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Don't let the scale rule you.

The scale shouldn't be your only barometer for your success with weight loss.
antijaredblogheader

I remember going to the doctor a few years back. Once I met up with the nurse, she motioned me over to the scale. I looked and saw the scale went up to 350 pounds. I knew I weighed more than that, so I told her I would pass. She marked me down as 350+

The scale can be vicious for many of us. Working hard all week long, tracking everything that goes in our mouth, working out…only to see a new pound.

The scale can also be misleading. There have been times where I have had weeks where working out was non-existent and eating was out of control. Yet, I would lose weight!

But I remember the first time I was able to actually go on the scale. I was going to my first Weight Watcher’s meeting. It was not only humiliating that I was the only male in there, but I was also enormous. I knew I weighed over 400 pounds, but I never knew the exact number.

When I got registered, the receptionist asked me to get on the scale. I refused.

“Why won’t you get on the scale?”
“I do not think it will register me.”

“Well, we need a starting point.”
“Can we just put down 350+?”

She knew I was uncomfortable. It was no one’s fault but mine. I got myself to the weight I was.

“I will tell you what. If it does not register, then we will say you are 350+.”

I agreed. My weight did register. 420.2 pounds. In one way, I was relieved that I finally had a starting weight. In another way, I was sad that I had so far to go.

The scale was there for me each week to root me on. While my pants were still from the Casual Male XL, I saw a six pound loss, and then a four pound loss. Each week I ate better and moved more.

Enough to lose over 200 pounds.

Other things started to happen as well. While being motivated by a number, I was breathing better. I was working out more. I was living my life.

When I went back to the doctor years later, I got on the scale. The nurse looked at her chart and said “Wow, you weighed 350 pounds?” I told her I weighed 420 pounds. The scale could not hold me.

I am sure that you get frustrated with the scale. Sometimes you want to give up when the numbers do not go your way. Just remember…

The scale does not lie. It does not always tell the whole story, either.

Comments

Susan Bock said on 9/4/2011 at 11:41 AM,

Awesome blog Jared! Thank you for sharing. I too could not weigh for so many years on a normal scale. Not even the one in the Dr's office. I found out my weight at a truck stop in Colorado. I will never forget that day, nor will I ever forget how I felt. That in itself keeps me motivated!

AmyHoney said on 9/5/2011 at 11:28 AM,

Jared, congratulations for all your hard work! It's just awesome that you had that motivation!

I know for me, as a woman, it can be frustrating, especially since I am a small girl, and muscle weighs more than fat. So, for me, the scale does not create the whole story! I'm small, but, according to the BMI, I would be considered obese. It doesn't take into account for muscles!

Amy

lkturner10 said on 9/5/2011 at 9:23 PM,

Jared, thank you for sharing your story and your honesty. When I began my journey 18 months ago I was up to 378 and had to buy a new set of scales that would go that high. As of today 260.5 and an incredible journey - not easy but so worthwhile. I too can breathe easier, walk without a cane, I no longer need a nap to get thru the day. I can hardly wait to see what another few months bring. Never, Never , Never did I ever think that I would go to a gym - but I'm there 3-4 times a week and loving being there. I will be 62 next month and finally feel like I have a life worth living. Thank you again,

Tracey said on 9/6/2011 at 9:09 AM,

The scale has definitely been my enemy for many years. There have been weeks I would lose consistently only to plateau ..getting on that scale after a week of doing everything right to say the same or have a pound game was terrible. And, honestly, it would sometimes lead me into a mini binge..then I would get back on track..
Love your comment the scale doesnt lie but doesnt always tell the truth..sometimes we are holding water..time of day, etc.

Ash said on 9/6/2011 at 10:51 AM,

Thank you for this. I needed it today, when I stepped back on the scale and saw I was .1 away from a 2lb gain. Since I just got myself back on the healthy train, it was extremely hard for me to cope this morning because I'd been good and I'd done more active-wise this week than I have in the past two months.

Thanks again. =)

Marinda Seiwell said on 9/6/2011 at 12:06 PM,

This is a VERY hard thing for me to accept and come to terms with. I am also looking for the scale to give me the encouragement and motivation I need to keep me pushing forward. To me it's the only measure I have now. I have lost 67.5 lbs. what I have left now mostly is sagging skin that is not changing size. Unless I loose a significant amt of weight..like 20 lbs I won't be able to tell by my body. The scale is the only thing I have. This past week I did about the best I could do. Worked out as much as time allowed..drank over 100 oz of water each day and stuck to my WW menu to a T. Every morning my weight was the same or up a few oz. Finally at the end of the week I was down 1.5 lbs but only because I took stuff to make me go to the bathroom this morning..which I know isn't true weight lost either but if that number didn't go down I was gonna give up

Lisa said on 9/8/2011 at 11:28 AM,

I love hearing your story and others commenting that they have had sucess. My peak has been 311 and over the last two years I have lost 40 and gained back 38. I am now 309 and so down on myself and I get so mad about my relapes that I would love to hear stories of how others got out of my pitiful rut. Even when I snack I know I shouldn't be going overboard, but then I find myself doing it anyway. I wish all of you went to the Anytime I go too because I feel like the fattest one there working out so I tend not to go more often than not.

bonnieutech said on 9/8/2011 at 3:57 PM,

Appreciated your story Jared.

HAHA, I had my assessment/evaluation yesterday at Anytime Fitness. I managed to force myself to do two sets of 15 female pushups. NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE! Wow, what a motivator! The information I received during my session was fantastic, I was excited. Two turn offs though; I cannot afford the individual personal training sessions at all and I was not happy the guy doing my assessment was running 30 minutes late and made me late for an important meeting for my second job.

Any pointers about what I can do as an alternative to get myself started with a weight training/cardio program for myself? Any help would be fantastic!

We all have the power, now I need the knowledge.

Bonnie

Kit said on 9/9/2011 at 10:08 AM,

Thanks for this Jared. I weighed in yesterday and was so discouraged by the small amount I lost, I went home and cried. This blog is very timely and helpful! I love the quote you have at the end.
Thank you for sharing.

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