The Decision – Scale & First Race
Posted: February 4, 2011 at 7:23 amI have reached my decision on the scale. At this time, I feel using the scale is worth it to my goals. I think it will provide additional motivation, accountability, information, and ease of mind for me personally. Before I do so, I want to clear up a few things that go along with this decision:
1. FFF will still not be a “weight loss blog”. I will not share weekly weigh-in stats or anything of that nature. I have no problem with blogs that do so, but FFF was not built on that. It did not become what it is today with that style and I don’t feel comfortable shifting it there now. The use of the scale is for my personal use and tracking. I will share thoughts and emotions I may encounter along my journey, but in a very general way.
2. I will weigh once a week. Absolutely nothing more. It is plenty to track progress and it helps maintain consistency if done the same day, at the same time, under similar conditions. I will do so Saturday mornings.
3. I am still not going to know my weight. I don’t think I would, but this will help ensure I don’t get caught up in a number and comparing that number to previous weights. For this reason, I decided to have Peter weigh me in each week. I will not look. He will not tell me. The only thing I will know is the shift in weight each week (up 1/2 pound, down 1 pound, etc) to track progress. Kind of like my own version of this scale…
4. It will not be the sole factor in how I track my success. The fit of my clothes, regular progress pictures, achieving new things in workouts, etc will still be more important to me.
5. If I find myself facing a negative relationship with the scale or getting frustrated/obsessive with weighing, I will stop. No question about that.
So, that’s that. I appreciate all your faith in my ability to continue being true to myself, despite this change. I felt it was best for me and could have just gone with it…but I wanted to keep things open and honest on FFF. The real deal is what I stand for. And, as my tagline states, life will still be more than diet and workouts. 😉
Although now I must talk about workouts. How can I not? I have found the perfect race for my first 5K!
I branched out my search a bit and found the Run the River 5K. Look at how perfect!!
- on April 16, just under 2 weeks after finishing the C25K program (great timing)
- its local (within 30 mins driving distance)
- the course description = FLAT, fast (ha, not me!), and easy (yes, please!)
- along a river, so beautiful scenery according to my friend who has raced it
- an out and back loop, which I was informed is a very good thing so you don’t have to walk back to parking (I can see how that matters!)
- my blog buddy Lee said she can do it too!!
Now I just need to decide if I should register now to commit to it…or wait to be sure nothing happens with training since I literally JUST started. Decisions, decisions!
Question of the Morning– Do you like signing up for things early or wait?
Tags: 5K race, body after baby, couch to 5k, post-pregnancy fitness, scale
Haha! I should have known that you were going to find a way to use the scale without actually using the scale! Only you! 🙂 I usually register for races way in advance because longer races tend to fill up and get progressively more expensive as time goes by. Oh! And because they keep me accountable and I cannot abandon training. 🙂
That race looks perfect for you! I don’t think it’s too early to sign up for an April race. I understand you might have hesitation about being new to running, but I think you’re driven and have a solid amount of time to prepare. For me, having a race on my schedule is a big motivator. The destination is awesome, but I love, love the journey through training!
Brilliant! I think as long as you use a scale as a healthy tool and not get to wrapped up in the numbers, it’s very beneficial. It helps you see weight patterns that you can connect to certain times or events happening. Monthly or otherwise. That race looks fun! 😀
I think your solution is perfect and love the idea of not knowing the exact number, just knowing if you went up or down. Brilliant!
I say GO FOR IT for the race!!!!!
I think that’s an awesome solution. Although I might go kind of nuts if my boyfriend knew my weight and I didn’t- I guess that’s the trust that comes with being married as opposed to dating, haha 🙂
I sign up for races super early. I’ve had race fever lately- four coming up in the next few months!
Oh I’m sure it will make me curious and drive me batty sometimes too. But I will just remind myself why. 🙂
normally i like to sign up for something i know i’m going to do, but i think in this case it might be smart to wait another week or so…just in case you need to slow down the training for any reason!
I think number 3 is a perfect criteria! I would have never thought of that, but really it is ideal and will help you focus more on yourself and being healthy rather than on a number. Congratulations on making these decisions, I’m sure they took a lot of time and thought.
I love that you are going to have your hubby keep track of the number for you! For the longest time when I got weighed at the doctor I wouldn’t look and I would ask them just to tell me my progress from the last visit!! 🙂
Your scale decision sounds very smart and well-thought-out. Having your husband weigh you is a great idea!
I LIKE to sign up for races early, but I usually wait until the last minute.
I think your plan with the scale sounds great 🙂
And that race sounds a good first one 🙂 I like to do things early, myself. 🙂
Great idea getting you husband to do the tracking. I totally agree with the putting more emphasis on how clothing fits. Muscle weights more than fat! 🙂
I am doing that race too! I grew up near there and it is a GREAT course.
Oh, yay! It seems like a pretty popular race. I’m stoked for it. 🙂
That sounds like a good plan to me :o) I know you will do what is right for you and your situation because you are responsible! I am excited for your race!!! Can’t wait to hear about your training and the race day!!
This is fantastic! I love your healthy, wonderful mindset toward fitness and weight loss. Super excited to follow your training!
I LOVE the idea of that kind of scale vs. the usual…what a great idea. And I am completely on the same page as you with all that you have described in terms of weight loss and not becoming focused on the number. I’m looking forward to reading your journey on this!
[…] want to say thanks so much for all of your comments on my decision with the scale. And also for the race. I am 100% mentally committed to the race, but I may wait a few more weeks before officially […]
That sounds like an awesome race! You are going to rock it for sure. 😀
I love this sensible decision wrt weigh in! That’s awesome that you have Peter to help, and that you’re not going to know or post absolute numbers. And your blog accountability will help you stay on track too 🙂
Congrats on the race decision: sounds lovely, and sounds like you’re choosing to do it for pleasure rather than forcing yourself.
I love to sign up for things early and look forward to them, but sometimes I space it and end up last-minute (self-sabotage, I think).
love
Ela
Love your approach!! Very well thought out I can see!
Congrats on the race. I’m thinking about doing a race too in the spring..we shall see:)
oooh a race! how exciting 🙂 I always sign up early in order to keep my focus and motivation. Plus a lot of times you get a better price the sooner you sign up (not sure if that is the case here).
Proud of you Tina! You sound like you are doing well 🙂
I love the idea of Peter knowing your weight and just letting you know whether you lost or gained. I may have to steal that! That would be a great way for me to know if I am losing or gaining without getting caught up in the numbers.
Good for you for finding what will work for you. Good luck with the 5K training. That is great that you found one nearby with such perfect timing.
If it’s a big commitment for me, I like to sign up way in advance. That keeps me accountable to my training. I will sign up for things last minute, sometimes, too, as long as it’s something I am prepared for.
I love that you are running a 5K, I’m working on that too 🙂
Thank you so much for pointing out this race! I am going to sign up for it myself, it looks perfect.
I would say sign up now. There is absolutely nothing that says you have to run it if something happens. You can always turn it into a walk or a walk/run if something happens between now and then.
Love your decision to not know your actual weight 🙂
[…] Question of the Day – Is there anything you feel very strongly about with your reputation and sometimes feel the need to clear the air? I hope you all recognize the importance I place on loving our bodies and also, for me personally, in being genuine and honest (like I did with the scale dilemma). […]
nice technique 🙂