Monday, August 10, 2020

Weighing In

 


Proverbs 11:1
The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.

This past week, I have a wellness check scheduled with my doctor via the Tele-Health system.  What a relief it is to have that technology!  Since I wasn't going to be physically present, I decide to take my blood pressure and temperature, then head downstairs to the scale.

I must tell you that, even though we have a scale, I'm not one to use it.  I've held steady for years at what I consider an acceptable weight, so I in no way expect the unfamiliar numbers flashing at me.

What???  I've gained five pounds?  Since January?

This truly comes as a shock.  I mean, my pants still fit, so what's up with that?  Hold on - am I not tightening the belt where I once did?  I question the accuracy of the scale, but my husband, Danny, who weighs himself regularly, assures me that it is correct.  He even admits to thinking that I might be getting a bit thicker in the waistline, "But I'd never have said anything, Martha, because you still look great to me!"

Smart man.

Anyway, when I tell my doctor about the weight gain, he doesn't seem alarmed in the least, chalking it up to Covid-19 inactivity (which I'm sure does count for some of it as we only got our treadmill and weights at the end of July), and suggests that I could be retaining water, too.  It's a common side effect of the medicine he's prescribed for me.  I'm skeptical about that; I'm more inclined to believe that I really need to make good and frequent use of our exercise equipment.

And the extra pounds I'm currently carrying?  I'm not overly concerned.  For years, I've thought I don't weigh enough for my height and age.  So, if I can convert the extra bulge to muscle, and stay around the new weight, I'm fine with that.

I know the scale will keep me honest.

Amen!

36 comments:

  1. You are a very brave woman to put your honesty about the weight gain on media. Who knows? It might become the next excuse for disrupting the universe. LOL And I must say Danny is well-trained...aaahhh I mean smart. Age does have a way of creeping up on us..or is that the weight gain? I cycle but I still hover around a certain weight, largely because I lift weights. And YOU KNOW muscle weighs more than fat. Least that is what they tell me so I'm sticking to that! Have a great day today on the treadmill. :)

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    1. I've heard that, too, Bill, but I'm not seeing much of the muscle stuff these days - certainly something I'm determined to work on! And maybe I did put a ripple in the universe by discussing my weight, but notice I didn't tell anyone how MUCH I weigh. :) Yes, Danny is definitely well trained in the husband department.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. I'd say 5 lbs. in this lockdown isn't too bad! I know we are not quite as active as we should be, but for us it has been too hot to get outside much. We do take our daily walks, but again, not as far as we could do when the weather is a little cooler and less humid. I'm sure your new exercise equipment will help you turn those extra lbs. to muscles in no time! I don't get on the scales very often either...maybe I need to check it out...it's been a while...but, no...I'll wait on the weight...don't want to spoil my day! LOL. Have a blessed day Martha!

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    1. I hear you, Pamela, about getting on the scales and spoiling the day. That's what happened when I weighed myself out of necessity. But I do believe that with our exercise equipment, I can get back into shape in a matter of months. That's encouraging!
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Helpful Advice: I have found out that if I hold on to something, (a chair), whilst weighing myself I am usually a few pounds lighter.

    Before I discovered this, I used to tell the doctor my weight and he said that according to my weight I should be 1 mile in height. So I have yet to grow some more.

    God bless.

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    1. You are hilarious, Victor! Thanks for making me feel better about my unexpected weight gain. :)
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. It's called the Covid 5. It's shown up everywhere, and doesn't discriminate as to age, gender, geography, and all other demographics.

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    1. The Covid 5? That's great, Glynn! At last, something that doesn't discriminate has emerged in the news cycle. That's a relief! :)
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Smart man, indeed! I shouldn't, but still weigh myself every morning -- at least not several times a day like I was known to do in my 20's. Highly doubt I'll get back in a size 6, but I'm content simply to feel good and appreciative of what I can still accomplish.

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    1. I hear you, Mevely! We do need to be appreciative of who we are and all we have no matter how much weight we may or may not gain. We are beloved children of God, and I'm sticking to that!
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Thanks, Martha! I think you've made us all feel a little better. I try not to weigh myself very often because I can get obsessed but I have seen a few pounds creep onto the scale as well. Blessings and hugs!

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    1. I'm glad I was able to make you feel better, Deb. I love how Glynn said above that it's the "Covid 5" creeping up on us. There are so many of us in the same boat due to inactivity.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. You are brave and honest, Martha. :) And such a blessing when our husbands still compliment and love us even if we do gain some. :) Love and blessings to you!

