Happiness. Found. by Rachel W: I Threw Out My Scale

I Threw Out My Scale
by Rachel W. (Not a Crazy Vegan)

I stopped weighing myself altogether about 6 years ago and it has been one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.   Prior to this life-altering decision, I would weigh myself, get depressed, swear off carbohydrates, sweets, whatever I felt was the culprit at the time, then binge eat and repeat.   It was a miserable existence.  I found myself so wrapped up in this number.  This number that only I knew.   This number determined my self worth more than any of my accomplishments, relationships, or experiences.  It held so much power over me.

Then I met an inspirational woman.  She was one of the more beautiful people I’ve met, inside and out, yet she was by no means “skinny.”   She ate healthy, exercised, but was still very curvy.  She loved her body, treated it with respect, and people (including swarms of men) were drawn to her like a moth to the flame.   She made me realize that there is so much more to a person than their body, but even further than that, there is so much more to a person than a silly little number that shows up on a scale.

So, I decided to stop.  I threw out my scale.   I avoided weighing myself at the gym and told doctors and nurses to keep my weight information to themselves when I came in for a physical.  When I have to get weighed, I face away from the results.  Sure, I’m curious and I want to stay healthy, but I know the repercussions of seeing that stupid number are so powerfully negative that removing opportunities to tailspin into unhealthy habits is the only way.

And I feel better since doing this.

Not just better in terms of my mood, but better in terms of my health.  Now I don’t strive to lose pounds or to please the scale.  Now I strive to lead a healthy lifestyle that makes my body feel nourished and complete.   Since swearing off the scale, I have made the transition from a omnivore to a vegetarian to a vegan.  Since swearing off the scale, I have also made the transition into a person who CRAVES physical activity on a daily basis.  None of these things were possible when I felt like I was padlocked to a scale.  Now I can listen to what my body needs and wants.

I’m sure there are a few people who think this is strange and that not knowing a vital sign about your body is naive and dangerous, but I still get weighed regularly at my physicals and I tell my doctors to let me know if things have dramatically changed.  But they haven’t.  Over 6 years.

This has been one of the most liberating decisions in my life, not to weigh myself.  I know it’s not for everyone, but I think removing the power from a silly little number opens up a world of opportunities to really know and love your body for what it is.

Tagged as: happiness. found.