 |
Weight Loss Success Without the Scale
Author: Cathy Wilson  | Posted: 22-04-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 3 | Rating: (98)  (?) 
 How often do you weigh yourself? How much power do you give to your scale? Does it determine what mood you're in and determine the tone for your day? For a clear, accurate picture of your weight loss success, break your ties to the scale. Don't be a slave to the scale.
For people that diet and are on a quest for weight loss, we just can't stay away from the scale. It is as though we can't start our day without hopping on this device that sits on the floor that we stand on. There we are, giving our power to the scale standing on the scale staring down at the display waiting for the verdict. For some it is a compulsion for others it is mere curiosity. The problem occurs when the results begin to dictate our mood, our self-worth, and our self-esteem.
What is our compulsion with the scale? For some it's a measurement of success. It is a form of validation when we have been eating healthy on our diet program and regularly working out. Why do we need a little box that sits on the floor to give us the validation we want? You know what you've done, how you've stuck to your diet, exercised, and resisted temptations throughout your day. The scale doesn't give you the validation or "way to go" for those daily successes. The scale is just that - a scale that measures your body weight including temporary body fluctuations.
Scales don't tell you how much fat you are losing. A regular scale doesn't reflect your muscle or water weight either. Our weight can fluctuate from day to day. Water retention from sodium, retention of bodily waste, hormonal changes, bloating, and other temporary bodily adjustments all register on the scale either up or down. Don't jump on and off the scale so many times during the day that it can count as aerobic activity for the day. Weigh yourself once a week (or even once per month) at the same time of day on the same scale.
If you weigh yourself every day, you can be frustrated because weight can swing two to three pounds up or down due to temporary body functions and changes. You'll get a more realistic picture of your weight loss if you weigh once a week.
There are excellent reasons for this. Your weight fluctuates many times throughout the day depending on what you've eaten, if you're hydrated, etc. This can be misleading and cause much frustration. When you weigh yourself, if you have lost weight, also give yourself credit for what you have gained in losing weight. Gains include feeling better about yourself, being in control over food rather than food controlling you, and being closer to your weight loss goal. If you haven't lost weight, or have put a small amount on, use this as motivation to keep going. Increase your activity and exercise, look at what you're eating and the portion sizes.
It is interesting how those little numbers representing your weight can dictate your entire day. The scale can make you feel skinny and strong or big and awful. Don't weigh yourself throughout the day. It makes no sense and can lead to scale neurosis.
For true validation of your weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes, take body measurements. Seeing proof of decreasing measurements is a more accurate way of acknowledging your success. Another great way to validate yourself is by your clothes. Are you clothes fitting better, getting baggier or wearing a different size? Both of these are true ways to determine success and fantastic pats on the back that you deserve.
Take your focus from looking down to the scale on the floor and look up. Look at all of the tremendous changes you've made in your life, how great you feel physically and emotionally. Put it in perspective and don't think about weight as the only issue. Reflect on how great you feel, how you look, do you have more energy, and all of the many things that have changed for the better in your life since you started making healthy changes. Those are the true measures of your efforts and success!
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/weight-loss-success-without-the-scale-393296.html
About the Author:Cathy Wilson is a certified life coach specializing in weight loss. Cathy lost 147 pounds seven years ago. Her passion is to help clients achieve weight loss and life goals. Cathy works with clients to create a weight loss life plan custom to each client. Cathy is a member of the International Coaching Federation, International Association of Coaches, and Obesity Action Coalition.
Visit Cathy's website:
http://www.LoseWeightFindLife.com
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Dumping Syndrome of Gastric Bypass and Non-weight Loss Surgery Weight Loss
By: Cathy Wilson | 29/03/2008 | Health
Are you thinking of having weight loss surgery and you've heard about dumping syndrome? What is dumping syndrome? What causes it? What's the advantage to dumping? Dumping can work well as a deterrent of eating unhealthy, sugary food choices. You can find out details about dumping syndrome as it relates to RNY Gastric Bypass, and how it can benefit non-RNY patients and non-weight loss surgery weight loss.
Your Personal Independence Day
By: Cathy Wilson | 03/07/2008 | Health
As we celebrate our country's independence, celebrate your own. Independence Day is one day a year; your own personal Independence Day can be any day of the year and every day. From changing our lifestyle and our habits, we have changed our relationship with food. Rather than living as a slave and victim to food, we are now free and independent of the limitations of emotional eating. You are free! You are independent!
