Balancing the Scales

 They say that weight fluctuates within a three pound window up or down.  This accounts for muscle changes, water and the body adjusting to all of the newness.  I have stopped weighing myself daily.  Now, it’s about two or three times per week.  I realized that when I got on the scale, I was disappointed that I had stalled or gained a pound or two.  I thought, “Well, I KNOW that’s how it works with everyone else, but um, not me!”  

I have lost 40 pounds from the beginning of the year until now.  I have never ever lost 40 pounds!  I’ve gained 40 pounds over and over and over again, but never lost it.  Far be it for me to be upset that I have “only” lost 40 pounds in three months.  

Now, before I ascend the scale, I say “Jennifer, you will celebrate whatever number is on the scale!  You are doing great, you are doing your best and this is something to celebrate.”  Then I step on.  Sometimes, my celebration follows a quick gritting of the teeth and “ugggghhh.”  But I throw up my hands, plaster a smile on my face and celebrate my accomplishments.  We can’t always push for the next and the next and the next thing.  Sometimes we have to look in the mirror, smile, wink and say, “Girl, you did a good thing!.”