Monday, June 21, 2010

The Scale Means Nothing...

People, I try. Really I do. I don't weigh myself all that often, and I work very hard at not letting the number on the scale dictate my mood. But then I step on it and get a new low number and become positively giddy, so what does that say about my "it's not about the number on the scale, it's about eating right and being fit" philosophy? Sigh...it's not easy being me.
This puts me at 109 pounds lost!

In the latest podcast of Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone, Carla and Shauna interviewed Stephanie Dolgoff, author of My Formerly Hot Life: Dispatches From Just the Other Side of Young. It was an all around fun and thought-provoking interview, and one thing Stephanie said really struck me. I'm paraphrasing here, but she said "Eating when I'm hungry, stopping when I'm full and exercising a decent amount brings my body to the weight it should be, not necessarily what I want it to be."

I've been thinking about this sentence over and over, and actively trying to practice acceptance at whatever the scale reads, because at this point in my weight-loss journey, it's not all about the number. Sure, I'm thrilled to hit this new low - I mean, c'mon...back when I weighed 256 pounds, this number felt about as unattainable as walking on the moon. But little by little, I'm getting there - wherever "there" might be...currently, I don't really know. I'm eating healthy food for the most part and working out a couple of days a week. I'm trying to increase my running, but it's hard in this Texas heat. I'm a bit mystified as to why I'm on a losing streak - really, I'm not doing anything different - but I guess things are falling into place and for that, I'm grateful.

Now remind me of this next time I write an "I hate my scale!" post. Please. :)
Posted by Shelley at 5:00 AM

30 comments:

  1. oh
    oh
    oh
    YOU KNOW I SHALL...

    xo xo


    Miz.
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  2. I am stuck, stuck, stuck. I think the only way I'm going to lose more weight is to really make myself uncomfortable by REALLY cutting back on my calories, and I'm just not ready to do that yet. I am bitter that my body is settling in at a weight that is more than I would like!

    I'm really curious about the Garmin, because of course now I think I need one too. Had you ever tried the Nike +? I'm just curious if they are similar.
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  3. We all need that reminder. Congrats, Shelley, you are one hard working woman!
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  4. I'm weigh myself everyday but I concentrate on the fat and muscle percentages. It (occasionally) charges me into action to work harder on strength training rather than skipping meals. I'm still hit and miss with it but I've come to realize that skipping a meal to get a lower weight on the scale is a fool's victory. Your exercise routine is pretty ambitious so I'm sure your number on the scale is something to celebrate.
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  6. Hi Shelley, I just found your blog this morning and all I can say is, "Wow - you are sheer inspiration!" I too am in my 40's (47), recently lost 40 lbs., (10 to go) and have started running (after not running for 30 years). I'm so giddy to have found another 40ish blogger that I can look to for motivation. Thanks so much!!
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  7. Just hang on to that losing feeling! Don't question the fates. :D

    You are now in that nebulous territory of "where do I stop?"
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  8. Weigh to go, Shelly! Take this little victory and add it to the fact that you can wear size 8 (or 6) pants and smile. You're shaping up nicely.
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  9. Congrats, ya big LOSER! The body she is fickle, no? Funny how you aren't doing anything different, but you're still loosing.

    You've earn this!
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  10. You know I get you sistah! I'm really working on that eating when hungry stopping when full and exercising, and accepting my body the way it is. I'm not weighing this week, but the truth is, its because I'm afraid the scale would be going the wrong direction. And yes, if I saw a loss , I would be giddy.
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  11. Funny. I just wrote it's not about the number, and mine is going the other way.
    I'm still the same me. If I do what YOU are doing, I can have the number go down and it can still be not about the number, but it sure helps to feel better.
    Yay for you, Shelley.
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  12. Great Job Shelley! You work so hard on your health and fitness you deserve for the scale to move your way :)
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  13. What an awesome philsophy! You're doing pretty good at internalizing it, too :)

    And congrats on that NUMBER!! Wow! If I EVER see that number, yeah, walking on the moon comes to mind!
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  14. That's awesome, Shelley! You're melting away. You have definitely earned it with all of your had work and you look fantastic.

    I love that quote. Think I'll gnaw on it for a while too. I hte my scale until it starts saying sweet things to me and then I always forgive it. It's like returning to a bad relationship. LOL
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  15. I swear it's the running. When I was doing around 12 miles a week (not much I know) I couldn't eat enough to keep weight on.
    It's amazing and I loved it.
    In fact, I printed out a schedule next week to get back to that.
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  16. Can I switch scales with you?? I am so proud of you Shelley - remember when you had that long stretch where you were on a plateau - and look at you now!

    Definitely kicking it up a notch this week!
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  17. The battery in my scale needs to be replaced. It's a weird size so I haven't gotten to it yet. I'm an obsessive weigher. I've been know to do it multiple time a day. I'm think the break of not weighing myself for a bit might be a good thing.
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  18. Congrats on seeing the new low number. I know we're not supposed to be all focused on it, but I'm afraid I know exactly how you feel. I feel invincible on those days I see a new low.
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  19. We are creatures that need quantifiable proof of our ongoing success...I checked in with the scale this morning after my trip home...thankfully it was kind to me.

    I see nothing wrong with the scale...nothing at all.

    The important thing is that you took time to recognize and celebrate the achievement. Just because you are doing great as an intuitive eater, doesn't mean you can't hoot and holla about the scale's proof of your hard work.
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  20. You are a dynamo Shelley and yes we will be here to remind you :)
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  22. Congratulations on your loss! Why not get giddy, you've worked hard to lose and it's very exciting to do so. I love summer fruit too although raspberries and the like are in our shops now (winter). Keep up the good work and thanks for the inspiration.
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  23. It isn't all about the scale - not by a long shot. But I'm happy for you. So happy.

    Can you see me grinning from ear to ear?
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  24. I am struggling to be in this place, the one where I can not worry about the scale. I go back and forth week to week. I hate the scale, the scale is my friend, the scale is stupid, the scale is giving me love. I'm right now in the "scale is stupid" phase. I've been stuck for a while, then lost two pounds, then gain one (for no good reason) then stuck again. Driving. me. batty. You're doing awesome! Thanks for the inspiration!
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  25. Congrats on the weight loss. You have done great. I wish I could run it seems to be working for you.
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  26. WOW!!!

    I've said before how much you rock, and I'll say it again. GO YOU!
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  27. Wow, look at your go! I remember when you decided to stop looking at the scale for a while and to concentrate on running and being healthy. Looks like it is paying off!
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  28. You look amazing and no it is not all about the number on the scale. I couldn't agree with your more on that point!
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  30. I think it's true that if you eat healthy and exercise your body will know what weight fits you right.

    Shelley you look great and you're such an inspiration and motivation to me, don't let the scale define your mood, you know better!
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