Stop Obsessing Over The Number On The Scale!

[CHARismatic110]

When I first started on my weight loss/fitness journey, I didn't believe in the whole scale obsession thing. I thought "how can monitoring your weight become an obsession? That's crazy". I spiraled quickly. I started out weighing myself every 7-10 days (random, I know). As I was consistently working out and eating healthier and the number was going down, I was happy. I was losing 7 pounds here and 8 pounds there and it was great.

And then it just stopped.

I remember having a great workout week. I'd pushed myself and was proud of myself. Until I stepped on the scale. Not only had I not lost weight, but I'd gained! It didn't understand it. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I channeled that disappointment and worked out even harder the next week. Weigh-in time: no weight lost again! And that's where the obsession began. I started weighing myself every day. The number would fluctuate. Down one day, up the next. Like any normal person, I got discouraged. There were tears (I'm human!). I wanted to give up. But I didn't, and you shouldn't either.

Non-scale Victories Are Your Friend!

The scale is not the only thing that measures progress. Here are a few other victories to focus on:

•How you feel physically - I noticed that the more I worked out, the more energy I had.

•How your clothes fit - probably my favorite. I can now get in and out of old jeans without having to unbutton them.

•Changes to your body - this one may seem kind of weird, but I felt stronger.

•Endurance - running up a flight of stairs and not being winded.

•Having others notice - It always feels good to be asked "have you lost weight?"

The important thing to remember here is that your progress isn't just measured by that number on the scale. Pay attention to the little things. Like how easy it may be to run now. Or how you've increased your reps. Or how good those jeans that were too tight fit now. All of those things are just as important as a pound lost. Don't bear yourself up because the number on the scale hadn't moved down. Or even if it's moved up. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat. So don't be discouraged. Keep on keeping on!

#CHARismaticOut ✌😎❤

[YourFutureEx]

Exactly! Don't lose weight, but lose fat instead.
I've measured my weight only twice this year. Once before joining the gym and second time just because I got ill. That's it. It had absolutely nothing to do with my progress. I've lost 4 inches of my waistline and I've gained 3 KGs!! (Interesting, no?) Gain muscles, lose fat. More muscles means more calorie consumption. Muscles make you look in shape plus, they're heavier than the fat and that's why you shouldn't measures weight TO check the progress.

[CHARismatic110]

Absolutely right!

[W31rd0]

Too many people try to lose weight quickly, but they quickly regain the weight (due to rehydration) or severely dehydrate themselves due to excessive water loss. The number on the scale should not be as important as maintaining good health of the body, as the former is arbitrarily based on the amount of force exerted on the scale while the latter is based on your overall health and longevity.

[shadowlegend]

I did the same thing, I joined a gym and over a year of working out for 45-1 hour 5 days a week I had no dramatic weight-loss, the number fluctuated up and down a few kilos whether I went to the gym or not, and it's so easy to become obsessive, but when I put away the scales I realized I felt really good, I liked how I looked, I knew when I was feeling insecure and perhaps focusing on flaws (thank you PMS), but I stopped hating myself for wanting to eat a muffin on occasion, or have a hot chocolate without skim milk, and most importantly I stopped obsessing and worrying that the number on the scale supposedly meant I was at risk of all kinds of health problems and medical problems when really I have never had any problems relating to my weight, and all the times I've seen doctors for health check-ups they never mentioned any problems with my weight. men and women alike need to stop with this "you SHOULD be a certain weight to be considered attractive or even healthy" mindset, because it's just not true. And more importantly, I see people obsessed with their weight and yet they smoke or drink excessively or do other things that harm their body, and they're worried about their weight? Ridiculous. The focus should be nurture your body and monitor your health, which is not the same as monitoring your weight.

[CHARismatic110]

100% agreed!

[lumos]

I agree. In the beginning it can be nice to keep track of what you lose. But you should never be upset once the scale stops at a certain weight. It's normal, it becomes harder to lose weight the longer you work out. Muscles also weigh more than fat. So you might just be losing fat and gaining muscles, which would explain the halt (or even gain).
Good take! It's a nice reminder for those who are struggling with their weight. Weight isn't everything in your journey to become healthy. Being happy with how you look is more important, as well as feeling good.

[CHARismatic110]

Yes ma'am! I agree. And thank you!

[somebodysaycheese]

I have to look at the number because even if people see the weight loss and mention it i dont see it. So I have to look at the numbers. I still have some remnant of body dyshpora that im working on , but i think i could be 90lbs and still see a heavy person which is aneroxia in a sense and that is also something im working on.

