Are you living your life according to the number on the scales?

Is controlling your weight dictating the way you live? Doing so may give you a superficial sense of safety or security, as it keeps at bay the fear of weight gain. But what impact does it have?

Weight loss can’t be used as a sign of moral virtue. Although it is praised and elevated by diet culture, it doesn’t actually reflect your character, value or worth. Losing weight ultimately doesn’t make you happier, kinder, connected, more successful, or adventurous.

What is the cost of focusing on weight loss?

If you’re trying to control your weight, you will most likely experience a lot of anxiety around food and exercise. Thoughts about what you eat, when you eat, what you’ve eaten will fill your mind – and not in a joyful way. Such thoughts are stress-inducing, and often leave people feeling guilty or ashamed.

In fact, if you are spending all your energy pursuing weight loss there is a high chance that you won’t have much left for anything else. You may find all your energy going to maintaining your weight, exercise regime and food rules. You might even find that your values compromised, as the number on the scale dictates the direction of your life.

Can weight loss improve my body image?

Many people focus on the number on the scale as a way to improve their body image. Still, how does this shape the way you feel about your body? Does it lead to body respect, kindness, and appreciation? Or does knowing the number trigger an avalanche of critical and judgmental thoughts?

I want you to know that you’re not alone if you’re trying to control your weight. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that this is an important, even necessary, pursuit in relation to our health goals. However, it’s not your only option.

If I’m not focusing on weight loss, then what?

Instead of focusing on your weight, what if you allowed your values to direct your life? What if you treated yourself with kindness and compassion? I wonder: how this would impact your body image?

Instead of controlling your body, you can learn to partner with it.

Instead of following rules, you can learn to trust your body and nourish it.

Instead of fearing weight gain and the number on the scale, you can learn to respect and appreciate you’re “here-and-now” body.

What I want you to know, is that you don’t have to live your life in fear of that number. Find out what’s most important to you and let that be your compass.

Isn’t weight loss a worthy achievement?

Weight loss isn’t achievement to be praised. As a society we must move past our obsession with weight and the beauty ideals that underlie them to see the full picture. How can we possibly praise weight loss when it means: starvation, anxiety around food, and exercise driven by shame or deprivation?

What is the bigger picture?

Next time you see someone who has lost weight, pause and remember: weight loss is not a sign of success or happiness. It doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is healthy. There is a bigger picture we need to recognize. We can never know what is going on with someone’s health simply by looking at their weight. It’s time to move beyond weight and see each other’s basic humanity. We need to see people without glorifying or shaming their bodies. After all, the number on the scale does not determine who we are and what we can offer this world.

Maybe it’s time to consider this: your external appearance is not the most important thing you have to offer this world. Instead of focusing incessantly on weight, shape and appearance, let’s appreciate the complex and unique aspects of each person’s humanity.

If you are wanting to heal your relationship with your body, please don’t hesitate to contact me for support.