I just saw a tweet from SELF Magazine that said, “Kyra Sedgwick Swore Off Her Scale. Should You? http://ow.ly/27Vp7”

I replied, “Already did—years ago.”

In the blog post that SELF linked to, Sedgwick said, “I’m so grateful that I don’t get on a scale because it’s never going to be the right number.”

And that’s the truth! Although it’s tempting to track pounds lost, it’s so discouraging to see the same number, or even worse—rapidly fluctuating numbers due to bloat, water retention, etc.

SELF also posted the following:

Ultimately, studies show that scales can be counterproductive when it comes to weight loss. In a 2006 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota researchers found that the most scale-obsessed students were more likely to skip meals, use diet pills or laxatives, smoke, and binge and vomit to lose weight. And, this group ended up gaining twice as much weight as the less scale-inclined subjects.

As someone who used to be a slave to the scale, I can affirm what the University of Minnesota found out about the scale-obsessed. And, to further the destruction of my self-esteem, I’d often fluctuate 5+ pounds in a single day. Women have bodies not particularly built for accurate readings (your breasts weigh something too, ya know, and it’s not typical to want to lose weight off your bosom). To make matters more complicated, it can be very discouraging to check your weight when you are retaining water or fighting bloat before, during and after your menstrual cycle. And, to make matters worse, birth control pills can often increase bloat and water retention. Yikes.

My solution was to give up the scale cold turkey. No more weighing myself obsessively, no more checking the number, no more tracking. I ask the doctor’s office not to tell me what the scale says, and I look away so I don’t see the number. Unless they see a problem with my weight (whether I’m under- or overweight for my height, etc.), I don’t want to hear it. I haven’t checked my weight in over two years.

How, then, do I keep my weight under control? Because I wear clothes. I don’t pay attention to sizes (no one should measure their body using arbitrary industry sizing), but I do pay attention to whether I can fit in clothes I wore several years ago. Do I have to squeeze into a dress that used to fit me like a glove? That’s a sign I need to work out a little harder or watch what I’m eating/drinking. It keeps me sane and gives my wardrobe more longevity.

This approach may not work for everyone, especially if you’re trying to lose more than 20 pounds. In that case, it can be beneficial to track total pounds lost to keep moving toward a goal weight. But, to keep me in check, it’s been effective and far more emotionally healthy than stepping on a scale. I don’t sweat my weight day to day and I instead look at the overall picture.

What do you think?

Guess what I got? Apparently I’m a sucker for punishment, because I picked up this DVD on sale today at Target for $9.

As if 20 minutes of Jillian a day wasn’t enough, now I’m upping it to 40. Luckily this DVD seems to be mostly cardio-based instead of strength training-based so I shouldn’t get too sore. Just sweaty. Lovely.

(P.S. Jiminy Cricket, I love to swim—but have no pool access right now. But, it is definitely one of my favorite ways to have fun and exercise at the same time!)

Anyone used this one? Do you like it?

Nothing gets me motivated to work out like comfortable, cute activewear. Shallow, perhaps, but true!

Forever 21 introduced some activewear—and nothing’s over $16. My pick is the jacket above that has thumbholes in the cuffs to keep the sleeves down while you’re moving around.

Crop Pant, $11; Striped Tank, $6; Sports Bra Top, $10; Jacket, $15

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Week 1 Summary

One week down!

Here are a few thoughts about it so far:

• I was really sore after the first day because I hadn’t used hand weights in a long time (I’m usually all cardio, little strength training), but it was a good kind of sore. A “this DVD is working and is worth it” sore.
• Every time I do it, I find the 20 minutes going by faster and easier. I’m going to progress pretty fast through the levels, I think, which could be good—but then again, I don’t want to plateau out so fast!
• I pulled on a pair of jeggings this morning that were second-skin tight when I bought them and they are actually quite loose around my thighs and waist. Great for my thighs and waist—bad for the jeggings.
• My body adapts quickly to exercise and it doesn’t take long for me to see results. That’s lucky, but it also allows me to get lazy because I think I can slack off and quickly get back into it. I’m trying not to do that this time! But, I already see my body toning up—especially my arms. Oh, for Michelle Obama arms!
• On my “rest” days, I did yoga and pilates. It’s important when starting a new, intense workout, to give your muscles “rest days” to heal themselves. Working out every day can lead to a serious injury if your muscles don’t have time to heal! Be careful!

As you may know, I don’t weigh myself (I don’t even own a scale!), but I think I’ve lost several pounds.

This DVD is exceeding my expectations! Highly recommended. Jackie tested, Jackie approved!

Stop smiling at me Jillian Michaels. I don’t even want to see it.

Started her 30 Day Shred DVD and my legs feel like jelly. I’m wobbling in my booties all over the office. Only 20 minutes you say? 20 minutes of hell that is.

I thought that the 20 pounds in 30 days thing was just a sales ploy, but I think it could be legit.

Here’s the thing about it:

• It’s only 20 minutes, so it doesn’t bore me.
• The circuit training—strength to cardio to abs and then over again and over again—keeps my heart rate high and my muscles burning appropriately.
• There are no official “rest” periods during the 20 minutes but I paused the DVD a couple times for some water. The girl doesn’t kid around when she’s yelling at the TV, “No breaks!” No breaks, meet pause button.
• I liked that none of the exercises were difficult to follow (my number one irritation with workout DVDs) and were ones that I was familiar with. Squats? Crunches? I’ve done all of it before, but the intensity level was high.

Bottom line? I’m the sorest I’ve ever been after using a workout DVD. Even at my most fit, this DVD would still kick my butt.

I think I’m going to alternate days of using this with some yoga or Pilates just to vary up the routine and allow my body a day to recover from the strength training.

If you can’t afford a gym, don’t have one nearby, pay for a gym but don’t use it, hate the gym, whatever—this is a good $11 investment.