The scale and I have had a love/hate relationship for as long as my memory will allow. If I had to put a timetable on it, let’s just say 32 years, give or take. “FOR NOW” definitely had to be a part of this article title because though I am 30 days free of it—the scale, I haven’t quite completed my cost/benefit analysis to determine if I could remain—scale free, for a lifetime. One of my personal goals has always been to remain as fit & healthy as possible for a lifetime. Lofty goal for many I assume, as I also assume, many of you reading this have taken it to extremes at times—to stay within certain ranges on that scale. 😉 I know I have!
In my book, Woman Market Ready in 4, 3, 2, 1-ACTION, I explain the importance of Maintaining a Weight of Within 10-15 lbs of Your Lowest Sustained Weight as an Adult, for health and wellness reasons. I was challenged by a reader, who is firmly against the scale, to offer alternative quantifying methods to measure the success of the principle I proposed in my book and to which I firmly believe in. So as one to never shy away from a challenge presented to me, I started my research right away and started by dumping the scale for a 30 day period. When I tell you this was no easy task for me—I am a daily weigh-in person, this challenge came with many challenges from day 1! How would I measure—Would it be sufficient—Would I be satisfied—Would I cheat—What if I didn’t miss it?
I started out by identifying 3 modes of measurement I could use in place of the scale. Two tangible and one intangible. The latter of the 3 I implemented as a sanity measure for the days when the tangible measurements might not be so kind, shall we say, and might entice me to just slip “once” and weigh myself. Here they are, 3 alternatives to the scale.
- I got out the old measuring tape. And by got out, I mean—full disclosure, it is always front and center on my dresser. I have often used it at times to alleviate my anxiety when the scale went up a few pounds for seemingly no reason i.e. no change in eating or exercise lifestyles. I have baseline measurements that are committed to memory that I use to compare and contrast when the scale is telling “unfounded” stories. 😉 Since I already had baseline quantitative measures, switching to the measuring tape minus the scale wasn’t that much of a challenge. The big challenge for me, self micro-manager, was switching from daily to weekly measurements. I mean I am obsessive but not completely crazy. Can you imagine me whipping out my measuring tape at the same time everyday? If this is new to you, these are the areas I measure, which most size charts use: waist; hips—hip bone to hip bone and right below; bust and I also, much to my friend’s chagrin, measure my thighs. This method has served me well over the years in conjunction with the scale and now without the scale I still find it useful especially with the following two measures.
Handy dandy measuring tape. - I (gulp) got out my smallest pair of jeans—you know the ones! The ones you should have gotten rid of maybe a decade ago. The ones that perhaps you might have to lie on the bed to zip them up and then call for reinforcements to get you horizontal. The ones you may not even wear out in public at all but alas can’t bear to part with—you get the idea. Funny story, I was writing yesterday and my Mom-in-Law came over and we started talking about weight and measurements and how I have encouraged her to have her picture taken even while in her bathing suit—really we are our own worst critic—then she went on to say how she has this one pair of pants that she uses to keep her on track, the minute they become tight or she can’t button them she gets back on track until they fit again. I thought she just wrote this segment for me! 🙂
Forever in Blue Jeans! - I got more in tune with the person that knows me best—me. We have covered the 2 tangible quantitative methods, and I must say, out of all 3—the intangible method is my favorite. I know me. I know when I haven’t worked out; when I have overindulged in sweets and most importantly when I am out of balance because of excess of any kind. Due to this exercise, I have tuned into myself even more, in an effort to get back in balance as soon as I am aware I am out of it. I am a creature of habit—I eat the same breakfast everyday; I workout to all the guidelines for a woman my age. I have a solid plan for eating & exercise lifestyles. Knowing this and having those solid lifestyle plans enables me to make the balance corrections I need to make, quickly and efficiently. I know the intangible might require a little more work, initially, than the other 2 methods, but I firmly believe once you have done the legwork, you might be able to not only dump the scale, but maybe the other 2 tangible methods as well! 😀
Scale free and loving it (For Now)!
Post Script: They say when one of the senses is taken away from you, the others become sharper to compensate. In my experience with this exercise, I find that to be 100% accurate. Dumping the scale (for now) has taught me that I am more than just a number. I am a whole being capable of tapping into my inner resources to achieve success results that don’t require me to step on an object that can make or break my day at whim. I can’t say for certainty I won’t step on that object from time to time either to validate myself or punish myself when I am in-balance or out of it but I can say “for now” I am a whole lot happier without it!
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Kimberly
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4 thoughts on “I Dumped The Scale (For Now)”
Hi Kim, I really love this article! All I have to say is challenge accepted! I had a check up yesterday and normally one discards the doctor scale as 10 lbs too high. Well I had weighed myself that morning and sadly, the office scale was spot on. I am not happy with either of those numbers. I recently find myself unmotivated and very tired this summer, so out of balance. Somehow I managed to gain 10 lbs, where did that come from?! (Not to mention the 15 I would have liked to lose before this) The current jeans are not fitting, never mind the decade old one’s (oh yes, I still have them too). Long story short, I will keep you updated because I need some motivation!! The book is next. Thank you! 🙂
Pam, thank you for taking the time to read my article and share your experiences. Please know, I am always here for you, women helping women! 🙂
Hi Kim…do follow your blog and had to add my 2 cents. Tossed the scale over a year ago best thing I ever did. Started walking when I retired in June. Three times a week gradually working up to 1 hour each time I walked. Had hubby for support and company. At Dr. visit in Sept. he told me weight was the same as a year ago. Return visit this week weight the same but measurements all smaller. Jeans that were tight now loose. Dr. not impressed just focused on getting weight down! Give me a break! I know what I’mdoing works…take no meds and I read my body. Keep up all required tests and all is great. So just wanted to say sometimes the scale can be your own enemy. Increasing walking time to over one hour…that’s the new goal. Also eat in moderation and all of this works for me. We were not all made to have the same body structure and weight. keep blogging….Yvette
Amazing Yvette! Thank you for sharing this! We are definitely not once size fits all and unfortunately western medicine has not caught up with this. Sounds like you got this 100%. I can’t wait to hear more of your journey!