The number on the scale is a lie—and I know this because I used to be an accountant
Look ma, I'm finally using that accounting degree for something useful maybe.
Actually, I never lied as an accountant but my numbers definitely didn’t always add up.
Occasionally a wayward check made its way into an unknown file when I had no idea what else to do with it. 🤷🏻♀️ It was either that or risk proving to my boss I had NO BUSINESS being an accountant! (We all exhaled a sigh of relief the day I left that job, and the industry altogether.)
But numbers do lie, or at the very least provide only a sliver of the story.
Let’s take it to the veterinarian’s office Chuck.
“So I weigh 74 lbs and when you stepped on the dog scale the number went up to 204 lbs, which means… you weigh 130 lbs mommy! (Not sure what bitchslapped me first, 1) the number on the scale or 2) the fact that my 10-year-old can do simple math 1200x faster than I can.)
Turns out my ego got there first… and then stayed for the math.
Wtf buttercup?? I thought you’ve been working out? Time to lay off the cheese and crackers and get those workouts in it said to me. And I can’t believe you just pulled out your iPhone to check his math, what’s wrong with you it went on to say. 🖕
Even though we know the number on the scale is not a true representation of who we are, we’re still powerless against its ability to make us question things like, why did I eat the leftover French toast this morning—and pizza crusts, hot dogs, grilled cheeses, and can I just stop eating like an a**hole for a second and start making better life choices already? (Gahhh I hate that voice in my head!)
Anyway, the truth is sometimes we just can’t help getting all wrapped up in the “what’s wrong with me” convo when we step on the scale. Why do we put so much weight on that number?
Because here’s the thing, those numbers? Do you know what they really represent? I’ll tell ya. Weight is the amount of force exerted on a mass by gravity. And, it changes from place to place. For example, next time you’re on the moon and you come across a scale, step on it and you’ll see. Then you’ll be all like, I did it, I lost all the weight, but I’m on the moon so what does it matter?!
That number is a fickle little mind f*cker and it never takes into account who YOU ARE AS A PERSON! Maybe you like to make beet juice in the morning, maybe you’re a marathon runner, maybe you’re a loaded couch potato, or a bodybuilder, or you just got laid off, or you're wedged between taking care of your kids and your aging parents, or your spouse ran off with the janitor, or maybe you’re happy and you know it, or just about a trillion other things you could be at that precise moment your feet touch its surface.
It doesn’t know any of that. Yet it can make us feel desperate because now EVERYTHING HAS TO CHANGE AND WE CAN’T EAT BREAD ANYMORE!
We can be so dramatic.
Happiness isn’t found in numbers. It’s found in how we feel, the strength in our stride, the pep in our step, and the confidence to be more self-compassionate. That’s where all the goodness lies. Nothing compares to the feeling of truly respecting yourself and embracing the skin you’re in. You’re one in a trillion, unique, special and the scale is satan zapping joy right out from underneath you. Don’t let it.
Don’t hang your worth on a number on the scale. It will never take into account everything that’s going on in one particular moment.
So, as a personal trainer, I confidently suggest taking that number and filing it away in some empty file cabinet, leaving it for someone else to deal with while you go on enjoying who you are, and doing your darndest to become the most favorite version of yourself!
(BTW: I feel it needs to be mentioned that 130 lbs is not heavy and I’m not looking to lose weight. There was simply a part of me that thought wtf dog scale, I’ve been lifting some heavy dumbbells lately, and my body has changed, can’t you see these biceps??? They’ve never been so dope. But it couldn’t appreciate my efforts, it just sat there silently judging me.)
Questions!
Do you own a scale? And if so, why?!
Is ditching bread always your first go-to too??
And don’t you love the idea of becoming your favorite version of yourself vs your best version!? (Or there’s no difference?)
Did you know I have a podcast called Mindfully Yours where I talk about fine-tuning our focus on what matters most—like health and happy vibes? They’re bite-sized conversations on how to ditch a lot of the weight we carry around. (And I don’t mean numbers!)
How did you know I needed to hear this today? It's not something that usually bothers me, but boy oh boy, that number has been bugging me for two days and I really want the bread!!