Over the years I have not been shy about sharing my dislike of scales.  They represent everything I detest about losing weight.  I can tell you I have been on a weight loss/life change journey for about two years or so...honestly I haven't been counting, but I can tell you I feel better than I have in years.  Now don't take this to mean my journey is over because it is not...but I've noticed a change in my endurance, in my body composition and my eating habits.  What I have not seen is a change in the number on the scale...that freakin piece of metal!  It has given me the same stupid number for four years!!! In that time I have dropped from a size 20+ to a 16! I have lost all kinds of inches too! So whyyyy does it want to mess with me by being stubborn?  Thats alright cause I prevailed today!

I was preparing a group of formal dresses for donation to DonateMyDress.org, which is a non-profit which helps provide girls in need with dresses for the prom, quincenera, sweet 16, and other special occasions. I was showing Luis the dresses, focusing specifically on one I had been talking about earlier in the night.  When I pulled it out I saw that it was a 16.  I was curious whether it would fit or not so I decided to try it on.  Well, I put it on over a pair of running pants I had on and low and behold it fit! I shouldn't have been so amazed...I mean it was a 16...well, the amazement for me came when I called my mother to inquire what the year was when I first wore that gown.  She informed me it was Aug of 2004! Yes people...7 1/2 years ago!  

So, you see why I don't pay that little mean metal scale any attention? I weigh the same 220 lbs I've weighed for yearrrrrrs, but apparently it is more muscle than fat.  So the point of all of this is...don't allow yourself to focus on the unimportant factor of just weight, look at all the wins and total the column properly so you get a holistic view of what is really going on.

I choose to use clothing as my scale and that works for me.  Some of you may want to measure yourself with a tape measure or get your bmi...the key is to not get discouraged and to use what works for you.  Once you reach one goal, move on to the next one see...this win just motivates me to keep going.  Luis had a wonderful suggestion regarding me keeping one of the dresses as a goal dress.  It was a favorite timeless dress I wore in college and it is a 14.  What a great idea! 

Wish me luck! I know I can do it, I just have to remain diligent and strong!