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    1. Trudy, I'm so grateful to Danny for NOT mentioning that he thought I was starting to pack on some pounds. It was bad enough seeing it myself on the scale! Anyway, this too shall pass, and I'll keep on working out.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. Danny is a smart man! I say throw out the scale, but keep Danny😊

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    1. I like that idea, Beckie! But since Danny really likes to weigh himself, that's not an option. I've decided to only weigh myself once a week; otherwise, I'd go a bit nuts.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Martha, you're brave for sharing this--weight is an interesting thing--it's also something a tad dangerous to mention.

    The worse type of weight we can carry isn't what shows up on an weight scale--the weight of various labels, shame, and guilt. This is the weight that our Lord is more than able to remove if we'll allow it.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Amen, Kim! Shame, guilt and regret are the worst weights we can carry. But thankfully, we can go to our gracious Lord, and He will place those as far as east is from west. He is our only hope!
      Love and blessings!

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  10. I keep telling the doctor that my med list I carry with me weighs 10 pounds. He just smiles and says "Yes, I know." At least I can fib to myself. Now, if only I was nine feet tall! :-)

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    1. J. D., I wanted to joke that my uncut hair put the pounds on, but I know that's simply not true. :) We can fib to ourselves, but God knows the reality of who we are. And you know what? He loves us just the same!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Oh, the scale! I have also gained since January, five to seven pounds, depending on the day. I have sure been giving some thought to getting rid of the carbs (again). I still have so much more to lose...

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    1. I certainly hear you, Terri, and losing weight can feel like an obstacle we can't overcome. But I do know you've done it before, and you have the road map at your disposal. Best wishes for reaching your goal!
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Martha, It was not until I counted my calories that I was able to shed 5 pounds. Having done that for a few months now I better understand how quickly calories add up. I also narrow my eating window to 8 hours. I eat at 10, 2 and 5-6 and stop after that. I found the duration from 6pm - 10 am was a good fasting window time as after 12 hours a body burns fat. Best wishes, and yes, exercise really is an important component.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your routine, Valerie. I'll have to look into the whole counting calorie thing as I've never had to be concerned about that before. As I said in the post, I'm okay with the weight, I simply want to work on converting it to muscle.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. I dislike those scales. I do not weigh at my Doctor’s office and they don’t insist. I weigh everyday at home though. I have lost weight during the lockdown. I am happy over that. I’m with you when I notice them gently creeping upward. I have to be very careful of sudden weight gain due to my heart failure. Thank goodness our Great God judges us by balanced scales. Love, blessings and keep up the exercise. You look great to me.

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    1. Oh, Nells, I didn't realize you've had heart failure! Danny lives with a pacemaker, so we are having to be so careful, as I'm sure you are, at this time of Covid. Please stay safe and well, my friend!
      Love and blessings!

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  14. I keep hearing people complaining about gaining weight during this unusual time and yet I have lost about 8 pounds and am staying steady there. I just don't seem to need as much food any more even though I do still eat snacks especially in the evenings.

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    1. Lucky you, Diane! I'll be working to take off the pesky pounds, but not too concerned if they don't depart. Honestly, I was too thin anyway.
      Love and blessings!

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  15. There are some weight fluctuations up or down connected to our lifestyle changes during the pandemic. But your point about the accurate scales fits so well with the honest look at ourselves that this situation gives us the opportunity to take.

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    1. Yes, these times have certainly made me take a closer look at myself, and to be as honest as possible about what God's revealing to me, Galen.
      Love and blessings!

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  16. My weight has basically stayed the same for years too, but this year? I've gained a few extra pounds too, even though I feel like I'm eating the same amount as always. I'm chalking it up to less activity and to menopause. Fun stuff! :)

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    1. Oh, Lisa, there is nothing fun about menopause! It really can wreak havoc with what we assume as normal in our lives. I wish I could blame the weight gain on that, but at age 65, that is well behind me. Nope! Just have to face facts, and deal with the situation as it unfolds.
      Love and blessings!

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  17. Oh, boy! Do I understand this feeling. Only mine is multiplied many times over. Five pounds would be a wonderful amount to need to lose! LOL! I am doing the intermittent fasting still and it is really quite an "exercise" of self-control. The Lord is helping me each day to get through it. I am avoiding the scales until I feel like I have lost a substantial amount. It is so frustrating!

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    1. I hear you, Cheryl! It can be so frustrating, and I'm really impressed that you are actually doing the intermittent fasting. Don't think I could manage that. We all do what we can, how we can.
      Love and blessings!

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  18. When I saw your photo of a scale I thought oh no. I have such a love/hate relationship with that menace. LOL. I too am up 5 pounds since COvid started and am working hard to get it off now, Let's keep encouraging each other, Blessings!

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    1. Yes, let's do precisely that, Jean - encourage! We all need a bit of cheering on and cheering up these days.
      Love and blessings!

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