The "Measure" of Success

When we start our journeys, most of us have our "beginning weight" and our "goal weight", right? We know how many pounds it is estimated we can lose in a healthy manner in a weeks' time (the tools on CC can let you find that out). We know WHEN it is estimated we can expect to lose the weight. So, the countdown begins.

Every day, week, or month (whatever you find works for you) we make that visit to the scale to find out how we are doing in our progress. We are counting our calories. We have cut that 3rd piece of cake out of our nightly dessert. We even cut back on the libations we used to partake so greatly in. Not to mention all the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" and "Turbo Jam" we have done. I mean, we have burned more calories in a week than my husband has burned hotdogs at the yearly barbeque! So, why then, has that scale not budged?

Before you drop kick it out the new Pella window you just had installed, step away from the scale. Take a deep breath, sit down, and think. Think about the WHOLE picture. Don't get tunnel vision. You need to remember that you are in this for the long haul. So, if you didn't lose weight this week, but you know you have put in 110%, you have to look elsewhere to see that it IS paying off. What HAVE you noticed this week, or month? Did you notice that you don't feel the urge to have 'just one more bite' of that cake? Did you notice that you didn't even miss that diet soda you used to have every afternoon?

I bet you didn't even realize that you actually LIKE breaking a sweat when you work out, and might actually even look forward to it now? See, I realize that it's not the same as seeing the number go down when you stand on the scale. However, these new habits will more than likely remain for a long time to come. And, these are things you should be proud of and that can help you to stay motivated and not give up.

If you MUST look for numerical gratification, there is one more place you can go - the tape measure. Find your sewing box, and dig out that tape measure. If you haven't measured before, consider this your "starting" point. And now, in addition to just watching the pounds, you can mind your inches.

See, inches are not always obvious. So, you might get on the scale and not see a difference. But, when you take that tape measure out and realize that you have lost .5" in a month on your arm or calf, or waist, wherever....it will prove that you ARE succeeding. Don't ask me why, but for ME, an inch lost is a greater accomplishment than a pound shed. It just makes me happy. It is MY own personal reassurance that I AM succeeding and that, even when the scale is being "stupid", progress is being made.

So, I guess what I am saying is that everyone is different. You cannot measure YOUR success by the success of others. Our bodies are different. Our goals are different. Our lives are different. The way one person progresses in their journey might not be the same as how you progress in yours. After all, you might be taking different paths. It's not a race. It's a life long commitment to better health, a happier being, and a greater sense of self worth. And, if you can find a scale that will tell you all of that, well... let me know.

Until then.....you need to remember that you DO measure up.
Be proud of your successes. I am proud of them!

Great post! 

Thank you :)
I just know a lot of my friends have been "fighting with the scale" lately, and sometimes we just need to see the whole picture.

I am glad you enjoyed it. I know it was long! LOL

Wonderful post!!  

Thank you for that wonderful post!

Very inspirational post :)

Wonderful post.....very inspiring.  It definitely gave me something to think about...thank you

Thank YOU all very much for reading it and for the positive feedback.
I am glad it helped. I know it's been one of the things that has kept me motivated...knowing not to concentrate on the dang scale :)

Thanks again and good luck in each of your personal journeys!

mcderin

Really good post.

And may I add sometimes when neither inches or weight go down have body composition done and you may well find that your lean body mass has increased whil you've lost some fat mass.

Those changes can be really small and invisible but trackable by doing a body comp.

very much appericated, been excerising everyday for 2 weeks and cut my snacks and derserts but am yet to shed a single pound- so deppressing. However you are right, actually looking forward to the gym tonight and know i can do an hours spinning class with the gears turned up which is a vast improvment, so guess im fitter even if im not yet slimer. this week im sure my scales will catch up.

thank you, almost felt like crying.

chelseagirl,
I was there too. It did take time, but I have finally stopped being as interested in the scale, and now I focus on all the other things I mentioned.
It really helped to keep me motivated.

sbdier,
Thank you for your comment. I am touched that you were effected to that extent.
Good luck in your journey!

 

 love your post

jlant,
Thank you!

What an awesome post!  Reminded me to get the tape measure out again... for if I am smaller, yet the same weight... or if I am more fit, but the same weight... it is sucess indeed :) 

Ciosa

muscle weighs more than fat remember. So if you're working out more than usual and you find that the weight isn't coming off, it's simply because your body is changing (for the better!) Mcderin's right...look at the tape, or how your clothes are fitting, the scale is just a guide really. (although I know I'll carry on weighing myself religiously, despite knowing all of this!!)

Good luck guys xx

Amen to that!!!

Sometimes we don't see it on the scale or inches but we see all our hard work in other ways like how we feel or our performance. I run (actually a combination of run, jog, sometimes walk, often times limp, huffing and puffing) 2.5 miles every morning and today I did it two minutes faster and my knees didn't ache!!! I felt like Robo-Becky hitting the pavement. AWESOME!!!!

Yep, I agree with them all.  Great post! 

 

Now, if only I had a tape measure.... 

I would agree that it is depressing. I am going to the gym EVERY DAY for already 4 months! I lost 2kg. I have to say that my motivation level right now is very, very low on a meter.