Mikey Moon's health and fitness column: Don't let your weight own you

They lure you in with false promises that you might have lost a few pounds since you last stood on them yesterday.

You can’t help yourself and you get on them. Day made or day ruined just like that. It’s crazy the effect those numbers can have.

Weight has become all we judge our fitness on, which is not healthy at all. Weight should be part of the journey, not the entire journey.

The fact is that our weight fluctuates every day depending on a number of variables, such as water intake, stress levels, what we ate the night before and whether we’ve been to the toilet or not. For females, the menstrual cycle causes weight to fluctuate too.

So your weight is not the most accurate measure of progress.

However, it is a necessary measure and anyone who tells you different is lying. Without knowing your weight, you won’t be able to work out your calories properly.

The problem is that people base their self-worth and happiness on their weight.

“I’d be happier if I was two stone lighter,” they say. Would you really? Or would you be the same person with the same feelings, just two stone lighter? Your weight does not own you or control you, but it will if you let it.

Make sure you include your weight in your progress tracking but don’t centre your progress around it.

Focus on how you feel, how your progress photos look, your fitness levels and your strength. Take multiple measures of progress and let weight become an afterthought.

Focus on building your strength, getting fitter and enjoying the journey. Then you’ll be shocked when your weight takes care of itself.

Fortitude Fitness is on the Poulton Industrial Estate, Beacon Road. Visit www.fortitudefit.co.uk for more details.