Screw what the scale says

MacInCali

Whether you are new here or have been here for a while, if there is ONE thing I wish I could convince you of, it's that the number on the scale does NOT define you or your success!!!

When we first start out, we all have that magic number ... that magic number in our head that will one day show up on the scale that will finally tell us that we made it ... that we hit our goals and look exactly how we always knew we'd look. I say "Screw what the scale says!!"

I'm 5'6" and am currently wearing a size 8 (and some 8's are too big but I haven't convinced myself to try any 6's yet, lol). According to my scale, I'm currently at a "healthy weight" on the BMI scale by a whopping 3.4 - 1.4 pounds depending on the day. This means that four pounds ago, when I was STILL wearing a size 8, I was considered overweight. The number on my scale does not show what I thought MY magic number was supposed to be, but you know what? The tag on the back of my pants is two sizes smaller than I ever thought it would be!!

The scale is just a number on a stupid square that sits on the damn floor all day. It does NOT define your success. I don't know about you, but regardless of what my scale says or doesn't say, I would never go around telling the world how much I weigh, but you can bet your sweet shrinking *kitten* that I'm screaming at the top of my lungs that this sweet shrinking *kitten* of mine is a friggin size 8!!

Take pictures. Take measurements. And as your body shrinks, buy smaller clothes. Screw what the scale says!!! :flowerforyou:

zachatta

So much this

mirror > scale

EatClean_WashUrNuts

RAWR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWESOME POST!

mbajrami

Thanks for posting this. :-)

shaleasymphony

woot woot

jojorocksforeva

This is so truee thank you for posting.

mommajolynn

so true!! I love seeing the changes in the mirror more than I care about seeing the changes on the scale. If I can get to a size 8 I will be ecstatic!

jenluvsushi

You hit the nail on the head OP....gonna copy this link and share it with all my scale addicted MFP friends. THANKS!!!!

ptjolsen

Mirror/Body Fat% > Scale

LorinaLynn

Applause!

zyxst

I have to say it even though it will piss off people.

You traded one number for another. You say what you weigh/what the scale says isn't important and shouldn't define you, yet you're clinging to your size 8 jeans. The number on your pants tag is now what defines your weight/weight loss. Why not just cut out all the tags in your clothes, basically throw them away like you say to do with the scale?

chivalryder

On the flip side, the number on that little square ultimately determines how much you should eat. Ignore it completely, and you won't know how much you should or should not be eating. Also, how do you determine when you should stop? I'm not saying that should be determined by your weight or mass, but by a variety of numbers that you can get from data collecting information. Without it, you can become obsessed with trying to get skinnier, and you could end up going too far.

My magic number comes from something far more important than the BMI scale or your weight - Body fat percentage. How much fat that is in your body will determine how you look, how you can perform in sport, and how you ultimately feel.

I'm going for a BF% of 10%. How much I weigh at that point varies every week and every day as I gain and lose lean mass. As I lose weight, I lose lean mass as well, my UGW shrinks. As I develop muscle, my lean mass increases, so my UGW increases. In each instance, the amount of fat that will be in my body at my goal BF% changes as well. Everything is relative. However, at the same time, how much I actually weigh means nothing at all.

makeoverpm

very well said!

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

my mirror has told me that my scale is right

vmekash

You are so right! The scale is not the be-all-end-all, but I am using the scale as a guide to see that I am making progress/staying on track from one week to the next when I am unable to feel a change in my clothes or see a change in the mirror. Seeing the numbers go down keeps me motivated, even when it is only a fraction of a pound. :bigsmile:

Cougarita65

I'm trying to move away from the scale , I measure myself, but I seem to need to know what I weigh everyday , that if I don't I will gain 50 lbs back, I was a size 15/16 at my largest & now I buy size 3 or 5. I still don't see myself & as if reading numbers on the scale I will some how start to see my new body.

ksemien

Well done!! *claps*

zachatta

my mirror has told me that my scale is right

Thanks for shattering my reality.

Sarauk2sf

I think we are twins with regard to height and size......however, the difference with me is that I do not care who knows how much I weigh. What used to be an embarrassment to me as I weigh very heavy is now something that actually makes me proud , especially when it surprises people, as it indicates good LBM. I also think it is good for women to know that there is a significant range for an 'ideal' weight and that, at say 5 6" you can get easily into a size 8 and weigh say 130lb, or weigh over 160lb.

Body fat%, the fit of my clothes and the mirror are what is important.

Raina27

:happy: Love this!!

texastango

You're such a great MFP friend that I have to applaud any effort you put forth! As for screws, nuts, and whatever makes you happy, as we've all know the saying "Just do it". Tally H??.....Not going there....and ya'll thought I would....admit it...didn't you!