When was the last time that you checked your weight? Could you estimate or could you give me exact digits down the lbs, give or take one or two? I fall into the former category. My genuine weight is a reality I don't feel the need to face on regular occasions; I much prefer to save that kind of thing for when I feel like my ego can hack it. Which isn’t often.
I avoid scales like I avoid anything that could lead to potential obsession. Given that my diet is forever set to start tomorrow, it's unlikely that daily glances at increasing numbers are ever going to fill me with glee.
While I'm sure it's beneficial to check our weight every now and again (first thing in the morning, on skinny days, entirely naked, of course), only trouble and time wasting can come from daily checks of those numbers between our anxious toes.
If you've hit your target weight weeks ago, or you're losing weight but it just never seems to be enough, it's time to lock the scales away for a little while, until those numbers no longer appear in front of you each time you open the fridge.
If you're taking off every single item of clothing before you step on the scales, including your wedding ring, then it's time to put them on eBay or take them to your local charity shop. I do advise that you put your clothes back on before you do so.
And if you've been stressing over fluctuating pounds more than once a day, it really is time to give up the scales forever.
Even if you're trying hard to lose weight, those scales should be used once a week, max.
Stop the calories obsession!
In regards to this number business, quit the calorie counting too. Yes you, with that app that tells you how many calories are in one chocolate finger! They may be rather in our face with the traffic-lighted package warnings and the calories proudly boasted in daring red, but a quick glance is all they deserve. Consider them the ex-boyfriend who broke your heart.
If you're eating a balanced diet and you're exercising enough, then those numbers don't matter at all. Fuck those numbers. They needn't control your days - studying the fat content of a Snickers and keeping a chart of weight fluctuation on your bathroom wall only wastes the time that could be spent having fun.
And if you're in need of a perfectly good excuse for weight gain when you do come to stepping on those scales, weekly/monthly/hardly-ever-ly, feel free to borrow some of mine:
"My hair desperately needs a trim, it's getting really heavy."
"Well it was my birthday weekend...four months ago."
"It's winter. It's allowed."
"It'd be rude to turn down homemade cake."
"I'm expecting. Twins."
Staring at the scales or obsessing over the calorie count of your meal won't make you healthy - only exercise and eating healthy will.
Image via MiniTrue's Flickr