Turn Off the Scream of Emotional Eating
By: Cathy Wilson | 01/04/2008 | Health
You received good news; you want to eat; you feel anxious or worried; you want to eat; you are feeling down for no particular reason that you can identify; you want to eat. What is this voice similar to a recording playing over and over in your head? Sometimes this voice is screaming and so overwhelming for the urge to give in. This is head hunger or emotional eating. What is emotional eating and how can you silence that voice?
Avoid Weight Regain From Bariatric Surgery
By: Cathy Wilson | 05/04/2008 | Health
When having weight loss surgery, you commit yourself to certain nutrition and dietary requirements. You become dedicated to a healthy lifestyle with habits that support your weight loss. Weight loss surgery is a tool to use but you must choose to use that tool. Unfortunately, weight regain or a stalled weight loss can occur. If you want to avoid the dreaded return of pounds, become aware of the pitfalls on your journey to weight loss success.
Committed or Wishing?
By: Cathy Wilson | 09/07/2008 | Health
Do you want to lose weight? Are you hoping for a way of life that includes losing weight, feeling good in your body, wearing a smaller size, and have strong sense of confidence? You can have it. To reach any goal, you need to be committed. To lose weight requires persistence and consistency. It requires saying no to food choices when you'd rather indulge. It requires a commitment to your diet and along with a promise to yourself.
Impossible to Regain Weight After Weight Loss Surgery?
By: Cathy Wilson | 20/04/2008 | Health
With weight loss surgery, are your worries about your weight are over? Do you need to think about weight issues? Weight loss surgery is not a cure for your weight woes. The surgery does not do all of the work for you. As we know, weight loss surgery is a tool. Weight regain can occur. It is a tool that WE choose to use. If you want to lose ' choose to use your surgery.
Emotional Medication of Food
By: Cathy Wilson | 01/05/2008 | Fitness
When you have a headache, you take an over-the-counter pain relief medication. If you have an uncomfortable emotion, do you take the relief self-medication of emotional eating? For many of us that have weight issues, emotional eating is the result from attempting to change the way we feel. When we feel an uncomfortable or undesirable emotion, we provide relief by emotional eating. Medication has its proper place just as food does too.
Top 10 Ways to Regain Weight After Weight Loss Surgery or Weight Loss
By: Cathy Wilson | 22/03/2008 | Health
As many weight loss surgery post-operative patients know, it is possible to regain weight after having weight loss surgery. If you aren't a weight loss surgery patient, the same applies to you too. A nutritious, active lifestyle is the key to losing weight AND maintaining your weight loss regardless of how you do it. Learn the Top 10 reasons how to do it. Follow the opposite of the Top 10, you can have weight loss success.
Latest Health Articles
Getting To The Bottom Of Internal Hemorrhoids
By: Jose Rossello | 19/07/2008
Remedies for internal hemorrhoids ranges greatly: from surgery to medication, changes in diet, suppositories, natural herbal remedies or a combination of these. Hemorrhoid medications are designed to soothe the pain of the condition, shrink the swollen tissue and act as an anti-inflammatory.
Dental Cleanings: Why Semi-annual Dental Cleanings are Essential
By: David Siegel | 19/07/2008
Dental cleanings are essential to good dental health.
How To Lose Fat And Gain Muscle
By: Cliff Baker | 19/07/2008
The pace of life is getting faster for most of us. This is one of the reasons why fast food restaurants are popping up like mushrooms wherever you go. It's easy to opt for quicker food stops since no one really has time to cook and fix healthy meals. It may be a quick fix, but done everyday, all the bad stuff in fast food is going to creep up
Mold Exposure and Health Problems
By: Richard Barthallo | 19/07/2008
If you are one of the millions of people that do suffer from allergies, then you know how annoying and painful they can be. A large percentage of visits to the doctor are allergy related. A significant amount of money spent every year for over the counter and prescription remedies that will help to ease allergy sufferer's discomfort.
Twelve Qualities of Spirit - Health
By: Peri Enkin | 19/07/2008
When we think of health only in terms of the physical body we think too small. And when we think small we find ourselves trying to deal with "symptoms" and "conditions" at the surface level and not achieving the results we want.
