I got the ripe old age of 26 before I became obsessed with the scale and since then, it has been a love hate relationship. None the less, I have been drawn to it most days and sometimes, even more than once per day. You know the drill. Weigh. Pee. Weigh. Poop. Weigh. Workout. Weigh. Shower. Weigh. Yep, been there, done that and may even write a book about it 
If the number was down, I’d be happy but probably start overeating because I thought I could “get away with eat”. If the number was down, I’d be depressed and beat myself up and start overeating since I had already “blown it”. No matter what the number was, it dictated my mood and my self esteem. Letting go of this relationship has been the hardest part of my journey by far.
When I first started practicing intuitive eating, I gave up the scale for a number of months. I never weighed myself…ever. When I went to the doctor, I looked away and asked that they not mention the number to me. At the same time, my binging was at it’s peak because I was putting all of my “issues” on the table and had no idea how to cope with all of them. As a result of the binging, I gained weight. My clothes did not fit and I went back to weighing myself and, of course, started the viscous diet and binge cycle. That cycle made me heavier and heavier; I have finally come to realize it isn’t eating normally that makes me heavier; it is the diet and binge cycle.
I’ve obviously made my way back to eating intutively since then but my relationship with the scale was still rocky. I got to the point that I was only weighing once per week. Then, I would make excuses for “changing my weigh in day” and end up still weighing three or four times per week. I wanted to know if intuitive eating was “working” this time. I wanted reassurance that I could trust my body and only my body. Then, something happened and I decided to practice what I have been preaching. If this isn’t about that silly number then why do I keep giving into it. My new IE friends helped me see that I had to just let it go.
I had one obstacle, though, my husband is a daily weigh-er. He is maintaining a 70lb weight loss and keeps his eye on his weight. He doesn’t let the number impact his mood and is comfortable with his weight fluctuating up to 10lbs. The scale has lived in his bathroom for ages and it has sucked me time after time. So, a couple of days ago, I told him that I needed him to hide the scale from me and that I could not know where it is. And in a matter of days, I feel so good. I used to have an internal battle every morning before I even got out of bed – to weigh or not to weigh. Now, I just get up, pee and go on about my day. I am free to feel strong and proud of my body and the changes I am seeing since I have started lifting heavy weights. I am free to feel good in my clothes and adore my haircut.
This is rejecting the diet mentality to the greatest degree. I’m not giving into the pressures of that number anymore, it does not define who I am, the people that love me and the passions that I pursue. I am me with no numbers attached and that is truly a freeing experience.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
You have come so far in your journey and it is truly inspiring. Last summer I was obsessed with the scale too and weighed EVERY day. I had to weigh in the morning before I worked out and then after I worked out. It was not healthy and very hard on my body. I realized I was becoming obsessed and then just started weighing about once a week. Since then, I have been through lots of changes in my life (b/f breakup, graduation, etc) and keep telling myself that the scale is my friend. However, I am proud to say I have not weighed myself in a long time. I plan on weighing sometime soon just b/c I don’t know how much I weigh–but this time I have a completely different outlook on life and actually love me for me–not for that dumb number on the scale.
This is so inspiring to read. I am really trying to get on board with intuitive eating and finding it really hard…the not-weighing thing is a huge part in this. Oy, it’s a long road. I need to back-read some of your posts for some tips…
This is something I’ve struggled with for a LONG time. I used to weigh myself everyday…that got to be too much pressure, so I was doing about every other. Now I’m to the point where I’ll weigh about once a week or every other week. I don’t let it determine my mood like I used to because I know there are so many factors that go into weight, and I can be plus or minus a few pounds for various reasons. But I know the day needs to come when I don’t have to weigh myself at all.
Good for you! I think that’s the hardest thing to stop and it’s SO Easy to get caught up in, for sure. I think this intuitive eating has really sunk in, Christie
and I’m working on it, too.
What a great post! I am a scale junkie too & while I do everything right (eat well, move my body & am good to me), I still fall prey to that stupid little box on the bathroom floor.
I really appreciate you sharing that & maybe..just maybe that’ll be the motivator I need to stop the morning ritual (okay, afternoons too.) No one is going to stop loving me for what the number is right? Exactly…..note to self!
That`s wonderful! What a great feeling!
I was only a daily weigher for a very short period of time and it helped nothing. I do weigh myself once a week though. I try not to let it affect my mood. Sometimes I`m better at that than other times. I know too well the overeating for good or bad results as I have done that before. I try not to let the scale affect my behaviour negatively.
So proud of you!
I can completely relate to this entire post!!! The first time I tried intuitive eating I ate like crazy & I gained enough to be uncomfortable then reverted to the old stand by of “watching what I ate.” I had looked at intuitive eating as a “diet” not a “way of life.” I am now on my second attempt at eating intuitively (I feel much more prepared and in touch with myself now.)
I will say that I do still weigh myself pretty much daily but care less and less about the actual number each day. Maybe someday I will chuck my scale out the window….
YEA you!!!!!!!!!!! I only weigh myself every few months, but I haven’t ditched it completely yet. I wonder if my dh would care?
I think you speak for many, many people out there. I call this problem “scale bingeing” and I’m certainly not immune to it myself. I had a scale binge about 10 days ago. It was brought on by a light-hearted challenge over at Jack Sh*t’s blog: the half-pound, half-*ss challenge. I took the challenge by just continuing my on-going IE efforts and ended up losing almost 1 1/2 pounds (0.6 kilos). Then the binge started–just as you described it. Eight days ago, I put my foot down and stopped. Yesterday, I was a guest at my friend’s gym and walked right past the scale without giving in. I was proud.
I haven’t given up the scale yet, but I really try to limit myself to once every two weeks. Sometimes it’s rough, especially since I still give the scale way too much power over me. I have lost about 12 pounds since January, but it’s no thanks to the scale. It’s all due to learning about IE. I’m no IE expert, but I think it’s helping to change my life.
Yah! I know how hard that was to ask your husband–there’s no going back if you tell him about it (secrets keep you sick)!
When you think about it rationally, what good is getting on the scale anyway? A reading shouldn’t dictate whether or not you feel good about yourself, determine your self worth, decide is you can enjoy the edible pleasures presented or take away the opportunites to appreciate what your body can do for you.
Great step. Have a great weekend!
wow. that’s fantastic. thanks for your honesty. it helps.
i’m working on my relationship with the scale, but i still have one — a relationship, that is. like many, i’m afraid that i will gain gobs of weight if i don’t monitor myself. that was my old pattern.
i don’t feel quite ready, but it’s something i really want to confront.
I am literally laughing out loud at this post right now, not because it’s funny, but because I guess I thought I was the only one who had that crazy morning ritual!! I was obsessed with every ounce! I have been eating intuitively for some time now as well and think I’m slowly winning my husband over!! I love your blog, I am definitely going to have to try that avocado tuna salad, it looks amazing!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Pre-IE I was an every day, several-times-a-day weigher. Right now I’m trying to only weigh myself on Wednesdays, when an online group I’m part of has a weigh in day. Working toward giving the scale up completely, but right now that’s a scary prospect. I’m no longer counting calories, points, fat grams, net carbs, etc. I feel the need to track *something*! That’s part of the dieting mentality I have to let go of, I guess.
Thanks for the great post!
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