In early December, I mounted my scale. This is a rare occurrence for me. I’ve discussed this device before (this post is my most passionate one) and never worry too much about what it spits out.

The number? 144. Just like always.

Seemed about right; I had been exercising the typical amount and my eating was mostly healthy. Not perfectly healthy, of course. Part of striving for balance is allowing myself just enough yummies to mentally feel like I got a treat.

Then, December.  All the things of December.  Parties, wine, unusual desserts, family, feasting, travel, more parties, entertaining, joy. None do I regret.

On top of that, I developed a cold-turned-bronchitis, sidelining me from any form of exercise for a solid ten days.

Then for some strange reason, I suppose out of curiosity more than anything, I found myself weighing again after December. It wasn’t for punishment or to get on track. It was more, “huh, I wonder what this month did to me?”  

How bad was it, you ask? I’ll tell you: 144.

Which is exactly why I put such little stock into it.  It took me years (and years), but I’ve finally embraced that the number it gives simply is not a primary indicator of health. It can be helpful, but shouldn’t be the only means used.

Here are two reasons the scale should not be the only tool in your healthy toolbox.

1. The scale is deceivingly positive

That piece of equipment on your bathroom floor simply measures the gravitational pull against the mass of your body.  My electronic device didn’t take into account that I hadn’t exercised in a week and a half.  Or that I’d been enjoying more chocolate than what is defined as a “small treat.” Or the delectable finger food I enjoyed three times in two weeks at holiday parties.  

Those December foods affected my insides in ways the scale didn’t pick up. The sugar caused hip inflammation, the fatty appetizers gave me stomach aches, the cheesecake … I won’t go there but trust me.  Not good.

As I write this I wonder, how in the world did that number not go up?  The honest truth is I’m not exactly sure. But I know a large portion of it is the lack of exercise.

When I don’t workout, I drink less water.  Less sweating = less thirst.

My muscles don’t hold on to water to help regenerate when they aren’t being taxed. Less movement = less water = less weight.

Regardless, 144 did not accurately show my health scale.

2. The scale is deceivingly negative.  

When we initially make a shift, we start doing all the things right.  We drink our water, change our eating patterns, keep our hands out of the chocolate basket, back off the wine, and move more. Everything is right.  And then we wait a week or so and step on the scale and whah whaaaaaaah, nothing.  Or it’s .3 pounds less, which just feels like a mockery of our efforts.  I’ve even experienced an uptick before!

But we are doing it right.  We must remember the wrongs of before are not our story now. We have to just trust in the process of today and know it will pay off.  

Like the example above, once we start lifting and running and moving, our muscles respond the right way, utilizing more water to regenerate into stronger cells.

Don’t let a temporary negative result influence your lasting positive choices.

Instead of looking at the scale for validation, utilize other tools to measure your progress.

1. How much can you do?  Can you run faster, lift more, move longer? Those are wins.
2. How are you sleeping? Nowhere in the millions of “guide to a better sleep” articles is drink more wine, eat more sugar, or go to bed full. If you’re waking up feeling more rested or having fewer battles of 2 a.m. insomnia, chances are that’s your body doing what it needs to do because it’s getting what it needs.
3. How do your clothes fit? If I’m honest, most of my clothes have enough spandex to provide some give when I need the room. But I can still tell if they aren’t fitting the way I want them to. Muffin top, anyone?
4. What is your waist circumference? Even if the scale isn’t decreasing, the distance around your midsection may be going in the right direction.

My January will look the opposite of December. No parties, wine, sugar. More restraint, less popping Dove chocolate. I’ll be disciplined for the next thirty days then will ultimately fall into my comfortable, normal rhythm. It’s the balance I know I need after feasting for a month.

And probably, at the end of January, if I feel like stepping on the scale, it will spit out 144. But the story behind that number will be completely different.

What other tools do you use to measure your health? Comment below!

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