How many images and cartoons can you think of that involve a negative experience with a scale? Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 Yet, so many continue to step on it! If you weigh daily, are emotionally affected by the number reflected, or panic over an increase, you could benefit from abandoning the scale. Like many, I grew up with a scale in the house and purchased one when I was in college. Worst idea of my life! I was on that thing constantly, especially when I started gaining weight my sophomore year. Looking back, I blame my diet of pasta! Hey, it was cheap. When the battery in my digital scale went out about 5 years ago I never replaced it. In fact, I have no idea where my scale is and I don’t care to have it anymore.
Story time, last week I had a doctor’s appointment and I am the heaviest I have ever been. This isn’t shocking because over the last few year I have worked out and gained muscle. We all know muscle weighs more than fat. But in the last few months I haven’t felt comfortable in my clothes and this is for two reasons; my diet has been terrible and my exercising has declined. With adjustments to both I know I’ll be back to fitting comfortably in my clothes. Rather than berating myself with negative self-talk simply because of what the scale has to say I’m doing something about it.
If you are someone who weighs themselves frequently, I challenge you to abandon the scale and consider these thoughts:
Don’t let it define you. A scale cannot measure your IQ, your relationship with others, or your gumption and achievements. Try positive self-talk and see where it gets you mentally. Building self-confidence at any stage in life is so important. While you’re at it, dish out some compliments to others. After all, compliments are free 😉
Stop punishing yourself. That little number at your feet is the source of so much negativity so why are you still stepping on the scale? Save yourself the emotional distress and reward yourself for the positive lifestyle changes you have made. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up. Everyone has their vice (mine is dessert).
Set goals that are not weight driven. If you set a goal to lose weight, but you don’t meet that goal, are you upset? Instead of weight driven goals, try assessing how your clothes fit, the strength you have gained, or your ability to run a mile when you could barely make the block before.
I realize I am thin, but I too feel self conscious about how I look. Skinny shaming is a thing, so leave your “eat a cheeseburger” comments at home. I wrote this post to remind women (and men) they are worth more than the number they see and if they have weight loss goals to track them through methods beyond the bathroom scale!
Until next post…xoxo Becca
Hi lovely readers! I’m so glad you’re still following me and if you’re new to Lexi & Lady, welcome! Today’s post is pretty long so sit down, relax, and enjoy the topic of wellness.
As women I feel we sometimes get bogged down in the daily grind. Not saying men don’t have similar circumstances, but hey most of my reader are women so today is about you! I categorize wellness into 3 pieces; food/nutrition, physical fitness, and mental wellness.
Let’s start with food. Ever eat a cookie, piece of cake, bowl of ice cream and then think WHYYYYYY did I just do that!? I’m guilty, but every now and then you deserve a treat. I’m always perusing Pinterest for meal ideas and often times I’m searching for healthy options because I’m beginning to see food as fuel for my body. Having a positive relationship with food is key. Emotional and/or boredom eaters often eat dessert, snack endlessly, indulge in an extra helping of pasta, and lick the plate clean pretty often. Emotional eaters turn to food for comfort or as a stress reliever, but the truth is, it doesn’t fix anything. In fact, afterwards emotional eaters feel guilty. Boredom eaters…well good luck. My suggestion is to find more stimulating activities! Here are a few “healthy” recipes I ran across this week.
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| Earth Bowl Salad w/ Smokey Candied Walnuts and Basil Vinaigrette | Iowa Girl Eats |
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| Roasted Butternut Squash Sweet Potato Noodles w/ Bacon, Crushed Pecans, & Spinach | Inspiralized |
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| Sweet & Sour Thai Carrot and Cucumber Noodle Salad | peas & crayons |
Physical fitness…now I’m not talking about being a body builder or a marathon runner. If you want to do that, more power to you and I salute you because I do not aspire to be either. What I mean by physical fitness in association to wellness is get up and move. Take a walk around the office to clear your mind and get some blood flowing. Sitting at a desk for 8 hours has been proven to be unhealthy. Take the dog for a walk, play with your kids at the park rather than watching them play, go to a yoga or pilates class, stretch at home. There are a million and one ways to stay active. Pinterest can help with this too! Tons of links to workout routines, YouTube videos, and fitness gurus with great websites full of information. Here’s a few beginner ideas.
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| Quick-Start Morning Workout |
Lastly, mental wellness. This is where I refer back to the “bogged down” feeling. Endless to-do lists, responsibilities, expectations, etc. They all eat away at your soul! Take a minute for you! Especially the moms who are reading today, I know you really need this one. There are several ways I focus on mental wellness for myself. Take time to be alone with your thoughts without distractions. Why not have a lunch date with a good friend who makes you laugh. There is nothing more relaxing than laughter. Have an area near you with antique stores, little boutique shops, why not go explore by yourself. Get a massage or a pedicure. Identify what makes you calm, gives you clarity and a chance to reboot. Do it!
I know this post was long today, but I felt like it was needed. Many of my friends have expressed the overworked and “I’m too busy” feeling to me lately and it made me think taking care of yourself should be priority.
Until next post…xoxo Becca
Becca
born and raised Texan
Hi all and welcome to my cozy little place in the blogosphere. My name is Becca and I'm a born and raised Texan. After college I got married. Got a puppy. Got a house. And then I decided I wanted to share daily life, struggles, ambitions, and everything in between.
