I hear time after time from individuals who are always trying to unlock the key to happiness and their dream body. One of the many lessons I've learned is the number on the scale doesn’t really matter. What really matters is the relationship a person has with his or her own self-image, food, and body.
Want to know why the number on the scale doesn’t matter?
If you are eating a healthier diet and working out and for some reason, the scale doesn’t appear to move, you are not alone. This is a common problem for most people that are trying to lose weight. They focus so much on the scale that when it doesn’t move, they give up, feel terrible about themselves, and feel like a failure. Try not to let it get you down because the number on the scale does NOT tell the full story.
Here are 7 reasons why the number on the scale doesn’t matter:
1. YOUR BODY COMPOSITION IS CHANGING
Do you ever wonder why the number on the scale doesn’t move after you've made many changes to your diet and lifestyle?
When the scale doesn’t move, you are losing body fat while gaining muscle. Your weight may stay the same, even as you lose inches, a sign that you’re moving in the right direction. However, if the scale doesn’t change, you may not even be aware that you’re getting real results, especially if you are not taking your progress.
2. YOUR WEIGHT FLUCTUATES EACH DAY
If you weigh yourself daily (WHICH YOU SHOULDN’T BE DOING) you may notice the number fluctuates each day. Sometimes this could be down to water retention due to hormones or an excessive salt intake. Drink lots of water and lower your salt intake to avoid fluid retention and stop stressing over the number on the scale.
3. YOUR WEIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS SHOW HEALTH
Just because someone is thin does not mean they are healthy. In fact, a heavier person may have better overall health due to lifestyle choices like eating a balanced diet and working out. Don’t let the scale be your health gauge. Focus on practicing healthier habits and being consistent. For improved health, you need to make changes that you can keep to for life. Better blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels are all measures of improved health that may not change the number on the scale.
4. YOUR MUSCLE WEIGHT IS DENSE THAN FAT, THEREFORE IT TAKES UP LESS SPACE
As you work out, you are building lean muscle which weighs exactly the same as fat but is leaner. if your clothes are looser but the scale is the same, this is because of the lean muscle you have built. Building lean muscle has lots of benefits. Did you know building muscle will help boost your metabolism so you can burn fat even whilst you rest?
5. YOUR CLOTHES CAN TELL YOU THE TRUTH
Instead of determining whether you are getting results based on the scale, look at how your clothes fit. If your clothes fit better, then the number on the scale is not important. Let your clothes be the gauge in deciding if you’re healthier lifestyle is paying off! If your clothes are getting looser, then by all means celebrate and buy some new clothes.
6. IT CAN BREAK YOUR DAY
If the number on the scale can make or break your day, you are not alone. It’s normal to feel disheartened when your weight is up and happier when the number is down. You could have 3 women that weigh the same but have 3 different shapes and sizes. It all depends on how much muscle and fat you carry and where! Stop focusing on your weight and just worry about adopting a healthier lifestyle.
7. YOUR SCALE DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR EVERYTHING!
When you step on the scale you are weighing every tissue, cell, food you ate, and a glass of water you just drank. Realize the scale does not account for everything and the numbers do not show the bigger picture of fitness and health.
Focus on YOUR happiness, your energy levels, and the things you love. THEN begin making the health changes you need such as a healthier diet or exercise routine. The weight will come off if you follow this approach because weight loss is just a side effect of true health and happiness. Don’t forget to also focus on sleep and reduce stress levels as they can affect health and weight too.
The biggest thing to take from this is, YOU SHOULD MEASURE IN INCHES AND NOT IN POUNDS!
If you think you're sabotaging your weight loss with the scales and would like some support, reach out anytime!