Tonight’s guest post comes from Jessica @ Daly Authenticity. She is beautiful, inside and out, and she has such a great message to share with you all tonight. I know many of you will be able to identify with it as there was such a response when I wrote about my struggle….
Hello! My name is Jessica, and I am the face behind Daly Authenticity! (It’s said “Daily Authenticity”, because my last name is Daly and pronounced “Daily”.)
My blog is a compilation of healthy living tips, delicious healthy recipes, Daly adventures, and glimpses into my life as a wife in love, a lover of God, and a 25 year old just trying to find joy and balance in every moment of the day!
I love to cook and bake, and I enjoy taking typically unhealthy recipes and “remaking” them into a healthy, balanced meal! Some of my favorites are Pumpkin Pie Stuffed French Toast, Healthy Chicken Parmesan, Baked Crab Cakes, and Homemade Tortilla Chips!
I was so excited when I saw that Chelsey was asking for guest posts! I have followed her blog and love her humor, honesty, and obvious love for healthy living! It is truly an honor to be posting on her sight!
I realize what I am about to discuss with you is not something that is comfortable to talk about. Nor is it the “popular view” of the majority of health magazines. Regardless, I feel that my thoughts on this subject deserve to be spoken. I think a conversation about the subject would be highly valuable.
The scale.
Do you dread it? Do you love it? Do you live to see the number on it?
Let’s be honest here, friends.
What emotions does it evoke in you?
I would be hard-pressed to find one woman that is not affected by the number on that scale. (Or maybe I am just naïve, and I am the only one with an issue).
You see, for years, I would be the one that said, “I don’t care what that number is,”, but one morning I woke up and realized I was becoming a woman, and my body was changing. Suddenly, I was hyper-aware of my body, and I wasn’t sure I liked what I saw. In a transitional period of my life, I needed something to control, and that number became my vice. (I do not plan on getting into my story in this post, but I am sure many of you can relate to me.)
My scale replaced God, and it became my Bible.
If the number was up, I was bad.
If it was down, I had succeeded.
Although, I found as my infatuation grew, the number never satisfied me.
I did this for seven years. Seven years of my life were wasted.
And then, one morning, I woke up, and realized that I was far more valuable than just a number. I wondered what it would be like to go about my day without thinking about the number that I saw in the morning.
So I threw it out.
That’s right. Painstakingly, I got rid of it. My husband actually disposed of it for me.
The first day was awkward. I didn’t know my number, and that scared me. One week later though, I was half way through my day and I realized that I hadn’t thought about the number that morning. To top it all off, my pants still fit.
Six months later, not only do my pants still fit, but I feel more confident in my skin. I am no longer a number. I am free to just be who God created me to be.
So what if the number is up or down?
You are beautiful, and full of worth no matter what that number says.
What about you? Does the scale consume you, or do you find that you can look at it subjectively? I’d love to hear your opinions on the matter!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll stop by and see what’s going on over at Daly Authenticity!
Thank you, Jessica, for such a beautifully written post!
Question: What make you feel free to be yourself?
{ 62 comments… read them below or add one }
What a amazing guest post ! I do NOT own a scale and I never will, I feel I dont need to see a certain number to feel beautiful, and I love that you do to
Jessica! Good for you to throw that scale out! Thanks for sharing your story! btw you and your husband make a wonderful couple!
Isn’t she brave? Even though mine is collecting dust, I still haven’t thrown it out!
Great topic — but I’m actually on other side. I like the scale.
Regardless your message is sound and wonderful and important to share =)
You are beautiful, and full of worth no matter what that number says <—SO true!! This post is AMAZING! Seriously, I went through the exact same thing, and I haven't touched the scale in months since. I feel SO much better about myself now that I no longer obsess over numbers
You and me both - it’s been FOUR months since my scale and I have seen each other.
Ace post! Big congrats to you for losing the scale- that’s a tough thing to do.
I find the scale number matters if I’m in a low mood, but I can see it objectively if I’m not. I’m certainly not consumed by it, just aware.
Being around my horse, around fellow healthy living bloggers and running all make me feel like myself
Great post!
Ditching the scale is sooo freeing. It is something I have done in the last year or so as well.
If my clothes fit and I am taking care of my body what does the number really even mean… NOTHING!
What an awesome post! I can totally agree - in the past, I equated my success with the number on the scale. Those days are long gone, thank goodness! I do weigh myself once or twice a week because I like to see where I am. But if my clothes fit, I know I’m good to go
Hi Jessica! Nice to “meet” you! I used to be OBSESSED with the number on my scale for years. It’s actually pretty scary how crazy I was about my weight. I had a mini pocket calendar that I updated daily with my AM weight. I would go back and analyze it every week and look for trends. I too thought the number on the scale defined me. I still own a scale but only weigh myself once a week (if that), and my jeans still fit! Great post! Thanks for sharing your story!
