Stop the Madness—Lose the Scale

BY: Tara DelloIacono Thies

If I could recommend one piece of advice for everyone who wants to improve their health, it would be to run as fast as they can to the bathroom, grab their scale, and toss it into the garbage can!

Every time I pick up a “get-in-shape-type” magazine, I see headlines proclaiming “Lose Weight in Ten Days” or “The Fastest Way to Lose.” Often, there’s a picture of a very slender woman standing on a scale with a huge grin on her face.

Is this supposed to motivate me to get in shape? I don’t think so! Stuff like that sends me jumping into my sweat pants and reaching for the ice cream because I don’t look like the model on the scale, nor can I find true happiness in a number.

A Number is Just a Number

My point is, if you are truly ready to lead a healthy lifestyle and improve your fitness, you need to get moving and stop focusing on your weight. If you’re eating smart and working out several days a week, pat yourself on the back. Don’t get upset and worry about some silly number on the scale!

To measure your success, try jotting down how you feel after completing some form of exercise. For example, did you feel like you could walk longer or breathe easier or make it up a hill you normally don’t conquer? Great job! You’re likely to be pleasantly surprised with your progress over the weeks by measuring how you feel.

I propose that we change our focus and no longer measure success with the scale. Check out my articleTop-Ten Nutrition Tips.

Think Fitness and Wellness—Not Weight

If you smoke, stop. Start consuming a fruit and a vegetable at every meal. Most importantly, do some form of exercise everyday for 20 to 30 minutes. Your body will love you and you’ll feel marvelous.

More and more, research is telling us that weight loss is not the only answer to improving our health. Daily, moderate exercise, up to 30 minutes, can decrease your risk of developing many illnesses such as breast cancer, heart disease, and diabetes—not to mention increasing the quality of life for the long-term.

A recent study found that women who walked for one hour per day were able to reduce their risk of developing heart disease, breast cancer, and Type 2 diabetes by 50% compared to women who never walked.

Many studies also show that weight-bearing exercise (such as walking or jogging) will help improve your bone strength and decrease risk of osteoporosis.

Anyone can be fit, so give yourself permission to feel good about daily exercise whether it is for just 15 minutes or a whole hour’s worth. Something is better than nothing!

Change Your Focus Today

Make time for yourself to take a walk, ride your bike, or go for a hike. If you only have 20 minutes, get out! You’ll be improving your habits and doing your body a favor. Aim for fitness and well-being.

Weight loss may be an additional bonus if you keep fitness as your focus.