Verified by 
Numerical data, such as having a heartbeat of zero, are important information. It signifies life or death. Other Numbers are significant as well: the speed limit to an officer writing a speeding ticket; the number of impossibly cute puppies in a litter.
However, in a data-driven world, it's easy to lose sight of the Numbers that really matter. We spend an incredible amount of time worrying about Numbers that only serve to create anxiety, self-doubt and fear. Numbers that tell us we aren't complete, aren't enough or are somehow broken, flawed and hopeless.
For example, I took a trip to the doctor last year. There, on the counter in the exam room, was the dreaded BMI (Body Mass Index) chart. This chart is the bane of my existence, because despite being an accomplished weightlifter in my late teen years and a four-time IRONMAN triathlete in my adult years, I am, according to this chart: obese. Obese. Unhealthy. Fat. And all the unfair and unkind synonyms that often come from such societal-based derogatory terms.
BMI is a dumb measurement of health. It takes into account only two factors: weight and height. It ignores factors like age, activity level, body composition, genetic disposition, athleticism, heart rate, blood pressure, 40-yard dash time. But yet, you can walk into a random physician's office and still get a sheet of paper handed over that says: "obese." By looking at my height and my weight only.
Ironically, I can outrun (and outlift) most of the doctors who are handing me said paper.
Receiving that Number is useless to me. The only use of the BMI, for me, is to provide me with hot, dark shame. The actual data give me absolutely no real information; it doesn't change my behavior or patterns; it doesn't prevent or accelerate disease or wellness. What am I going to do? Workout more than I already do (5-6 days a week) and eat "cleaner" than I do (gluten-free, high plant-based, and organic, with no alcohol, dairy or sugar)–based on a useless, shame-filled Number?
No, because I have already decided what Numbers I allow into my life. I do not run my life by a piece of paper that says "healthy" is 155 pounds. A former weightlifter and current dabbler of weights, I am now 185 pounds and a size 10. I work hard to be here. In truth, I would really struggle to shrink to and then live my life at 155 pounds. I haven't weighed that few pounds since sixth grade. Nevermind the amount of bad health it would take me to get to that kind of weight--the kind of weight where the BMI chart would say: "Healthy," but I'd have an eating disorder and look ill.
Healthy? What kind of data pops out a chart based on two measurements and declares "Healthy"?
But this is not an article about the ridiculous Body Mass Index. It's about the Numbers we value. It's about the Numbers we give weight. (Pun intended.)
What Numbers are you allowing to run your life? Numbers in the bank account, friends, children or social media followers? Number of published articles or books? Television or radio appearances? Cars and home, vacations and fancy purses?
What do these Numbers actually prove? They tell us nothing about the true, authentic us. Most Numbers we give significance mean nothing in reality. I can hear Harry Chapin Cats in the Cradle playing and the old adage "you can't take it with you" buzzing in the background as I think about this.
We crave connection and love, belonging and joy, peace and personal fulfillment.
(None of these things are actually manifested by data.)
Even when we say we crave money, it's not the dollars we are after; we are after security and the belief that money equals the ability to no longer worry.
But the good news is that we are able choose our Numbers wisely. We can choose which Numbers we allow to matter. We choose which Numbers we work towards or rage against. We choose which Numbers define us, and which Numbers we crumple up and throw into the trash (like I do with the BMI chart).
Numbers and data are important, sure. But many Numbers in our lives are probability indicators, not dictates of future outcomes.
My friend was given three months to live after her cancer diagnosis. Now, ten years later, she is in remission. She is still kicking after seeking and implementing a powerful new treatment and lifestyle. What if Nina had simply accepted and embraced three months to live as her most important Number? What would have happened?
Back in 2013, I learned that it would be extremely difficult for a 206-pound woman to finish an IRONMAN triathlon--a race consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile marathon. Then I heard that it is a near impossibility for a woman to finish FOUR of those races in three years weighing "that much," especially with two of those bike courses taking place in the mountains of Coeur d'Alene and Lake Placid.
But it could be done. I knew it could be done.
Then I proved it.
I didn't, however, set out to prove anything about me being a heavy woman and trying to finish IRONMAN. I just happened to want to do those races. And I just happened to weigh that much.
I set out to live my life and tackle my version of Health without regard for the Numbers floating around me. I knew what I weighed. I also knew I was very strong, a hard worker, and had incredible mental toughness. I knew that being heavy made it hard. So I worked harder.
I knew I could accomplish 140.6 miles in under 17 hours. Those were the Numbers I cared about: 140.6 and 17. And as such, I focused on the goal of the finish lines--not the Number-driven mumbles of the naysayers, pointing out what I couldn't do.
Sure, Numbers and data are not insignificant. But in some contexts, they are.
Choosing the Numbers we value is part of living our best life. Don't let anyone take a Number, apply it to you, and make it your destiny.
Own the Numbers that inspire you; let the other ones go.
