Why is it that the scale means so much to us?  If you’re a numbers person like me, I get it.  I am fixated on a certain number that I don’t let myself get above.  And if I get close, I go into lockdown mode and make sure I never go above it.   This behavior is giving power to a silly number and I am letting it mess with my mind and my progress.  It’s almost as though I am letting that number determine my worth.  It’s been a long road to take back that power and not care so much on what that scale says.   It is something I still deal with from time to time, but the best thing that I have done is to throw it out.

The number on the scale honestly doesn’t mean much when you are trying to transform your body.  Just because you don’t see the numbers moving doesn’t mean you aren’t making progress.  You can have 2 different individuals weighing the same number, but when comparing the two they look totally different.    

 The scale measures so many different things that it is not a reliable source of what we really want to know…are we losing body fat?  The number is a reflection of water weight, bones, muscles, organs, food you have consumed that day, blood, fat, etc.  And if you are a woman, it is perfectly normal for weight to fluctuate by 3-5 pounds in ONE DAY!!!  We should really be gauging our progress by how we look, feel, and how our clothes fit. 

If we want a true number to gauge our success of our hard work, we should be testing our body fat percentage.  This is a more accurate reading and something that should be measured maybe once a month.  Not many of us know the simple fact that to lose ONE pound of fat, you must deduct 3500 Calories.  This can be done either through exercise, diet, or a combination of both.  That’s just something to keep in mind when you are reading your food labels. 

If you can’t resist weighing yourself often, here are some tips you can follow.

1. Keep the variables as consistent as possible.  Weigh yourself at the same time, on the same scale, wearing the same clothes. 
2. Never weigh yourself more than once a week.  Daily fluctuations will drive you crazy.
3. If you want to track your weight but think the number will upset you, get a friend to weigh you and keep the number a secret until you are ready to hear it.   

For those who are ready to do away with the scale, here are some ways you can measure and track your progress.

1. Listen to compliments.  These mean so much more than some dumb number.  And trust me, when this happens it will make your day and keep motivating you to keep working hard.
2. Pay attention to your energy levels.  As you get closer to your fitness goals, you will feel lighter on your feet and be filled with verve as you do the activities you love. 
3. Pick a pair of non-stretchy jeans to gauge your progress.  Workout clothes and stretchy jeans have give and won’t cue you to body changes as quickly as stiff denim will.  So break out those skinny jeans!
4. Take pictures.  Make sure you do this at the same time of day, wearing the same clothes, and standing in the same lighting to accurately see the changes.
5. Use a tape measure.  Inches lost are a much better indicator of you progress than the numbers on the scale.