This mom’s before-and-after Instagram photo reminds us that the numbers on a scale don’t mean a thing

Caitlin Flynn
Updated
This mom’s before-and-after Instagram photo reminds us that the numbers on a scale don’t mean a thing
This mom’s before-and-after Instagram photo reminds us that the numbers on a scale don’t mean a thing

When we kick off a new eating and fitness regimen, it’s easy to fixate on the number on the scale. Sure, we all know that muscle weighs more than fat and the number on the scale isn’t really a good indicator of health — but society remains focused on weight. It’s easy to get caught up in that mindset. For all the skeptics out there, a mom posted a before-and-after Instagram photo to remind us that the number on a scale doesn’t mean anything.

Adrienne Osuna, a fitness blogger based in Santa Maria, California, spent years yo-yo dieting and struggling with her weight. It was only when the mother of four decided to focus on exercise and ditch the scale obsession that Osuna saw effective, lasting results — and (spoiler alert!) they had nothing to do with her weight.

*For all the people that don't read the post...YES TWO POUNDS. Body recomposition. Lost fat gained muscle! NEGATIVE COMMENTS ARE DELETED AND BLOCKED*. People have been messaging me telling me they've seen this pic all over like on Facebook pages and groups, twitter, other accounts here ect. I don't mind people sharing it!! But I DID NOT use anyone's products to do this...in fact I didn't even diet to do this this was all hard work in the gym lifting heavy weights and intermittent fasting. And for anyone just seeing this for the first time YESSS really 2 lbs, the scale doesn't measure fat vs muscle! Keep going girls . . . . . . . . #weightlossjourney #momsthatlift #powerlifting #eattoperform #iifym #allthefood #bodybuilding #strongmom #flexibledieting #squats #fitnessjourney #strongwoman #girlswithmuscle #girlswhopowerlift #dietingsucks #fitbit #fitfam #bodypositivity #powerliftingbuiltthisbody #deadlifts #liftheavythings #intuitiveeating #bodybuildinglife #gymislife #progressnotperfection #beforeandafterweightloss #powerlifter #beyondthescale #nsv #heavylifting

A post shared by ↠a d r i e n n e o s u n a↞ (@adrienneosuna) on Feb 17, 2017 at 9:07am PST

Many may expect that her before-and-after is due to weight loss — but Osuna only lost two pounds, and her transformation came from sweating it out at the gym and lifting heavy weights.

On her blog, Osuna says she “fell in love” with heavy lifting, and currently lifts about four times each week.

Since she began her fitness journey, Osuna writes that she dropped three dress sizes — but the scale still hasn’t moved.

The comments I get are unreal I never post two of these pics back to back but this one is for all you sweet souls that stuck up for me, left me sweet comments, and sent me messages saying these help you so much. Here's a REAL side view for you. NO I WASN'T PREGNANT on the left the right was this morning. No dieting, just heavy lifting, which is anaerobic and uses stored fat for fuel, and intermittent fasting which also taps into stored fat especially from the belly, and hitting protein. I lost fat and gained muscle which made my weight pretty much stay the same but as you can see I've lost a lot of inches and dress sizes. I'll be answering questions I got in my story today Negative comments get deleted and ppl blocked

A post shared by ↠a d r i e n n e o s u n a↞ (@adrienneosuna) on Jan 19, 2017 at 9:20am PST

Lifting weights is one of the healthiest, most empowering forms of exercise. And, as Osuna’s photos prove, it transforms the body in a beautiful way that has nothing to do with the number on the scale.