Scale Obsession

The other day I emailed somebody who had contacted me via my Beachbody page.  He was asking my advice on p90x & weight loss a few weeks ago.  I emailed him this week to check in to see how he was doing with the program.  His response?  He did p90x for 2 weeks but quit when he stepped on the scale and saw he had gained 5 pounds.  My first response was to send him this article that was similar to one that I found helpful when I started my first post baby round of p90x and had about 40+ pounds to lose:

http://www.beachbody.com/beachbodyblog/fitness/ask-the-expert-why-do-you-gain-weight-when-you-start-working-out

Basically, the article says that initial weight gain when starting a program is due to water weight caused by inflammation.  I also asked this person whether he was taking his measurements and before photos.

Measurements and photos are so important when trying to get in shape.  I can't emphasize this enough!  You can weight 120lbs and be "skinny fat" and be a larger size than somebody who weighs more but lifts weights and has muscle.  The scale doesn't always tell you how much progress you have made.  Yes, it is a useful tool to measure progress, but it is not your only tool.  Your weight can fluctuate so much in a day.  Women especially can find a major fluctuation during their periods.  I was 5lbs heavier when I weighed myself during my last period.  I quickly learned to avoid the scale that week!

People are so obsessed with the scale and judge progress only by what the scale tells them.  It's the worst when you wake up feeling lean and then step on the scale to see you're up a pound or two!  It changes your whole mindset about your body.  I tend to weigh myself every week or two.  I'm more likely to go to my measuring tape and quickly check my stomach, hips & thighs than I am to step on the scale.  My phone is also full of progress photos.  There is nothing more satisfying than comparing a before/after weight loss photo of yourself!

The next time you feel like the scale is ruling your life, put it in the closet, get out your phone & measuring tape, snap a few photos & take your measurements.  Repeat that step again in 30 days.  If you have been working hard and making good food choices, in 30 days you should discover that you are making progress, whether the scale agrees with you or not.