How Important is the Number on the Scale?

I remember when I first started losing weight a little over three and a half years ago. I would feel somewhat embarrassed with all the attention and would sometimes understate how much weight I lost. But, eventually I had to admit my weight loss to others. I was always afraid of people's shock when they would hear the number... 140 pounds, Oh My God! Of course, now it's been over 150 pounds lost, but anyway... 

Personally, I have no desire to get to a certain number. I'm very happy with my weight... in fact, if it goes down a little on the scale, I get nervous as I don't want my weight to go lower. I judge by how I look... despite the sagging skin on my abs, I know that I don't need to worry about my weight. I'm proud of the weight I lost and have no interest in losing anymore. I know I have an athletic body fat percentage and that my waist circumference is considered healthy. For me, it's all about being healthy. But there are other people I've talked to that obsess about getting to a certain number on the scale.

I was talking to someone the other day about his weight loss. He's someone who should be proud of his accomplishments and instead he feels the need to lose another 15 or so pounds, just to say he lost to a certain number. He's starting to look too thin and he should know when to stop losing weight. In fact, he should be trying to build muscle! What difference does it make to anyone else if he loses 90 , 92 or 100 pounds? Would the average person feel any less of him if he said he lost 90 pounds versus 100 pounds? Why the obsession over the numbers? Does he think he'll get a special award for losing to a certain number that's higher than the amount of weight he originally needed to lose?

I just wish that people understood that body weight is only part of the equation. You have to consider your waist circumference and your body fat percentage. In fact, if your waist circumference is in the healthy range and you have a healthy body fat, you do not need to worry what the number says on the scale.

I'm probably more concerned about this than most people. After witnessing my sister suffer from anorexia, it's hard to hear others obsess about the numbers on the scale. I just don't understand the need to be a certain number instead of judging by how you look and feel. Haven't we gotten beyond this mentality that we need to be a certain number? And if my friend gets to the certain number, will he be satisfied?

Unless someone has an enormous amount of weight to lose, the number on the scale should never be the focus. Instead, it's important to focus on exercise and eating healthy as the weight will take care of itself.