Scale~ Love it or hate it? Oh God, my relationship to the scale could make or break my day. The scale was not only a device to weigh my body; it decided if I was worthy of self-love. It decided if I was allowed to have a good day. The scale permitted me to eat or not to eat. 

The number on the scale could drive me to tears and crazy dieting.

What’s your relationship with the scale? 

You get to choose how much importance you give to the number on the scale.

Have you ever stopped to think about what your relationship is with the scale? Taking time to become aware of how the scale effects your life is the first step to taking back your power from this device.

What happens when you think about hopping on the scale? 

• Does it make your body tense up?

• Does your mind start racing?

• What kind of emotional response do you have when you see the number?

This anxiety is a telltale sign that the scale is not working for you. If you crumble into pieces or feel like a loser when you see the number, it is not wise to have the scale anywhere near you. 

Receiving way too much enjoyment, satisfaction, and worth from seeing the number, is the flip side of the same issue. This number doesn’t define you or make you worthy of joy. It is a number. It doesn’t mean anything unless you decide that it means something. 

No matter what Instagram, Facebook, or your best friends believe, YOU get to choose to love yourself no matter what the number.

Ponder this question: “Can I give up my scale?”

If you feel attached or afraid to let go of your scale, it’s time to give it a break. 

I would step on the scale before and after breakfast, before and after a workout and then at bedtime. I was riding an emotional wave of numbers and self-worth. Once I put the scale away and gave my body space to be free, my sanity returned.

The truth is our bodies are ever-changing depending on our age, menstrual cycle, and lifestyle, etc. Whether you are ovulating or bleeding changes your weight slightly or drastically. If you are a postpartum mama, your weight is going to be different than when you were a teenager. Maybe you went on vacation, and your food is different than the norm. 

Can that be okay? 

The more we relax around the number, the more we can trust our body to take care of itself. When we try to interfere and control our weight, crazy diet behaviors creep in, and we set ourselves up for a binge. My healing journey with the scale has been a long journey. 

Trusting that my body knows exactly the right number it wants to be hasn’t been an easy process.

Steps to freedom from the scale…

Here’s what helped me when I would step on the scale and the number was higher than I wanted.

1. I allowed myself 5 minutes to be sad, scared, angry, or freak out. 

And then, I had to move on.

I wouldn’t allow myself to bring my negative thoughts around my weight into the rest of my day.

2. I asked myself if this number was worth my happiness for the day.

Sometimes it was easier than others. Over time, I found more peace with the scale. Freedom came from stepping off of it and staying away.

3. I stretched my time away from the scale.

Instead of 3 times a day, I would only step on the scale once a day, then once a week and then monthly. 

Over time, I didn’t need or even want the drama of the scale.

I took my power back. My worth has nothing to do with a number. Striving for a number has only brought me pain and suffering.

How about checking out a scale-free week, or month or year? Or better yet, THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

What would it be like to be free from the number?

I would love to hear from you. What is your scale story?

Marla Mervis-Hartmann

After years of struggling with her own dysfunctional body-relationship Marla has transformed her experiences into services to help women discover honor and appreciation for their bodies.

Alongside being a Reiki Master and Teacher, Marla has followed her passion for women’s health down many paths of study including women’s sexual wellness; postpartum care; Restore Your Core educator training; Tantra teacher certification; Yoga teacher training, and massage therapy. This collected body of knowledge shines through in her offerings of Reiki to pregnant and postpartum mothers; teaching Mama Movement classes; and Love Your Body Love Yourself. In all of her work,

Marla is devoted to empowering women to feel good about themselves and to live the life they desire.