tip of the week: don't focus on the scale

Fact 1: On average, our society is incredibly overweight.

There are many reasons for this including things like meal portions, fast food meals, lack of exercise, lack of education, etc. Regardless the reason, Americans are dealing with obesity in record numbers (hey, I was technically obese just a couple of years ago).

Fact 2: On average, our society is addicted to weight loss.

There are no shortage of dieting solutions on the shelves of bookstores and department stores. There are no shortage of commercials promising easy solutions and massive weight loss in short periods of time. Many people watch as Biggest Loser contestants shed 20, 30 and sometimes even 40 lbs in a single week. In fact, it gets ridiculous at points. I've heard Biggest Loser contestants complain when they've only lost 5, 6 or 7 lbs in a single week. Seriously, that's crazy!

Fact 3: Sustainable weight loss will come from hard work and changed habits.

Everything in life comes at a price. There ultimately is no such thing as an "easy" solution. As the old adage says, "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is." If you want to lose weight, it will be hard work and changed habits. People often ask me how I not only lost my weight, but how I've been able to keep it off. I tell them this same truth. As another old adage says, "Slow and steady wins the race." Losing weight the right way means sticking with a plan for the long-haul. Don't be deceived into thinking otherwise. This leads to my tip of the week.

Tip of the week: If you're looking to lose weight, don't focus on the scale.

This seems contrary to our nature and everything we're "taught" by society. It almost seems illogical to avoid focusing on the scale when your goal is to lose weight. But the truth is that though weight loss may show up on a scale, fat loss doesn't always. And sometimes it takes a little time until you start seeing results. But that doesn't mean that you're not taking positive steps in the right direction when the scale's not showing results. I feel like the scale is more of an enemy than a friend at times. The scale can be discouraging. Don't worry what the scale says, worry about how you feel. Do you feel like your exercise and change eating pattern has you feeling better, more energized, like you fit in your clothes a little better? Listen to your body and focus on what it has to say instead of some dumb scale.