Number on the Scale Rant
Many people have asked me at work why I eat chicken and tuna 
all the time if I am not trying to lose any weight…. here’s why….
all the time if I am not trying to lose any weight…. here’s why…. It is VERY possible to lose weight eating crappy unhealthy food, or even maintain your weight while eating crap. I can start dining at Dunkin Donuts every morning, then stop at McDonalds for lunch and pizza for dinner and still lose some weight, as long as I am burning more than I consume …… However,…it is very possible to maintain a certain scale number and actually look like total shit. ( you can be skinny and have HIGH bodyfat= skinny fat)
Scale weight tells you a few things…. If you are overweight, the scale will tell you,…. if you are underweight, the scale will tell you…Will the scale tell you if you look good ? NO . Does your body look nice because you ring up a certain number on the scale? NO.
Eating properly changes your body composition and makes you look better. How strict should you be about not eating crap? It depends on the look you want and how much sacrifice you are willing to make, everyone is different. If you want to be a certain weight and wear a certain size clothing, and you don’t mind having cellulite….,belly rolls, and hanging flab…. eat all the crap you want while maintaining your special number on the scale. Throw some liquor into the mix and sit back and watch the cellulite spread…..still while maintaining that scale number.
If you want visible muscle and a lean looking body, staying away from the crap and eating properly is what makes the difference… regardless of how great you do your workouts.
Some people become so fixated on the scale and getting a ‘magic’ number to settle on for a goal. That is such a small part of the picture.
My grandmother used to make sure she always weighed her ‘certain’ special number throughout her entire life. But what she didn’t seem to realize was that without exercising and eating properly, (although she kept maintaining that number), she had 6 inches of hanging flab swinging on the backs of her arms and she always looked 9 months pregnant. It didn’t have to be that way, it’s just a matter of exercising regularly and eating the right food. She was attempting to ‘watch her weight’, but she had it all wrong.
My body composition has been all over the map over the past 20 years, from skinny, to skinny fat, to lean, and then lean and muscular… all within a small margin of weight change on the scale.
August 20, 2007 at 6:49 pm
hahaha Well put I love it the wording is just right as well!
August 20, 2007 at 6:57 pm
GREAT ADVICE!!!!!!!!!
August 20, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Great words and right on the nose.
August 20, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Very True!
Just got done watching this show called "biggest loser", first thing I noticed is they didn’t do BF. These guys and girls get knocked off the show if they don’t lose weight, one guy’s weight went up and down. They didn’t take into effect the muscle weight and the BF weight, good show, but not fair,
August 20, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Funny you should "rant" about this now…
Thanks B, for keeping it real.
August 21, 2007 at 8:50 am
Well said….
August 21, 2007 at 10:37 am
Couldn’t agree more. To really have some fun, find the most expensive conductance bodyfat scale around & make wagers over how wrong it will be each morning. It’s not uncommon for me to wake up seven pounds lighter than when I went to bed. The newfangled "slumber diet", perhaps? I visualize myself getting rich….Take a 200g whey protein bolus before bed, let it wick all the water out of you & wake up refreshed (and skinny)? Chicken Tuna is absolutely right, as usual;) al
August 21, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I’m trying Al’s slumber diet. Through experimentation, I’ve actually devised a little "encouragement" shake where I use an entire bottle of cheap Cabernet Sauvignon rather than water to help the diuretic process. So far I’ve woke up 11.25 pounds lighter than last Monday. As an added bonus, I’ve also blossomed a few relationship with random women who also enjoy dry red wines. I recommend "Crane Lake" for appr. $3.33 a bottle. Thanks Al!
August 21, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Excellent words as always, CT.
August 22, 2007 at 7:36 am
hello CT!
thank you for that again… I am far from being lean, but I pay attention to what I eat (still a little too much "what are they going to think- ok I’ll have some"…) and I am quite muscular, due to my weight lifting habits… and one of my friends, who wears the same size clothes as I do, weighs 15lbs less than me… … oddly, I am the one who can wear shorts without cellulite all over my legs…
August 22, 2007 at 10:25 am
That was great Chicken you rock. I have already used your crap pusher letter to some of my friends that are pushing there crap on me. I’m not going to break to please them I’m going to look good to please me.
August 24, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Nail on the Head!!
August 24, 2007 at 2:16 pm
This is God’s honest truth — great post.
August 26, 2007 at 8:31 am
well that was enlightening haha… no matter how much stronger i get, or leaner, or fatter i’ve pretty much stayed within the same 5 pound range and always wondered how… [lightbulb]
August 26, 2007 at 8:48 am
Whenever someone ask me about getting in shape one of the first things I tell them is to throw their scale in the trash!! Great blog CT!!
August 26, 2007 at 7:11 pm
I just love this rant!!!
August 26, 2007 at 11:26 pm
you are dam right girl. whatever you are the kind of girl most guys would marry ( xcept me… ) keep on the good work young girl !
August 26, 2007 at 11:57 pm
you’re an inspiration! chickentuna is the way to go!
