If I Could Tell My Younger Self One Thing
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: don’t focus on the scale.
In a world filled with both body positivity and body negativity, it can feel difficult to navigate what we’re supposed to do. So much of our self-worth has been tied to how we look and what number we see on the scale. But what if we focused on nourishing our bodies and building strength instead?
The body you want – strong, capable, and healthy, is absolutely achievable. But it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and consistency.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt frustrated looking at the scale. And with measurements like BMI (Body Mass Index), it can leave you feeling even more confused. Two people can be the same height and weight, yet look and feel completely different based on their muscle mass.
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Why the Scale Doesn’t Tell the Full Story
The scale only shows one number. It doesn’t tell you:
- how strong you are
- how much muscle you’ve built
- how your body actually feels
- how nourished you are
As I started to learn more about strength training, I realized that focusing only on weight was limiting. Progress isn’t always reflected in a number, and sometimes that number doesn’t move at all.
I know how discouraging it can be to have a goal in your head and not reach it. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t making progress.
The Long-Term Benefits of Strength
Building strength can be a slow process, but it has lifelong benefits.
There were many times I felt discouraged, thinking all the work I was doing wasn’t paying off. In reality, building muscle isn’t something that can be rushed. Part of the journey is learning to stay consistent, even when results feel slow.
This is where people tend to struggle the most, we don’t give strength training enough time. We live in a world of instant gratification, where success is often measured by how quickly we achieve something. But the most meaningful goals are usually the ones that take the longest to build towards.
As we age, our muscles naturally weaken if they’re not used. Maintaining lean muscle mass is essential for preventing injuries and staying mobile. If you want to stay active in your later years or get on the floor with your grandkids, building strength is key.
For women especially, this becomes even more important. After 30, bone density can begin to decline, and that process accelerates during menopause. Building strength early on can help support bone health and reduce that decline over time.
What Changed My Mind
At some point, I realized I wanted a balance.
For most of my life, I chased a specific number on the scale, believing that reaching it meant I was healthy. My weight went up and down over the years, and after having kids, I reached the highest weight I had been in a long time.
I wanted to love my body, but I also wanted to take care of it in a way that supported my long-term health. I didn’t want my weight to lead to health complications like diabetes or heart disease later on.
That shift helped me stop obsessing over a number and start focusing on how I actually felt. I realized that what I had been doing wasn’t supporting my long-term goals, and it was time to change direction.
Strength as a Lifestyle (Not Just a Workout)
Strength training and movement have become part of my everyday life.
Whether it’s going to the gym, hiking, running, or just staying active, it’s something my kids now see and are naturally drawn to.
My daughter recently asked for a barbell so she could exercise at home. That moment stuck with me. Seeing the choices I make influence her in a positive way means everything, especially knowing those habits she can carry with her as she grows.
Teaching kids early on to move their bodies and understand the importance of strength gives them a strong foundation for the future. The number one thing I recommend is making movement a normal part of everyday life.
What I Focus on Now
Instead of chasing a number on the scale, I focus on habits that support my overall health:
- prioritizing protein (I aim for around 130g per day to support my goals)
- eating plenty of vegetables and balanced fats
- getting good quality sleep (or at least trying with two kids under 5)
- taking care of my mental health
- getting outside as much as possible (sunlight truly makes a difference)
Winter can be a struggle for me. I am definitely not a snow person, and the lack of sunlight is hard on my body. I like to think of myself as a chonky little lizard that thrives in the sun.
With that being said, I still try to stay active throughout the day, whether that’s walking around my house, getting outside for a few minutes, or even walking through a mall to avoid the cold.
Final Thoughts
The scale is just one piece of information. It doesn’t define your health, your strength, or your worth.
Building strength takes time, but it’s one of the most valuable things you can do for your body-not just now, but for the future.
If you shift your focus from a number to what your body can do, everything changes. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be consistent and always show up for yourself.
So motivating. Getting older, I know how important it is to keep what muscle you have. You no longer have the energy of a younger person, so it’s even more important to push yourself a little to focus on building and keeping muscle. And I’m horrible in this area. I try to remind myself what I do today is going to be very meaningful in my future. Love the article on weight lifting for beginners. Knowing just a few minutes a day can really make a difference. Totally takes the pressure off.