The other day I weighed myself on the scale to keep myself and my weight loss efforts in check. It got me thinking how years ago, I’d be absolutely terrified if someone were to see the numbers on the scale when I weighed myself. Since losing the weight, I’m completely comfortable with how much I weigh and I don’t care who knows, who asks, or who will see. It really is just a number. Whether that number changes between a few numbers, I don’t define myself by that. Now if that number starts to creep up higher, then I know that its not the scales fault, but that I need to get my bad habits in check. With all that said… I wondered how different I might have approached my bad eating habits and lack of exercise if I had to wear on a t-shirt the exact number that I weighed. What if it looked something like this:

Would you feel exposed? Liberated? Embarrassed? Would it change the way you eat? Motivate you to work out? What would you feel knowing that the number you weighed was on display for all to see? Thinking of this concept of wearing your weight on your shirt, made me think of things like The Biggest Loser. The contestants had to weigh in, in front of everyone. Gosh I wonder how that would feel?

I know for me, that when I was weighing somewhere in the 250-280′s, I would have been mortified to let anyone know how much I weighed, so I put that on display for all to see, would be so embarrassing. But what I find interesting, is… I was on display for all to see. People may not have known the exact number that I weighed, but I know that people (family, definitely) knew I was unhealthy and miserable in my own skin. It shows whether there’s a number on display or not.

That’s why I really believe that a number is just a number. How do you feel in your own body? Are you healthy? Are you happy? These should be the things we focus on. NOT on the number on the scale. I know its hard to not get attached to the scale. Especially when you’re losing weight. You’re weighing yourself weekly (hopefully only once a week!), and even if that scale moves up or down an inch it brings out emotions in you. I know that I’ve been on roller coster rides with the scale. I have to work hard not to let it control me, not to let it define me.

Could I wear a shirt with my weight on it, now? Yes. I’ve fought hard, very hard for the weight I am and I’m proud of that. I’m proud that I’ve add years to my life by cutting the bad habits. I’m proud that that I’ve achieved goals that I’ve had for so long. That number reflects that, but it doesn’t define me. My hard work, persistences, and passion to accomplish it shows who I am. That number is just a number.

What shows who you are? 

REMINDER:

How are you doing with this months Squat Challenge?