As women, we are so often defined by a number. Weight. Height. Number of children. Miles ran. Hours in the gym. Reps. Life. Work. Money.
Enough already. We are more than a number!
Last week I had a bit of a breakdown. I had ordered something from one of my favorite retailers. It was a special order thing. We order in October. It arrives after the new year. I ordered the same size as last year, even tough I’m not the same size physically as last year. Well, it arrived and it didn’t fit. Cut was different. Sizing was different. Length was different. I returned it for a size larger. New larger size arrived last week and well, it still doesn’t fit. Too small. Too short. Maybe if it were long enough it would work, but not now.
Same story with my entire closet. I’ve packed on the pounds. Over 20 to be exact. Yes, I’ve said it before. Yes, it’s still true. Some of it attributed to the move, and the miles, and the length of time it took. Some probably attributed to my new age group. Regardless, I’ve been busting my butt and the scales isn’t moving. And it’s emotionally draining.
On average, I’ve been running 35 miles a week. Strength & CrossFit workouts 2x a week. Plus a cycling workout or two. I’m out of time and energy. Plus the Plantar Fasciitis in my left foot still isn’t great so as I increase mileage, my foot gets worse.
What to do? I’m getting rid of the scales and just focusing on being fit, healthy and happy, at whatever size that may be right now. I’ve put in time and energy and used lots of supplements to spur weight loss and well, very little helps. No, I’m not perfect with my food but I’m pretty good. Lots of fruits, veggies, lean proteins. My downfalls: busy schedules which leads to pizza or carryout at least 1x a week & my love of Corona Lt (realistically 1-4 per week).
I personally can’t let the number on the scale determine how I feel about myself. I’m strong. I’m healthy. I might be what some call a “fit fat” but it is what it is and I refuse to apologize. Good bye, Scales! Good riddance! You’ve never helped me feel good about myself. I’ve been a slave to you for longer than I will admit. No more. I’ve purged the majority of negativity from my life and for some stupid reason I let you stay. No more.
I will run. And bike. And swim. And lift. And Circuit Train. And CrossFit. And probably buy new clothes for summer. Cuz living with a wardrobe the doesn’t fit makes me feel bad. Every.Single.Day.
I encourage you to start living your life and stop defining yourself by the numbers. I know you do it. Admit it. Now stop. With each new era and change in life, our bodies adapt in different ways. While my girlfriend may not be able to gain a pound no matter how many Twinkies she eats even if she tries. I personally can gain without much effort. Apparently that’s my era. I will embrace it and keep doing what I’m doing WITHOUT stepping on the scales and feeling bad about MY number. Let’s all focus on being fit and healthy, regardless of how our clothes are “fitting” this amazing body that God gave us. No more shame. No more apologies.
** Go forth and be happy, free of the numbers ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **
TooTallFritz 
I so understand. While I seldom have the too short issue, the too long issue rears its ugly head frequently. And who makes jeans? Just out of curiosity, of course. I want jean manufacturers to know women have thighs. Ha! Good luck on your journey. Fit is the best we can aim for.
Good for you! No scales at this house. I’m way too OCD and that would make me nuts. Just be healthy.
If your timing could not be more perfect!! It’s always refreshing to hear other women have similar struggles. I’m not excited about the struggle, but to know I am not alone is a relief. Im on the scale weekly. It drives me bonkers with the fluctuation. I’m going to keep the scale hidden for awhile. I need to get back my sanity. Thank you for this post.
Well…the scale is just a tool that measures mass. If you don’t like what you see in those numbers and there isn’t any definitive goal you need to track that concerns weight, then probably best for you to not use it…at least at this stage. Perhaps you shouldn’t weigh on a daily basis, but if you do have a longer-term goal to get that weight down, then maybe you just weigh once a week to track longer term progress. I might weigh in before each run, then way post-run, but that is simply track weight loss in fluid so I can know what my hydration needs will be in upcoming marathon. Don’t feel bad…my weight is up too…ca on the +5-lb side of what I used to weigh past few years. Perhaps age and decrease in basal metabolism an possibility…but the only way to decrease weight is to reduce caloric intake relative to what you expend in energy each day. I doubt the Corona you cite is a factor. Besides…weight is not best measure to use…but lean body mass or what percent of weight is body fat is a better way to assess it. But you can’t go around each day feeling bad because the weight isn’t what you want to see in numbers….sooooo I concur with your approach to simply focus on how you feel. You will know when you feel to heavy from how clothes fit or just how you feel each day moving about, doing your run or doing your workouts and such. Hang in there!
I agree with you so much on this! If you feel healthy and you are active that is what matters!
I have a love hate relationship with my scale. I too need to drop about 20 lbs. I find that mindless eating and drinking are my downfall. My best defense is to keep running and mix up my routine. I have been in a slump due to injury. But today, even though I only ran 4 miles, I felt rather bad ass.
So I am going to be mindful and only weigh myself once a week. If you feel good, you look good no matter what the scale says!
Your words are so true. I don’t use the scale in our house, and last week, although I was all kinds of crazy sick, I almost didn’t go to the doctor because I didn’t want to stand on their scale and see the number. so. so. dumb.
keep busy. stay healthy.
Gosh I needed this post. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO true. Damn the darn scale to all H#%!
I really needed this right now!! Thank you!! ❤️
Yup. Same. Here.
Even my gynodoc says she put on weight at 40 and 50 and cannot take it off. Focus on being healthy and happy. 🙂
Thank you for writing and sharing this. ❤
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