So the other day I had a conversation with a client who’s frustrated because she doesn’t think she’s losing weight quickly enough. Coincidentally, she also happens to be participating in a Biggest Loser challenge at work.
Now, don’t get me going on the Biggest Loser. It’s an awful show, and my opinion is that Jillian Michaels is a total idiot. (Oops, did I just say that out loud? Damn…) But that’s the subject of another post on another day.
Back to my client.
She tells me she’s completely frustrated because she’s working out religiously, eating well, and she’s not losing as much weight as the others, especially the guys, who are dropping pounds while seemingly continuing to eat like shit.
Bummer.
But, she also tells me that she feels a lot better, she looks better, her clothes are fitting better, and I’m sure her health is better, but she’s frustrated because the number on the scale isn’t dropping. She asks me what she should do.
I’m sure she was looking for me to tweak her exercise program or give her some top secret diet trick, but my answer was pretty simple.
“Stop weighing yourself.”
Problem solved. Really.
What do you care what the scale says? Your weight is just a number, one that most likely nobody else even knows, and you just told me that you look better, feel better, and your clothes are fitting better.
Helllloooo… What’s the real goal here?
Are you saying that if the scale had dropped another five lbs, but none of the other stuff was true, you’d be happy? Who really gives a rat’s ass what the scale says if all of that other, more important, stuff is happening?
Stop letting the bathroom scale dictate your happiness. And stop doing stupid Biggest Loser contests where success or failure is totally dependent on what the scale says.
“But what about those guys who are still eating like shit and losing weight?”
Well, they’ll probably win the contest in a couple of weeks, but they’ll also be a sure bet to win the subsequent “Biggest Gained-Back-All-the-Weight-I-Lost-Cuz-Ima-Loser” contest as well. Screw them.
A measuring tape, your mirror, how you feel, and your health are much better tools to judge your progress with. If you really want to get crazy, have your bodyfat percentage measured. (No, not your BMI. BMI and bodyfat percentage are NOT the same thing.)
Nobody knows how much you weigh but you. Everyone else can see how you look and how your clothes are fitting.
~Dave
About the Author
Dave Soucy is a coach, trainer, motivator, husband, dad, and former fat guy. His goal is to teach as many people as possible how to achieve a life of health, fitness, and wellness through simply eating right and exercising. Click here to learn more about Dave.
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