Great post, and definitely something I can relate to- I am giving up weighing myself for Lent!
Such a great idea!!
I love reading about others who have ditched the scale. I threw the batteries to mine out MONTH ago and my life is astronomically better. No need to let a silly number define you or your mood for the day. Thanks to both of you for this post
Yaaaay for no more scales when they make us grumpy!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this post! I am currently in a scale situation- I am trying to work through the number and focusing on eating healthy and working out in a healthy way- I’ve spent the past couple years obsessively doing both and letting my weight control my life. Time to live right???!
EXACTLY!!
What a wonderful post. You are SO BRAVE! Thank you for sharing your story
I actually haven’t weighed myself since August, and I have absolutely no idea how much I weigh. I started out as a size 12 (I have struggled with my weight for a really long time, and was actually as high as an 18+ at one time), and am now about a size 6. At first I wasn’t weighing myself, b/c the batteries in my scale needed replaced, and then it got to the point where I just really didn’t want to know. I think if did know, and it wasn’t the “right” number, that it would have affected me in a negative way. There are times where I am kind of curious about what the exact number is, but I feel really good about where I’m at, so it’s not really a priority for me.
That’s amazing Lori!
Amen Sistah! So glad Chelsey’s blog has been a place for her friends to come out…any friend of Chelsey’s is a friend of mine..of mind?
Off to go check out your blog…
I always get so confused as to “who” to comment to on guest posts. There should be protocol. LOL
For me the scale is a tool that helps me monitor how I am doing with my weight, but I haven’t let it get to the point where the number consumes me. It is what it is.
I definitely agree that if the scale starts to control your life, your moods, or how you feel about yourself, it needs to go. I commend you for being brave and confident enough to ditch it when you knew it was only bringing negativity into your life!
Great post, Jessica! It’s a shame how some people let the scale control them. I think it’s a good tool, but I don’t weigh myself much. Only at the doctor’s office.
I was addicted to my scale and literally weighed myself everyday freaking out even if I gained 1/2 a lb which is completely normal!! I was letting the scale determine how much food I ate that day. I stopped for a few days, then few a week, then 2. Now I pretty much weigh myself once every 2 weeks just to keep myself in check. It’s nice to know I don’t need a scale to tell me how I should look. The mirror does that for me
This post is exactly what I needed right now. Just recently I started using my scale every morning and it is driving me crazy. This was the push I needed to stop that bad habit! A number doesn’t control my day!
Girl, you are WAY MORE THAN A NUMBER! I wrote this post because I knew it was something that people (including myself) needed to hear! It’s such a nasty habit! I am so glad this prompted you at the correct time!
I totally agree!
This post is very inspiring! I have a scale in my bathroom, but I never use it. I figure as long as my clothes fit, I’m okay. I do dread going to the doctor for fear of getting weighed though. I know it’s silly, but it’s so intimidating when they make you step on the scale with all of your winter clothes and shoes, and then it seems like they yell (even though they don’t) out the number for everyone to hear. I try not to let it get to me, but sometimes it is hard!
I used to not want to go to the doctor for that exact reason when I was younger!
What an amazing post. I have never had a scale in my house. When I moved out of my parents place I decided not to buy my own scale. While I was losing weight, I had one at work but only let myself use it once a week. Now, I’ve thrown it away. Best decision I’ve ever made.
Awesome Leah!
This is so well-written and inspiring! I know I have a gained a few pounds since last summer when I was a lot skinnier than usual, and it’s hard not to get down after seeing the scale. However, I know I am healthier and happier since then, and the few pounds are worth it in my mind.
Same here! From the stress of the wedding/running half marathons, I was at my all time low too - not a good one for me!
Thanks for sharing Jess! You are amazing as usual=)
I really liked this, thanks for posting! I myself am guilty of an obsession with the scale. While I have to step on it at least weekly to keep myself on track (I am still trying to lose a little more weight), I go through phases where sometimes I’ll get on it multiple times a day (not exaggerating) to where I avoid it like the plague. It’s really hard to find a balance!
Jessica, how lovely to see you here. Great post. I think people who are obsessed with measuring their weight should definitely ditch the scale. You know all you need to know based on how you feel and how your clothes fit!
Throwing my scale out was the best thing I ever did
The only time I’ve been weighed in the last three years is for the doctor and I refuse to look at the number! Too easy to let that stupid number define me.
