The Scale: Friend or Foe?
Personally, I love the scale. It’s my friend and I believe that weighing myself is extremely healthy for me. I’ve read that many people don’t weigh themselves at all… I guess I would fall into that category if I become obsessive about weighing myself, but I actually think that stepping on the scale helps me out.
Up until 2 years ago, I never weighed myself. I didn’t even have a scale and refused to look when weighed at the doctor’s office. I chose to believe that as long as I didn’t know the number, I was OK and definitely not in the overweight category. I mean, it was obvious to me that I had gained weight - Besides some family members commented on my weight, I was binge eating all of the time (it had gotten really bad), all of my clothes were getting too snug, and I just didn’t feel good. I had no energy, never wanted to hang out with anyone, and constantly thought about the next time I’d be able to binge. But, for some reason, not knowing the number on the scale made me feel better.
When I recovered from binge eating disorder, I knew that I had to change some things in my life so that I could help myself. I remember deciding that I wanted to buy a scale. I felt good about this purchase… after all, this was going to help my “new” life soar.
When I actually mustered up the courage to step onto the scale, I don’t know if I could have ever prepared myself for that feeling. It wasn’t good. I wanted to cry and binge…
The number was close to 200lbs. How in the hell did I let myself gain so much weight???
What I found by weighing myself on a weekly basis was that it kept me accountable in a way. I can’t explain it, but I felt better. When I started to lose weight, I couldn’t wait to get on the scale.
The same holds true now… I’ve lost over 50lbs, and I start everyday with stepping on the scale (after going to the bathrm, of course). Of course, my weight fluctuates daily by a little more and a little less, but I find joy in that. I don’t obsess over the number, but instead just use it as a motivator.
I must say that I’m not sure I was in the right mindset to handle what the scale said while I was binge eating. I think that it would have made me just want to binge more because my body image was extremely negative. Once I got to a ”good” place within myself and had a positive body image, the scale provided help to me.
So, the scale is definitely my friend… What about you?