Sep 234 min read

Why Are We Never Happy with What the Scale Says?

Why Are We Never Happy with What the Scale Says?

We’ve all been there. You set a goal, you work hard to reach it, and then… it doesn’t feel like enough. You hit that magic number on the scale, but instead of celebrating, your mind drifts to the idea of losing just five more pounds. Or maybe it’s not even about the weight anymore; it’s about that little extra jiggle in your arms or the roll in your tummy that won’t go away. You’re not alone in this! Let’s break down why we’re often never fully satisfied with our progress and, more importantly, how we can shift that mindset to find contentment.

The Illusion of the Perfect Number

We often think that a number on the scale will bring happiness. But the truth is, happiness doesn’t magically appear once you hit a goal weight. If anything, hitting the number sometimes makes us more critical. Instead of feeling proud, we zoom in on what’s “left” to fix—whether it’s toning our arms, getting rid of that belly roll, or fitting into a slightly smaller pair of jeans. The goalposts keep moving because, at its core, this isn’t about weight; it’s about chasing an idea of perfection that doesn’t exist.

Body Dysmorphia Lite: When We Can’t See Progress

Many of us experience a version of body dysmorphia, where we literally can’t see the progress we’ve made. We could lose 20 pounds, and our friends and family might say, “You look amazing!” but all we see is the next thing we need to fix. This is more common than you think. Even when we get compliments, we may brush them off because we don’t believe them.

The “I Should Have Done More” Mentality

It’s not just about weight. It’s about effort, too. You carve out 15 minutes to go for a walk, but instead of feeling proud of getting in some movement, you’re bummed you didn’t walk for an hour. Or maybe you did an intense 30-minute workout, but you beat yourself up because it wasn’t a full 60-minute sweat session. We create these arbitrary standards for ourselves, and anything less than “perfect” feels like failure.

More Examples We Can All Relate To:

The Meal Guilt: You’ve been eating clean all week, but you have one cookie and suddenly feel like you’ve blown your whole plan. Instead of focusing on the progress you’ve made, you spiral into guilt over one small indulgence.
The Comparison Game: You see someone else who seems to be doing “better”—whether they’ve lost more weight, can lift heavier, or look more toned—and suddenly your own efforts feel insignificant. It’s easy to forget that everyone’s journey is unique.

Why Do We Do This?

This mindset stems from a mix of societal pressures, perfectionism, and the habit of attaching our self-worth to external results—whether that’s a number on the scale, the way our clothes fit, or how long our workouts are. Social media doesn't help either, with constant reminders of "perfect" bodies and "ideal" fitness routines that set unrealistic expectations.

So, What’s the Solution?

Shift the Focus to Non-Scale VictoriesThe number on the scale is just one metric. Celebrate your strength, energy levels, and improvements in your health. Did your blood pressure improve? Can you lift heavier? Can you run a little further? These are the wins that truly matter.
Learn to Be Proud of Your Effort, Not Just the OutcomeWhether you walked for 15 minutes or 60, you moved your body. Celebrate that! The same goes for your food choices. If you indulged in something, enjoy it without guilt. Health is about balance, not perfection.
Mind Your MindsetCatch yourself when you start nitpicking. If you find yourself staring at your arms in the mirror, remind yourself of how far you’ve come. Pause and practice gratitude for what your body can do, not just what it looks like.
Set Realistic ExpectationsUnderstand that there will always be “something” you might want to improve, but chasing perfection will keep you in a cycle of dissatisfaction. Set goals that are achievable, but also allow yourself to enjoy where you are right now.
Celebrate the Small WinsLost a pound? Celebrate it! Increased your flexibility? Celebrate it! Instead of waiting for some big, final result to pat yourself on the back, embrace every little milestone along the way.

A New Perspective on Activity

Let’s talk about the "I didn’t do enough" mindset. This is so common, but it’s draining. If you only have 15 minutes to move your body, then 15 minutes is a win. Instead of focusing on what you didn’t do, shift your thinking to what you did do. Did you walk 15 minutes more than yesterday? Did you break up your sitting time with some activity? It all adds up, and it's worth celebrating.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the constant pursuit of perfection robs us of enjoying our journey. Whether it’s reaching a goal weight or completing an ideal workout, satisfaction can’t be found in numbers alone. It’s found in appreciating what our bodies can do, how we’re growing, and how we feel.

You can be your own worst critic or your biggest supporter—choose wisely! So, the next time you’re tempted to say, “I wish I had done more,” take a breath, recognize the effort you’ve put in, and give yourself permission to feel proud.

If you’re struggling to find balance or want to shift your mindset, Coach Paris can guide you. Through personalized coaching and support groups, I help you create realistic goals, celebrate your progress, and keep you focused on your unique wellness journey. Together, we can embrace progress and ditch the perfection trap.

After all, the true goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.

Let me support you 💜