There’s a certain stigma attached to the weight scale. It tells you that you’re too fat or too thin. It makes you panic and the numbers adjust to what you may or may not weigh. Worst of all, it makes you feel uncomfortable in your own body.
I have lived scale-free for years. When I lived with my dad, he had a scale, but I tried my hardest not to use it. All I feel is paranoia when I step on the scale.
My weight seems to fluctuate around the same mark since I graduated from high school. I’m blessed with good genes and no one in my family is overweight, just big boned thanks to our Chinese heritage (My biceps are abnormally large compared to the rest of my body!). But that scale? I hate it. Kyle’s mom has one and whenever we visit and I always cave and weigh myself.
When I was in high school and played soccer, I weighed around 115lbs. About a year and a half ago I weighed about 127lbs. Sometime around (Canadian) Thanksgiving was the last time I weighed myself, and I think I was somewhere around 123lbs. Today, I have no idea.
Which brings me to the point of this post: Should I buy a scale of my own or should I just “wing” my weight? Part of me says to keep winging it. Part of me says to keep on track and don’t get too crazy since I want to be able to fit my wedding dress properly when I get it altered next week. I also don’t want to exercise and watch what I eat only to have the scale not budge an inch, especially an inch in the wrong direction.
I think the scale only brings more pressure onto ourselves. I believe in the “If it feels good, do it” mantra: I’m going to do what I like and eat what I like, when I feel like it. I also believe that you should take everything in moderation, which is why you won’t catch me doing one-hour workouts at 6:00 a.m. in the morning, or crash dieting on celery, boiled chicken, and egg whites. You will, however, catch me accidentally eating a carb-loaded energy bar after a workout instead of loading up on protein. Live and learn friends, live and learn!
What are your thoughts on weight scales in the house? Are they a demon that glares at you everytime you look their way, or are they a blessing that cheers “Way to go! Only x more pounds to go!”
From now on, I think I’ll answer the question, “How much do you weigh?” with, “Enough to feel good about myself.”
She Writes Words 
That’s a great answer to that question! I’ve found the scale has been good and bad for me – I bought one because I was curious about what I actually weighed, and was pleasantly surprised to see it was lower than I’d expected, which was a good thing, but then if I fluctuate and find myself 4 or 5 pounds heavier one day, it really does put a dampener on things. I think it can be motivational OR a curse… it’s a tough one…
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Nathan and I got a scale when I was pregnant so I could keep track of how much I was gaining. Now that I’m back to my pre-pregnancy size, the thing just gathers dust in the corner of the bathroom. I’ve never been a fan of scales!
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We own a scale but I rarely step on it – maybe once ever 2-3 weeks at the most? I try really hard to IGNORE that number and just focus on how I feel and how my clothes fit. For me, the more I workout the better I feel so I just try to get in lots of exercise.
I’ve definitely been feeling pretty gross the last couple of weeks with painting/moving/limited exercise/eating takeout every day though! I think I will avoid the scale for at least another month while I get back to my normal habits :D Lol
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I vote no for the scale. Like we women need another thing threatening our self-esteem… You are beautiful, hands down, and there’s little need for a scale to tell you that.
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Aww thanks :) This is why you’re my favourite!
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Hmm. I don’t have one and don’t feel the need for one. I like Melissa’s take!
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I love this post.
I have a scale but don’t use often, mostly cause I know when I’ve been eating crap and probably gained a bunch. so I only use it when I think I should be down. The way clothes fit is a better indicator than the number the scale says. Especially if you are doing strength training.
The number on the scale doesn’t change how beautiful a person is
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