"The scale can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity. Thats it. It cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibily, strength, or love" - Unknown

The other day I found myself talking with a friend about weight, and the week before I had a similiar conversation with a friend at the gym. Weight seems to be a present factor in everyone's life. Most people hate when they have to talk about their weight. It seems to be a topic that is feared and dreaded by so many. Some want to lose weight, eat healthier, cut out extra calories, or reach a "goal" weight. Sometimes it seems as if we live in a world caught up on weight.

In our society, everyone seems to want a body like a model or those in magazines or on TV. We take extreme measures to reach our dream weight

goals. It is hard when there is a constant reminder around us of weight, the perfect body, and so on. I’d be lying if I said I did not look at magazines or watch TV and feel insecure about myself at times. As I talked with my friends about weight, we all agreed that we found ourselves much happier when we ditched the scale.

In highschool, I used to workout here and there and had a hard time getting into it. I was super careful what I was eating, and very conscious of the number on the scale. Most of us probably go through this stage in life at some time or another. Once I went to college I got back into the gym. For me, working out is so much more than losing weight, it's more of a mindset. It is a stress relief, an anxiety reducer, a hobby and a way of life.

This time I made a deal with myself. The deal was to not step on the scale unless I had to. I did not and still do not care what the scale says. Of course, I believe in being healthy, but I do not think the number on the scale can tell me specifically how healthy I am. Our bodies can though.

So why is everyone so caught up on the number that the scale reads? We are taught from a young age that our weight puts us into certain growth percentiles. If we are on the low end we are told to eat more food and take vitamins. But if we are in the higher percentiles we are told to cut back and eat healthier.

As we grow up and reach middle school and high school we look at our peers and acquaintances and judge ourselves based off them. Some try crazy diets, supplements, intense workout routines and so much more, but weight is really just a number. That number that shows up once you step on that scale does not tell you anything other than the amount of gravity pulling down on you.

The scale does not tell you how your body has changed; the amount of muscle you have gained, the way your pants fit nicer, and button easier, or how you can climb a hill or stairs without having to catch your breath. The scale neglects to tell us of this. The honest truth is that number on the scale can change three different times in one day.

I have been there, I have been so concerned about that number. Days where it is all you can think about, how you can change it, or make it smaller. The moment I stopped caring was the moment I became so much happier with life and myself. I workout five to six days a week, eat healthy, indulge in ice cream (at least once a week), and most importantly I stay away from the scale.

I have made peace with my body and my weight in the best way I can. I am not saying that you will not have days where you feel pretty low and insecure. But you will be happier when you no longer care what that little box says. For anyone who has struggled, or is struggling always remember that a number does not define you. Put the scale away and trust your body.Stay positive, keep going and never give up.