Why are we so hung up on the scale?

uberlaut · July 2011

Let me just begin by saying that over the past 2 years I have lost over 120lbs. In the course of this process, I learned the hard way that I should not eat less than 1700cal a day. Ever. Undereating causes me to gain weight. Seriously. My resting metabolic rate (yes, I had it tested by a medical professional) is around 1800cal/day.

BUT!!!!

By the BMI chart, I am still obese. I weigh 188-189lbs. I am not currently trying to lose weight. Here's why:

According to tests by my personal trainer, I have gained at least 30lbs of muscle in that time as well. And I was always a strong person (I had a lot of muscle mass to begin with). According to the measurements taken by my personal trainer, I have 134lbs of lean body mass. I have gained about 1.5lbs of muscle for each month I work out regularly.

I am 5'4", so BMI says I should weigh between 110-145lbs.

Even if I got to 145lbs, without losing muscle mass...I'd have a bodyfat percentage of less than 8%. The healthy bodyfat range for women is 19%-24%.

I think we can all agree that losing muscle is not healthy and that gaining muscle is healthy, right?

My goal is to get my bodyfat percentage under 24%. There is absolutely no reason I can't achieve that at my current weight.

Please think about all the factors before you decide how much weight you "need" to lose.

Here is a calculator for those of you who want to estimate your body fat percentage. http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/body-fat-percentage-calculator

Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods

amymeenieminymo · July 2011

Very true, I never ever give any credit to BMI because it doesn't take into account body structure and muscle. I could never get down to what my BMI says I should be because I would not be healthy.

However I think we are hung up on the scale because when the number goes down, it is progress we can see. Often we cannot see a 5 pound difference in our bodies, but we can see that 5 pound difference on the scale. Even a loss of .5 motivates me. But I do agree, being obsessed with the scale can be dangerous. It took me a while to accept that my ideal weight is 165. That sounds heavy to me, but I look and feel great at that weight, so I've learned to ignore "the number" and be happy if I can get down to it because it means I will look and feel good.

uberlaut · July 2011

I will probably never weigh 165.

And I am OK with that.

I have a large frame (test here: http://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/bodyFrame.php) and I like to carry a lot of muscle mass. The more muscle I carry, the more I get to eat!!!

uberlaut · July 2011

Also, I'd like to see us judge ourselves more by what we're capable of than what we look like. For example, I can run 14 miles and bench press over 90lbs. (But I weigh 189lbs and I wear a size 12/14.)

And we should never judge ourselves by comparison to other people, either in the number on the scale OR by how we look or what size we wear.

ESPECIALLY MEDIA FIGURES.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1265676/Britney-Spears-releases-airbrushed-images-digitally-altered-versions.html

beautybrainsbooty · July 2011

Great post! I am totally not hung up on the scale. I know I will never weigh 103 pounds (according to the chart this is my max weight). I actually look more at a "size" goal than weight. I will be strong and fit and chunky and I'm okay with that. You can be strong, sexy, fit, curvy and NOT be what the charts say. I wish somebody would blow those jokers up; they've distorted so many women's views of what is healthy, appropriate and BEAUTIFUL. (soapbox moment, sorry guys) :grumble:

ansonrinesmith · July 2011

AMEN!

sarahliftsUP · July 2011

Also, I'd like to see us judge ourselves more by what we're capable of than what we look like. For example, I can run 14 miles and bench press over 90lbs. (But I weigh 189lbs and I wear a size 12/14.)

And we should never judge ourselves by comparison to other people, either in the number on the scale OR by how we look or what size we wear.

ESPECIALLY MEDIA FIGURES.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1265676/Britney-Spears-releases-airbrushed-images-digitally-altered-versions.html

I am so guilty of comparing my body to celebrities and striving to look like them. It's crazy.. because that "perfect" celebrity body doesn't even exist!

dotdotdoteanderson · July 2011

Maybe because it's an immediate visual indicator of our weight loss success or failure? Our society is geared to seek instant gratification...? I never weigh myself. I use my clothes as my gauge. If my clothes feel more loose this month than they did last month, than I'm content to know that I've lost either weight, inches or both. Of course I can't get around the scale when I go to the doctor but I try not to look. If I do, I dont forget to deduct 3lbs for clothing and shoes

Athena413 · July 2011

Love this! I'm only 5'3'' so my "ideal" weight is way less than I desire to be. I don't care so much about what the scale says - I just want to be healthy.

uberlaut · July 2011

YES. Noone has a "perfect" body.

For TRULY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN and a more realistic/healthy body image, you might look to old hollywood. No skeletons there. And no six-packs, either. Just truly beautiful women.

Some inspirations for you: Google images of Esther Williams, Myrna Loy, Mary Pickford, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor, Ginger Rogers, Veronica Lake, Dorothy Lamour, and of course Marilyn Monroe and Mae West

http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/West, Mae/Annex/Annex - West, Mae (She Done Him Wrong)_01.jpg

http://theweddingtiara.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/elizabeth-taylor1.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aB-EOdQeP_k/TZ8bK2mUNCI/AAAAAAAAKTE/TUljGPR1Lyw/s1600/bathing-beauty-esther-williams1.jpg

Why are we so hung up on the scale?

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