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You see it, it is staring at you, it stares at us all…the scale.  A measurement tool that defines who we are to society if someone is in shape or not in shape.  Meaningless numbers to constantly chase when trying to achieve fitness goals.  Who deems these magical numbers?  Society.  Your weight is asked by your family, friends, strangers, judging or admiring, doctors, radio, TV, and even the Department of Motor Vehicles ask for profiling reasons.  Weight is a number to profile, not to measure fitness goals.

Society will look and judge on many levels.  One judgment happens to be calculated by a scale.  How much do you weigh will always be an awkward embarrassing question to answer.  It also can be insulting to ask.  Just ask any girl, just be sure to put your guard up to block the right cross coming at your face.  Society made it this way.  No one knows when, no one knows how, and no one knows why.  Logically we can attest blame to television and fashion.  Anyone can look at a person and know if they are fat or fit.  Knowing someone’s weight does not determine that, our eyes do the measuring.

When it comes to weight measurement every individual’s body on this planet is different.  Can people be similar, of course, but still their body composition is different.  The Body Mass Index happens to be one of the most inaccurate measurement formulas used by physicians and fitness facilities.  The BMI formula is based on one’s weight and height.  It does not take into account muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, and if you are male or female.  For example how wrong the formula can be, a male that is six feet tall and 220 pounds with just seven percent body fat would be considered overweight or obese – just based on his weight and height.  Again, starting off with the base unit measurement of weight.

So when working out, look to the mirror, look to your clothes, and look to the compliments received by the people who notice your body composition changes.  The scale can still be used, but just as a tool to keep you on track to your fitness goals.  Remember when losing weight you also build muscle so again the scale will not be an accurate form of measurement.  When striving for muscle gains, measure your chest, back, arms, waist, and legs, as well as your strength increases.  Chase your fitness goals, whether it be to design your body to be more socially appealing or to compete in a physical challenge.  Look to yourself not to a scale.  Keep working till you are happy with what you see in the mirror and then keep going!

Fitness Tip:  Looking at the amount of weight you are lifting can be more detrimental than looking to a scale.  Remember lift as heavy as you can without losing your form.  Don’t worry about the guy next to you lifting those large weights.  You will get there more effectively the right way instead of the injured wrong.

 

You can follow Bryan on Facebook/Instagram @TheLOOKFitness

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