My scale broke?

I have a very active 5-year-old child who loves to just move and shake and giggle all day long. She pays little attention to anything around her which may be in her way when she is on her motivation train–including electronics.

I have decided while my back is recovering I will at least shed some fat. I have to do something to keep me focused on health and wellness, right? So, today when I tried to update my Diet Power software with my weight my scale did not respond. I replaced the batteries–still nothing. I unscrewed a screw on the bottom which seemed to be the housing to an imaginary–I dunno–something! Still no luck. So–here I sit wondering what it is I weigh and actually disappointed that I don’t know.

Remember all those dreadful Mondays in the past when you had to step on the scale to start that Monday diet? All the courage it takes to get on the scale, the rationalizing how much of it is the clothing–or the over stuffed belly from the “Sunday before the diet starts” gorging– then the reality of the numbers yelling back at you. You slouch your shoulders down and take the number like it is a punishment bestowed on you by the Principal after you drew a mean picture of your teacher in class. Funny, I just don’t see the scale like that anymore. I want to know my weight, just like I want to know how much gas is in my car, how much money is in my checking account and how many kids will be demanding dinner from me tonight. It is something to be kept track of, to be addressed and adjusted if the number is too high or too low. It is just a number to guide my fitness routine. Feedback.

When you get on the scale, consider it information and not an emotional aspect to your day. Don’t let it dictate your moods and your worth. Let the scale number guide you in adjusting your food intake and your exercise but nothing more. It knows nothing about who you are as a person at all–so do not translate those numbers into something which more power and meaning than it should have. Think logically about it and that is it. If the number is higher than your goal number, adjust your calories. If the number is closer to your goal, celebrate the success in having your nutrition plan correct. Do not punish yourself for the number, just recognize your progress and plan your success!

There is nothing magical about your scale anymore than there is something magical about your calculator or speedometer.