Do I really need to weigh myself?

mamainthekitchen

I've never owned a scale. I'm only guessing at my weight for this app. I'm 56yr female that wears a 32"Jean & 12-14 top, so I'm guessing I'm 160lbs. I figuring if my clothes get loose that that should be good enough..... But am reminded by the "progress" button that I'm not progressing since I'm not adding new weight measurements. Starting to feel like I should buy a scale... Should I? Does weighing in really help people??

juggernaut1974

Weighing is a common metric people use to gauge progress toward their goal. But no, it isn't the only metric, nor is it a required one.

If you have other metrics that you're using successfully then there's probably no need.

phenomenal_woman2016

I think it helps me realize I am bigger than I thought...not a big deal in my book just helps me to try and stay focused. I try only to weigh myself once a week though. Weight fluctuates so it's not a 100% accurate measurement.

Unknown

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concordancia

It is a good idea to know your weight when setting your calorie goals and your final goals. However, it is not necessary to weigh yourself regularly, so you could do so at a drug store or doctor's office rather than purchasing a scale

If you want to keep track of progress, you could start a strength training program and note your increases. Or you could take body measurements. Or you could just go by your clothes, as long as they are tailored and made from strong fabrics. Yoga pants are not a good indicator until it is too late.

ahoy_m8

Honestly, it probably hinders as many people as it helps. Many, many successful people find photos and tape measures more helpful. The scale will lie. Well, not lie, actually, but it is composed of many different components (sodium-related water retention, glycogen-related hydration, muscle repair-related water retention, food in transit, etc.) that can obscure fat loss. So if the tape measure/clothes fit works for you, stick with that! Best of luck!

chez510

It helps me, but everyone is different and all i know is it motivates me when i see weight going down on the scale. However it can be a double edge sword, especially if you weigh everyday since weight fluctuates very easily due to water weight etc. But weighing once a week can be useful and can help you see if your staying on the right track. As long as you dont obsess on the numbers not going down quickly enough or the weight going up because of extra sodium intake i think it can be very helpful

kristen6350

How about taking measurements? No, you don't have to weigh yourself, but having an idea in between clothing sizes (Takes me at least 15lbs ((which for me, as I never have any more than a 250 calorie defiecient, is FOREVER)) to get from a 12 - a 10 and it's frusterating) if you are doing things right helps.

When I was at my highest I guessed my weight because I really didn't want to know what it was. I'm assuming somewhere near 200. I didn't weigh again until I was about 165. Didn't even own a scale. By then I went down about 2 sizes in pants. The last 15lbs though I really needed to step it up because my body likes being in the 160's. I like my body to be in the 150's. LOL

SueInAz

Weight isn't a truly accurate measure of health or progress because there are so many different factors which can affect it. For example, your 32" inch jeans and size 12-14 top mean something to you in regards to your weight but since I don't know your height I can't say if you're making a good guess that you're 160 pounds. Your bone structure also plays a good part in your weight. Do you have a large frame or a small one? Knowing that also makes a difference in what your weight should be for your height. Additionally, there's your body fat and lean muscle mass percentages. If you're a weight lifter, you're going to weigh more at the same size than someone with a high body fat percentage because muscle is more dense than fat and therefore weighs more by volume.

All of that said, the scale is a decent measuring tool when gauging success of a weight loss program. Another good tool is a measuring tape. There's nothing that says you have to weigh yourself to gauge your progress but it wouldn't hurt to do it occasionally just to be sure you're on track.

Sued0nim

I weigh close to 160 which shocks most people based on my size (I'm at goal and maintenance)

I wear a 4-8 top and a 27 jean

I think it could be worthwhile in terms of getting an accurate calorie estimate to base your defecit in the first place ...but no if you really don't want to you don't have to

It does help with checking progress over time but it's not the only way

mamainthekitchen

kristen6350 wrote: »

How about taking measurements? No, you don't have to weigh yourself, but having an idea in between clothing sizes (Takes me at least 15lbs ((which for me, as I never have any more than a 250 calorie defiecient, is FOREVER)) to get from a 12 - a 10 and it's frusterating) if you are doing things right helps.

When I was at my highest I guessed my weight because I really didn't want to know what it was. I'm assuming somewhere near 200. I didn't weigh again until I was about 165. Didn't even own a scale. By then I went down about 2 sizes in pants. The last 15lbs though I really needed to step it up because my body likes being in the 160's. I like my body to be in the 150's. LOL

mamainthekitchen

I like the taking measurements idea! Thanks so much for your response, and it sounds like you've done a really good job at lowering your weight you must look and feel great!

mamainthekitchen

SueInAz wrote: »

Weight isn't a truly accurate measure of health or progress because there are so many different factors which can affect it. For example, your 32" inch jeans and size 12-14 top mean something to you in regards to your weight but since I don't know your height I can't say if you're making a good guess that you're 160 pounds. Your bone structure also plays a good part in your weight. Do you have a large frame or a small one? Knowing that also makes a difference in what your weight should be for your height. Additionally, there's your body fat and lean muscle mass percentages. If you're a weight lifter, you're going to weigh more at the same size than someone with a high body fat percentage because muscle is more dense than fat and therefore weighs more by volume.

All of that said, the scale is a decent measuring tool when gauging success of a weight loss program. Another good tool is a measuring tape. There's nothing that says you have to weigh yourself to gauge your progress but it wouldn't hurt to do it occasionally just to be sure you're on track.

mamainthekitchen

Thanks for your great response... Really good points indeed. I am 5'6" and not a petite frame. I really like the measurements idea from many responses to this {thank you everyone!} but also I may just head to a store to borrow one to find out my weight now as a proper starting point. Then I don't become "obsessed" which is my worry. Thank you!

