The Scale Can Be A Real Jerk

When you’re trying to lose weight and be a healthier version of yourself, the scale can be a real jerk. For so many people the scale fools them into thinking that it’s the be all end all of your weight loss journey.

Recently a friend reached out to me because she was dealing with her scale being a jerk and I remembered a time when I let those numbers dictate my success (or failure) in losing weight. I’ve been trying to lose those last fifteen “baby weight” pounds for more than a decade now and I’ve decided that my love of food and hatered of exercise are a big factor. More on that another time though.

Don’t get me wrong, the scale has a place in the big picture, it’s an important tool, but it’s NOT the big picture…It’s just a little tree.

I weigh myself almost everyday but I’ve learned not to let the numbers get me down.

The numbers the scale shows me everyday are a guide to what’s going on and I use them to help keep me accountable. The morning after I eat like crap, the scale shows me. It helps me to say, “Ok, you had one day of eating like you’re about to be executed, it’s not a good idea to do that again today.”

Another thing to consider when looking at those sometimes depressing numbers, have you started a new workout routine? Muscle weighs more than fat, so as you replace your fat with muscule you might see an uptick on the scale. Also when working out, your muscles hold on to fluid to help repair and grow.

Have a salty meal? Maybe that number on the scale is reflecting some extra water weight that needs to be flushed out.

So if the scale can be a real jerk, how do you know if your weight loss efforts are paying off?

Simple, how do you feel?

Do you have more energy? Do your pants fit a little better? Is your shirt not hugging you where it used to? Look at your face, has it thinned out a little?

Those are the true measure of your efforts, not some number your scale spits out at you. Use if for what it is, one of many ways to keep you accountable to yourself. Look at your numbers over the course of weeks and months, not days.

Just because the scale can be a real jerk doesn’t mean you should let it derail your efforts. You got this!