Take your scale and smash the heck out of it, urges Kamloops woman

Marlene Hibbs. (via Tereza Verenca)

A mental health advocate from Kamloops is asking locals (and everyone else in Canada) to grab their scale this Sunday (Jan. 27) and smash it with a hammer. 

It's part of a nationwide initiative called the Days of Action Scale Smash Challenge (SSC).

Like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, SSC asks participants to take a video of themselves while they pulverize the weight-measuring device with whatever means possible. 

"Currently, we are taught to weigh ourselves to measure our health," says event organizer Marlene Hibbs. "Smashing the scale symbolizes taking back personal power."

During the video, Hibbs is encouraging participants to share a personal story before they start wreaking havoc on the scale. Once finished, the participant is urged to nominate three to five people. Nominees have two days to accept the challenge. 

Videos of the scale smash are to go to Facebook and other social media channels, says Hibbs, using the hashtags #scalesmashchallenge, #edaw2019, #showusyourpurple and #mentalhealthawareness.

One of the charities Hibbs has partnered with is the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) Foundation. She says any money donated during SSC will go directly toward a day kitchen for patients with an eating disorder. 

Around 75 people have committed to smashing a scale.

"The potential is within that individual, what changes they believe are possible. Are we ready to put aside this diet culture and pick up something new?" says Hibbs, who speaks from personal experience. The local resident has struggled with an eating disorder for more than 21 years, including bulimia and anorexia. 

Hibbs gave up her scale five years ago, she says.

"I remember it being hard but it was so freeing. The times I have weighed myself, I’ve noticed the feelings of not feeling good enough."

The Days of Action Scale Smash Challenge will kick off on Jan. 27 at a to-be-determined location at 2 p.m. Anyone who wants to participate or learn more about the cause can click HERE. Participants can bring their own scale. If they don't have one, Hibbs will have some spares on hand, along with safety goggles and hammers.