Digits do not define us...

As runners and as individuals, we shouldn’t be defined by a number, whether that be a time for a race, or a number on a scale. Those digits do not represent or define completely who we are.

It can be very easy for people to become preoccupied by their weight; never feeling happy with how much they weigh. We may not be unhappy with how we look, but we are unhappy with the number on the scale. Even if we are training hard and eating what we need to fuel ourselves properly, this digit on the scale can still hang heavily in our minds.

​A few years ago, I was weakened by the belief that the numbers on the scale did define who I was. I believed the lighter I was, the faster I would be, and consequently I would be happier. I always thought lighter would mean happier. Therefore, I needed to get the number on the scale down. But, this is NOT the case at all. In fact, it was the complete opposite.

The more and more I tried to reduce the number on the scales, the unhappier I became and also the slower I ran. It became a goal that I was constantly working towards. Rather than shedding digits off a time, it was a weight, my weight. When you are constantly feeling as though you need to be lighter, the enjoyment of daily life reduces. If you wake up and weigh yourself, but don’t see the number you want to see, it can ruin your mood for the rest of the day, but why? Why does this even matter?

​We shouldn’t use our competitive disciplined mindsets against ourselves, nor should we focus on our body weight. The weight will take care of itself when training, and whatever this may be in terms of a number on the scales doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what the scales say.

At times I was guilty of weighing myself far more often that needed. Now, I NEVER weight myself. I don’t care how much I weigh. As long as I am eating enough to feel energised throughout the day, strong in sessions, to recover well, and look strong and healthy, that is enough for me. What this translates to on a scale is irrelevant.

By not weighing myself I am so much happier in myself as an individual as there is no number in my head defining me.

So, what weight am I now? The answer is healthy, happy, and strong, not a number on the scales. We are not defined by a numerical digit.