August 28, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Chickentuna:
1 Thess. 2:9 states," You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery.
Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God." Spreading the Gospel and working hard to not judge or offend others is an art. Paul worked hard not to burden his followers beliefs in him.
You do the same here when you use yourself as an example of how important it is to eat RIGHT and maintain your desired weight. I had ice cream twice yesterday and have felt sluggish. Getting ready to sprint 5mi and eat RIGHT today thanks to your kind words.
V/R
August 30, 2007 at 10:39 am
Truly Inspirational
August 31, 2007 at 11:40 am
Cliffnotes version: Eat crap, be crap!
August 31, 2007 at 9:01 pm
your rants always hit home
September 4, 2007 at 12:53 pm
GREAT blog, how’d ya get so smart girl?!
September 4, 2007 at 4:16 pm
(nods at cyclegrl)
Yes, Ct, where *did* you acquire your knowledge? You have the goods both physically and mentally. THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD OF FITNESS!
September 4, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Ouch. That should be "CT." And good evening!
September 4, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Hey ,love the article! that is some great advice and required reading for all of us on the look we want to achieve. I need you down here to workout with me.There no telling how far I could go with a great trainier like you driving me.
YOU ROCK GIRL!!!!!!!
your Bud,
James 528I
September 5, 2007 at 2:44 pm
i want to be like you , i’m 28 years old , i have 2 kids i want to have your beautyfull abs what can i do i think my weight is good i’m 118 but a want to be tone can you help me please
September 6, 2007 at 8:29 am
:) Thank you!! I’m currently trying to undo the damage from "eating like my boyfriend" for the past year or so - this was a very motivating post!
September 6, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Great Post… Very motivating and true. I only hope you’ll hook us up some more advice and recipes!!
September 10, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Good point!! When I was in the Navy and eating really healthy and working out consistently 6 days a week, which is what I’m getting back to, I used to get so much crap from people. People use to ask me why I wanted to lose weight and how could I eat what I ate-Spinach salad with Tuna…Ok. They would tell me I was eating bird food. I’ve had a number of people on many occasions ask me what I was eating…it was OATMEAL..I just think that people are jealous and just want to throw some sour into your sweet. The answers are obvious to why people eat what they eat! People are just silly! Loved the blog!
September 11, 2007 at 12:37 pm
I agree! I have not been on a scale for one year now(will get on next week), but have dropped many dress sizes and feel great. Nobody cares what is on your scale, it’s not tattooed to your forehead. ChickenTuna, you could be 100lb or 200lb, you look GOOD and that’s all that counts!
September 12, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I must say I agree with you. I also have tuna with pretty much everything since I started my trainning programme. I wasn’t eating meat or chicken for a long time and I realized i was to skinny so, I’ve decided to consider various kind of meal. I know that chicken is a great option, But how much chiken and tune do you eat? You eat everyday the same?
September 14, 2007 at 8:56 am
CT, you crack me up! I’ve tried telling so many people the same thing–mainly family members. why don’t people understand that "you are what you eat" doesn’t mean if you eat refined sugars and man-made fats, you won’t be ’sweet and lovable’? Always enjoy stopping by your ‘house’, talk later–Genniece
September 17, 2007 at 7:28 am
You’ve phrased it better than all the Sciency hocus pocus around the net !
You’re inspirational!!
September 18, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Excellent rant and the point is sooo true.
September 21, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Well said. The days when people thought, "I can eat pizza, burgers, potatoe chips because I work out.." are over.
September 25, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Good post CT. Although i do splurge from time I keep my diet pretty clean. Even when I struggle with the hunger pangs after a good workout. My # is just a refference I use to keep an eye on where Im at when Im not training specifficaly for something. I agree totally about the weight just being a number. To many people focus on the abstract and loose sight of the big picture their health.
September 26, 2007 at 7:35 am
YOU ARE AMAZING WELL SAID
September 26, 2007 at 7:41 am
good job
September 29, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Very good point. I notice that people use scales either too much (ie Everyday) and want to loose weight too much too quick. When I was taking a personal training class at the YMCA, one of the books stated that losing weight should only be 1-2lbs a week. I think people should weigh themselves every monday to get in the routine. I believe weight training/cardio should be a habit. Let me know what ya think CT. Check out my blogs also.
October 4, 2007 at 11:59 am
My girlfriend always thinks about how much she weighs. I tell her it should be how she feels and looks. It nice to see someone in such great shape as yourself saying the same thing.
October 4, 2007 at 1:17 pm
very well written… maybe someday we will have that magical scale that does it all
October 5, 2007 at 11:09 am
I think that is o0ne of the best way i have ever heard it said, about scale weight i mean
October 6, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Very right. Pity many people don’t know (or care ) about composition. It’s all about the weight. Total bullshit.
October 14, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Composition is king, but I’m aware of that number as I keep an eye on my protein intake and try to keep fat way low. All tools in the toolbox. I’m not using just the hammer, but all the tools. And, of course, my secret weapon - the sound advice of one ChickenTuna! I hope your weekend was fun, relaxing, productive - everything or anything you were hoping for.
