Six Fun Things to Do with Your Scale! (December 2013)
Now that summer is over once and for all, have you surrendered to finally given up the scale? As you are well aware the scale psychologically can make you feel better or worse about yourself and your efforts with food. Here are some fun ideas of how you can have some closure with your scale for good.
- Make an art project out of your scale. In my office I have a client-made scale on display and it is one of the most beautiful scales I have seen. My client was ready to trust and listen to her body. What I mean, is that she took some of her “forbidden foods” and made a work of art. This one in particular has a donut glazed under where the number would be and the scale is painted hot pink and covered with wall paper. The borders are lined with cereal and candy which she used to binge on. It then has the word carbs painted above the donut. By decorating her scale, she received the necessary closure, to eat all carbohydrates without feeling like she has “blown it”.
- Put positive messages on the scale. This can only work on non-digital scales. This would also require you to take the scale apart so you can put some positive phrases in it. Examples would be “I love myself”, “I am amazing”, “I am fit”, “and I am beautiful”.
- Destroy it. Yes you heard me correctly destroy it. I have had clients throw it off the balcony of where they live which I probably wouldn’t recommend as this could be dangerous. This is nice closure as let’s face it you have had a love hate relationship with this part of your life and the scale has not reflected true behavioral changes. I can go on and on, but destroying it is a nice way to move forward.
- Donate it. It is a tax right off, so why not?
- Put a plant or tree on it. This could work as a nice stand in your home as sometimes those plants don’t get the right height that we want right?
- Have a funeral or a good bye ceremony. I know this sounds strange but you have to admit that the scale has served a purpose for you in life or it wouldn’t be a behavior that you would keep practicing. It is like a relationship that doesn’t work. It is nice to see how it has helped you during those challenging times, making easier to say goodbye. Maybe a friend who has some type of disordered eating, and who understands what you have been through can offer some support. It is just a thought.
These are the six ideas of how you can say adios to your scale for good. Hope this helps in your journey to being able to trust and listen to your body.
