Janelle Brown: Weight Isn't Everything

01/23/2013

Janelle Brown of Sister Wives is Kody's second wife. Follow along on her journey forward to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.

I dread today. Today is weigh-in day. I have been anxious and neurotic about it since last night. I used to like weigh-in day, but not so much anymore. You see, the scale has been stuck for a couple of months. Yes, a couple of months, not weeks. I am not eating perfectly, but I am within my nutritional guidelines 95 percent of the time. I am working out four or more times a week, I am drinking my water and still nothing. I keep bouncing back and forth within a 2-pound range. It doesn’t seem to really matter to me that in this past few months I have lost more inches than all the other months combined. It doesn’t matter that I am stronger and my endurance has markedly increased. I am still brought to my proverbial knees when I step on that scale and nothing has happened. Why have I allowed my identity to be so tied to that flashing number?

Up until now, I have tried to keep my boring, personal statistics out of my ramblings. Who wants to read that? But Sean, my fitness mentor, has been nagging me to make a log of all of my achievements. He keeps telling me to trust the process. So, today I am sharing a few of them. Not as a way of bragging, because some are very personal and will illustrate just how out of shape I was. I also risk that many of them will seem like laughable achievements to someone in better shape than me. But I am hoping that if you are stuck like I am, this exercise will help us all see that progress towards changing our lives is more than a flashing number.

1. I am able to sprint for the first time since elementary school.
2. The pants I bought a few months ago are now almost too big, even though I haven’t lost weight.
3. I walk down the stairs completely upright now. Not bent over carefully watching my steps like I used to when my body was out of alignment due to non-existent core strength.
4. I can carry a full basket of laundry up the stairs without getting short of breath. Instead, I notice that my legs are strong enough to lift me up each step.
5. I can deep clean my house, including the cursed job of wiping the baseboards and vacuuming stairs, without completely wearing myself out physically.
6. I can skip a stair going up the stairs. I haven’t been strong enough to do more than one stair at a time for many, many years.

I hope that everyone, regardless of if they are stuck or not, will join me this week in making a list of the very subtle changes that have come about since they started their journey; changes other than weight loss. Let’s take the challenge to make it about more than that flashing number on the scale.

Get updates from Janelle on Twitter @JanelleBrown117 and @TLC!

Related Links

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Comments

[Mary]

That is great Janelle!! Keep it up girl you are doing great.

[Jill Van Vlack]

Janelle you look great! So you are not losing weight or losing very little, but you are losing inches! And you can sprint and walk up stairs correctly..... how awesome is that? keep up the good work

[Tonya]

Muscle weighs more than fat. You are stronger because of your muscle. The scale may not be able to tell you that your muscle is making you leaner, and has replaced fat. That's why you lost inches and not pounds.

[Another one struggling]

You are building muscle! Good for you, that is inspirational. Those are called "non scale victories". Are you measuring yourself? Maybe if you see the inches vanishing it will help with the lack of pounds lost.
Good luke to you Janelle!

[Angela]

You are most likely building muscle! I too am stuck. I was able to loose 40 lbs in 4 months but can't lose 10 in 10. I just keep my head up and remember that I am exercising most of all for my health, not that number on the scale. It does get REALLY hard, but I know that I am eating "clean" and within reason while meeting my exercise goals. Keep your chin up beautiful!

[Brenda Curby]

I am very proud of you Janelle, at least you are sticking to your guns! I make it through a couple days and I am whipped. My devil is soda. I have tried everything I know to stop drinking soda but it seems to always find its way back to my (growing spare tire)! I purchased a bicycle, (granny bike) is what my kids call it, even tho I am only 46. LOL And I went for a bike ride with my 6 y/o grandson, and it whipped my rear! I want to loose this weight and I know it is a health issue as well. But just not strong enough. Keep up the good work!!! Huggzz!!!

