WARNING: This post contains TMI! Now that 2012 is officially here, and the Holiday season is over, many people are talking about New Year's Resolutions. For many of people, myself included, weight loss and fitness is a priority. However, while the desire to shed a few pounds can be a good motivator in itself, sometimes that is easier said than done. It's hard to lose weight and keep it off, and it can be easy to get discouraged. One thing that can definitely kill motivation? The dreaded scale. Sure, a bathroom scale is a helpful tool to help keep one on track. After all, we all want visible proof that progress is being made, even before our clothing starts to fit differently. Seeing the numbers get smaller is incentive to keep going. But, if you're anything like me, seeing a physical number can be almost traumatic. If you're overweight, knowing exactly how much you weigh can be rather depressing. It can definitely kill self-esteem, which may lead to emotional eating and other behaviors that can completely sabotage any dieting efforts. Just imagine: You step onto the scale, see a number you hate, and out of self-pity, you grab that pint of Ben & Jerry's, and end up eating the whole darn thing. Sound familiar? I know I've been there before, and it's not a happy place. My Story: While I am no longer overweight at about 130 lbs and a size 6, I still have a love/hate relationship with the scale. I spent most of my teen and adult life being overweight, and still suffer from horribly low self-esteem and severe body image issues. My husband, who is absolutely wonderful, actually tells me that my eyeballs are "broken" and that I simply cannot seem to see myself clearly, the way other people do. When you've spent most of your life being called fat, it can really affect what you see when you look into the mirror. Add to that an incredibly abusive first marriage, paired with society's distorted view of beauty, and it's easy to actually believe you're never quite "good enough." My ex-husband basically brainwashed me into believing that, and even now, years later, I still suffer greatly from the after-effects of years of verbal and emotional abuse. I am ashamed to admit it, but my extremely low self-esteem has caused me to engage in incredibly stupid and potentially life-threatening weight-loss methods. It started out after I had my babies and was at my all time high weight of around 185lbs. I hated my body, and I hated what I saw when I looked at myself in the mirror. For awhile, I actually hated myself. Nothing was working. I don't eat junk food, and I try and exercise daily, even if it's just a workout DVD or a walk with the babies. Because I have PCOS, (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) my body tends to be resistant to exercise. My weight would not budge, and I became more and more depressed. I am, and always have been, my own worst critic. Out of desperation and pure self-loathing, I decided that I would try purging. (Yes, I know....Stupid. Horribly, horribly stupid.) I thought it was something I could control. For a while, that was true, and I saw the numbers on the scale get smaller on a daily basis. I went from 185lbs to 170, then to 160, then to 150, and so on. Every time I weighed myself, it was like a high to see the numbers, and my body, shrinking. It literally became an obsession. At one point, I was weighing myself more than 20 times a day. If I had gained even a few ounces, I would feel like a failure, go binge, and allow this vicious cycle to repeat itself. Something I thought I could control had taken complete control over me. Now I weigh around 130lbs, which for my height and frame is considered a healthy weight. While I still struggle every day with body image issues, I have been doing my absolute best to break this awful habit. I am not going to lie, an eating disorder is not something you recover from overnight. Sometimes, especially when dealing with PMS bloat, the urges are still there. But I have to squash them, not only for my own health, but because my kids deserve to grow up having a mother. While I can stand to get on the scale now, and realize that a person's weight can naturally fluctuate, it is still emotional for me on a "bad day." My weight has remained rather steady for over 6 months now, as I have been taking much healthier measures to maintain it. I would ideally like to lose another 10-15lbs, but I realize this may not be realistic, as I am not small-framed. So now, rather than focusing on the numbers on the scale, I try and focus on how my clothing fits as well as how I feel. It's been a long, hard road to recovery, but I am getting there. How the Zero Scale has helped: One product that is making things easier on me emotionally is the Zero Scale. What is the Zero Scale? Basically, it's a much kinder, friendlier bathroom scale that doesn't show your actual weight unless you choose to see it. Instead of displaying your weight, it tracks your progress instead. The Zero Scale is easy to set up and can accommodate 4 users as well as a Guest Mode. (Be warned: The Guest Mode is where you can sneak a peek at your actual weight.) The Zero Scale set-up process is easy. Simply step on the scale and it immediately starts tracking your weight – without revealing the total number. The next time you step on the scale, only the amount of weight lost or gained appears. It also tracks progress since your first weigh-in, displaying total pounds lost or gained and the number of days since the first use. The Zero Scale can hold up to 397lbs, and can be set to measure pounds or kilograms. The Zero Scale is made of a durable, impact-resistant tempered glass, and has a decent sized weighing platform. It also has a very sleek, modern look to it that is sure to fit into any decor seamlessly. The Zero Scale takes 4 AAA batteries, which are housed in the back of the unit, and will turn off automatically after use to help conserve battery life. It also has a 10 Year Warranty, so you can buy in confidence knowing that you're receiving a product of superior quality. Take a look! Yes, I know they both say Day 0. I was holding a large can of Toddler Formula when I first used it, and then put it down to demonstrate the weight that was then "lost." Overall, I am quite thankful for the Zero Scale. It has given me a new lease on life and the way I look at myself. After suffering for so long from poor body-image that spiraled out of control into a full-blown eating-disorder, seeing incremental progress rather than actual weight has been incredibly helpful to me, especially on an emotional level. I am no longer as obsessed with the number on the scale. I am finally able to start seeing things in a less-destructive way. If I cannot physically SEE the numbers, I cannot base my value as a human being on that number. To many of you, this may not make a lot of sense. Until I found myself in the hold of an eating disorder, it wouldn't have made much sense to me, either. While I have gotten to the point where I can handle seeing my weight without having an all-out panic attack, I do have hard days. The Zero Scale helps me keep things in perspective and is a lot less intimidating than my conventional bathroom scales.
