While 2021 may already look different than most years, one of the most common New Year’s resolutions has remained the same: lose weight. The lose weight resolution does not mention eating healthier or exercising more. The resolution has only one goal – to lower the number on the scale.

Stepping on a scale is part of many people’s daily routine, probably because many studies have shown that frequent weigh-ins are an effective way to keep weight off. These studies cite feelings of shame and fear as main reasons why constant visits to the scale help people lose weight. This argument implies a dangerous claim – that shame and fear are necessary to good health.

My resolution for 2021 is to never know my weight. I think stepping on a scale is one of the worst things a person can do for their health – and many nutritionists agree. Alissa Rumsey, a registered dietitian, argues that the scale does more harm than good. 

Rumsey mentions on her website that weight fluctuates frequently depending on hydration, hormones and muscle. Relying on external measurements makes it more difficult for someone to listen to their body’s hunger and thirst cues. A higher number on the scale due to muscle gain might discourage someone from working out.

Weight is not always an accurate portrayal of someone’s health. A study published by Arch Internal Medicine found that some people considered overweight actually have a healthy metabolic rate, low blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels, while a quarter of thin participants had test results typically related to obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

A better way to decrease your risk for heart disease and improve your health is to work on fitness, not thinness. Improving your cardiovascular health starts with getting your heart rate up. Replace the daily weigh-in with a daily walk. Replace the scale with a wearable fitness tracker. Make your goal to run a few miles without stopping or do a cardio workout video three times a week, not to lose a certain number of pounds.

One of the most freeing things about getting rid of the scale is that it can help you eat intuitively. Intuitive eating is a method that focuses on listening to hunger cues and embracing a healthier relationship with food.

Intuitive eaters eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. They do not restrict certain foods or obsess over weight but rather focus on eating whatever makes them have the most energy and joy. Most importantly, intuitive eaters aim to respect their body’s natural need for food and weight fluctuation.

Sometimes, the scale can be difficult to avoid. The best way to quit weighing yourself is to not own a scale. Sell it on Facebook marketplace, donate it or just put it someplace that is difficult to access. If you have a roommate who keeps a scale out, ask them if they could store it in a drawer or hide it from view.

When you go to the doctor, ask if you can be weighed with your back to the numbers. They should respect your wishes and not read your weight out loud.

I have given up the scale before and it was one of the best things I have ever done for my self-esteem. I felt healthier, liked working out more, obsessed over food less and had better body image.

However, with the stress of this past year I found myself returning to the scale. I quickly noticed a decline in my body image, which is why I made my 2021 resolution to abandon the scale. I already feel more in tune with my body and aware of how different foods and exercises make me feel. 

For me, changing up small parts of my routine can do wonders for my body image and mental health. However, sometimes these changes are not enough. It is okay to ask for professional help. If you are struggling with obsessive thoughts about food or your body, the best thing you can do for your health is to reach out to counseling services. 

On Oct. 29, William Jewell College Provost Anne Dema emailed all students announcing changes to the spring semester. The biggest announcement was the change to spring break. The five days that make up a regular spring break have now been spread out over the course of the entire spring semester, meaning that there will be no classes on the days of Feb. 5, Feb. 24, March 16, March 18 and April 14. 

“This change enables a less interrupted mid-semester schedule, which is a time that often involves personal travel, thus mitigating increased exposure risks,” Dema stated in the email.

While I wish things could return to normal by next semester and we could have our spring break as usual, both the school and I believe that is unlikely, and it would be irresponsible to act as if things were normal. So it was clear that Jewell had to make some adjustments to the next semester. 

About a week before the announcement, the College sent out a survey to students to gauge the student body’s opinions on how to change spring break. Apart from the option that has been approved, the others were to either have spring break as planned, with required testing added on, or have no spring break and school would end for the summer a week earlier. 

Ultimately, after the results of the survey, the school chose to spread out spring break, given that survey feedback indicated that faculty and students preferred that option over the others. 

I personally agree with Jewell’s decision, and I believe it is the best option for the spring semester of 2021. Going without many days off this semester has been very difficult on myself and many other students, so having no break would have been my least favorite option of the three. And while I would have liked to have a normal spring break, it would not be very responsible if the virus is not under control and would require copious amounts of testing, which is expensive. 

The only problem I have with Jewell’s plan for the spring semester is the dates for the days off from class. Only one of them falls on a Friday, and none of them fall on a Monday, meaning only one three-day-weekend will come from these extra days off. I personally prefer extra long weekends as opposed to a day off in the middle of the week because it gives me extra time to complete homework from the weekend, although this may not be as big of a deal to others.

Overall, I do agree and support Jewell’s decision to spread out spring break over the course of the semester. While I wish we could have a normal spring break, it would be too risky in the current situation we are in. I believe that Jewell made a fair and balanced choice that will keep the school and the surrounding community safe, while also providing students with opportunity for breaks during the semester.