Coffee and Blogging is quite possibly the best combination. Like.. peanut butter and an apple. Two things that were just meant to go together. What are some others.. hmm. 
Rainy weather and naps.
Chocolates and flowers.
Me and ice cream.

But today I want to talk about the worst combination ever.
Scales and society.
Ugh.

As many of you know, I am a personal trainer. I work with short women, REALLY tall women, Asian women who don't speak much english, women who've had multiple back surgeries. You get the point.

And you know what I've noticed? So many of them get so upset over that damn number on a piece of plastic that they place beneath their feet.

Now please don't get me wrong. I have been there. Boy, have I BEEN THERE. I can recall days where the number who fluctuate up and I'd cry. Regardless of the way I felt of my reflection, that number told me that the pride and joy I felt in my appearance was a lie, because I was heavier. My self worth depended 110% on my weight that day.
That is my biggest regret.
And I want to do everything I can to ensure that no one else knows what that feels like.

So I decided to do a little experiment.
I asked three different people what they thought I weighed.
(Haha, the one question you NEVER ask a woman.)
So here's what I receieved:
130 lbs
130 lbs
140 lbs.

ALL WRONG.

The look on their face when I told them the correct number is 150lbs was PRICELESS. Do we all have it in our heads what a certain number looks like? There is NO SUCH THING. Every body is different. Every person is different.

All of these women here are 150 lbs. Do I look like any of them or do they look anything like each other? NO. But guess what? They are all beautiful and I am beautiful. (And it's okay to say that, ladies) The number on the scale cannot take that from them.

And you shouldn't let it take anything away from you, either.

I cannot tell you how much I wish I would've walked away from the scale. This journey should be about being HEALTHY, STRONG, and having CONFIDENCE.

Not about some imaginary number that will mean you have finally reached the goal of the perfect body. That body doesn't exist! Focus on how you feel! Do you have more energy? (..yes) Do your clothes fit better? (Yes.) Do you feel healthier and more confident? (YES!!!)

These are the things that should matter most!

Adopting a healthy lifestyle isn't about loosing weight for Spring Break or because you're going to a high school reunion and you just HAVE to look hot so your high school boyfriend realizes what he is missing. It's about knowing how good your body is designed to feel. It's about treating your body like the temple that it is! Eating foods that nourish your body (and occasionally your soul, what's up Ben and Jerrys) and exercising to make sure you're strong and flexible. It's about enhancing the quality of your overall life so that it may be long and happy.

I have a bathroom in my scale that I step on a couple times a week. But after I finish posting this, I will relocate it to where it belongs.

The dumpster.

You are more than just a number, ladies. You are your thoughts, your feelings, your attitudes, the nice things you do for others, the way you get ready for work in the morning, the way you sing Katy Perry in the car, the generosity you display, and how incredibly amazing you are.

And my friends, a number simply cannot measure that.