The quality of the Zero Scale is wonderful, it is easy to use, and it is a very valuable tool for anyone who wants to stay motivated while trying to achieve their weight management goals. The Zero Scale is like a supportive friend, and can make setting realistic goals a whole lot easier by showing easy to understand, incremental progress rather than the big picture. By taking actual weight out of the picture, it can also help build self-esteem and lessen the emotional pitfalls that are often associated with dieting. The Zero Scale is great for anyone, whether you want to gain weight, lose weight, or have been affected by an eating-disorder, like myself. This would even be an especially helpful tool in tracking pregnancy weight gain! I would definitely recommend the Zero Scale to anyone who wants a no-nonsense, practical way to track their progress. The Zero Scale can definitely help those New Year's resolutions become more attainable. BUY IT: You can purchase the Zero Scale on their website. They are currently offering FREE SHIPPING! You can also follow the Zero Scale on Facebook to stay on top of their latest products and promotions! WIN IT: I am thrilled to say that one of my very lucky readers will be receiving a Zero Scale of their own! How cool is that!? Please use this easy Rafflecopter form to enter. This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 12:00AM on February 6, 2012. No PO Boxes. Winner will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck! ***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***
54 Comments
Rose
3/18/2012 08:45:57 am
I purchased the zero scale was happy at first. I am having a problem. When I wait for the zero light to blink I press the tab bottom to go down to number 2 and so on. It did it a first and now it's not doing it at all. Do you have an anser for me. Thanks
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Hyzennthlay C
1/18/2012 02:45:39 am
I think this is a novel way to approach numbers on the scale. It is really easy to get frustrated with small drops in weight because the number isn't moving much, but really a pound lost is a pound lost!
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1/18/2012 03:00:02 am
I really like the concept of not actually seeing my weight. Seeing that number, especially when it goes up, can be depressing and makes me less apt to do what I should!!
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lisa
1/18/2012 03:03:45 am
Interesting. I've never heard of this scale before. Sounds like a good idea.
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laura luna
1/18/2012 03:08:27 am
omg i so want one of these!!!
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1/18/2012 03:09:48 am
I'd love to win--I'm in the same place you were at the beginning of your weight-loss journey--the bad place :( Just had my first son, gained 55lbs during pregnancy, and only 20 has come off (and nothing has come off since he was 2 weeks old--he turned 4 months this week). I'd love to win!!!
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stephie
1/18/2012 03:21:17 am
This is JUST WHAT I NEED!! I think being able to see my loss instead of all the other numbers would help me feel so much better when I weigh in! Much easier to say how much I have lost too instead of seeing all the numbers.
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Cynthia
1/18/2012 04:04:13 am
Awesome idea. In science labs, we're always zeroing out the scales to measure what is in a container (to see how much we've added or taken). This application is amazing. Too many people fixate on their weight number, rather than their health. A person can be the "right" weight and still be unhealthy, or healthy at the "wrong" weight. I think it could still be possible to fixate too much on going up or down, but that is an issue that must be dealt with on a personal basis.
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Tammy
1/18/2012 04:17:01 am
This is so awesome & so unique!! I would LOVE to have this!!!
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sherri zummo
1/18/2012 04:36:46 am
Just being able to see how much you have lost would make this an awesome addition to my health regimen.
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Tanya White
1/18/2012 05:18:18 am
not so intimidating as my bathroom scale i already have, i like this one!
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Claire
1/18/2012 06:01:06 am
I like that it doesn't show an exact weight. It can allow us to focus more on how we feel than a number.
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Diane W
1/18/2012 09:51:11 am
I love that the numbers are big and light up. My bathroom is dark so this is a great feature.
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Tari Lawson
1/18/2012 08:21:13 pm
I think this is a terrific concept that is long overdue.
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Alex Liz Robinson
1/18/2012 08:35:31 pm
I think its a great idea!
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Irene
1/18/2012 09:55:30 pm
Truly a wonderful idea! Focussing on your progress.
