Weight loss? Or health improvement?

I was reflecting on a number of people I’ve seen recently and over the years, who gave up exercise because ‘they didn’t see much weight loss.’ This baffles me. Exercise provides so many health benefits, yet because a person didn’t perceive weight loss, they stopped. Eating well provides so many health benefits, yet people only focus on the number on the scale, not the improved glucose levels, or improved mobility, and hopefully improved energy.As an extreme example, I saw a wonderful woman who has gone from 250 pounds down to 135 pounds over a few years, yet is frustrated that she can’t seem to get to 122 pounds? Why? She looks just fine. Her metabolic numbers on the blood tests are fantastic. Her energy is great, yet this ‘magical’ number seems her sole focus. Again, why? I want people to strive for anything they want, but to strive with a purpose. Will moving from 135 pounds to 122 pounds after losing 100 pounds bring more happiness? Will one be healthier? If those 10 pounds are muscle loss because she isn’t exercising, her actual health will be worse not better, even though she has achieved this psychological bench mark of 122 pounds.Most days I feel the scale is a curse for a lot of people. I’ve seen, all too often, people feeling better, having more energy and less aches and pains. Yet they become despondent because the number they see is not what they expected, or hoped for.Remember, it is just a number. It doesn’t really tell you anything about muscles, or bone, or water, and it certainly isn’t a number that reflects fat. Really the only way to realize ‘fat’ loss, is when your clothes are looser. If they are looser, you have lost fat! The number on the scale is then meaningless.Another case was a woman who “only” lost 3 pounds on the scale, yet with further inquiry I found out she had gone down a full size in clothes (equivalent to 10 or 12 pounds of fat loss!).Be proud of any behaviour changes you have made. If you are snacking less, be proud! The scale doesn’t matter. If you are exercising more, be proud. The scale doesn’t matter because you are achieving health goals! Ultimately energy will be better, any abnormal blood work will improve, and ultimately you WILL see changes in that scale number.Weight loss is about behaviour change. As you improve negative eating and exercise behaviours, the loss will occur. Please don’t let a lack of change in the scale discourage you from continuing on your health journey.You can do it. Look at all aspects—sleep, activity, stress, food, relationships—-all of these impact positively and negatively on your weight.Stay with it. Don’t ever give up!Dr. B