Scale Obsessed?

Are you  scale obsessed? Do you have a love/hate relationship with your scale? You love it one day & hate it the next…right? I get it. I’ve been there. Time & time again.

Yesterday was 3 weeks from when I decided to start eating Paleo. I have eaten better in the last three weeks than I ever have in my life. No grains, no sugar, no processed yucky foods, & no alcohol. I have had a clearer mind, slept better, felt amazing & been more positive in my typical daily life. However, the scale hasn’t moved. Well, that is a lie. It moves every day. I drop a half pound one day & then gain it back the next.  So it actually “moves” a lot. Just enough to irritate me & potentially tempting me with getting derailed, giving up or cheating. Sound familiar?

There is a group on Facebook that I have become a member of. They are Paleo eaters & the most amazing support group that I have ever been a part of. There are currently 1390 members & about three weeks ago that number was just a little over 1200. Imagine having a FB page of 1390 friends that ALL live the same lifestyle that you do. Being a part of this group has been an absolute blessing. I rarely spend time on the “regular” FB anymore. You can post a question, statement, picture, need for support, etc. & have 100 (not exaggerating) responses in a few hours. We all keep each other on track as much as we can.

That being said, it was suggested that I just say no to my scale. I was being told over & over again that I was focusing too much on the scale & my worry about it was what was keeping me from losing weight. My rational mind knew that this was somewhat true. I mean, I am watching my calories, all of my macros, & eating the most amazing/clean food. I have a calorie deficit daily so the weight was going to start coming off eventally. Right? But my addiction to the scale had me coming up with excuses. Things like, “well I am not working out yet so it isn’t like my measurements are changing from building muscle”. Everyone & I mean just about EVERYONE told me to put that darn thing away & just keep doing what I was doing. The numbers WILL start to change & then….lookout. Hot body shortly to follow.  Their support, as appreciated as it was, also irritated me. Why? Because it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Don’t you love when that happens? I don’t baby anyone or sugar coat anything….but when it happens to me…..ugh. I hate it for a day or two & then come to realize that they are right. Honesty means more to me in the end.

I have been clean from the scale for nine days now. I have no idea what is going on in that department. I also incorporated working out MWF of each week. If I choose to do cardio or flexibility exercises on T/TH….great. If not, I am doing something. More than I have been. What I am doing for my workouts will be another post for another day. The point is that I am working out, eating near perfect (better than the suggested 80/20), positive on a daily basis, & I am not letting that negative addiction get into my head every day. Today I feel slimmer & that has made me happy all day. If I got on the scale this morning & I wouldn’t have lost anything…I’d be upset  wouldn’t be strutting my stuff up & down the halls. J Maybe I would justify eating “bad” because I’d convince myself that it won’t matter anyway…like I have in the past. Eating Paleo keeps me satisfied & I really don’t have a desire to cheat. The scale aka my devil is what gets into my head.  For now, I have taken my measurements & will keep track of progess that way.

I will be taking baby steps this time. I am looking to lose 15-20 pounds of fat & gain some much needed muscle. Which would also keep the scale from “appearing” to be my friend at times. Could I lose this weight in 1-2 months…yes. Should I….no. I did a reasonable & much slower plan online & I should hit my goals closer to Valentine’s Day. For the first time in my life, I am totally comfortable with this. Must have something to do with thinking clearer.