[wendy]

Janelle just remember that the scale does not weigh just fat ..it weighs lean muscle (which weighs more then fat)bones,water, all your internal organs so dont focus on the number focus on how you feel and what YOU see when you look in the mirror..good luck on the same journey as you and get discouraged as well then i get the tape measure out that i mark with the date on every new measurement that are getting smaller and smaller it also serves as a reminder of where I was where I am and where I am going...good luck and god bless

[wendy]

Janelle just remember that the scale does not weigh just fat ..it weighs lean muscle (which weighs more then fat)bones,water, all your internal organs so dont focus on the number focus on how you feel and what YOU see when you look in the mirror..good luck on the same journey as you and get discouraged as well then i get the tape measure out that i mark with the date on every new measurement that are getting smaller and smaller it also serves as a reminder of where I was where I am and where I am going...good luck and god bless

[Katrina]

Your doing great !I have always had weight issues have a treadmill now.I am Vegan now but have an issue with the sweets.Exercise is key to losing pounds.You'll go through a time where you lose in inches not pounds.All the energy to do the things on that list means you are geting fit and stronger.Keep up it up !Sometimes it's best to not even use a scale if your clothes are loose you know your losing.Scales can be discouraging.I wish you all the best.Take care God bless you.

[Cheryl]

Janelle, I have been told that muscle weighs more than fat. Maybe that's what is happening. Either way, all the things you can do now that you couldn't before and losing inches is definitely progress! Don't worry so much about the scales. That's just mostly a number game. How do you FEEL? That is the best indicator of how you are doing. Keep up the good work! We can do this!

[Sherry]

Kudos to you Janelle! Every little accomplishment leads to bigger ones. It is a big thing to be able to do things you were not able before. You are taking back your life! Thank you God for all things you are doing for Janelle...Keep up the good work...you are worth it!!!

[Amber]

Thanks for sharing that Janelle! It can be hard to put ourselves out their for the world to see. Keep up the good work! I've said this before but you truly are an inspiration.

[Sandra]

Janelle, you are such an inspiration. I, too, am working on losing weight and I have over 100 lbs to lose. Sounds like you are at one of those frustrating plateaus. As hard as it is, don't let the numbers get to you. You are getting healthy. Always remember, you are worth it. :'}

[donna]

You go girl looken good i love ur family hoppen 4 new show cant wait 4 it 2 come back on.

[Judy]

WAY TO GO JANELLE!! YOU have inspired me to lose the weight I have been carrying for than 28 years. I have lost 13 pounds since the beginning of the year. I have also goals. some are small and some are BIG. a BIG goal.... I want to zip-line. I have a long way to go for this one but I will make it. YOU will make it. LOVE the show and all of wonderfully strong women. I pray for all of you and God's blessings upon you. Looking forward to the new season.

[jessika]

I am so into being not skinny but healthy. I am getting the gastric bypass surgery. I am so out of shape I can not walk 60 feet with out wanting to die. I was always thin up to my car accident then it went odwn hill. But I am so glad that you are doing great.

[Gina]

Go Girl!! I am so proud for you! I have the same struggle. I need to get serious about it!!!

[Becky Sawusch]

Janelle...your blogs inspire me as I journey toward a healthier lifestyle and weightloss. Thank you!!

[Shirl Bruce]

That's great that you've come that far , like they say we don't put the weight on in one day so were not gonna lose it in a day so to speak .. I've been stuck on the same weight for a couple years :( but keep up the good work n keep talking about it it'll inspire you and us your readers :)

[LadyJustice]

Muscle weights more than fat sweety!!! I hope you are learning about the emotional needs that are not being met, that causes you to eat! You are a wonderful person. You deserve to be happy!!!

[Beth Fienemann]

So happy for you and very proud! Keep up the good work, you are a very pretty lady :)

[Manon]

You are a role model for us who should start doing the same. Thank you for taking the time to give us updates. When are you coming back to TLC?

[mj]

that is so awesome. you go girl. keep up the good work.

[KimH]

I think your achievements are wonderful..
Many years ago, I used to have a private forum where I charted each & every workout I did, every pound I lost, every size I changed, and every success I had in my exercise endeavors.. I had many health issues that stopped it all in my tracks & has for the last 4 years but Im on the road again to find my place there again. To be able to look back to see what I chronicled is awesome and a super source of inspiration.. I think its a great idea!! Wishing you all the best, always! Blessings!
KimH

[Denise]

Janelle, have you tried water aerobics? I go 3x weekly to my local ymca and many older bigger woman do to and you can burn over 1000 cal. within 60min.and it is more gentle on the joints,I also do weight resistance and have lost alot of weight! Good Luck!