Need2Exerc1se

It's hard to guess your weight knowing nothing but your height and clothing size. I'm 5'6" and around 160 (I don't weigh often either) and wear a size 8 in most everything (I don't think I have any pants that are sold by inches). But in the past I've been 15 lbs lighter and wore these same clothes. BF% changes a lot of things.

If you aren't going to be wieghing regularly then not knowing your starting weight shouldn't be a big deal. Hopefully you are getting regular medical checkups so you should be weighed a couple times a year by your doctors.

Personally I prefer to gauge my progress by clothes and occasionally the tape measure. As long as I'm getting smaller I don't stress over lbs.

JennieMaeK

rabbitjb wrote: »

I think it could be worthwhile in terms of getting an accurate calorie estimate to base your defecit in the first place ...but no if you really don't want to you don't have to

This ^^

If the number on the scale isn't your focus, then I don't think you need to have one, but it knowing your weight will help you better determine how many calories you need.

IconStillFree

I weigh myself once a week but don't really like weighing as it puts me down and all I care about is the number sometimes lol

PinkPixiexox

I think it's important to find a healthy balance with the scales :]

I do think weighing is vital because it determines your calorie allowance first and foremost. You need to make sure you are eating the correct amount based on your current weight - and you need to make sure this is being adjusted as and when you lose. I would suggest weighing once a week on the same day and time of day. Record your result in MFP and you'll calories will adjust accordingly as and when they need to be adjusted.

Don't place too much importance on scales, Remember - Non Scale victories are just as important if not moreso (Inch loss!)

Good luck.

Therealobi1

when i started out i used to weigh every week. its that first initial weigh in that sparked me into action. i stupidly thought my scales were busted as i weighed more than was in my head. So in that respects weighing can be good. it was my eye opener. I also used what i call test shorts which i used to try on every two weeks until they just were far too big. The shorts really helped when the scales were not budging.

You can do a mixture of both. whatever suits you

LivingtheLeanDream

It costs under £20 to buy a set of digital scales, they still remain the best way to track progress in my opinion.
I know for years I didn't weigh myself, I too would have guessed my weight but I was way off and when I started my weight loss journey I was gunked to find I was actually 154lbs - alot for being 5ft 2". Seeing the scales come down (most weeks!) was a great encouragement as well as noticing how loose my clothes were fitting.

Been maintaining a 21lb loss for 2+ years now, still weigh in a few times a week just to check all is still ok ...mind you I can tell by my clothes right away when I'm up even as much as 2lbs!

all the best for your weight loss journey

Kalikel

Nope, you don't need a scale to lose weight. Some people enjoy watching their progress, but if you're not one of them, there is no reason you need to do it.

If you're just starting, it might be a good idea to get your weight. Some grocery stores have scales. Most, if not all gyms have one. The doctor's office will have one and might let you pop in just to weigh yourself, if you call and ask. If you work for a company that ships large items, they might have a big old scale in shipping that you could hop on. A friend or neighbor may have one you could use, too.

I wish I knew my top weight, so that I could know exactly how much I've lost. You may want to know, later, where you started.

dammitjanet0161

I never owned scales or weighed myself, preferring to go by fit of clothes - I never wanted to go down that rabbit hole of letting the scale dictate my mood. As long as I didn't go above a UK size 14 I was satisfied.

When the weight started to creep on slowly (after a job change meant I exercised than I had always done), being tall helped me disguise it fairly well. Many of my trousers were becoming tight but I could still get them on, and I started wearing leggings and long tops which were more forgiving! It was only when I was weighed during a hospital visit that I was confronted with the number, which was higher than I thought and put me firmly in the overweight BMI category (not just nudging into it as I probably would have told anyone who asked me to guess my BMI back then).

It was only stepping on the scale that led me to do something about it, as up until then I'd been kidding myself that I was still ok because I could still get into my clothes! After that I knew my starting point and that's when I joined MFP. But I struggled to set a goal weight as I had no idea what I'd weighed back when I was the size I wanted to get back to - even in my profile I talk about my first goal as being able to get into one of my old pairs of trousers. I guess my point is not to ignore the scale completely if you have weight to lose, but the scale certainly isn't the only marker

scolaris

kristen6350 wrote: »

How about taking measurements? No, you don't have to weigh yourself, but having an idea in between clothing sizes (Takes me at least 15lbs ((which for me, as I never have any more than a 250 calorie defiecient, is FOREVER)) to get from a 12 - a 10 and it's frusterating) if you are doing things right helps.

When I was at my highest I guessed my weight because I really didn't want to know what it was. I'm assuming somewhere near 200. I didn't weigh again until I was about 165. Didn't even own a scale. By then I went down about 2 sizes in pants. The last 15lbs though I really needed to step it up because my body likes being in the 160's. I like my body to be in the 150's. LOL

Hahahaha Kristen! Are we the same person?? I really was a little over 200 when I started I guess... And at 5'6" I was in the same sizes as you manainthekitchen. My initial impulse was not to weigh for at least 10 weeks but about halfway there I got a Fitbit Aria scale & I LOVE IT!! Now I weigh almost daily when I'm home, just skipping a couple of days after a few beers when bloat might bum me out. The numbers go up & down, but mostly in ounces... nothing like the wild 5-7 lb variations I got on my old clunky scale.

I'm happy with my progress & even though I don't think weight monitoring is in any way job one during weight loss, it is a habit that successful maintainers swear by & might as well be cultivated now... If up/downs play with your resolve get a trend line app like Happy Scale to smooth out the 'noise.' I don't freak because, doh, SCIENCE! I understand & accept that our bodies are miraculous factories of assimilation and elimination.

Liftng4Lis

A tape measure and pictures will work just as well.