fits and how I feel rather than the number the scales tell me.
Using your clothes as a guide works great!
This is really interesting and something I’ve been thinking about a lot as I am embarking on my own weight loss journey and trying to decide whether scales will help or hinder.
I think there are pros and cons to using them. It’s important not to get fixated on the numbers though.
This is so well written! Looking for self-gratification from the scales really isn’t the way to go…
Thanks Gareth!
I’m sure my weight issues only started when I bought a set of scales. I know I need to lose weight now, but it will have to wait until after my holiday!
It’s so easy to just focus on the numbers.
I much prefer to measure myself and see a drop in inches as this indicates with exercise and a healthy lifestyle but weighing yourself is an easy way to see results x
It’s is more immediate isn’t it. I guess they are good for that too.
This summer I ditched the scales and started the “feel good in your t-shirt diet” which was basically try to eat healthier and care more about how I feel in my clothes rather than a particular number and it really worked for me.
Yay! Glad that you’ve seen positive results with this approach.
Yes, they are just numbers. Let’s not starve ourselves just to lose weight. We should still enjoy life – eat what we want to eat and do what we want to do. Let’s keep ourselves healthy and happy at the same time.
Love this attitude!
What a great and motivating post. I’m awful with scales when I diet I just can’t stay off them and it doesn’t help me in the slightest lol x
Thank you. I know, so easy to become addicted to them.
I have put on weight recently. It is starting to bother me as my size 10 jeans are getting tight. I used to me a 6-8!!! I would be happy to stay at a 10 so looks like i may need to start to watch the scales and my diet.
I would say not to focus on the numbers too much. They’re just numbers after all and don’t define who you are or how you feel.
When I’m trying to lose weight I try to avoid using the scales! I find a tape measure is a much more accurate instrument to use to see whether I’m shedding the pounds or not 🙂
Louise x
I’m trying to avoid concentrating on the numbers all together. It’s so easy to become consumed by them.
The scales can be beneficial at times just to track yourself and be aware, but most of the time useless. Tracking inches and the overall way you feel is so much better. X