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Fat. Weight. BMI. Lean muscle vs. fat. Water retention. Bones. Organs. Skin. All combined, it produces a number that stares you back at you on a scale.
But, it's just that; a number. I know, I get it. I'm more interested in being healthy, active, and able to open a jar by myself, than being stick thin. I'm not a slave to the scale, and rarely weigh myself, I go more by how my clothes feel. (there's my disclaimer so that you know I'm not going anywhere unrealistic here...)
Since the beginning of November, I've been tracking my food, keeping an online diary of what I'm eating. I'm doing this for 2 reasons... 1) I want to see how many calories I'm eating in a day and 2) Trying to figure out how many calories I need given the amount of exercise I'm doing. I seem to have plateaued where weight loss is concerned, even though I'm much more active, and am wondering if it's because I'm not eating enough. Slowing down my metabolism? I have some weight to loose, but I assure you that my goals are realistic.
Funny that the battery in my scale dies now as I wanted to measure my progress after a solid week of weight training, monitoring my food, and a new training plan... literally, died. We replaced the battery, still dead. Boooo. It's one of those digital scales that measure weight, body fat (lbs & %), BMI, water and bone weight.
I'm eating breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner, small meals, every few hours. I'm trying to be diligent with drinking my water. I'm eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, choosing whole grain/brown bread and rice any opportunity I can.
Am I the only one that does this? Find out someone's weight, then think of yourself in comparison? I hate to admit this, but I did it again last night; I've done it before, and have ended up in tears!
I'm writing this post not because I'm proud, or because I'm having a pity party. I really just want to understand.
For those of you who watch The Biggest Loser, Rebecca was voted out last night (hope I haven't spoiled it for any of you who may have DVR'd it)! She looks great after 10 weeks on the ranch, and after a make-over; I think it's unbelievable how far these people have pushed themselves, how hard they've worked, and the weight loss they've been able to achieve. She weighs 157.
I then watched her on Jay Leno. Again, I give her all the credit in the world -- she looks fabulous.
But I'm struggling to understand. When I look at myself in the mirror, I don't see me like that. I don't see a 'fat' me. I'm comfortable in my skin. It's just that she's 2 inches taller than I am, and (now) weighs less (no, i won't divulge by how much...lol). Do I just have better mirrors, or shaded glasses that I'm looking through that make me not see something I should?
I know muscle weighs more than fat, and yes, I have thick legs. Thank you years of gymnastics and figure skating as a child. (this is yet another reason why I will never be stick thin, I like what muscles I have), and am continuing to strength train to increase my lean muscle, and tone.
What is it in my body composition that makes me weigh more, when she is even taller than I? Muscle? Water retention? I'm sure it's not my ass since Jay is always complaining I no longer have one since I started running! lol
Any thoughts? What am I missing or doing wrong?
24 comments:
If you lined up five women, all weighing the same amount as me, we would all look different. It's just the way it is. There are women wearing the same size clothes as me but weigh substantially less. There are women weighing the same as me but wearing a bigger size. And the other way around.
It's very important, how you see yourself. Focus on your good points (ALL of them), not your bad ones (if you have any).
I am obsessed with the scale. I weigh myself when I wake up and before I go to bed. Not healthy, I know. But, that's me.
You really can't compare yourself to any other woman - size, weight, shape, etc. And thank God you can't because you are the way you are for a reason. No two are alike. Be thankful for that. ;)
Let me just weigh (pun intended) on this topic. It applies to guys as well, not just girls.
For me it comes done down to marketing and branding. Businesses have done a great job of promoting a genetic sample of "perfect images". Take a real-life sample of bodies and you'll find that we are all much more the "norm".
Oh hell, I could go on for days. We don't see ourselves as everyone else does. THAT is just a fact. You can look at all the numbers and dissect them fully but it won't mean jack if you don't SEE what everyone else SEES. I, for example, am softerish in the middle. When I say that, everyone rolls their eyes. I see it because I hang out with hard bodied FREAKS all the time that don't jiggle even a little bit.
