There are moments in a health journey that feel like turning points. Sometimes they come with fireworks and triumph. Other times, they come quietly — like standing on a set of scales in your GP’s office and feeling your stomach drop.
That happened to me recently.
Fully clothed, the number read 160kg.
Higher than I expected.
Higher than I wanted.
Higher than the version of me from 2011 who weighed in the 140s and was rebuilding his life, step by step.
For a few hours, that number sat heavily on me. It whispered old stories about failure and decline. It tried to convince me that the past few weeks of effort weren’t worth much at all.
But the next morning, something shifted.
I went for a run. Nothing fancy — just my usual walk-run intervals. And in the middle of it, the realisation hit me:
I’m running at 160kg. In 2011, at 140-something, I couldn’t run at all.
And suddenly, everything changed.
Why the Scale Doesn’t Tell the Story
We often make the mistake of thinking progress is linear and easily defined. Lower number = success. Higher number = failure.
But bodies aren’t spreadsheets.
Bodies are stories.
And stories need context.
Here’s what the scale didn’t tell me:
- That my legs are stronger than they were back then.
- That I’ve been moving consistently for the last few weeks.
- That I walk more easily now than I did a few months ago.
- That my cardiovascular foundation is significantly better than past versions of me.
- That I’ve rebuilt habits, confidence, and momentum that had been lost for years.
The scale only reports mass.
It doesn’t report capability.
Or strength.
Or resilience.
Or the courage it takes to begin again.
When we only measure progress through weight, we miss the entire magic of transformation.
The Progress You Can’t See in Numbers
For many beginner and returning runners — especially those who feel unfit, overweight, or unsure — the scale becomes a judge. A quiet voice that says, “See? You’re not doing enough.”
But here’s the truth:
Some of the biggest wins will never show up on the scales.
Maybe your win is getting out the door on a day you were exhausted.
Maybe it’s running for 30 seconds longer than last week.
Maybe it’s walking up a hill that used to wipe you out.
Maybe it’s noticing your mood lifting.
Maybe it’s choosing movement instead of giving up.
Maybe it’s simply believing in yourself again.
These wins are the foundation stones of lasting change.
They’re subtle.
They’re personal.
They’re powerful.
And they deserve to be celebrated.
Looking Back Without Being Pulled Back
It would’ve been easy for me to see 160kg and think, “I’m worse than I was before.”
But when I compare who I am, not just what I weigh, the picture is completely different.
In 2011, I had lower weight but lower capability.
Today, I have higher weight but higher strength, higher fitness, and a stronger belief in myself.
That’s progress.
And here’s something important:
Your body remembers effort, not numbers.
Every walk strengthens it.
Every slow run teaches it.
Every tiny step forward compounds over time.
This is essentially the Runners Gateway approach; gentle progress, small steps, mindset first, no judgement, and every win worth celebrating!
How to Spot Your Own Small Wins
Here are a few ways to notice progress that has nothing to do with the scale:
1. Pay attention to what your body can do
Can you walk further than last month?
Get up the stairs easier?
Jog a little without stopping?
That’s meaningful.
2. Notice your recovery
Maybe you catch your breath quicker.
Maybe aches fade faster.
Maybe you wake up with more energy.
3. Track feelings, not just metrics
Did your run lift your mood?
Did your walk help you clear your head?
Did you prove something to yourself?
4. Celebrate effort
A run done at your heaviest weight might be the biggest win of your entire journey.
5. Reflect weekly
Ask yourself:
What did I do this week that the old me wouldn’t have done?
That question alone reveals so much progress.
Your Wins Are Real — Even When the Scale Doesn’t Agree
Standing on that scale could have derailed me.
Instead, it reminded me that progress lives in my actions, not my weight.
I’m running.
I’m improving.
I’m stronger than before.
Even at 160kg.
And you have your own version of this story.
You’re achieving things your past self couldn’t.
You’re overcoming things you once thought impossible.
You’re showing up when life is messy, tiring, or overwhelming.
Those are wins worth celebrating loudly.
Celebrate the You That’s Emerging
Progress is not the number you see on a machine.
Progress is the proof you feel when you move.
So whatever your version of “160kg but running” is — own it.
Celebrate it.
Tell yourself the truth:
You’re doing better than you think.
You’re stronger than you know.
And you’re miles ahead of the person you used to be.
If you want to start noticing your own wins more deeply, or you’re looking for gentle support as you build momentum, come join us.
👉 You’re always welcome in the Runners Gateway community. Every pace, every body, every story.
