's motd Sunday Feb 21, 2010 - Scales

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THE SCALE...FRIEND OR FOE?

Sunday, 21 February 2010

In our bathroom back in New Orleans, right next to the toilet was our bathroom scale. My mother and father weighed themselves oh, maybe once a month. They were both thin and I think they just jumped on that scale because it was right there next to the toilet. LOL.

On the other hand, I just about wore out that scale! I would weigh myself in the morning, the afternoon and one more time right before bedtime. I'm telling you, I drove myself crazy with our bathroom scale, I really did! You know the saying..."If I had a dime for all the times" I stepped on the scale back then, I'd be a millionaire! And if I didn't see a weight-loss when I got on the scale, I was in a negative and sad mood all day long.Oh, I would beat myself up every time I saw another weight-gain. And after getting myself good and "bruised," believe it or not, I'd make myself a little something to eat. I kept doing this through my school years, into college and even into my early 20s.

Now some of you are seeing yourselves in this message because, I know, you've done the same thing. For all of these years, you've judged yourselves by the numbers on that scale. But look, even when you're on the FoodMover and working out everyday, there's no guarantee you're going to lose more weight every single week. I know how some of you you just about tremble sometimes when you step on the scale. And when it shows you a weight-loss, you do the happy dance. But if your weight stays the same or you see a weight-gain, there's nothing happy about how you feel about yourself.Now listen to me, you need to stop this terrible habit. You need to stay off the scale for maybe a week or two. And in the meantime, keep eating healthy and sweatin' everyday. The scale doesn't tell the whole story anyway. See, I know you're happy when your clothes are getting more lose on your body. I know you're happy when you feel your energy level increasing. And yep, just like me, you want to see those numbers going down every time you get on that scale when you're working hard to lose weight.

If you're on a weight-loss plateau, try reducing your caloric intake by 200 calories a day and adding 15 minutes to your daily workout regimen. And there's something else you should do. You should keep a log of your weigh-ins. Write down the date and how much you weighed on that date. I know, if you're prepared "like a good scout," you will see those numbers you're recording in your log go...down!I don't get on the scale everyday anymore, even though it's still right next to the toilet. LOL. I weigh in just once a week...on Monday mornings. And you know what? I smile when I get off the scale because I know my hard work is helping me maintain my weight. And I know you smile, too when you get on the scale and see the results of your own hard work.So...what day do you weigh-in?Love,