Are you a daily weigher, hoping that the numbers on the scale will provide the validation you seek on your bariatric journey?
If so, you’re not alone, but I’m here to tell you that hyperfocusing on that number might be doing more harm than good.
First and foremost, let me validate your feelings and frustrations. It’s entirely normal to want to track your progress, but sometimes, we fall into a cycle of self-sabotage without even realizing it.
What’s the deal with the scale anyway?
I get it. You are working so hard on your weight loss surgery journey. You are following all of the rules, you’re doing all of the habits that you need to be doing, so naturally you want to run to that scale first thing every morning to see how you did. But what if I told you that doing that can actually be hurting your progress more than helping it?
More often than not, I find that bariatric patients tend to be more likely to self-sabotage on this journey when they let the scale dictate their every move, what they eat, and how they feel.
I’m not saying that the scale is not a great tool to use on this journey, but it should not be your number 1 tool.
Its very common to think “the scale went down today so I must have been ‘good’ today” or “ the scale went up, so therefore what I did yesterday was ‘bad’” but that’s not how it works. Your weight will fluctuate every single day! And unfortunately what can happen when we do this is we can start to excuse our habits because of the scale.
Do you relate?
Meet my client, Emily. She was a daily scale enthusiast, using it as a way to “celebrate” when she believed she was “good” and to “punish” herself when she thought she was “bad.” If the scale went down, she’d convince herself she was doing great, even if her habits weren’t aligned with her goals. It became a justification for unhealthy choices, like eating a handful of cookies because, hey, the scale went down.
Conversely, if the scale went up, Emily would berate herself and fall into the trap of extreme restriction, swearing off carbs or other foods she enjoyed.
Both scenarios were detrimental because they distracted Emily from what she truly needed to do – healing her relationship with food and finding balance in her post-op routine to sustainably and healthfully achieve her goals.
Wrapping it up
So here’s the key: Instead of hyperfocusing on the scale, focus on what really matters – your relationship with food and building a balanced, sustainable routine.
If you need more support navigating life before, during or after weight loss surgery, look no further! My membership program, the T.R.I.B.E. is your one-stop shop for everything you need on your bariatric journey. Everything in the T.R.I.B.E. membership will give you the tools to succeed, and the support to feel empowered—all you have to do is show up and put in the work!
We’re a strong community, ready to welcome you in — you just have to take that next step. Check out all the T.R.I.B.E. has to offer here.
