Get on the scale? not so fast!

Does this make me look fat?

Talk about a loaded question! Ha! I never answer those. Over the years, a few friends have commented that they are upset with me when I fail to comment on their weight loss.

I might be weird, but I don’t comment on a friend’s weight loss. Am I being unkind, insensitive? Not even close. Years ago, I ran into one of my favourite high school teachers. Mr. Monsour was a delight. Smart, with a quick wit and so kind. The poor man had to endure my presence for two classes in grade 11. Mr. Monsour was quite heavy. I guess you could say he was obese.

A few years after high school, I went back for a little visit and ran into Mr. Monsour. He was looking very slim and I complimented him. “Sir, you look great!” He smiled but didn’t say much. We chatted for a couple of minutes and that was that. A few years later, I learned that Mr. Monsour was actually quite ill when I had seen him. The poor man had cancer and I only thought to comment on his appearance, which to my judgemental eyes, was an improvement.

Not getting on that scale!

I recently refused to get on the scale when I went for my annual check-up. Why would I do this? As I was getting ready to head out the door, I thought “I’m not getting on that damn scale! Weight can’t be the only metric of good health.”

But, how do you tell a nurse that you’re refusing to get weighed? Well, it turns out that it’s not as tough as I had thought. I gently informed her that I was not getting on the scale. She seemed surprised but didn’t push back. She said that the doctor could weigh me if she thought it was necessary. I told the doctor the same thing. Her response? “Your weight has been stable for years and you’re an athlete. I don’t see why you need to be weighed every year.”

So much judgement

Overall, I’m a healthy weight. Thank you genetics for that. Yes, I work out and I eat healthy food. But that’s no reason to call me a skinny bitch! Yes, that’s happened. And more than once. Like everyone else I know, I too have body issues. I don’t need some judgemental person pointing out my faults. I can that quite well on my own, thank you very much! But, you know what? I’m not willing to do that anymore. One thing I’ve learned to do, albeit slowly, is to accept this body as it is. It’s a strong, fit body. It allows me to walk, cycle, run, lift, squat, stretch and move in a myriad of ways. Who cares if I have a belly? This awesome body gave me the gift of 3 amazing kids. I am beyond grateful.

A resolution

With the new year, often come the resolutions. Years ago, I gave up on making resolutions. But, this year I’m making one. I will not weigh myself in 2019. Who wants to join me? How about if this year, we all resolve to not get on the damn scale, unless we have a medical reason to do so? What will happen if we don’t get on the scale? How will we feel after a year of no weigh-ins?