HYC Check-in Week 36
Not much to report this week that I haven't already covered in previous posts, so I'm going to spend a moment talking about the scale, if you don't mind.
The diabolical scale took away my vacation pound. And I was so proud of it, too! Poor little pound...
If you hang around here semi-frequently, you know that I don't live and die by the scale numbers. I learned my lesson with that after the first six weeks of this Serious Life Conversion, when I learned I had lost only TEN pounds, despite having eaten right and exercised ALL the time. (All together now: poor, poor Cammy!)
Unfortunately, I learned this sad, sad news on the morning I was leaving to attend BlogHer '07 in Chicago. I spent most of the 8-hour drive fretting about the dismal results. (Aren't you glad you weren't along for that ride?) By the time I arrived in Chicago, I had pushed the worst of the black thoughts to the back of my mind.
Michigan Avenue will do that to a girl.
It was only after I arrived at the conference and had walked a mile-and-a-half and climbed two flights of stairs with my computer bag strapped to my back, AND I WASN'T EVEN BREATHING HARD that the magical light bulb finally came on. The weight didn't matter.
Thud.
Okay, so if the weight didn't matter, just what did matter?
- I had lost 20+ inches, 10 of them around my core.
- I had already lost a clothing size and was well on my way to losing another one.
- I was eating nutritious meals that gave me energy.
- I had already had to reduce the dosage on my blood pressure medication--by half.
More than anything else, though, was the emotional benefit of knowing that I had taken charge of my life and was doing something good for ME!
And I had been upset because the scale showed only ten pounds lost. Silly girl.
So now I weigh myself regularly, but it's just a benchmarking kind of thing. I know from experience that my weight can bounce around a couple of pounds during the week (probably during the same day), so I don't attach any importance to numbers within a "normal" range. If the number should show a steady incline (or decline, for that matter), then I'll deal with it. Otherwise, it's just a number. Kind of like age. :)
If you're fretting about the scale, I encourage you to take a step back (a deep breath probably wouldn't hurt either) and look at the bigger picture. List all the things that you are doing right and how they benefit you. You're adding YEARS to your lives, for cryin' out loud! Celebrate that, when the scale doesn't give you something tangible to be happy about.
End of lecture. I'm off to have a celebratory sugar-free fudgesicle and, perhaps, a peach. :)
~~
18 Comments:
THnaks for the great post about the scale. I am a once a week weigher, and am really frustrated with some of the bolgs I read of people that weigh up to three times a day, especting results after exercising, as well as daily if they eat right. I am trying an experiement on my own by weighing in every day, staying on program and watching the ups and downs by what I eat and how I exercise daily. Sodium intake is the key for me! Thanks again for the post. Glad someone agrees with me on seeing success beyond the scale! Keep up the good work!
I just can't get wrapped up in the scale or I end up getting stressed out and I gain. I do from time to time, but overall I try to focus on fitness and health over that number.
Great post!
true words those! It's easy to get sucked into the scale numbers, but the way that you feel (most of all!) and how your clothes fit (love that part) are the most imp. Congrats on the NSVs, btw! :)
Now THAT is the way to deal with a bouncy scale! Also a great reason to take your measurements:-)
you know I 100% agree.
BENCHMARK, People.
all need to heeeed the Cammy.
(I love your use of that word)
M.
You're so right - it's only a number. My scale keeps me accountable - but it doesn't rule my emotions anymore...just lets me know what I'm doing right...or wrong.
I would really love to be able to develop that attitude. The best I've been able to do is to stop panicking about the number, but I still care about it. And the measurements. And the clothing. And the mirror. But you know me, I'm OCD, and if I wasn't obsessing about the scale, I'd just obsess about something else.
How do the clothes feel? I skip the scale for a week at a time.
It is so easy to get wrapped up in that number! I find that weighing myself every day provides a benchmark,but also means no surprises on my "official" weigh in day. I had to put the scale away for a month and focus on the health portion of my life - reminding myself that eating right and exercise are good for me even if the scale doesn't move! I'm glad you had another successful week! I am going to pee my pants when you get to 100 pounds!!
*applauds Cammy* thanks for this! Hurray for remembering what really counts and not getting bogged down with numbers!
Cammy, Great post. I like most folks got hung up on what the scale said but not any more. I weigh at home before I weigh in at WW mainly to see if there is a difference. Since I've added exercise, I'm noticing more in my clothes.
Great post! Now I'm headed to your freezer for a sugar free fudgecicle too!
ah yes, michigan ave. as a chi-town girl, I know all that about that evil, evil, street! anyways, great post because I can really use your advice and outlook on things right now. the scale is not cooperating with me and Im getting frustrated! but you are right, its not everything thats for sure.
Words to live by. I'm getting better. I weigh about once a week, and try not to get torqued out about the number. Try being the operative word. Sometimes I just plain ol' freak out. It's a process.
Exactly, celebrate that we are taking charge! Great post, thank you!!
Oh, Cammy, thanks for this post. How did you know how much I need it right now?
And I was going to apologize for being absentee for two days...but I realize, reading this, that the universe was saving your post for when I needed it most. Which is today.
This is such a good reminder of what matters, and what doesn't - and why I am supposed to be avoiding the scale. I hereby vow not to look at the weight on the WiiFit anymore, and not to pay attention to what the BMI graph shows, any more than, say, once a month.
Thanks again. You're an angel.
V.
It is such a great post and you know we all know this but it's just a matter of believing it, truly believing it. Even though my scale hasn't moved really since January, I know I am healthier, fitter, etc. I am the fittest, fat person in my county :P but darn it I still want the numbers *sob. hehe. Must listen to Cammy...must listen to Cammy..my new mantra :)
I was getting crazy over the scale as well, but thankfully found so many better indicators of getting healthy. Now if only I could get serious again!!
BTW, I am from Chicago, didn't ya just love it?? The Mag Mile is just that, Magnificent!! Don't make it down there very often, but when I do I just love it!!
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