The scale... to face it or not to face it... that is the question.

image from AlumniUnit.com

One of the things you have to remember when you are starting to really look at your diet and exercise and make those changes is simple: it didn't take you 2 weeks to put on those pounds and I guarantee you it will not take you 2 weeks to take it off.

That being said, it is ultra important to not let the scale deter you from your weight loss goals. The scale is simply a measurement tool to give you a starting point and a goal weight number. But, ultimately it should be about how you feel, you may need to lose more or less the closer to your "goal number" that you get. It is not the end all, be all of how you're doing in your weight loss.

A few things to remember:

1) Weigh on the same scale every time
2) Do not weigh more than once a week
3) Make sure you are weighing with the same types of clothing on every time, if you weigh in shorts and a tank top one day, don't weigh in sweat pants and a hoodie the next, the scale will show a weight gain - in clothes!

There are other ways to measure your success:

how your clothes feel!
how loose your belt is!
measure your body with a cloth measuring tape like a tailor has - around your biceps, thighs, waist, etc. -you will likely see inches being lost, before pounds, or maybe more inches than pounds, thus more little accomplishments to celebrate!

When you first start losing weight, it will come off relatively faster and easier than later on your journey. For example, because I'm so close to my goal weight - I am toning and gaining more muscle, but I'm only losing about 2 pounds a month, even though I'm still working out 3-4 days a week and eating 1200 calories 5-6 days a week.

Don't get discouraged! You will get there! If you gain one week, or don't lose anything, use that as fuel to pump up your workouts the next week.

You can do it. The only person that can stop you, is you.