Ditch that scale!

To a lot of people the number on the scale can be disturbing; physically, mentally and emotionally or they wouldn’t be seeking help, but usually it is so much more than that.  We encourage clients to abstain from weighing too often at home and would prefer they weigh once a week here at the clinic. For several reasons: 

1. The number is influenced by so many things that are outside of your control - Time of day, recent food/liquid intake, hormonal fluctuations, and muscle fatigue/inflammation are just a few.

2. The scale does fluctuate from day to day and, for some, that leads to mind games, frustration and, self-sabotage.   I explain that the scale is only part of the equation and is only one way to measure progress.    The tape measure, clothing fit, body composition analysis, energy and activity level and overall health improvements are all measures of progress/ success as well.
 
As a formerly obese person myself, I can definitely say that I felt really bad about the number on the scale when I’d reached 210#.  I was very unhealthy; having a diagnosis of pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, fibromyalgia among other things.  Many of my clients are suffering with health problems that are considered “weight related” when, in my opinion and experience, they are actually dietary lifestyle related.  In other words, I believe excess weight/obesity are more the symptom than the source of the problem.  Early in my weight loss journey, before losing the majority of the excess weight I carried, all of those ailments went away.  Due to majorly changing my dietary habits, my body felt better before it began to “look” better.  Eventually, finding out which foods caused inflammation, and thus illness, for me was crucial, which is why we now offer a food intolerance test for someone doing their very best to eat “healthy” and are still struggling to lose the weight.   

Being dedicated to my lifestyle change has enabled me to stay healthy and keep my weight where I want it.  Happily, in addition to weight loss on the scale, clients report their NSVs (non-scale victories); better energy, no more bloating, clearer skin, lower blood pressure and blood sugar, improved lab results, medication dose changes or cessation by their doctors etc.  All of those things, in addition to a smaller number on the scale, spell success to us!