October 14, 2007 at 4:45 pm
"that number" being my weight in pounds, of course. D’OH! Yeah, way to speak (or type) clearly. Today was a good day. Today was a CT day. Consistency maintained!
October 18, 2007 at 4:42 am
Nice post. Absolutely true…
October 19, 2007 at 9:44 am
You are, too, awesome. I couldn’t have put it any better. I have truly seen what eating like crap can do for you here lately.
October 21, 2007 at 10:23 am
Too bad the US Army doesn’t look at it that way. It’s all about the height/weight and the scale where height determines your ideal weight. Fail the weigh in then it’s on to the insane body fat measurments which are +/-5% accurate . Scales are a great tool and I use them to determine fluid lost after a demanding workout.
October 22, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Please, you shoud perform a longer video at youtube or my space for all your fans, to appreccite better your anatomy.
So perfect.
Kisses
October 27, 2007 at 6:26 am
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/curt_james/BodySpace/erusa4ct.jpg[/IMG]
October 27, 2007 at 6:27 am
Crap. That didn’t work. Let me try another way…
(You’ll love the image.)
October 27, 2007 at 6:31 am
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?p=90634983#post90634983
That should work. Click that link above and then look for the erusa comment.
I posted the image in my Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 journal entry.
October 31, 2007 at 10:18 pm
SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
November 1, 2007 at 2:12 pm
wow this is a great post. I always get caught on the number. Even though I’ll lose bf% the scale only changes slightly and I always freak out. Thank you for the helpfull words!
November 5, 2007 at 2:06 am
awesome blog and very true ive noticed everything looks better for eating healthy, and the way i feel if i eat shit, (could be guilt), i also dont drink alot maybe once every 3 months,
November 6, 2007 at 9:20 am
Way to tell it how it is! I hope to read more blogs from you!
November 11, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Flex and fish oil must be one reason why your skin looks so soft and your hair so shiny?
November 13, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Well put! I find myself having to constantly defend my eating habits and healthy lifestyle to my family and friends. It really does amaze me how so many people really just don’t get it! They think I have something wrong with me because I am ‘already skinny enough’. I don’t want to be skinny! I want to be healthy!
November 15, 2007 at 2:09 am
preach it sister
hehe it seems you post a couple pictures and boom your top 5 agian , Good job . Sucks about the lamers that wanna use your hard work agianst you .
I hope that gets fixed soon .
Anyways keep doing what your doing , and punishing yourself at the gym DOING GREAT!
November 17, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Hands Down! You have the best body that I have ever seen on a woman… Thank you for the great pics!
November 18, 2007 at 1:52 pm
that happy number has kept so many people in a rut. it sure did for me, i’ll admit. it almost seems like a game thats taught to you as a child, when you are within this certain number your the good child. if not your bad and things better change real fast. cuz you know when you get older its so much harder to fix. thats the biggest bunch of bull i have heard in a long time. its wonderful that people of all ages are having fun with physical activity again and caring about their wellbeing. the unfortunate part for me was being ill was the trigger that go me moving.
thank you for your uplifting words girl 
November 25, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Words of wisdom. Well said. Thanks CT.
November 29, 2007 at 9:08 am
Great way to tell how it works, Keep the good advice coming, people will read and hopefully realize that’s the way it works.
November 30, 2007 at 10:19 pm
I was going to pm you and ask about ur screename has anything to do with ur diet
December 6, 2007 at 6:16 pm
I NEEDED TO READ THIS THANKS!!! YOU’RE THE BEST…
December 19, 2007 at 4:28 am
The words of truth! Great write up! -Tank
(BTW= when I read " = skinny fat" I almost fell out of my chair. I don’t know if that is a technical phrase that many use. I have never heard of it, but I am saying it from now on (of course giving you credit for it…. Awesome!)
December 21, 2007 at 12:43 am
Hells yeah. You hit the nail on the head with that one…..great post!
January 8, 2008 at 11:58 am
Great little Rant here… definitely motivating to eat healthy and be healthy…
January 12, 2008 at 2:31 am
Hello CT!
I’m new!
I’m a single Mom, age 35 (Jan 22). I have a teenage son age 15.
I’m 5′6, & 180lbs. I would like to get back down to 130.
I plan on following The Body for Life plan. I’ve been successful on it once before.
I would like to know more about your Nutritional selections. Can you post it or email it to me?
I would also like to know more about how you stay so lean and toned. I am more on the thick & curvy side, however I would like to be more long, lean and toned like you.
January 21, 2008 at 5:14 pm
You said it all and quite eloquently too! Thanks for saying it and saying it when you did! I have a goal and I am not going to get there unless I eat right so thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
August 7, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Well, yeah absolutely, and it’s not about burning more than you eat it is about nutrient and protein content. Most people are on the "diluted diet". It’s a minimalist mindset that results in a diluted body. BLEH. If I ate 4500 calories of sugar and junk and shit I’d lose alot of weight because my beastwarrior muscles require superior fuel to look round and heavy and correct.