Oh bathroom scale-from-hell, how I despise thee....let me count the ways!

“Don’t step on it. It makes you cry.”

Yes…sometimes it really does. I admit it. There are days when I wake up feeling fantastic; my belly feels flat, my clothes are fitting well, I have tons of energy, I know I’ve stayed on track with my nutrition and workouts. Then I jump on the scale-from-hell, see the number, and totally deflate.

It’s amazing how something like three little numbers on an inanimate object can bring you so low.  It’s a scale for crying out loud. It doesn’t yell at you, call you names, or tell you that you really shouldn’t have eaten that Snickers bar from your son's Halloween stash. It’s innocent. It just sits on the bathroom floor, waiting….waiting for that day when I decide to take the plunge, step up, and cringe.

What we all need to remember is that number on the scale is just that - a number. It’s only one way to gauge your progress. Why do we put so much emphasis on that number? The only information you get when step on that scale is how much you weigh right at that moment.  All you see is a number that can make you happy or sad. Did you read that? Three numbers that can determine whether you are happy or sad for the entire day….seriously?

So what does that number really say about you? You can’t let it define you or diminish the progress you’ve made physically and emotionally. And remember, those three numbers look completely different on other people. Take a look at the photo to the right.  All of those beautiful women weigh the exact same – 154 pounds – but yet their bodies all vary in size and shape.

I’m 5’8” and have had many people comment that they never would have guessed I weigh 168. To them, that’s a big number (and I sometimes agree) and they're surprised I don't "look it."  But what they don’t always comprehend is that 168 pounds on me looks completely different than 168 pounds on someone who is shorter than me. I’m pretty tall. That means I have more overall body mass than someone who is 5’2”. I have more body, which means I have longer bones and more area to cover with muscle. All of that has weight. And remember a pound of fat weighs the same as a pound of muscle (you’d never guess how many people don’t get that) but muscle is lean and has less mass so it takes up less space in your body. What does that mean? Someone one who weighs 154 pounds but has a lot of muscle actually appears smaller and wears a smaller size than someone the same height, who weighs the same but has a higher volume of fat.

Most of the people I know don’t even use a scale – if they even own one, that is. Most of them measure progress through Non Scale Victories (NSVs) such as having more energy, needing to wear a belt, go down a size in clothing, etc.

So don’t let that scale-from-hell determine your progress or deter you from moving ahead with your goals of living of a healthy, active lifestyle.  Remember: “Healthy is not a weight. It’s not a diet. It’s not exercising 7 days a week and it’s not eating clean 7 days a week. And most of all, healthy Is not the same for everyone.”

From farm to school: Are healthy lunch options availble to your kids?

I’m often reminded of how very lucky we were to move into the school district in which we live in Western New York. Not only are our children receiving an excellent education, they both are in classes with teachers who truly seem to care about them, their growth, their health, and their education.

One of the things I really like about our school is the healthy options they offer our children. Of course, on pizza day they choose pizza (wouldn’t you?) but on the other days when they buy lunch I’m amazed that not only are there healthy options, they actually CHOOSE the healthy option (like yogurt parfait with fresh fruit and milk). I mean, we’re talking about children who are in kindergarten and second grade.

Of course there’s the usual mac’n cheese, processed chicken patties, and canned veggies offered for lunch, but the district also offers salads, the yogurt, and lots of fresh fruit. 

Would I like them to do more? Of course I would but sometimes it’s just not feasible. Like everything, it costs money and there’s only so much to go around.  There is a push nationally to start bringing more local, farm fresh foods into schools. In the past, due to distribution agreements it was very hard for districts to use local food sources but it got easier in 2008 and again in 2010 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture created and then reapproved the Farm to School program in an attempt to get more healthy foods into school cafeterias. 

Earlier this year, the USDA conducted a study that surveyed schools in the U.S. to find out about their involvement with the Farm to School program and the results are promising: “Six percent of U.S. school districts reported serving locally produced food in school meal programs during the 2011-12 or 2012-13 school years and an additional 9 percent planned to serve local foods in the future.”

