Ok so lets be real. I hate the scale! A few weeks ago I started doing the couch to 5k program. Not because I wanted to but because I felt God calling me to. I am not a runner but for the last four weeks now I have been obediently running the recommended 3 running workouts and just for extra fun run 1-2 more free runs each week (seriously it is not fun for me at all, I question myself why).
I generally take a mid week break from running and today was my lucky day. No run for me! YAY! So I got up and around and decided to do some free weights. However, before this I made the dreaded mistake of getting on the scale. Now I figured after 4 weeks of running and eating pretty healthy the number would totally reflect my effort. IT DID NOT! What it said to me was that after 4 weeks I only lost a little over a pound. The scale was screaming at me that after logging a whopping 27.8 miles, 7 hrs 45 mins and 12 secs I was still no lighter than when I started. The scale was telling me I was failing.
All day it bothered me. I talk about getting healthy and whole from the inside out all them time. I know that this is what truly matters. That it is where our hearts are and that being healthy is so much more than the scale, but I was not listening to any of this today. All I heard was blah blah blah your are not loosing weight. Today I sulked! Through my strength training workout I stewed about the scale. When seeing my Doctor today I complained and sulked. Talk about a pitty party, yup that was me.
But here is the thing. It really isn't about the scale. I have battled with the scale ever since I was 15 yrs old and my 5'1" body weighed 105pds. I was a dancer, I was small and full of muscle. I looked healthy but I wasn't. Sure the scale said I was healthy but let's talk about the french fries with ranch dressing I would eat for lunch and the candy bar I would eat for a snack. Oh and don't forget that I would consume on average 3 cans of pop a day! (For the record not all dancers eat this way). As long as the number looked good I was happy. Who cared what I was eating.
Here's the thing, satan will use the scale to lie to you. He will take the number and distort it in your mind. He will tell you that the number is what matters and that if it's not moving down then you might as well give up. Satan is a LAIR! He wants you to believe that the number on the scale is the only one that matters but that is only a tiny piece of your health journey.
As I was lamenting to God about this tonight with tears streaming down my face, God gently reminded me it's not about the scale. He reminded me that the number is not what matters, what matters is that I am getting stronger to run his race. I am letting go of past hurts that have caused me to have unhealthy eating habits. He reminded me that when the doctor did blood work that only a few minor things were a little off but that I am healthy. God reminded me to celebrate the victories (27.8 miles in four weeks is a HUGE accomplishment for me).
So I don't know where you are at tonight. Whether you are considering getting healthy or are all in, I want to remind you that it is not about the number on that scale. It is about getting healthy and whole in Jesus. It is about taking care of ourselves so that we can run our race and be who God created us to be. Are we going to stumble along the way? Absolutely. Shoot we may even fall down a few times, but don't give up! You matter, your health matters! When the scale doesn't move, take time to thank God for the ability to move your body. Thank him for this life and ask him to guide you through. You've got this! We are in this together!
Hugs,
Michelle