Don’t Get Hung up on the Number

March 31, 2018

Weight, I mean wait … do not get mad at yourself if the numbers on that pesky scale were wrong again!  Simply, do not get so hung up on the number.  Yes, I can hear some of you saying, “what doesn’t get measured doesn’t get managed”, thank you.  Well, on the flip side of the management of the numberis that the numbercan change rather quickly, or slowly, and with that confusing sentence is the reminder of the tissue issue.

Not too long ago a beautiful woman comes into the gym and tells me “I’m getting married.”  There is no greater institution as most of you know, and for many people (especially women) the wedding brings with it the overwhelming pressure of looking your absolute most marvelous self.  Shape and fitness do get VERY important.  And if you have read previous Bob Reports you know the rest of this story … that if a person dedicates the time, energy, and expense to make the body react – IT WORKS!  So instead of re-writing the protocols of that journey I wish to enforce the point – do NOT get hung up on the number.  

Want to loose a lot of weight fast, cut off your arm.  Of course that is ridiculous and foolish to even consider … but that is what liposuction is doing … except the arm will not grow back whereas the fat will come back (only somewhere else and with a vengeance.)  There is no shortcut to get to the number, only effort and discipline required.  There are 2 types of tissue, lean tissue and fat tissue. Which one are you increasing?      

Heck, I think that before my upcoming birthday at the end of March I should get back down into my 170-pound bracket!  Then  I realize the quick weight loss of too many pounds is too much too fast. (i.e. It won’t last) My behavior will change so drastically that I will not make a long lasting lifestyle change.  Matter of fact right after ‘the diet’ I’m certain that I would find a reason to do the ‘anti-diet’ and eat everything isn sight.  Thus, quick weight loss is more like prolonged weight gain … and, it was the numbers fault!

When looking at the numberI find that using it as a reference rather than a reason to sabotage your health and/or fitness is a lot more practical.  You already know what the number is where you are most happy and perhaps most healthy. And that should be reason enough to make the necessary commitments to change the behavior that takes you so far from your ideal weight and shape.  I have said it before and here we go again … “nothing tastes as good, as skinny feels.” Drop the number and focus on your fitness!

I good health,

Bob

I didn’t mean to gain weight, it just happened by snackcident. – Unknown.