Last week I wrote about my one true resolution for the year (liking myself) and it’s connection to my word for the year (happiness).
One thing I vowed to do was not weigh myself. While I know for certain I’m not at my ideal weight, I’m tired of being a slave to the scale. It’s not right for that number to have so much control over me.
I’d simply rather focus on healthy habits and not how much I weigh.
Turns out though, that’s really freaking hard.
I didn’t realize just how much that number of the scale rules my life. Like when I’d jump on the treadmill for a workout, how hard I pushed myself usually depended on my weight. Did I gain a little? Then I’d “punish” myself with a tougher workout.
So when I got on the treadmill to start day 1 of training for the half marathon I’m going to run, I felt like I didn’t know how hard to push myself. I didn’t know what my weight was, and my weight always told me what to do.
That’s kind of messed up.
But then something kind of incredible happened. I ran on the treadmill and I listened to my body. I mean, I really listened to it. I knew when I had more to give and I knew when I needed to let up. I was also able to truly feel how much the extra poundage I have affects my running.
If I was still weighing myself, I’d run to the scale right this minute. I’d know exactly how many calories to eat and how much I should workout. It’d be easy.
But I’d be miserable. And this is year of happiness, so that’s not an option. So I have to do something that feels a little scary. I just have to keep running and keep eating right and trust that it will be enough.
There’s no diet. There’s no special meal plan. There’s no weekly weigh-in or progress reports.
There’s only how I feel. There’s only the way I feel in my clothes. There’s only the way I feel during a run. But it’s enough.
So, au revoir bathroom scale. I officially no longer require your services.
It’s REALLY hard. We have just moved, temporarily, and I was home yesterday. When I was there, I stepped on the scale and I really contemplated taking it with me. And I left it. It’s a very hard thing to do but I honestly believe it will be better for me (and for you!) in the long run.
I’m better off not weighing myself very often.
I too can put too much emphasis on what the scale says.
I would love my scale more if it said what I wanted it to. ;o)
Good for you for making a tough decision and sticking with it. My guess is it will get easier and easier as time goes. Congrats on the decision, too, to have a happy year. I love that, yay!
Yay Trish! You are amazing! Keep it up and enjoy the freedom from the scales! Listening to our bodies is the ultimate key to health success!
That’s awesome! The scale can make or ruin my day (or week!), so I have been trying to avoid it. However, I got on it for the first time in a while the other day, and it made me miserable. A half-marathon is awesome. I’ve only done one 5K, a year or two ago. You go girl!
this really got to me! i couldn’t have read it at a better time and i just wanted to say “thank you!” i just wanted you to know that i really appreciate your transparency! <3
Good for you girlie!!! I bet that is hard, especially if the other way is what you’re used to! Good luck with it this year!
Good for you! New follower! Hope you follow back
This post ROCKS!! Seriously, this is exactly what my philosophy has been for this whole ‘new year’ stuff. I don’t want to just lose a certain amount of weight or put myself on a diet. I want to run and train for the 5K I’m running (kudos to you doing a halfer!) and as a result I’ll eat healthier and fit into my clothes better. It’s important to feel good about yourself, and if that’s just running without weighing then good for you!!
I threw out my scale a LONG time ago. I too was a slave to the actual “number.” When I went to Weight watchers, they had it scribbled somewhere on my information to not tell me what I actually weighed. I just knew if I lost or gained and I usually lost! I tend to be obsessive-compulsive and it just works for me. Of course they no doubt think I am nuts at the doctor’s office when I tell them I don’t want to know. I go by my clothes and how I feel although I have read recently that clothing manufacturers have been lying to women for years. What used to be a size 11 is now a 9 or 7 making women think they are smaller than they really are.
Now I used to have a friend, who used to set her scale to be 5 lbs lighter. Hey whatever works for ya I guess.
So encouraging to me! I too struggle with being a slave to the scale and totally identify with having that rule how I work out and push myself. Thanks for the encouragement!
I’ve been trying to do this very same thing. I hope you can learn to be nicer to yourself. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.