Check out my progress on A Word on Weight
This past week, I added a new accessory to my bathroom. No, it was not a stylish soap dish nor a new set of towels—I bought a scale.
As you might expect from a person with a history of an eating disorder, the scale and I have never been friends. Ever since the days of physical fitness tests in gym class, I have grown to hate the scale, as it inevitably brought on bouts of self-loathing. I finally came to realize the evils of the scale after my struggle with anorexia. For the past five years, I’ve shunned the scale like an old enemy.
Truth be told, weight is a valuable indicator of overall health. During these years of scale-free liberation, I’ve been weighed only a handful of times—once per year at the gynecologist’s office, and even then I asked the nurse not to tell me my weight. However, as a person with hypothyroidism, my weight is actually an important number, as it indicates whether or not my medication needs adjustment—hence the recent purchase of a scale. It is my sincere intention to use the scale only as a measure of health and not as a measure of self-worth.
Do you own a scale? How often do you weigh yourself?
Enough about weight, let’s get onto something a little more joyful—food!
Saturday
I was in a dessert-y kind of mood yesterday morning, so I made a batch of my Carrot Cake Oat Bran.
After running a few errands with Seth, I made a simple veggie burger wrap and creamy, dreamy cole slaw.
Dinner was an Ellie recipe, Shrimp Salad with Cucumber and Mint.
Seafood always pairs well with lemon and fresh herbs, so this recipe was tasty enough. However, it was hardly innovative. Meh.
Sunday
I went for a refreshing swim this morning; I had the whole pool to myself. Afterward, I came home and raided my herb garden for breakfast inspiration.
Lunch was another simple concoction, just a PB & honey sandwich and a few crunchy side items.
For the evening meal, I made a curry for me and my cauliflower-lovin’ boyfriend. Judging by his spotless plate after the meal was over, I think he liked it alright.
Before I sign off, be sure to check out today’s cookbook review!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I do think a scale is a good tool to have around if one is able to keep it only as such – a tool, a health AID, NOT an obsession and consequent indicator of personal mood or self worth. Which unfortunately it seems to easily become for many people. I have and use a scale but I only step on it on occasion to keep up a general sense of staying on track. And I do use it more when I feel like I’ve gone a bit off track and am trying to get back on… like right now. That being said, I still only use it as ONE of many methods of keeping track of myself, my body and my habits, not as THE method. I am well aware of number fluctuations between days and even hours and I don’t let it get me down. If anything, I only use it as a motivator.
Loving all your fresh, veggie-packed meals. I need to get some coleslaw!
I haven’t weighed myself since March and honestly at the moment I never plan to again. I don’t know if it’s the best idea for someone with your history to start using one but I hope it works out alright, you’re a smart girl!
Every time I read your blog you remind me more and more of myself. I am around your age (25) and have hypothyroidism too. I’ve been taking my medicine for maybe 5 years now. I do weigh myself but I have not gained any weight from the under-active thyroid. I think as long as your numbers are good, your metabolism should be good.
I don’t weigh myself
I use my Wii Fit as my scale. It has an excellent “KT” avatar (complete with obligatory 80s style side ponytail), keeps a running tally of my weight, and is a silly way to weigh myself. I’ve also been weighing Gwen this way, but I have to weigh her as a cat because they don’t have baby avatars. It also is good because I can’t just hop on it when I want — I have to turn on the Wii, get it to the right part of the game, make sure Gwen isn’t screaming her head off so I can actually weigh myself….
I too have a history of anorexia so shunned the scale after years of using it to jeopardise my health. Now i weigh myself maybe once a month. What i’ve found to be really interesting is that if i weight myself everyday for a month, my weight fluctuates by about 6lbs! Now that i know that it doesn’t bother me but previously that would have been bad news!!! That’s why i only both to weigh myself once a month because it is impossible to stay the same weight day in day out. I believe in staying within a weight range now.
I don’t use a scale as I think it’s definitely a trigger for us all and not an indication of health. Yes, if you’re overweight and need to reassurance in loosing weight, than a scale is just what you need. But with people who have had a history of an eating disorder, or body image problems, I don’t think a scale is helpful in the slightest bit. If you’re at a healthy weight and eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full, you should be at your ideal body weight and shouldn’t need a scale. That’s just my opinion though
mmmmmmmmmm cauliflower curry! me want!!
and I have decided that I need to get back into veggie burgers!! i stopped for a while since they were way too expensive!!
AND shrimp!! prob one of my most fav. foods!!
I hate the scale. I think they were pretty much invented by the devil. I’m sorry that you had to buy one just to keep your weight in check for your hyperthyroidism. I hope that it just remains as that and I will be praying that those eating disorder thoughts don’t come creeping back in again. The eating disorder can be very sneaky that way.
Your meals always look so creative and colorful.
and I think a scale is ok if one can use it and not become emotionally affected by the numbers seen. Weight does fluctuate a lot depending on hormones, fluid balance, etc.
I’m still struggling with anorexia, but I’ve shunned the scale! I used to weigh myself several times a day and the numbers ruled my life; one day, I just threw the darned thing out and haven’t weighed myself since. I already stress enough about my body as is, I don’t need to be stressing about some stupid number on top of that! If you feel strong enough to let a scale back into your life, good for you… but be careful… scales are evil things that can really screw with your mind.
i go through bouts with my scale of weighing and then not, but i find that generally noting the trend (not daily fluctuations) of the number keeps me accountable. the number will change daily but if its up for a couple weeks, ok i might need to break up a little with the costco sized jar of candy that my hand is super glued to…
I don’t use a scale, probably because I have a semi-obsessive personality. So I know that if I were to get one I would be weighing myself all the time and that just would not be a pleasant thing. However, I am in full support of your purchase for your health reasons. I hope it helps you stay on the right track.
Gorgeous meals, as always…I love the shrimp salad the most I think
I do not own a scale, and I never have. I’m only weighed at the doctor’s. I know I’m overweight, and while I’m trying to work on being more active and portion control, I worry frequent weigh-ins would just exacerbate my self-loathing and disgust with myself and might even aggravate my obsessive and perfectionist personality in a way that is really bad. It’s hard, because I don’t know if I *am* losing weight, but I think it’s better for me this way.
we got a scale just this past year…it was on our wedding registry. im not sure why actually. its not in the bathroom, its in the guest bedroom. i have only used it a handful of times because i dont want to get ocd about something that has little to do with my overall health. its a tricky thing though. as a female, there are mind games with weight. i can see how having a history of disordered eating can add in even more complexities. honesty about it all is the key. keep it up caroline!!
I do not own a scale because if I did I would probably become obsessive of my weight. I just try and eat things in moderation. I used to be so afraid to eat because of the chance of gaining weight. I have sinced learned that I missed out on a lot of good food:) and a lot of time spent on hating how I looked. Just keep up the good work. If you feel you can handle owning a scale. Do it. If you have doubts don’t.