Free Exercise to Make Your Penis Bigger
By: Tyler Williams | 19/07/2008
Do you know how to make your penis bigger naturally? You'll know once you read this article.
Where to Look for Arthritis Back Pain Relief Products
By: Scott Goodman | 19/07/2008
Arthritis is an illness that is mainly characterized by pain and swelling in the joints. The term arthritis is actually an umbrella term that includes more than 100 different conditions, all which are considered in some way as being a form of arthritis.
What is the Difference Between Fat and Carbohydrates (carbs)?
By: Ronald Godlewski | 19/07/2008
There are three primary macronutrients that are necessary to promote healthy life, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Carbohydrates and fats are two very different macronutrients, and your body requires different amounts of each in order to promote the right level of health.
More from Cathy Wilson
Committed or Wishing?
By: Cathy Wilson | 09/07/2008 | Health
Do you want to lose weight? Are you hoping for a way of life that includes losing weight, feeling good in your body, wearing a smaller size, and have strong sense of confidence? You can have it. To reach any goal, you need to be committed. To lose weight requires persistence and consistency. It requires saying no to food choices when you'd rather indulge. It requires a commitment to your diet and along with a promise to yourself.
Your Personal Independence Day
By: Cathy Wilson | 03/07/2008 | Health
As we celebrate our country's independence, celebrate your own. Independence Day is one day a year; your own personal Independence Day can be any day of the year and every day. From changing our lifestyle and our habits, we have changed our relationship with food. Rather than living as a slave and victim to food, we are now free and independent of the limitations of emotional eating. You are free! You are independent!
Emotional Medication of Food
By: Cathy Wilson | 01/05/2008 | Fitness
When you have a headache, you take an over-the-counter pain relief medication. If you have an uncomfortable emotion, do you take the relief self-medication of emotional eating? For many of us that have weight issues, emotional eating is the result from attempting to change the way we feel. When we feel an uncomfortable or undesirable emotion, we provide relief by emotional eating. Medication has its proper place just as food does too.
Impossible to Regain Weight After Weight Loss Surgery?
By: Cathy Wilson | 20/04/2008 | Health
With weight loss surgery, are your worries about your weight are over? Do you need to think about weight issues? Weight loss surgery is not a cure for your weight woes. The surgery does not do all of the work for you. As we know, weight loss surgery is a tool. Weight regain can occur. It is a tool that WE choose to use. If you want to lose ' choose to use your surgery.
Avoid Weight Regain From Bariatric Surgery
By: Cathy Wilson | 05/04/2008 | Health
When having weight loss surgery, you commit yourself to certain nutrition and dietary requirements. You become dedicated to a healthy lifestyle with habits that support your weight loss. Weight loss surgery is a tool to use but you must choose to use that tool. Unfortunately, weight regain or a stalled weight loss can occur. If you want to avoid the dreaded return of pounds, become aware of the pitfalls on your journey to weight loss success.
Turn Off the Scream of Emotional Eating
By: Cathy Wilson | 01/04/2008 | Health
You received good news; you want to eat; you feel anxious or worried; you want to eat; you are feeling down for no particular reason that you can identify; you want to eat. What is this voice similar to a recording playing over and over in your head? Sometimes this voice is screaming and so overwhelming for the urge to give in. This is head hunger or emotional eating. What is emotional eating and how can you silence that voice?
Dumping Syndrome of Gastric Bypass and Non-weight Loss Surgery Weight Loss
By: Cathy Wilson | 29/03/2008 | Health
Are you thinking of having weight loss surgery and you've heard about dumping syndrome? What is dumping syndrome? What causes it? What's the advantage to dumping? Dumping can work well as a deterrent of eating unhealthy, sugary food choices. You can find out details about dumping syndrome as it relates to RNY Gastric Bypass, and how it can benefit non-RNY patients and non-weight loss surgery weight loss.
Visualize Your Weight Loss
By: Cathy Wilson | 26/03/2008 | Fitness
Weight loss goals are important. Your dreams of wearing a certain size or see a specific number on the scale are also important. Are these weight loss goals and dreams where you can see them? Do you have a visual reminder of what you want? Take it out of your head and create a weight loss vision board. To see it is to believe it. Whether you call it the law of attraction or a visual work in progress, a weight loss vision board works!
|
|
Health 
