What the Scale Doesn’t Tell You About Weight— And Why Self-Love Does the Heavy Lifting

This morning, I made the mistake of weighing myself before I was even fully awake.

The scale flashed a BMI of 24.7 — a number that, at a glance, would imply I’m knocking on the door of being overweight.

But here’s the truth: That number doesn’t accurately represent my body, my build, my strength, or my health.

Steve discusses why his BMI of 24.7 didn’t match his real health and how self-love, body awareness, and mindful weigh-ins lead to more honest, empowering transformation.

And yet… it stuck in my head. Isn’t that how numbers work sometimes? They speak louder than they should. They slip into our self-talk, shape our expectations, and try to define who we believe we are.

So I sat with it and realized two things:

1. Numbers are tools — not verdicts of weight.

BMI is a generalized equation. It doesn’t account for muscle mass, bone density, or individual physiology. It’s not designed to tell someone like me whether I’m healthy or not. And it may not be the right metric for you either.

2. Only weigh yourself if you’re going to do something with the information.

If you’re stepping on the scale without a plan, the only thing you’re giving yourself is anxiety. But when you look in the mirror and approach yourself with love, acceptance, and curiosity — that is where transformation begins.

When you love who you see, your habits shift naturally. Your energy shifts. Your life shifts. And eventually, yes… the scale shifts too.

The mirror tells the truth.

The scale tells a fraction of the story.

Self-love tells the whole thing.

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About the Authors

Steve Wooten and Pepper Wooten are the co-founders of Soul Journey Relaxation Retreats in Melbourne, FL, where they blend therapeutic bodywork, somatic insight, and compassionate life-awareness to help people transform how they relate to their bodies, selves, and personal narratives. Rooted in a belief that true wellness arises from self-love, embodied awareness, and nervous system regulation rather than external measures or numbers, Steve and Pepper craft experiences that invite readers and clients to see beyond the scale toward holistic health, emotional resilience, and grounded self-acceptance. Their work supports individuals across Brevard County and beyond in reclaiming joy, inner strength, and a deeper sense of worth that transcends conventional metrics.