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Dear WW Philadelphia Member,
The Scale: Friend or Foe?
Me: Well, it depends.
Isn’t that the truth! Our whole world can be turned upside down or right side up by a moment on the scale.
I am one of those who avoids the scale at all costs when gaining weight or when I know I’m significantly over goal and out of control. When I’m on the right track, I want to get on every scale and confirm my progress.
I remember being at a department store shortly after getting to Lifetime. The store had a whole aisle of assorted bathroom scales. All plugged in ready to demonstrate. I stepped on one after another being very pleased with my weight. The last scale I stepped on, unbeknownst to me, had a voice. It said, “you have gained 34 pounds since the last time you weighed.” AARG! Well, for one, I had never met this scale before. Two, how rude! And Three, if that scale was at my house, it would have found itself in the garbage bin.
Scales are just a tool and in some ways like a photo. I have many pictures of myself that I’m not crazy about and have even said things like, “I don’t look like that.” However, that is what the camera saw at that moment. Scales in the same way give the snapshot of what is going on with our bodies at the moment. Telling the story of too many carbs, water retention, just plain poor choices or extra servings or 7 days of tracking perfection.
I know a lot of us have scale rituals. Things like wearing the same clothes, right down to the underwear, eating and drinking the same foods the day of weigh-in and of course, completely dry hair. Really not a bad idea, it eliminates some of the variables. What if we set our lifetime goal weights at the number we’re at in the afternoon about 3PM after a normal breakfast and lunch?
Years ago, while still working as a Coach, then called Leader, I heard the most intelligent words about weighing in from a virgin (never before) Member. She joined with two other friends; they were experienced Members. The never before Member was the first to the scale and her two friends were standing behind her. As I’m making small talk with her about joining, we both hear her two friends gasp loudly. I’m thinking her dress must have just split down the back or she’s stepping off the scale and going to fall. She and I both look at her friends, they’re pointing down at her feet. They exclaim, “you left your shoes on!” My beautiful new Member says, “it’s not my shoes’ fault.”
Have a great week WW friend,
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