How NOT using a scale made me successful.
The scale should be used as important tool for your weight loss journey but it shouldn’t be something that stands in the way of you being successful.
Many of us have endure the agony of stepping on the scale and feeling defeated or having negative thoughts about ourselves. When we have felt like we we're eating right, exercising and getting adequate sleep but then the scale says something completely different, it can have us in our feelings.
When starting your health journey, the number on the scale can be deceptive, making you feel like you’re not making progress when in actuality you are.
When you start to change your lifestyle, there are areas that the scale doesn’t show. Did you know, that your heart is learning to pump blood more efficiently which helps in your weight loss? Your body is also creating more mitchondria, through a complex series of biochemical reactions they turn food we eat into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the energy our body uses to facilitate functions ranging from involuntary activities such as breathing to voluntary activities such as running or lifting weights. Mitchondria within our cells produce up to 90% of the energy that sustains our organs and bodily functions. Working out and focusing on strength training also leads to stronger muscles, which the scale will not show you.
When it comes to not stepping on the scale, it can be a little daunting to not know where you stand on this journey. I’ve developed a few tips that have helped me to not focus on the scale and still be successful.
Consider weighing yourself once a month rather than weekly or daily. This will allow you to still see where you are without being hyper focused on the number.
Food tracking is another tool that I use to help me. Tracking my food is a great way to see when I’m eating unhealthy and why if your tracking includes an area to journal. I noticed that when I was stressed or worried, I tend to eat food not so good for me, but when I was feeling good, I tend to lean towards healthier options. Being able to track and see this was a way for me to address my mental health which in turned helped me to make better food choices and lose weight.
Measure your body. Sometimes we don’t see a difference in the number on the scale but we can see a difference in our bodies. Maybe my arms don’t feel as jiggly as before, maybe my pants are fitting a little different. Instead of stepping on the scale, grab a measuring tape and measure your waist, hips, bust, arm, and thighs. Write down the measurements and next time you step on the scale and don’t see a difference, measure again and I’m sure you’ll see that some inches may be been lost and this doesn’t show on the scale.
I hope this tips help you on your journey. Be sure to check out my Youtube for more in-depth videos and my Instagram for more workout inspiration! You Got This! We Got This! Let’s Go ❤️💪🏾❤️
Jana’e Michelle
