Non-Scale Victories Matter

The scale is a seemingly innocent piece of plastic or metal that can cause so much stress for those who are trying to lose weight or maintain weight! While very few are immune from the annoying sense of disappointment that comes with stepping on the scale and seeing a number they don’t like, it is important to keep a few things in mind when thinking about the scale:

1. It is merely a measure of your gravitational pull to the Earth. I realize there are fancy versions that measure body fat percentage etc. but the general function of a scale is to measure your weight. Your weight can fluctuate day to day based on so many different factors such as your hydration status, the amount of sodium or carbohydrates you have eaten in the past couple of days and also hormonal shifts as well as recent workouts can cause the scale to fluctuate.

2. Just because the scale hasn’t moved in a week or two weeks, it doesn’t mean you aren’t losing weight or inches. I always encourage people to use a measuring tape and take photos to track your progress as well as pay attention to how your clothes fit.

3. If the scale is causing you more harm emotionally and mentally than is comfortable for you, then put the scale out of sight and decide you will only weigh once a week, once a month or at a duration of time that makes sense for you and your well-being.

Lastly: Celebrate the non-scale victories! This could mean you can go up 3 flights of stairs without feeling out of breath or you can walk farther than you could before, or maybe you fit into your favorite sundress that hasn’t fit you in years! There are so many examples of non-scale victories and they should be acknowledged and celebrated because health and wellness is so much more than the number that shows up on one piece of plastic or metal!