Judge A-Weigh!

In the beginning, weigh-in days are exciting! The first couple weeks or so, the scale tells you lots of nice things and your momentum builds. Then, after you’ve stabilized a little, the scale says, “Sorry. This weigh-in is not an instant winner. Thank you and try again next week!” Yeah, the meager consolation is that there isn’t a gain, but it's still a little disappointing.

That’s where I’m at right now. Last week, I lost one pound. This week, only two tenths of a pound which brings me to 197.8 pounds. I didn’t think it could get much skimpier than a one pound loss, but TWO TENTHS?! Ok, I AM grateful that I didn’t gain anything, but it’s frustrating when you know you’re doing pretty well (and exercising EVERY day - burning 3,000 or more calories every week) and it’s not paying off! It’s aggravating when you feel like you look and feel better (and KNOW you really gave it your all) and there is nothing to supposedly show for it.

However, the gym scale said differently (-3 pounds) but that's because I was concerned that it would show zero (or a gain) because of what I weighed at home. So, I made sure not to eat/drink a whole lot and just have a snack AFTER the weigh-in, and have dinner after my workout instead of before going to the gym. That must have made the difference. Though, their scale and my scale now say the same (usually, theirs is two pounds more than mine). So, I hope that doesn't mess up next week's weigh-in somehow. Guess I should do the same thing for next week's weigh-in too! ;)

I think our team is doing pretty well! There were several members that I didn't see at the gym, but there were four of us that did a P90X lower body workout with Blake tonight (and we were all feelin' it!). It was intense; and we weren't even using weights! There were two times where my legs totally gave out and I fell down - but I guess that's a good sign that it's working lol. ;) I can't wait to get my own DVDs later this week (though, it's the basic P90 and not 90X - I'll work my way up to that!). I've been doing Turbo Jam for so long, and I think transitioning to a better and more intensive workout routine will help me to start progressing again. The body needs something fresh or it will get too used to what you're doing and quit working for you.

With this in mind, I'm not thinking too much about the scale itself. It can't accurately judge success in every sense of the word. Though, to most of us, the scale seems to be the defining factor of progress. It’s the judge’s gavel that confirms a verdict of success or failure. Each weekly weigh-in feels like “judgment day”. However, as I pointed out in my recent article on Examiner.com, the scale doesn’t reflect the total picture of growth and victory (please, feel free to read that article!).

Success is multi-faceted. It isn’t merely confined to one aspect; namely, the scale. There are so many variables in the mix and the scale only measures one of them. The scale can only tell me what I have lost or gained in physical pounds. It cannot measure gains or losses emotionally/mentally/spiritually. Yet, as humans, we have the tendency to think one-dimensionally and so we cheat ourselves out of depth.

If I’m honestly looking at the many views of this bigger picture, I like what I’m seeing! I can truly say that I’m proud of my progress and that I’m not a slacker (or a “jacker” lol). While I’m not perfect by any means, I’m more self-controlled than I have been. I feel like I’m being more accountable and that my portions are better controlled and that I am making better choices. I am also trying to push harder when I exercise, and I hardly have a day where I DON’T workout. I always say that I will have one rest day, but exercise is now so much of a habit (even though I don’t always like it) that I feel annoyed if I don’t do SOMETHING.

I also feel like my strength, energy, and endurance is building. My stress level is lower and my mood also seems to be improving (well, aside from this “time of month” which is more than likely factoring in with my stalled progress at the moment). I also continue to hear others say that they can see the changes in me (and my clothes DO fit better; or are getting bigger as I get smaller).

The bottom line is, there is no ultimate measuring stick for progress. It’s different for everyone and there are lots of ways to see/measure success! No one can look down on me; not even the scale! ;) I’m giving it my all, and that will always be good enough. It sort of reminds me of how Jesus asked his disciples about who others said He was. They gave all sorts of answers, but then He asked “who do you say I am?” Peter saw and knew Jesus for who He was, and confessed Him as the Christ and Jesus blessed him for it (Matthew 16:13-20). Yet, later on, Peter was the very one to deny Christ when he was questioned by others after Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:71-72).

We are all "Peters". Sometimes, we display amazing faith, confidence, and success and sometimes we don‘t. Whether it’s weight-loss or not, we’re not going to be perfect (Romans 3:23). Everyone has their high points and low points, and usually things don’t turn out exactly the way we hope or think they should. However, we shouldn’t be asking a scale, people, the media, etc. “who do you say I am?” We should continue to ask God, “who do you say I am?” Why? Because God’s answer isn’t based on how good or bad you do (Ephesians 2:8-10). It has NOTHING to do with you and no one or nothing can influence God‘s view of you (John 8:15, James 4:11-12). On the other hand, the world ALWAYS has an ever-changing answer of who we are supposed to be based on the current trends, sciences, doctrines, and personal opinions. No one can keep up (or measure up) to that! It’s impossible; not to mention ridiculous (1 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 2:4). We don’t live to please men, but God (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4). Why try to earn the approval of the world and their “salvation” when Christ’s blood is what paid it all and sets you free (1 Peter 3:18, Galatians 5:1)?! You’re not under law, but GRACE (Romans 6:14, Galatians 2:21). Praise God! Aren’t you glad that Jesus doesn’t have a “jury of your peers” influencing His verdict on you?! ;) I think we would all be doomed if he did! I don’t want the scale, Hollywood, or the fitness gurus sitting beside Him saying “by our calculations, she’s no good!”

That, my friends, is the most WONDERFUL thing about Jesus! Whenever you ask Him “How am I doing? Who do YOU say I am?“ the answer is always the same, because HE never changes like the world does (James 1:17) His answer is based on love, compassion, mercy, understanding, and grace. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). There is no judgment or condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1-2). He loves and accepts us completely and unconditionally and gently molds us through His loving discipline into the likeness of His Son (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6, Romans 8:29). He doesn’t roll his eyes, crack the whip, and say “Well, you screwed up! Straighten up! What’s the matter with you? Can’t you do anything right?” (actually, that’s what Satan says). Rather, His Holy Spirit assures us and builds us up with the fact that we are His children and He loves us (Acts 20:32, Ephesians 4:16, Romans 8:17). NOTHING can separate us from the love of Jesus (Romans 8:35-39). It’s an amazing comfort to me, because on days like this where I am tempted to feel like I’m not “good enough” because of a scale, Jesus says: “I’m proud of you! I accept you! Don’t give up! I am with you, always!” (Romans 15:7). Thank You, Jesus, for never leaving me and giving me the strength to do all things (Philippians 4:13)! I WILL get there!

So, my dear scale, judge a-weigh! Ha ha! You can measure my outsides, but you can never measure my heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Neither you, nor anyone else, defines me or my growth and success! I am defined by Christ, and my Daddy is proud of His princess!! I know I have many brothers and sisters who are proud of me too, and we are all in this together!! God bless you all!!