(Continued from last week.) I didn't know what to say to Mary that day having seen the scale go up not down consistently for two months. And, she had made it clear she'd freak out if she saw her weight. At one time, demonizing the scale served a purpose for her, and for many women of our generation, because our cultural desire for thinness had become obsessive. But, the problem is not the scale but the type of power we give it.
Mary had worked as a financial advisor at a large firm prior to becoming a mom so I asked her, "How important is it to know your bank balance in sound financial planning?" The bottom line is the scale cannot vocalize a thought or opinion about you, good or bad. And you can use the scale for YOUR benefit; as a tool to provide helpful feedback for losing excess fat or for maintaining a healthy weight.
There is no end to this story. Most times Mary feels trim and strong and sometimes she forgets to check her balance. And Mary's happiness doesn't have a bit to do with what number is on the scale that day.
After reading Part One of One Day She Faced Her Fears, Christine, my friend and client, started a blog, Personal Priority to share her experience with weight loss. Losing the fear of not being good enough can be really liberating!
Good perspective here on our friend, the almighty scale.
ReplyDeleteI used to let my scale dictate what kind of day I would have - sometimes I would weigh myself two or three times in one 24 period. It drove me crazy to see how my weight could fluctuate as much as 5 pounds in one day.
ReplyDeleteNow, I weigh myself when I feel inclined, about once a week or two weeks. Like Mary, I don't give it the power I once did. Thankfully.
xo