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Sarah Hirsch
1/19/2012 12:07:18 am
the zero scale sounds interesting. my first inclination is that i want to see the number, but if you know your starting weight, it's easy enough to figure based on + or - . seems like a great way to track progress!
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McKim
1/19/2012 01:33:43 am
I like the idea of it.
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Michelle Mattioda
1/19/2012 02:34:14 am
i love that you choose if you want to see your weight or not! positive reinforcement by showing you your progress!
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Rebecca Graham
1/19/2012 06:13:51 am
I would be more encouraging to me to lose weight by only seeing what I have lost.
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Suzanne K
1/19/2012 06:18:48 am
It would definitely take some getting used to, I'm glad you can also see your actual weight, if you want to.
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KIM RIPLEY
1/20/2012 04:22:34 am
we do not have a scale in our home but I would love to have this one.... might help me manage my weight better
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Stacey Bicovny
1/20/2012 05:57:01 am
I think this is a great idea, and also less discouraging when trying to lose weight.
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tiffany s
1/20/2012 01:26:17 pm
interesting idea. i like that you can easily track your weight loss/gain.
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Daisy
1/23/2012 04:08:53 am
looks great would love to try it
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Jacob LaFountaine
1/23/2012 10:05:35 am
I love the look of it
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Jodi Kershuk
1/23/2012 10:36:06 am
I think the zero scale sounds really cool. I would actually use a scale like this.
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clynsg
1/23/2012 10:56:29 pm
Very interesting idea. It would have even more of an impact if you weigh yourself once a week or so rather than daily.
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Tamra
1/26/2012 05:22:02 am
This is a great idea. My current scale isn't digital, so just reading it is almost impossible. Being able to see the fluctuations would really help!
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Amanda Alvarado
1/28/2012 06:25:16 am
I understand what you mean about SEEING the numbers! I am a number person too! I know recently I have lost inches but not much weight and I hate it! I want to lose the WEIGHT! Being able to see how much I've lost would be perfect! My scale is old and not accurate so I don't SEE much difference in my weight if it is only a lb or 2.
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Jaclyn
1/28/2012 02:08:28 pm
What a great idea! Tracking progress instead if weight sounds like a great motivation tool!
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Catie
1/29/2012 07:08:04 am
I love this idea! This would make weighing in much less intimidating.
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Jaime P
1/30/2012 08:34:46 am
what a great idea, add up what you lost!
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Rust
1/31/2012 01:38:37 am
I love the concept, especially since what I am really interested in is not how much I weigh but how much i have gained or lost.
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Renee Bruno
1/31/2012 10:49:46 pm
I've never seen this before, what a great idea to motivate weight loss
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Aaron Bretveld
2/3/2012 06:21:11 pm
I think this is a pretty good idea. I think they are taking a page out of the biggest loser type scale where it really just shows the change in weight from the last weigh in. I think it is good especially for people trying to lose weight because it makes them focus more on how much they lost instead of how much more they still have to lose.
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Hesper Fry
2/4/2012 04:33:11 am
I love the fact that I can see my progress. Great idea!
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polly
2/4/2012 06:13:15 am
awesome scale...i really need it!
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Terry Cross
2/4/2012 08:39:42 am
I think it's great! Seeing your actual weight is sometimes discouraging. I could use a new one. Mine is so old I'm not sure if it's even accurate.
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Shaunda Eppes
2/4/2012 01:44:37 pm
I think the zero scale is a great idea
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Ross Hassel
2/4/2012 04:14:32 pm
A really cool idea. I think my wife would actually use this.
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Debra Ford
2/4/2012 11:02:46 pm
I like the idea that it can track your progress
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Mary Baker
2/4/2012 11:57:27 pm
This is a great concept! It keeps you in line by telling you what you lost (or gained) instead of forcing you to see the amount you weigh! I wish I had this available when I was young!
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Gaye M
2/5/2012 05:13:49 am
I think this is a great idea! It measures progress instead of weight numbers.
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kristi hayes
2/5/2012 06:57:34 am
I love it! What a great concept. I need one of these.
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kristi hayes
2/5/2012 07:06:20 am
Poor little guy! I'm glad you caught this in time. This is just one of those things that people just don't think about happening. I know it is not the same caliber, but the same thing can happen to your pets from swallowing a thread or string.
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Vee
2/5/2012 09:27:37 am
It's such a novel idea...i love new ways of doing old things
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R Hicks
2/5/2012 11:01:41 am
LOVE IT and it is easy to read
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R Hicks
2/5/2012 11:02:57 am
subscribe to you via email with ardy22 at earthlink dot net
Reply
tallcapp
2/5/2012 11:25:13 am
A motivational scale---Who would have thunk it!!!!
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Daniela
2/5/2012 12:58:11 pm
Sounds cool!
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I'm Brandy, a happily married, proud Mom of 3 amazing kids. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at: NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com Links We Love :Archives
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