But that same study also showed that 44 percent of the districts either didn’t know if they participated in the program or said they had no plans to serve local food or conduct other similar activities.

In New York State, 41 to 60 percent of districts serve locally produced food. I don’t know if my district participates, but you can bet I’m going find out. But in the meantime, I’m just happy they are taking small steps to introduce healthy food options to my kids.

Our kids don’t buy lunch every day. We pack lunches for them and always make sure they have healthy foods (that they like) tucked in. It’s just one small way we continue to reinforce our healthy lifestyle. And it shows when come home and tell me they made their own healthy choices that day. 

The Skinny on My Strong Life

Hi! Thanks for visiting my new blog and taking a few moments to learn a little about me and Healthy Blooms Forever.

2010 post-pregnancy

I wasn’t always interested in being healthy and leading an active lifestyle. In fact, it wasn’t until I hit my early 30s that I finally realized I had to start doing something or else I could end up not only out of shape, but very sick. There is a history of Type II Diabetes in my family as well as obesity and heart and kidney problems. It took some time, but I finally decided I was the only person who could take control of my life and prevent those things from happening.

At first I started on a famous, national program where I went to meetings each week and counted everything I put into my mouth. I was also introduced to Adult Recreational Rowing, which I fell in love with almost instantly. I was amazed. I went from doing almost nothing exercise-wise to rowing in an 8-person shell on Saratoga Lake! This, combined with my nutrition program, really worked for me. I lost 20 pounds.

But then life changed. I moved away and met my future husband. And while I continued to row – I was lucky enough to move to a place where rowing has a long history – I started to gain weight because I was no longer watching my nutrition

Then a few other changes took place – I got married, which I quickly followed up with having two beautiful little boys and gaining at least 30 pounds. I did that national program again, but it just didn’t stick. So I gave up and just increased my exercise. By now I had become used to being very active. And even though I had to give up rowing I didn’t stop moving.

Triathlon ready!

Instead, my husband convinced me to start doing sprint triathlons. Talk about a test of willpower! Iwas an exercise machine – out running, biking or swimming 5 times a week plus taking classes at my local YMCA. But still the pounds didn’t come off.

It wasn't until I met my coach, that it finally dawned on me that I needed to start thinking differently about what I was putting IN my body, as well as what I was doing WITH my body. I started journey with the 21 Day Fix. It was wonderful. At the end of my first round, I’d lost nearly 7 pounds and 10 inches. The videos were awesome. I did them even though I was still training for my triathlon. I loved the program and the other “Fixers” I met through it so much that I decided to become a coach and help other busy, working women find the right fit of nutrition and exercise so THEY can take control of THEIR lives, too!

Just learning how to treat food differently has been amazing for me.

It’s hard to change. We all know that. But you are moving in the right direction just by reading this – my story.

Do I still struggle? Heck, yes! Everyday a new challenge pops in front of me – drinks with friends, dinner with my husband, vacations, picnics, etc. – and while I do allow myself to enjoy these times I always make sure I jump right back at it as soon as I can. I don’t use it as an excuse to go back to my unhealthy lifestyle.

You can do it. So what if you’re not ready to jump on a bike and ride 12 miles! Just making the decision to get up and move – even if it’s just walking 500 steps to start – is fantastic.

I want to help. I want to be there for you. I want to help lift you up if you slip and celebrate each success with you. I want to hear the joy in your voice with every Non-Scale Victory and give you a big hug when you cross the finish line of your first 5K. I’m with you all the way on this journey.

I’m here to help you bloom into the person you want to be.

Won’t you join me?

You can learn more about Healthy Blooms Forever at our Facebook, where we will post and share recipes, host challenge groups, and just provide support. Visit us at:Healthy Blooms Forever Facebook Page




“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
- Vivian Greene