Goodbye Scales . . .
As promised (click here) for a snapshot of when the plant strong lifestyle goes on vacation. Here is an excerpt from the vacation post that I want to address . . .
“Yesterday I stepped onto the scale and . . . well, nothing happened — the scale had not budged. As I stood there staring at that number I realized something, my goal of toning, because of my weekly “Weigh-ins” has turned to losing weight. Over the last 12 weeks since this plant-strong journey began I have lost 22 lbs. I used to plateau in weight loss at 178 or so, now it is at 158–that’s big, but all I could think about is that it’s not coming off anymore. If I were on a regular “diet” I can tell you what already would have happened, I would have jumped ship for a few days and thought to myself,
“If it’s not working then I am going to eat what I want.”
Because of plant-strong living my perspective has changed entirely; there are more important things to me than losing weight. I believe that not only have our eating habits as Americans created our “sickness” but also our dieting habits. We have tunnel vision, there is no grand ideal of health and wholeness, we care about size and shape.
In protest of this perpetuation I am throwing out my scale.
Yes, you heard me right — I am throwing it out.
I am going to measure every 3 weeks and gauge my progress by how I feel — lean, strong, healthy: then A for me. As I exercise and give the best fuel to my body I will achieve my goal of toning up and feeling great, and that has nothing to do with weight and that monster scale. Because of my thyroid I need to keep a tab on my weight periodically, but my Drs office has told me I may slip in once in a while to weigh — so GOODBYE scale and HELLO health.
We need to stop and realize how much we have to GAIN not how much weight there is left to lose –Health, Energy, Strength, Quality of life, the list is endless — our bodies are the vehicles by which we carry out our purpose here on Earth. I don’t know about you but I want mine to be a Bentley.”
This is question I have been thinking about,
What do we have to GAIN?
If our body is the vehicle to our spirit, and the saying you are as young as you feel is correct, you have everything to gain from caring for your body. Our focus should be on all we have to gain and the “lose” part will happen naturally.
As I discuss my plant-strong lifestyle with others, others who are resistant because they are unable to give up certain foods, it reminds me a little of an addict. They cannot see the forest for the trees, they make up a lot of excuses, and finally just leave it at “I am happier doing what I want.”
I believe the mind shift comes from seeing those trees. This is not about giving up meat . . . this is not about weight loss (even though it is inevitable) . . . this is about valuing the quality of your life. This is about giving yourself a gift of health that becomes a foundation for you to build the life you dream of. Is it hard, YES, for the majority of the American population this–is— really— difficult. But, is it worth the effort, I know whole heartedly it is.
Educate yourself, step out of ignorance concerning your diet — see the power you possess in shaping your “health history.” Do it for yourself, do it for your family, and for the ripple effect it can create in your acquaintances, co-workers, and neighbors. This is good, it’s truth, and as you can tell I am totally passionate about it.
Begin small — incorporating and trying new healthy foods to find healthier staples to replace the old ones; begin now and in 6 months it will no longer look difficult, it will look doable. And most of all, don’t dismiss it just because it seems hard. In my experience, the times in my life where I have been confronted by a mountain and chose to forge ahead is when I have seen the greatest views, learned the best lessons, and realized my potential.
I am grateful to be here on Spinach & Apples, to have the opportunity to share something that I am truly passionate about. So, ask questions, don’t give up, and forge ahead.
Viv
