Last week, I reported that I had a 3 pound gain.  This week, it’s the same thing; 3 more pounds gained.

I know I’m totally capable of losing this weight; if I wasn’t confident about it, seeing the scale read 6 pounds heavier would send me into a tailspin.  It certainly has, before.  I have to detach myself from seeing the scale as anything more than just another measuring tool; but like many, I’ve been trained by long years to judge myself by that number, and very little else.

Entire (civil) court cases have been decided on a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that the balance of evidence tips past 50% in one direction.  I have to remind myself that the scale is just one piece of evidence; there is much to the contrary, pointing to a problem I’ve had before, and apparently still have: an amazing ability to retain water.

The good evidence includes clothing that either fits better or is baggy.  Aching joints that indicate water weight gain.  The fact that I would have had to eat 21,000 excess calories (over and above what my body would need to maintain at a given level, and I eat less than that, so actually more than 21,000) over a course of two weeks in order to create a legitimate 6 pound gain.

My eating has been on track.  Calories are in the correct range.  I have added exercise in the last two weeks.  The only area that needs improvement is, sadly, water intake.

Logically and physiologically, all evidence points to successfully losing weight, not gaining it.  The only bit of conflicting evidence is that damned scale.  So rather than let it get me down or mentally derail my efforts, I am going to consciously choose to believe the preponderance of the evidence.  I am also not going to overreact by changing what I’m doing; I’m going to stay the course and see what results I have in another couple of weeks.

Recommended Reading: Why The Scale Lies