northernmusician's Journal, 31 May 2014

I weighed yesterday after 40 days of not weighing (Trust Fall Challenge). Down right at 4 lbs. Not great, but not terrible either -- esp. since I had a full 7-days of no workout (whole house was under the weather and I was an ailing nursemaid to stave it off from full-blown)! 

I think that's good. I don't think I could do that. Am I addicted to the scale? I think I could trust my calorie intake and the way my clothes fit now, but I like the daily feedback, though I know it's really only over time that we get a true picture. Thanks LuC2. 

Any time, Northern. It's a little early in the game for me to loose the scales but I'd started to exhibit some real OCD-type rituals with it. The last thing I need to do is replace a food addiction with another so I thought I'd take the opportunity to just step away. Honestly, I probably would have lost more if I'd had the scale because those spinning numbers are a huge motivator (no pun intended). Since I'm trying to stay slow and easy weightloss, I REALLY did not need to see the slow movement or daily fluctuations. I'm such a novice right now just trying to chart a course and then stay there long enough to see if it works. :D 

Not weighing in. Someone commented last night 'you've lost more weight, haven't you?' and I stumbled about trying to say 'why, thank you' but explain 'I don't think so.. I think I've just converted more fat to muscle so I'm not stepping on the scale right now because it keeps coming up heavier although people think I've lost more because I seem to be decreasing in volume'. I rec'd the confused nod but that was followed by 'I get it.. yeah.. because .. wow, your legs are so defined, esp on that bike!' So.. no weigh in but that's the latest feedback :-) 

At the end of the Trust Fall Challenge No scale version I realized that the scale was not my enemy nor was it my friend. Just another gauge of progress that sets a general standard. Not a perfect tool but still a useful one for me. Even when it doesn't register to my expectations it prompts me to take notice of my program (or lack of one) and make adjustments. I was all over the map during the 6 week period according to my clothes but I never surpassed 147lbs and I believe I was in the low 140’s at some point. In June I will put the scale back to use but that number will not be my obsession. I want a complete picture of me. I want to know what in the heck is muscle definition? I’ve never had it before but I’ve heard about it and with determination I will see it this year. My morning (May 30th) weigh-in was 145lbs and as of today, June 1st it has remained 145lbs. June 1st marks the beginning of Phase II for me. After I see some significant progress I am going to get a Bod Pod test completed for a more in-depth view of my body composition. Here’s to some great progress in the upcoming month of June and onward. Best wishes to everyone. And whatever your goals and healthy methods to reach them, I wish you great success! 

I lost five pounds. :-) 

That's great bella. That is definitely progress. Chica, you've discovered the ability to stay where you are without the measure. It's good to know you don't have to throw the scale in the backpack. Muscle definition is simply when the fat in your body gets low enough for the divisions between the muscles to show. It will arrive at different times on different muscle groups dependant on how your body likes to store fat. Nicely done Yolanda. You must have been tracking those calories really closely. In the end, that's all that matters for weight loss. We don't weigh less each time we get on the scale. It's not Schrodinger's Cat. 

How nice of you to be their cheerleader, NM! I may not have joined that particular challenge, but I was proud of myself because yesterday I posted on Facebook for the first time about my "Fitter Me" journey. I listed my stats in the following order: miles walked, minutes doing strength training/yoga, inches lost, body fat % decrease, and finally, weight lost. I followed that with the statement that I couldn't wait to see better lab results at my physical in 2 weeks. I felt exercise was a testimony to having my priorities in line with not making it about the number on a scale. 

That last sentence should have read, "I felt THAT exercise (of posting in that mindful way) was a testimony to having my priorities in line, not making it about the number on a scale." 

3.2 or 3.8. Either way, my scale was singing... or was it me??? 

I've been tracking continuously and working out 5 days a week. I'm throwing away the damn scale in an attempt to liberate myself for 4 weeks "Free yourself, Scarlett" I will let you know how things end up.