If weight loss is a goal . . . weight loss shouldn't be the goal. Here's where you ask, "Phil, are you bonkers?  If weight loss is the goal, how can you tell me it shouldn't be?  After all, it's a personal goal and you can't tell me what my goals should be!??!!?!" That's when I ask you to calm down a bit so I can explain.  If the goal were simply weight loss, we could break out a chainsaw and begin removing parts until you were at the desired weight. Uh oh.  Now I've really got you riled up! "Phil," you continue, "you're totally crazy!!!!  I'm not talking about sacrificiing valuable body tissue, I'm talking about losing weight so I'm healthier and I feel better!!!" Breathe.  Breathe.  Count to ten.  I'm not quite finished explaining.

When you lose weight, it's possible you've lost a combination of three things: Water Weight Lean Body Mass Fat The real goal, if you seek a leaner body that lends itself toward enhanced performance and elevated health, is to make certain the pounds you lose are comprised primarily, if not exclusively, from fat. Let me continue by condemning one of the most destructive inventions of all time.  The bathroom scale!

Far be it from me to condemn all scales.  Postal scales help me determine how much postage I have to put on a package for it to arrive at its destination.  That's valuable information.  The little scale they have at the deli counter in the supermarket . . . that's a good scale.  It makes certain my 3/4 of a pound of turkey breast is really 3/4 of a pound.  Scales are not inherently bad, but those scales that toy with human emotions deserve to be revealed for what they really are.  They are void of intelligence.  Yes, I'll go as far as to say, your scale is stupid. All that the scale can do is tell you how many pounds you weigh, under gravity, at a given moment in time.  If you want to weigh less for the long haul, the scale will confuse and deceive you, especially if you subject yourself to daily weigh-ins.  Let me share just a few of the reasons why.

When you begin a result-oriented exercise regimen (the 21 Day Journey to Excellence) and you challenge muscle and allow for adequate recuperation, the body begins to become more efficient at holding fuel in muscle.  You see, although the scale is stupid, the human body is pure genius.  The conscious mind doesn't have to do anything other than drive the human machine to eat supportive meals, exercise as outlined in the program, and recuperate, and subconsciously the genius within makes incredible shifts. "Muscle fuel" includes glucose that is shuttled into muscle tissue.  When stored, those glucose molecules become "muscle glycogen" and glycogen attracts water.  Muscle is predominantly water, thus, if you hold more glycogen, and residually more water in muscle, "weight" is affected.  It is therefore possible, even probable, that you will initially lose fat without seeing the scale dial land at a lower number than you're used to.

Suppose, because you're making positive shifts in metabolic efficiency and performance ability, the body, 10 days after you begin the program, holds 3 additional pounds of water in muscle tissue.  Suppose in the first 10 days you liberate and burn 2 pounds of fat.  You are leaner.  The scale, however, will reprimand you. Here's where I suggest, then beg, then go as far as to plead and grovel. I suggest you avoid the scale, at least until the 21 days are complete. I beg you, hide the scale under lock and key, and then toss the key into the ocean. I'm pleading with you, DO NOT WEIGH YOURSELF WITH ANY REGULARITY!

Human beings are not really capable of effectively shedding more than 1-2 pounds of fat per week on a consistent basis, and even that would be an extreme.  Because it is possible to lose 10 pounds in a matter of days if you're willing to count water weight and muscle loss, too many people are lured by the scale and are led to believe "quick weight loss" can be healthful and permanent.  In that lies the peril.  In that lies the allure of dieting.  In that lies the trap of the proverbial "yo-yo."

Muscle is metabolically active tissue.  Muscle is the location on your body where fat is burned.  If you lose weight, and any portion of that weight is muscle, you will cripple your body's fat burning ability and reduce the size of the fat burning engine.  Muscle and metabolism are intertwined.  Muscle burns calories, thus if you lose muscle, although the scale will tell you what a nice job you're doing, you will absolutely, positively, without question, slow metabolism.

How will you know if it's "working" if fat loss is the goal? Look for a positive shift in energy consistency.  When energy elevates and remains consistent it's a clear indication blood sugar is stable, and that creates an optimal hormonal environment for ongoing fat release. Note the way your clothing fits.  Although you may increase intracellular water, when you lose fat you'll find the waist (in men), the hips and thighs (in women) tend to reduce. Listen to other people!  It's funny, but other people will see the change in you before you see it in yourself.  I believe many people will heed my advice and avoid the scale, but not a one will avoid the mirror.  You, therefore, will see yourself everyday, and the changes are gradual.  Sure, you'll see a leaner body in the mirror, with time, but it's not as if you wake up one day, run to the mirror, and scream, "the program worked last night!"  You won't notice a radical change from day to day, but someone who hasn't seen you in a few weeks is certain to comment in a positive way. Recently, a client of mine told me an acquaintance of hers was so jealous, rather than the expression coming out as a compliment, it was an accusation.   "You must be taking diet drugs, or you had some surgery you didn't tell us about."  Of course, she reveled in the left-handed compliment, but I suggested she do something to retaliate.  I suggested she give the jealous acquaintance her scale!!!!  That'll teach her!!!