There has to be some level of comfort with what we have been dealt with as far as genetics go. I don't know that I will EVER be ripped in the middle or even willing to do what it would take to go there.
Best of luck and try to see what everyone else sees, or understand it a little, I have NO doubt that it's not even the same as what is looking back at you in the mirror.
I don't know if it's different on how much weight a person loses, but I DO see myself as being "thin". That's because I seen myself as over 300lbs! I'm not as thin as I'd like to be, or should be, but I'm flipped out over what I do see. It took a long time for me to get to say this, but I'm proud of myself for finally seeing it! Don't be hard on yourself, you've overcome obstacles others haven't and we've overcome obstacles you haven't-that's because we're all different and no need to compare by any means.
Go look into the mirror, if you don't see it right away, look into the eyes-deep, and I bet you start to see it come out! :)
Mel I'm glad to hear all the positive things you said about yourself. I don't have any answers for the questions you raise - but I think they're good to ask. My step daughter (whose ethnic background is part Cherokee) is densely and solidly built. Not fat - she's slender, but she weighs considerably (like a LOT) more than you would think just looking at her. Then I have a son (British/Norwegian heritage) who is tall and strong but I swear he has bird bones. He feels almost insubstantial to lift even though he's almost six feet tall. They are polar opposites in body composition and their weight is almost exactly the same.
I know it's well nigh impossible to resist comparing ourselves to others, but it's crazymaking to do anything else. Good luck with getting past your plateau. Have you tried doing some shorter, intense workouts to shake up your metabolism? Intensity is an often overlooked weight loss friend. Peace!
people definitely carry it differently... i used to see people who weight the same as i used to (mid-upper 150's) and i would think "i don't look like that do i?" i mean, i definitely have my share of troublesome spots, but i've felt like others sometimes have more jiggle than i do. maybe i have a rose-colored-glasses view of myself, who knows. when i really focused on calorie intake/burn i got down to 138-ish (last dec/jan) but have since packed the lbs back on :-/ i'm trying to knock them off again though, but it's hard for me to commit to cal counting again. i know it worked for me, but it just seems like torture now to have to do. (probably because i'm enjoying indulging myself ... when i shouldn't).
anyway... where am i going with this? :)
the important thing is you accept yourself. weight is just a number. some people can be ripped and weigh 155 or something. you know? it's a good measurement to have and see progress on, but ultimately if you look good - who cares how much you actually weigh! and of course, you look good! :)
I try to visualize the way I was, the way I am and the hope of way I will be. May never get there I don't know what number that will translate into on a scale.
The scale is a compass, not a map, nor a destination. I have to keep reminding myself of that.
I don't have the answer, but I can tell you I do the same thing! I constantly have to remind myself to keep my focus where it belongs - making sure I am fit and healthy. I also try to be proud of my body for what it has accomplished and how far it has brought me.
if you are being active and tracking your food and making conscious healthy food choices then you should not worry or compare or beat yourself up! that is heartbreaking!!!!! i think you have a good perspective on this and from your disclaimer and the beginning it's a circle of thoughts going on, and we all have our moments of doubt and envy etc. i think that is normal. continue writing your food down! if you ever want to take it to a nutritionist to go over your needs or make more specific plans for energy/weight loss or whatever your want then you can go armed with your food journal. that is the best source of information :) you're doing great. just keep it up! :)
**Hugs** I really don't know what to say other than I totally feel the same way. I struggle with this all the time. I am not proud of it, but it is true.
As long as you can be comfortable with yourself and who you are and who you see in the mirror, nothing else matters. some of the guys at the office have started biking with us to try and lose weight. they look at me funny when i tell them i don't care about my weight and just bike over lunch because it's fun.
You are athletic and active and a MOM!! Rebecca has never had children and the CHANGE that does to the body.. I am going with the muscle weighs more than fat and that you EAT!!
