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The Scale vs. The Mirror

PortiaRuth
PortiaRuth Posts: 5 Member
edited November 2024 in Motivation and Support
I am really struggling with my opinion of my body. One minute, I feel like I am too big, and then the next minute I worry about becoming too skinny. I'm not on any particular diet, but I have been more aware of what I eat; counting calories and exercising (strength and cardio) 3x/week for 3 months now. I am 5'6 and started out at 155lbs; I am now down to 147 with 36-27-41 measurements.

The problem is---I can't settle on a goal weight! When I look in the mirror, part of me thinks I look fine the way I am. But as soon as I see a skinnier girl, I think I should be skinnier. Most people think I already am skinny and I'm crazy to be wanting to lose weight.
I vary between wanting to make my goal weight from 138-145lbs. I guess I just need any kind words of motivation, and/or any opinions of what my weight should be.

Replies

  • soccerkon26
    soccerkon26 Posts: 596 Member
    I feel the same way. One week I will feel like I look great and am feeling accomplished. The next week I think I look too skinny, but then a few days later I feel like I need to strength train more or eat less of my exercised calories, etc.

    I try to remember to not just look at the end result (since we don't even know what we want!). Be happy with the process too. :) progress, not perfection!
  • TheRoseRoss
    TheRoseRoss Posts: 112 Member
    I don't recall my weight when I (re)committed (182lbs, maybe), but I was delusional. I fancied myself a pro body builder, and said "I'll bulk up to 230lbs in 6 months,, then I'll cut down to 205 pounds of pure muscle in time for summer." I had bulked up to 215lbs, all of it gut, and the beginning stages of "man boobs." I still thought "it's probably just 10lbs of fat. I can cut down to 205lbs (don't know why I was fixated on that number) of muscle.

    I got to 205 pounds. No abs. No muscle to speak of. I continued losing weight thinking "okay, I'll go down to 195. That should be good." I guess I was worried about "getting too small" and "not looking manly." I eventually got down to ~185lbs, so about right where I started. BUT...I could finally see that I looked A LOT different than I had when I began my "bulk." I readjusted my mentality. I no longer have my mind set on any magic number. I use a seamstress tape to measure my extremities in order to gauge my growth, and I use the mirror to help me determine if it's muscle or fat that I'm gaining. I rely on the mirror, and haven't stepped on the scale in months. As it was put to me:

    "Imagine 2 people, A & B, identical in every way. Both weight 200 pounds, and possess 50% body fat. They embark on a weight loss plan.
    - Person A loses 50 pounds, but is now 15% body fat,
    - Person B loses 100 pounds, but is now 50% body fat.

    According to the scale, person B lost the most "weight." Would you prefer to be the person that weighs more @ 150lbs with 15% body fat, or the person that weighs less @ 100lbs with 50% body fat?

    If you simply went by what's on the scale, you'd want to be person B (100lb, 50% body fat). If you went by the mirror, Person A weighs more actually looks better due to lower body fat percentage.

    I hope that made sense. I suggest not getting fixated on some number on the scale. Use the mirror and go until you're happy.
  • Zombella
    Zombella Posts: 491 Member
    I am quite a while away from my goal weight, but I gave myself a weight that I want to get to, and then re-evaluate. People that are my height usually have a lower weight because I am short, but it depends on body type.

    I say lose some more weight and see where you are. If you still have doubts, lose some more.
  • eatingfatbeingfat
    eatingfatbeingfat Posts: 41 Member
    edited July 2015
    The mirror is just not accurate....at all. People can rarely see themselves clearly. I have a great deal of trouble with this too, I really sympathize. I don't have the "You are getting too small" bit (I am at 169) but certainly have trouble assessing what I really look like. I am aiming for 140 (I am also 5'6'') figuring that is a healthy weight - and concentrating on adding muscle tone.

    But it can be so damn frustrating.
  • samhennings
    samhennings Posts: 441 Member
    PortiaRuth wrote: »
    I am really struggling with my opinion of my body. One minute, I feel like I am too big, and then the next minute I worry about becoming too skinny. I'm not on any particular diet, but I have been more aware of what I eat; counting calories and exercising (strength and cardio) 3x/week for 3 months now. I am 5'6 and started out at 155lbs; I am now down to 147 with 36-27-41 measurements.

    The problem is---I can't settle on a goal weight! When I look in the mirror, part of me thinks I look fine the way I am. But as soon as I see a skinnier girl, I think I should be skinnier. Most people think I already am skinny and I'm crazy to be wanting to lose weight.
    I vary between wanting to make my goal weight from 138-145lbs. I guess I just need any kind words of motivation, and/or any opinions of what my weight should be.

    I stopped worrying about weight a while ago, and feel much better for it.

    I instead focus on a goal physique. The weight is secondary.

    Perhaps this would work for you? Is there a "body type" you would like? Perhaps a physique goal, abs for example. Or even a physical goal - run a 5k or something like that.


    I arrived at this myself when I hit my original goal weight and didnt like what I saw in the mirror. I wasnt skinny fat, but I just had no shape or definition, and had certainly lost muscle in my weight loss process. Since when I decided upon lifting weights and getting fitter, Ive put on around 6lbs and feel so much happier with myself. I also feel very positive about what Im doing with my body and where it is heading.

    Obviously I check in and keep an eye on my weight from time to time, but essentially Im eating right and exercising with a view to looking and feeling good (vain, I know) and the weight really isnt a concern to me all the while Im improving in the areas Im bothered with.
  • PortiaRuth
    PortiaRuth Posts: 5 Member
    Thank you all for the support and suggestions! It's a big help in itself just knowing that others are going through the motions too :)
This discussion has been closed.

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