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Hi Friend! Let's talk about the number on the scale - Does it really matter as much as we're lead to believe?
Have you ever worked for a boss that you were DEFINITELY smarter than?
One who put systems in place that made zero sense?
One who actually made MORE issues than solutions?
That is what it is like being a health professional.
My old “boss”, diet culture, decides things based off *literally nothing* and it’s the freaking worst.
Imagine a Michael Scott if you will, except way less funny and he doesn’t give a damn about you- or anyone for that matter.
One of the DUMBEST moves this dude ever made was to decide that the number on the scale was gospel.
See if you can follow his “logic”:
Sally weighs 201. That’s bad
Now she weighs 199. That’s good.
Sammie weighs 199. That’s bad.
Now she weighs 195. That’s good.
Maria weighs 195. That’s bad.
Now she weights 190. Thats good.
K, wait. Wut?
Here’s the deal, weighing your health (no pun) on the hinges of something as narrowly focused as the number on the scale is SO SILLY.
No, not because #selflove or “we’re all beautiful” or “size doesn’t matter” movements.
But because it LITERALLY only tells us the weight of an item.
Gahh, I can feel you not getting how huge this is.
Related: How to Ditch Diet Culture
OK, take a field trip with me.
Imagine car shopping. And you walk in and say- “hi sir, please escort me to your lightest car, I’d like to make a purchase.”
Seems odd, but play the game with me will ya.
Here is a list of things that you know about the car:
- The weight
Here is the list of things that you have ZERO clue about the car:
- Age, mileage
- Make/ model
- Gas mileage
- Does it run?
- Is it reliable?
- Do the windows roll down?
- Does the heater work?
- Has it been rebuilt?
- Whats the interior like?
- IS THERE AN INTERIOR?
- How old are the wheels?
- ARE THERE WHEELS?
- IS THIS EVEN A REAL CAR?
K. Are you following?
If you’re car shopping can you make any kind of informed decision based off one data point?
NO. Because it’s ONE data point in a pile of data points. Lots of which I think we could argue are much more important.
This is what it’s like when we only talk about the number on the scale.
Does the number on the scale mean nothing? No, it means something.
But it doesn’t mean everything that we’ve been conditioned to think it does.
Just like the car example, you my friend, with your fully alive and perfectly beautiful meat suit— have data points.
If I ask you what you weigh, the information I have is:
- Your weight
Here are all the things I DON’T know:
- Age
- Height
- Body composition
- Sleep quality
- Hormone levels
- Digestion
- Relationship health
- Mental heath
- Relationship to food
- Stress level
- + approximately 1 billion other things
If you’ve never thought about weight in this way before, sit down and breathe it in baby!
You’ve been that goofball that is car shopping based on WEIGHT.
And honey, there is a better way.
Wanna move in a better direction?
I made a list for you below: (so far you’ve nailed step one)
- Step one: realize this old method is ridiculous
- Step two: make a list of YOUR data points and see what the overall picture suggests.
- Step three: Reflect. What areas of health do you need to focus on to bring your overall “grade” up? If the number on the scale goes up, but your overall health increases… will you allow it? Or do you need to squash your best health self to maintain “THE” number?
It sounds simple— but at the end of the day- you KNOW what is healthy and what is not.
Feeling hungry all the time, avoiding social interactions, losing menstruation, never content, anxious, stressed, sleeping poorly, with low confidence and low self esteem just to weigh a smaller number….. NOT HEALTHY.
Being aware of your eating habits but not derailed by them, sleeping well, regular + pain free menstruations, regular digestion, enjoying relationships, feeling joyful and confident…even at a number that is higher… HEALTHY.
Like I said, you already know this deep down. We just need to be reminded of TRUTH from time to time.
If you are shooting for a “goal weight”— that’s perfectly fine. Go for it.
But PLEASE DON’T act like that is the only data you need to be tracking. If you’re going to pay attention to the weight you need to also be paying attention to the rest. The hormones, the sleep, the confidence, the peace- all of it.
Then and only then— can you know what a truly healthy weight is for you, your body, and the full and happy life I hope you are living.
Sister, “the number” the blinks back at you on the scale might be different than what you planned for.
That’s ok.
Make sure it is a number that reflects a strong, confident, well rested, happy AF woman.
Xo,
Victoria
Remember, always check with your health care professional before starting any new diet or exercise program. Any product recommendation is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Our statements and information have not necessarily been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Every body and person is different. Therefore, We cannot and do not guarantee that you will attain a specific or particular result, and you accept the risk that results differ for each individual. As with any health-related program or service, your results may vary.
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