I am convinced that the people on the BL starve themselves to make for good TV, but I could be wrong.
Hugs!
LOL, Mel, these sames thoughts go through my head all the time. If there's one thing I've noticed it's that you can never compare your weight to another woman. We are all just too different and there are countless factors.
I hear you on the battle to eat enough but not too much. I really struggle with that...
But you are healthy, strong, fit and you look fantastic!
I think the BL gives those the needed push start to reach for much bigger/healthier goals. Enough with all of the crying on the show!!
Like you,I often do not see myself as a thin person as I am often told.I know I have dropped in all of my clothes but I still see the same person in the mirror as I did last year. Sometimes I think the change is so slow that it is harder for us to notice it. YOU ARE NORMAL ;)
I have thought the same more times Han I would like to admit.
Keep telling yourself you are an amazing, athletic, hot mama!
I know what you mean. I look at people and cringe when I find out what they weigh. I've often felt that I'm a "heavy weigher" because there are girls whose pants I could wear but who are a good 10-15 lbs lighter than me.
You are strong. Don't worry about the number (easier said than done, I know but also one reason I rarely step on the scale!).
I try really hard not to compare my number with someone else's number, but I find myself doing it when I'm reading a fitness magazine and they are showcasing someone who's lost weight. It's hard, but I've had to accept that a number is only useful as a comparison to yourself, not to others. In other words, if my weight goes up and my pants feel tight, the number matters. If it's a higher number than someone else, so what? I've also had to come to terms with very big thighs. The only way they get smaller is if I stop running and that just isn't happening.
You are an amazing, strong, athletic woman. Wear your body proudly.
I'm a pretty small guy, so I shouldn't say much at all... but since this stupid stress fracture, I've gained 7 pounds. SEVEN! Annoying.
People carry weight differently. I wouldn't worry about it too bad.
Every woman is different. I have been trying to lose about 5 lbs for over a year. Its just the hard weight in the hips that wont go away. Its hard not to compare to other woman but we all lose weight differently. Increasing lean muscle is a good idea.
ugh I totally do the comparison thing and I really wish I didn't. You are so right that it's truly about feeling healthy and being comfortable in your skin. But seriously I can't help it, I look at girls who say they are my weight and some times I think no way I don't look like that...in both a good and a bad way sometimes. I guess it is about shape.
I have started to focus on BF this year and that feels better to me
i have to admit, i compare, too. if i see someone the same height/weight, i still think they look better, carry their weight better, are thinner, etc. i wish i could just focus on me and being healthy cause what i do is NOT healthy.
No way, you are not the only one! I am right there with you. I am confrontation in my skin, but am currently on a 1 1/2 year weight loss/get healthy journey. I've lost 50 lbs but still want to lose 35 more lbs. The 50 came off quickly just by eating right and running. Now I've noticed a serious plateau. I often see people that are my build and around my hight and try to figure out how they got there.
I have noticed that once I switch up my routine, I start losing weight again. whatever that may mean for you. I know swimming/cycling/running, you're doing a lot as it is, but I bet once you weigh yourself after your week of weight training you'll notice a number difference. Sometimes our bodies get so used to what we're doing that they need a little shock from time to time.
Keep it up, it's a process that doesn't always happen quickly! :)
about 10 years ago I lost around 30 pounds, and kept most of it off since then, with some ups and downs, but maintained myself most of that time. What Jen said is right on the mark. Your body gets used to what it's doing and changing the routine or workout can kick start the metabolism again. Plateaus kind of go with the territory, but they eventually pass if you don't get discouraged and keep on keepin' on! Just keep on reminding yourself all of the things you have accomplished. You are one amazing lady!
Leave your scale dead. And next time you want to step on your scale, put on one of your medals instead, or better yet, your Tiffany necklace from SF.
A lot of ladies weigh less than me, but also less bling ;) I content myself with that.
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