I totally agree! I look up now!
I don’t have a scale either, but have recently started a “Fitness Competition” at work, and have been “weighing in” each week. It is refreshing to see the hard work pay off, but I still don’t want it to be a main focus in my life.
Do you think that you could also start measuring loss in inches as well? That might be good for everyone to see too!
What a great message! I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the scale, as long as it’s used in moderation and as one of SEVERAL tools to gauge one’s health level (the scale isn’t the end-all-be-all!!!!)
Oh wow what a great post!! I don’t even use our scales anymore.
Great post!
I never weigh myself anymore. In fact, I have no idea where the scale is and trust me I won’t go looking for it.
I feel much better listening to my body, not some object that only tells me useless numbers
I hate weighing scales and don’t even own a pair anymore. 4.5 years of weight Eatchers was more than enough for weekly weigh ins. Emotionally its so liberating. As long as my clothes fit, I’m eating right and working out regularly, that’s all that matters!
Great post, Jessica!
Woops that should have said Weight Watchers
I’m two weeks into a no-weigh month, and it hasn’t been easy! During NEDAwarenss week I wrote a loooong post about my (unhealthy) relationship with my scale. So frustrating!
I have to go check that post out!
Here ya go!
http://spinachandskittles.com/2011/02/23/weigh-in-wednesday-10-the-thin-ideal/
When I was on weight watchers, I (obviously) would go by the number on the scale. I was thisclose to becoming a lifetime member, but my weight ended up fluctuated beyond what was “allowed.” Instead of getting frustrated (and shelling out another $13) I realized that I had had fun that week and my clothes still fit. So at that moment I decided that a number shouldn’t dictate me; it should be about how I feel inside.
Awesome post! I’ve been really lucky in that I haven’t gotten addicted to the scale, but I can see how easy it is to let it make or break you. So glad you ditched it, Jessica! Off to check out your blog!
This is a great post. I think the scale may have to go…
You WON’T be disappointed that you did! It was worth it in so many ways.
Awesome post. And way to go on ditching the scale.
I used to struggle with the same problem, but I’m sooo much happier now that I don’t base my happiness on my weight. I still weigh myself every few months just to check in but it’s always around the same number. It’s really shown me how good our bodies are at maintaining a healthy weight so I’ve learned to trust my body a lot more and stop worrying!
thanks for telling that story. I’m so happy you found peace with your body. I wish I could get there. Sometimes, I am there but times like now, I think about my weight daily. But everyday, I’m trying to get there.
Like you, the scale ran my life for a few years, and it had a lot of control over whether I had a good day or a bad day. I think it also set me up to have either a “bad” eating day or a “good” eating day, instead of just listening to my body. I got rid of the scale for awhile, made the mistake of weighing myself, and feel like I took steps back in my progress. I learned my lesson, and now I am DONE with the scale. It holds too much power over me!
I gave up the scale a month ago. I try and go by how I feel, look and how my clothes fit. It has made a HUGE difference in my attitude. So freeing, thanks for the great post!
I always love hearing these stories because it’s something many of us struggle with - and yet we always feel alone. Thank you for your honesty. I had the scale battle all through college. It consumed and I got to an unhealthy weight where I was none the happier. While I didn’t throw the scale out, I buried it under my bed. I still struggle with appreciating myself as I am, but at least I’m not letting the numbers drastically affect me anymore. Congrats to you for having the courage to throw your scale away!
You know what? I fee the same way. I only weigh myself once in a while, and I feel SO much better when I base my feelings off of the way I feel and the way my clothes fit me. Boo, scale!
That was beautiful! Thank you so much for talking about this. I know exactly what you went through. I used to weigh myself every day, but I have found a truce with the scale and don’t do it anymore.
xoxox
Kathleen
such a beautiful post!! i dont obsess over the scale, but it does scare me a bit like it would to any other teen girl id think!.. i love your strength though to throw it out!! so liberating!
It’s funny because I get on a scale, if my number is down, it motivates me and I try harder. But then if number goes up and I’ve gained something, I get a little upset/frustrated and I find myself saying…”Where’s the chocolate?” You’d think that if I gained something I would be more like…”Gotta workout twice as hard today”, but it doesn’t.
So after trying to beat the battle of the scale, I now go by this..”How do my clothes fit?” I feel that is the best way to bring balance and happiness to my life of me trying to be healthy and fit. I hate putting on my favorite pair of jeans and they’ve gotten tight. So I just make sure my clothes fit nicely and keep on doing what I’m doing. But- I still do have a scale because my husband likes to weigh himself every now and again.
mapa
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