A Summer Reminder: Weight Fluctuates (and That’s Okay)

Weight fluctuates. Weight doesn’t indicate your inherent value as a human being. This is a reminder I know I need, sometimes, and I hope you all find comfort in it, too.

As someone who has a naturally “slim” body type (but holds on to a few love-handles and embraces her “thunder-thighs” all the while— my body tends to change throughout the seasons, etc.), you may think I’ve always been “happy” with my body and it’s shape and size. Oh, how I wish that were the case.

If you’re anything like me and have struggled with body image basically your entire life, it can be severely triggering to step on the scale one morning just to find out you’ve somehow gained weight seemingly over night, or in a single week, etc. However, let’s remind ourselves that no matter what your shape or size, fluctuating weight is normal. It is normal to fluctuate within a five-or-so pound range. And, most importantly— your weight is just a number and it doesn’t define you. Not one bit. Not at all. However, if you are like me (again) and need a reminder that it’s normal/okay/not the end of the world as we know it, here it goes—

Weight fluctuation: why it’s normal, okay, and not reflective of your value as a human being

This should go without saying, but I’m going to say it— your weight, your size, etc. are not a reflection of “health” as some would have you believe (we’re all meant to be different weights, shapes and sizes!) and it’s certainly not a reflection of your worth as a human being! That said, sometimes we do weigh ourselves in an attempt to gauge a sort of “goal” we’ve maybe set for ourselves, and it can be so hurtful to see that those three pounds you lost last week seem to have come back (somehow) over night. Here’s the deal, though—

You can’t actually gain three pounds of muscle or fat overnight.

Human bodies are roughly 60-75% water, and that means your weight can (and will) change day over day based on more or less water retention on that particular day. It does not mean you’ve failed at anything. It does not mean you’re a lesser person. Weight is not an indicator of these things (your worth, your value, even your health) at all, really, and you are normal. You are valid. You are beautiful.

This may seem simple (or like a no-brainer), but with society shoving “fit figure” messages (which are total BS) down our throats every single day (especially in the summer) I figured some of you needed this reminder, because I know I did.

So, live your life. Eat that dessert. Smile about it. Give yourself a break when you need it. Weight fluctuation is part of life and part of being human, and your weight doesn’t define you, anyhow.

Xoxo, MM.