June 6 Weigh-In, Week 330

I remain 311.5 lbs.

To me this is one of the most diabolical things about weight loss.  I try to make this whole journey about living fit.  The biggest part of that for me is activity and food choices.  The emotional and psychological aspects are important as well, but I have not focused on that too much.  Like any journey, there are different markers along the way.  When going some where, you use markers like time, distance, road signs, and land marks.  When living fit, some of those markers are time and distance with cardio, lbs. with weight training, ease of climbing stairs, being proud of everything you have eaten, # of days not eating that late night snack, blood pressure, sugar levels, cholesterol, resting heart rate, medicines no longer needed, etc...  The one marker that seems more daunting than all the rest is weight loss.

Weight loss deals simply with the numbers on the scale.  It tells you a lot, but it tells you very little.  How's that for illogical thinking.  What I mean is that changes on the scale over time tells you something is going on.  That is important!  What it doesn't tell you is exactly what and why.

I am not really interested in losing weight.  I want to lose fat.  I am no expert, but if I understand it correctly, metabolism is directly connected to muscle.  The more muscle we have, the higher our metabolism will be.  I know there are other factors involved such and hormones and glands, but that doesn't change my point.  If I lose muscle weight, the scale goes down, but I am much worse off for it.  On the other hand, if I gain muscle, the scale may go up, but I am much better for it.  In one case, I will be less healthy and more likely to gain fat.  In the latter, I will be more fit and likely lose more fat.

The other factor the scale doesn't reveal is hydration.  One thing I learned when I used to watch the Biggest Loser is that the amount of hydration can change your weight by several lbs.  We should all be well hydrated, but regardless, water weight is not something the scale reveals.

Weight change over time, tells us something is going on.  Weight change does not tell us how much muscle, fat, or water is lost or gained.

While I was hoping for a loss, I need to remind myself that I am eating healthy.  I am doing cardio 3x a week.  I am doing strength training 3x a week.  In many respects I am living a fit lifestyle.  Therefore, I must conclude that there are good changes going on inside.  I should not worry about the number on the scale. That will come.

Living Fit Is My #1 Job!