I recently visited the Sydney Fitness Show and as usual it gave me so much food for thought. I mean, there was lots of food there too, but athletes and fitness enthusiasts from all walks of life, from all areas of the country were there to experience a fitness atmosphere, regardless of their training styles, wants and needs. I find it mostly refreshing, but it can also be soul destroying for me... looking at all the wonderfully lean competitors, stand workers engrossed in being part of a brand family and educational speakers who share their views, knowledge and thoughts on their specified field. I felt totally out of shape and out of 'the loop'.

One workshop I attended really hit home about my own progress and regress in some ways. There was so much focus on 'weight'. One girl asked.."what should I weigh?" Inside part of me had to laugh a little because I know that nobody could or should be able to answer that accurately, there are way too many factors to take into consideration! But the sad part of this was a reminder that so many others focus on the scales without being mindful of their body composition or inner health, which is what actually reflects on the outside and how we look and feel. I then tried to remember when I last weighed myself, and I genuinely cant remember, nor do I actually care how much I weigh to be honest. If I look and feel healthy and my clothes sit nicely then i'm winning. In fact I like being heavier, usually means good muscle density and strong bones! I didn't always have this mindset, but it actually isn't that hard to escape once you know how. Just ask me...

So why is it we have the word 'weight' ingrained in our minds?

For so many years the media have used the words 'weight loss' as a marketing tool to sell products and encourage fitness participation. Now for somebody severely obese, Yes 'weight loss' is their initial goal, but even they will need to focus on creating a healthier lifestyle improve their body composition and overall health & wellbeing. Getting caught up in the 'addiction to the scales' cycle is a trap that is extremely unhealthy for us. And more importantly it takes the focus away from the real problems! The neglect of a healthy lifestyle, understanding how to fuel the body to make it function efficiently and even worse, poor mental relationships with food due to the number on the scales. Realistically, changes in the scales rarely just reflect the food we eat and the exercise we do. Hundreds of other factors effect our weight, fluid retention, muscle mass & hormone imbalance just to name a few. 

All areas I shall be blogging about in more detail for sure, but here's a little well known image as a reminder that the scales do not reflect how you look or define your progress.

So strop stressing about your weight, its just another thing that is unique to you and cannot be compared to anybody else. It doesn't define anything about you!

Focus your thoughts and energy on creating a healthier, balanced lifestyle which is the best way to define your progress, it will pay off in so many ways! You'll find YOUR Bodyperfect before you know it.  Educating others on the importance of this and so much more is something I am truly passionate about, book on a free coaching call here if you would like some more guidance.