It’s no secret that my relationship with the bathroom scale hasn’t been the healthiest since my early teenage years. I’ve shared my struggles with said stupid measuring tool on the blog a time or two before.
Past Body Image Posts >>
I know I’m not the only female that has let the number of her gravitational pull define her days. While a scale has its place and purpose, it is known to be manipulating to many.
Last year, one of my 2013 aspirations was to ditch the scale. I made a couple measly attempts, going stretches without stepping on the device, but I didn’t accomplish what I wanted — abandoning my once to twice a day check-in.
I can’t pinpoint the exact inspirational trigger, but on May 1, 2014 I removed the scale from its place behind the bathroom door and hid it under my bed. Actually, I believe the main motive was that my digestion has been all sorts of wonky this spring and healing my tummy troubles, and therefore being more physically comfortable, became of higher importance than the unworthy number I granted with trust.
I am proud to say that the scale still resides in hibernation under my bed and I don’t plan to dust it off anytime soon. I thought ditching the scale was going to be real tough, like I would sneak a weigh-in at least once or twice during the month, but I did not give in to the temptation. Yes, there were certainly days were I felt crummy about myself and curiosity cruised around my mind after indulgent days — what would the scale reflect?
Then, I would remind myself of my May intention… and I’d move on. What good was weighing myself going to do? Was it worth the anxiety and the thudding heart I experienced before stepping onto the useless tool with my two naked feet? No, no it was not.
Since unleashing myself from the scale four to five weeks ago, I haven’t ruined innocent days from my morning weigh-ins; I haven’t shamed myself for enjoying a tub of Talenti; I haven’t denied a Moscow Mule, or ridiculed myself for walking and not running. I have lived intuitively and free.
I wanted this for so so long, as I wasn’t practicing what I preached to others. If you’ve struggled for months, or even years, like I have, it is possible to end said relationship for good.
Freedom from the scale is entirely empowering. For me, it was my #1 tip “get the scale out of sight, out of mind” that was the key for me. I know it’s only been a month, but I don’t have a single reason why I would revert to my old, unhealthy ways.
I’d love to open up a discussion about the scale below, so comments are welcome as always. And, please don’t forget, I welcome reader emails with open arms: healthyhill3 {at} gmail {dot} com.
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Oatmeal Observations
Awesome! Way to go! I’m so happy you’re not allowing the scale to dictate how you feel about your self and how your day goes. Keep it up! :)
I’ve had my days where I’ve been really addicted to the scale, but it’s not too often. I usually go by how I feel and how my pants fit. I’m glad you were able to finally ditch it! : )
I used to weigh myself often, especially when I was planning my wedding. I was really stressed during that time and didn’t always exercise since I was always exhausted. Now I actually work out a lot more and don’t even bother weighing myself. I know I have a healthy lifestyle and I definitely don’t need numbers on a scale to tell me otherwise!
I so agree with what you say about the importance of eating intuitively. It was being given the same advice by someone I really look up to that finally helped me end years of eating disorder issues and ditch the scale for the good, even to ditch any kind of body measurement. I went cold turkey and just tried to listen to my body – and now I’m healthier, happier, stronger and in better shape than I ever was when I was obsessing over numbers! Thanks for this post, really inspiring and upbeat!
Proud of you, Hillary! The scale isn’t something I’ve really ever been concerned with since I always go off of how my pants fit and how I feel. That isn’t to say that I’ve never weighed myself. We do have scale in our bedroom on David’s side of the bed, but that was for him to measure his progress before our wedding. I mean, you can be super healthy and active and start gaining pounds because of more muscle, which I know you know. So anyway, good for you! I hope you keep it up and never go back. It’s an evil little thing.
I realized that standing on the scale could completely change my mood, so now I don’t ever weigh myself. It is crazy how I can let a number completely ruin my day!
I think it’s awesome that you have been able to ditch the scale. I wish so much that I could do the same. Actually, I don’t really have a problem with weighing myself every day (it’s usually like twice or three times a week), but I have more of a problem with feeling guilty if I don’t work out or if I splurge just a tiny bit. I’d love to find out more about how you were able to get rid of the guilt and self-shaming. So happy for you!
Way to go, Heather! I have also struggled with being attached to that number on the scale in my former late teenage years. Now I’m proud to say I never even think about my weight number until I have to get on the scale at doctor appointments. It’s so freeing! Though I have gotten rid of the scale, I still struggle at times with my body image (as many women do) and am still trying to find a balance of eating and living intuitively. I’m a work in progress, but seeing your post about something like this reminds me of the motivation behind why I’m doing it. To be happier and live a healthier life. To feel more “alive” in general. :)
Heather? ;)
We’re all a work in progress :)
I’m so sorry about the Heather! I had her on my mind because I was about to reply to her blog article next, ha! So sorry about that, Hillary. My bad. Yes ma’am, we are indeed. :)
I apologize again, Hillary, because it’s bothering me…I hate calling people by the wrong name. People get my name wrong so often that I really feel bad for doing it to others. Figures, right after I got all heartfelt and sincere in my original reply to this article, too! I meant every word. Anyways, hope you’ll forgive me! And again, PROUD of you for ditching the scale!
No worries – thanks, Kaylin! :)
Love this!!! I stopped weighing myself a while ago, because honestly, it doesn’t mean ANYTHING. I love my body more now, and I weigh more than I used to.
Clearly great minds think alike! Glad to see you spreading positive “ditch the scale” messages here, too!
When the number I was seeing was effecting my mood, my hubby had a great idea. He simply removed the batteries from the scale. That was about two months ago. I did daily weigh-ins and, just like you, thought I would be sneaking the batteries back in to take a peak. Now, I truly don’t care. Last month was all about trusting myself to balance my eating, and this month is all about lifting heavier :) Body composition is much more interesting than a number on the scale.
Congrats! Ditching the scale is exactly like you said – all about being intuitive & FREE. What I’ve seen from people is freedom from numbers – whether it’s ditching the scale/weight, ditching calorie counting, leaving the Garmin at home on runs occasionally, etc. It’s freeing just to listen to my body rather than what an external object tells me.
LOVE this! Also love this because I too just polished off a tub of Talenti in 2 days…it’s just so good!!! I feel like women get so caught up in a number on a scale – what it should read, what it doesn’t, shortcomings, etc. When we all are different, our bodies morph and change and go up and down. That’s life. Who CARES if the number on the scale is not ideal. As long as you’re living your life and love yourself for who you are, you don’t need a number to validate that you’re worth it.
This post made me happy — good for you, girl! Let that stupid appliance collect dust! :)
Great post lady! This is actually really funny because I ditched the scale a few weeks ago and plan to not look at it for awhile either! I guess health coaching peer coaches think alike, yes? ;-) I plan to talk about it on my blog sometime as well, but I kept feeling like my mood was affected by the number on the scale, and since I just went through a stressful few months, that number has been higher than I’d like. Instead of harping on the numbers, I’ve decided to just eat clean most of the time, workout hard, indulge here and there, and be happy with knowing that that is a healthy way of living. I feel better since ditching my scale (which, by the way, I also literally hid)!
Ahh, SO glad to hear it, Nicole! Yes, I think us IIN peer coaches really do have a special connection ;)
Hope that scale stays hidden. And remember — sweat daily, indulge often!