The Scale at the Gym

THE SCALE AT THE GYM

She said:

I don’t know why I did it.

 

I said:

You just weighed yourself?

 

She said:

Yup,

While you were in the sauna

I knew you would tell me not to do it

I knew that it wasn’t going to feel good.

But I was compelled to.

I don’t know why I did it.

 

I said:

Awww, my dazzling, deep dear friend.

You are SO much more than any number on a scale.

 

What I wished I had said.

And what I will have said once she reads this is…

 

I know exactly why you did it.

 

Because this goddamned scale has a place of prominence in our sanctuary of self-care – it’s the centerpiece

 

Because this machine is designed to distill your entire self-worth into one tiny metric that doesn’t actually have any true bearing on your well-being.

 

Because our society is obsessed with size and has mistakenly made thin the only thing that equals beautiful.

 

Because we were raised to measure our self-worth via external factors instead of our own intrinsic value.

 

Because we are trained to find out how we are by checking outside of ourselves instead of tuning in.

 

What I would have said

If I had been in the room when she was being seduced by the numerical fortune teller,

and what I invite you to ask yourself if you ever want to step on a scale

 

What are you asking this inanimate collection of metal and electronics to tell you?

Are you looking for validation? Affirmation? A cheering section?

Are you looking for scolding?

Are you setting yourself up for a shame attack?

Are you not sure how you really feel and know the scale will give you the familiar but limited emotional range of…

Number down = feel good

Number up = feel bad

 

And

 

What do you REALLY feel right now?

What do you really need right now?

What would really nourish you right now?

I bet it’s not the number on the scale.

 

~ Nina Manolson

For more of my poetic essays: https://ninamanolson.com/food-for-thought/

 

 

Nina Manolson, M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Nationally Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Psychology of Eating Coach, Body-Trust® Guide.

 

 

 

If you’d like help with navigating an authentic and respectful relationship with your body. Let’s talk.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nina Manolson, MA, NBC-HWC, board certified Health Coach, Psychology of Eating Coach and Certified Body-Trust Provider, believes that every woman deserves to feel good in her own body.

She helps women create a healthy and positive relationship with their food and body so they can love their body and life! She’s the founder of NinaManolson.com and The Nourished Woman Nation.

She helps busy women feel good in their own body.. She specializes in working with women over 40 who have tried other diets and approaches but are still struggling with their body and food.

She’s the creator of the BODY-LOVE MAP and the recipient of the prestigious Health Leadership Award from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

To get your F.R.E.E. ebook: HOW TO BE A WOMAN AT EASE IN YOUR BODY  click here.