Please know that I no longer recommend this book or study. As the years have gone by, my thoughts have changed and grown. In my opinion, it fuels disordered eating and also stigmatizes people in larger bodies. My paradigm has shifted dramatically around food and body, and I have found freedom in this area through Intuitive Eating and a Health at Every Size approach (from a Christian perspective). You can find out more over at my blog StacieNelson.com
If you missed the first posts in the series:
Made to Crave Book Study: IntroductionMade to Crave: Week 1Made to Crave: Week 2Made to Crave: Week 3Made to Crave: Week 4
Ah….the scale.
We have a rather unhealthy relationship.
It’s on again. Off again. On again. Off again.
(Lame joke, I know. I just couldn’t help it!)
I shared a few weeks ago about my weigh-in for a weight-loss competition I was in, but what I didn’t really realize was technically that means I already failed my Whole30. You are NOT supposed to step on the scale during a Whole30. HOWEVER, since I have been doing awesome with the food part, and SINCE I am learning to give myself grace–instead of living in legalism and perfectionism, I am still continuing on as planned. No restart at this point for me! Dallas and Melissa can stone me later… 😉
Really, I have been thinking a lot about the scale. Until it was put away in the closet this month, I didn’t realize how addicted I am to it. Everyone morning for years, I’ve stepped on the scale. It’s almost a compulsive habit–and I didn’t know it until I wasn’t allowed to do it.
I think it’s a habit that has to go, because I’m guilty of letting the scale define who I am and how I feel.
“Oh, I’m down two pounds. Great! It’s going to be an awesome day.”
“Ugh. Up two pounds. I might as well give up and eat everything in sight.”
I know. That sounds a little dramatic–but it truly has felt like that on some days in the past for me. I didn’t really think I was so tied up in that number.
Yet, I should have realized. I can tell you how much I weighed at major milestone events in my life–like when I graduated from high school, when I graduated from college, the first year after we were married, after my first child, during pregnancy with my second daughter (highest ever), after my first Pound Plunge, after my second Pound Plunge (lowest ever except as a kid), when we moved, last winter….
Anyone see a problem with this? I don’t want to look back on my life and tie the events in my life to a number on a scale. That’s just creepy.
But here’s the thing: I don’t think it’s just me.
At the weigh-in earlier this month, one of the ladies told me how her friend had been participating in the challenge and was doing really well the first month (in the top 3 participants). She weighed in the second month, and the scale showed she had gained three pounds.
Guess what she did?
She quit.
You see? She let the scale define her progress–when the truth is the scale can fluctuate. I can weigh myself in the morning, go eat breakfast and put on clothes, and weigh five more pounds within half and hour. Sometimes when I’ve been doing P90X or Insanity, I weigh more, but my clothes fit better because I have more muscle and less fat. So really, what does the scale tell me and why am I holding onto it?!!
I LOVE this piece on the Whole9 Life blog on Five Reasons to Get Rid of the Scale, and I’m trying to get to the point where I can throw out the scale for good, but I am honestly not there yet. I think I’m so afraid that I’ll wake up months down the road and find myself 50 pounds heavier, and I never want to go back there again.
I just keep reminding myself that it is not truth. I don’t have to have a scale to keep my weight down. I just need to be obedient to God and do what I’ve been learning this last month! I need to focus on listening to what my body is telling me–instead of what the scale says.
So, I’m trying to replace that lie (like I did last week) with truth and thankfulness. Here’s what I’ve been trying to do during the Whole30 instead:
1) Focus on how I feel.
Do I have more energy? Am I sleeping better? Am I less irritable? Am I craving less? Yes, yes, yes, and yes!
2) Realize the scale doesn’t predict health.
If I’m exercising and eating well, I’m getting healthier–no matter what the scale says! Besides, there are skinny people that are completely unhealthy…
3) Look at how my clothes are fitting.
They are still a little snug around the middle, but I tried on some pants the other day and the legs were much looser! I’m making progress!
4) Remember that the scale doesn’t define who I am.
Instead, I look to my Creator and let His Words define who I am. Child. Cherished Daughter. Free. Forgiven. Loved.
Week 5 of Made to Crave covered chapters 13-15. I don’t really have room to share too much of what Lysa said in those chapters, but they are definitely worth reading. One of the most helpful verses that Lysa shared was:
“Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV
In the book, she is referencing the verse in relationship to food. For example, when I’m thinking about eating a piece of cake, I can remember that cake is permissible for me to eat, but I need to ask myself if it is really beneficial. With the way gluten makes me feel, I know it isn’t good for me.
I am finding this verse applies not only to my food choices–but to my scale battle, too. Obviously, it’s fine that I have a scale, but is it really beneficial? If I’m constantly letting it define my day or I feel this unhealthy compulsion to step on it every day no matter what, I think it isn’t really beneficial.
So, why can’t I just get rid of it?
I. Don’t. Know. *sigh*
What do you think? Should I pitch out the scale? Do you use a scale? Feel free to weigh in on my dilemma.
Sorry…another bad pun! 🙂
Skirnir Hamilton says
I have mixed feelings on this. For myself, I lost 50 pounds over a period of about two years, and have now kept it off for 2.5 years and I do weigh myself most mornings, before I shower, dress and get breakfast. But I don’t know what my weight was at all kinds of events in my life. I don’t even know for certain what my clothing size was, but do have thoughts on what they were. So sounds like if you are doing well on food and exercise, then maybe tossing the scale until the end of whole 30 might be a good idea.
Stacie Nelson says
Thanks for your help!! I have actually had the scale hidden away during the whole30 (except for the public weigh-in I had to do). I’m really battling whether I just need to get rid of it for good. That seems extreme, but if I’m eating well and doing what I need to do, then do I really even need to worry about it? That’s just what’s going through my head…my very crazy head! 🙂
Amber says
Whenever I am struggling to decide something, I take it to God in prayer. God knows you so much better than you know yourself. He knows what is best for you today and in the future. What might be best for you may not be what is best for the author of whole30…
Stacie Nelson says
True! I’ve prayed about it, but still don’t feel anything in particular! I think I will probably just keep it up out of reach for a while to break the habit. And maybe one day, I’ll eventually toss it out! I’m thinking about my little girls and how to be the best example to them….
Julie Davis says
Stacie – Your week 4 Made to Crave post was awesome! I loved how you typed out your thankful prayers. It was so evident that God was writing that for you. It sounds to me like you are on the right track! 🙂
Stacie Nelson says
Thanks, Julie! It seems I have to learn the same lesson over and over again sometimes….I guess I’m no different than my children, huh? Sometimes it takes a while for them to learn, and I’m sure God thinks the same thing about me!! 🙂
Toni says
Love this! I sold mine in my garage sale on Saturday and I am feeling lost but free.
Stacie Nelson says
It is weird, isn’t it! Mine has stayed up in the closet so far. I’m trying to just eat well and exercise–and go by how my clothes are fitting!