I’m done with the scale.
At least that’s the plan. At least for right now. At least until I crack from curiosity.
Truth is, though, I can’t imagine getting on the scale right now. Not after a nearly nightmarish few weeks that have seen a sharp drop in my workouts, a sharp increase in my days off and numerous psychological games convincing myself that, yes, it is okay if I go to McDonalds today and then go to the gym tomorrow.
The wheels haven’t come off, but I’ve certainly let my guard down a bit. I’ll get to that in a second. First, I don’t think the scale is my friend right now. If I wake up tomorrow morning, there are only three possible readings I can get, and they’ll all wreak havoc on my psyche.
So let’s say the scale goes up. Let’s say, somehow, I am nearing 270 again (not probable, but not impossible). How will that make me feel with three weeks left until I head back to Detroit? Probably hopeless.
But okay, let’s say I lose weight (unlikely, but who knows?). Let’s say I am down to 257. Well, that’s friggin’ great, right? That’s awesome, I am truly fantastic in every walk of life that has to do with losing weight. Ahh, but I am not fantastic in the actual living of life, and will perhaps see the weight loss as a sign that I can relax for the next week or so, since 250 is only a good week and a half away. Yeah, I know my patterns.
Oh, but let’s say there is a negligible difference in my weight (probably the most likely scenario, considering the last few weeks, is that I am between 262 and 266). Well, that puts me right in the middle. Fifteen or so pounds away from 250, but probably just out of reach for the time I leave in mid-July. In that case I will, for some reason, see myself at a crossroads. And I will have to make the decision whether to simply maintain my weight, largely enjoy the next three weeks, and go home bigger than I want to, or make a mad dash to 250 while making myself miserable.
So why put myself through it? The scale measures nothing but weight, right? The most important thing in all of this is to simply stay the course, get back on track as soon as possible, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and let the numbers fall where they may.
Article comments
1 - Kevin
I am absolutely FLOORED with the amount of money you say you spend (spent) on fast food within the confines of a week, Dan. Watch yourself with that-it'll take you back to the dark side if you aren't careful. That said...
My advice in these last 3 weeks is to think about how disappointed you'll be in yourself when you get here if you're over your psychological weight limit. Every time you want to pull in the old In and Out Burger, not pick your ass up and take a walk (what ever happened to the hiking idea?) or go to the gym before work you need to think about how much better you'll feel when you get here knowing you tried your hardest.
2 - Guy
I hate to pull out the bad stuff but I am shocked that you are still alive after indegsting $145 - $200 of fast food in a week. When you get home I'm going to need you to hold a Q&A where we break that down meal by meal.
You better nail these next 2+ weeks man - you'll be far more satisfied with yourself if you finish strong than if you mail it in. Elliptical machines and big salads buddy - that should be your now through July 15th.