Our Love/Hate Relationship with the Scale

"If I could just lose 10 pounds..."Famous last words — how many of us have said something like this?

We tend to hold on tightly to a specific number on the scale. Maybe it’s a weight from a time when we felt confident, fit, or in control. But should we be so tied to that number?

Not really.The scale is just one data point — and often, it’s not even the most useful.

In fact, becoming overly focused on the number can:

• Create a restrictive, stressful mindset around food

• Cause frustration during plateaus (even when you’re making real progress!)

• Lead to giving up too soon when you don’t see the scale move.

So let's talk about what influences that scale # and why you should let go - especially if you are someone who is frequently weighing yourself:

• Water retention (from salt, hormones, stress, or inflammation)

• Digestion and food volume

• Bowel movements (or lack of)

• Hydration levels

• Muscle repair after workouts

• Hormonal shifts (especially for women)

But if i leave you with nothing else, take this away... 1 pound of muscle takes up significantly less space than 1 pound of fat. The photo below shows it clearly — same weight, totally different volume. That means as you build strength and muscle, you may not see the number on the scale drop the way you expect — but your body is changing in powerful, healthy ways.

What to focus on instead of the scale:

✅ Strength gains

✅ Energy levels

✅ How your clothes fit

✅ Sleep, mood, and stress

✅ Body composition (not just weight)

You are more than a number. Strong is powerful. Full is nourished. Let the scale be data, not your worth.

I have free resources on my site to help you get started. The most important thing is GETTING STARTED! Part of being a health coach is helping my clients with mindset and being their accountability partner and cheerleader. If you feel like you need this support, please reach out and let's talk about it. larafitandfull@gmail.com