[CHARismatic110]

Oh yeah that's understandable. I had to break out of the habit for that reason. It was taking me back down a dangerous road.

[LaVilaine]

Yeah, there's a reason I haven't weighed myself in about ten years. Regardless of the number on the scale, it always makes me feel horrible. Instead, I try to focus on how I feel and how my clothes fit. Like, I haven't really bought all that many new clothes since high school so I figure that I'm doing okay.

[CHARismatic110]

Yeah. The scale always makes me feel shitty. When I was in my teens I'd have legit meltdowns whenever I had to go to the doctor's because I dreaded being weighed.

[LaVilaine]

I ask mine not to tell me the number because it makes me upset. She only tells me if she suspects that there's something wrong.

For instance, this summer I started cycling and rowing. My weight went up 5-10 lbs since my last check up, but when I told her that I probably had more muscle mass, she said that it probably made sense and was nothing to worry about.

[CHARismatic110]

Hmmm... I may start to do that. It makes my anxiety flare to this day. But you know, anxiety isn't a legit illness and all that. 😐😑😒

[LaVilaine]

Oh no! Because mediocre white boys with potato faces are far more knowledgeable on the subject than psychiatrists, psychologists and medical professionals in general.

[CHARismatic110]

Lmaooo

[Mustachekitteh]

Agree! The scale can send you on a huge depression spiral. It's best to only weight yourself once a week and not everyday. Though even then shouldn't take it too seriously unless you start to look a little fatter in the mirror or when you measure your body, in that case something is up.

[CHARismatic110]

Yup. Once a week is good.

[Mustachekitteh]

Zumba has become my favorite part of my workout but I make sure to do others.

[CHARismatic110]

I LOVE ZUMBA! I lost my first 20lbs by just doing Zumba

[Mustachekitteh]

Which zumba video's have you done?

Do you watch videos for strength training?

[CHARismatic110]

I have Zumba games for Xbox. I have world party and the fitness one I believe. And nah, I don't.

[Mustachekitteh]

If you ever start looking for one, you can try going on youtube and typing in Fitnessblender.

[CHARismatic110]

Thanks+

[jesshkah]

THANK YOU. Too many questions asking about weight. Also BMI means nothing either.

[CHARismatic110]

Thank you!

[ObscuredBeyond]

I simply remind myself that I did lose 100 pounds... but gained back 50 of it in muscle. I look slimmer and my pants fit looser, but I weigh only 50 less than before. Because all that extra muscle weighs a whole lot more.

[CHARismatic110]

That's awesome

[ElissaDido]

I weight myself everyday 😖😓
I don't know even if it fluctuates, I like doing it to keep on track, I just don't weight myself 10 days before my periods.

[Toad-1]

I bet you weigh less than a kitten. 🐈

[CHARismatic110]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend it but to each his own.

[ThisDudeHere]

I'm almost like you except in reverse, I have to gain weight. But the only reason I haven't spiraled in to checking my weight every other day is because I just happen to no possess any scales.

[CHARismatic110]

Lol be glad you don't own a scale.

[LittleSally]

Oh, I completely agree!
It's not about the number, it's about how you feel at what weight and your health overall. =)

[CHARismatic110]

Yes ma'am!

[SirenDep]

Thanks for the reminder! I still weigh the same I did in January, and while I' m sure I 'll loose the extra weight gradually, it started bothering me.

[CHARismatic110]

No problemmm!

[dangimconfused]

I weigh myself at the 1st of every month. I also take my measurements and compare them with the previous months measurements. Doing all this once a month works for me!

[CHARismatic110]

That's great!

[chintita]

yep and body fat % matters more for weight loss anyways,

[CHARismatic110]

Yes ma'am.

[Prof_Don]

Important fact to remember:

Muscle volume weighs 8x as much as bodyfat volume

[RainbowFanGirl]

I love this. I never look at the scales so I don't get discouraged!

[CHARismatic110]

Great!

[popsickle]

Great point I think a lot of people need to hear.

[CHARismatic110]

Thank you!

[Dtegesd123]

shouldn't this be common sense by now?

[CHARismatic110]

A little reminder never hurt anyone. Thanks.

[douride2]

Great I couldn't agree with you more.

[CHARismatic110]

Thanks!

[orphan]

a useful tool to own is body fat calipers.

[LordBlakeh]

We just need to smash all the scales.