NSV- The Scale is a LIE!

So, I finally realized it. I allow my scale to hold a huge amount of power over me. Every day for the past two years, it has stayed at the same number. Minor weight loss would have me doing my happy dance and days of water retention would have me feeling like a slob. Then, it would snap back to the same number. It had the potential to make or break my day and my self esteem.

About six months ago, I started doing some research. I finally got consistent with my work outs and started taking my measurements. I was hoping to gain some muscle mass and I figured it would be more accurate than my scale. In that time, I have lost several inches from my waist, hips, and thighs. Even my dreaded jiggly arms are starting to tighten up!

I walked by the mirror in the bathroom a couple of weeks ago and noticed that I was looking rather slim. I figured it was a fun house effect or just a flattering shirt. I snapped a picture anyway. I went home and took more pictures in different clothes and they told the same story. I looked like I had lost about 20 pounds. What the deuce?! The scale hasnt moved in two years though? How could this be?!

Apparently I've been packing on muscle like a beast. My poor body never knew exercise throughout my entire life and I've finally been adding the lean mass I should have had all along. I'm still not sure exactly how I managed to lose so much fat and gain muscle without losing/gaining weight, but it's been a long process so I guess it just balanced itself out over time.

I want to present you with my before and after pictures. (Hopefully! If not, you can check out my profile picture too. It's the same one.) The picture on the right is "before". Summer 2011. I weighed 148 lbs at 5'2. On the left, mid-January 2013. I still weigh 148 lbs.

[img]http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o705/trina_thompson2/Facebook/Timeline Photos/819230_358838400898989_1893984974_o.jpg[/img]

Liberate yourself from that darn scale! Yes, weight is a good way to track but it isn't the only way. Don't let it dictate your moods the way I did for so long. Take your measurements, find out your body fat %, lift heavier, run faster. A combination of those things are what will give you a truer picture of your progress.

I still have days when I want to see that number go down. Really though, I just want to have less fat and take up less space. So, I've been fairly successful with that, I think. Please feel free to add me on here. I'm trying to beef up my friends list!.