Scale, why should I dump thee? Let me count the ways....

RalfLott

MorningGloryLori wrote: »

canadjineh wrote: »

Isn't dehydrated mayo egg powder, lol?

Tricksy. But true.

?

swezeytba

solska

I love my scale on days it shows progress. And think it's broken or off on days when it won't. Love hate relationship.

blambo61

Steph_Maks wrote: »

I hate how much power the scale has over me, my mood. I know, logically, it should not rule me like it does.

I know and often say, it is not the only metric, it is not even necessarily the best metric. Unfortunately, it is still the most common metric.

In my experience, that is what people ask or mention. "How much weight have you lost?" "How many pounds this week?" "Wow you've lost weight."

From doctors too. "You need to lose XX pounds." or "Come back when you're under XXX pounds." or that sort of thing. It's never "I want you to feel 17% better." or "Come back when you're down three dress sizes."

This is the disconnect, the cognative dissonance that I feel when approaching the scale.

I know, logically, that regardless of whatever number it displays, I'm the fittest I've been since probably the 1980's. I know that almost every piece of clothing I own is now loose. (The only remaning clothes still tight are things I've kept from waaaaaay back that I'll soon fit into again.) I know that the number on the scale does not change how I look, how my clothes fit, or the progress I've made in the past ~22 months.

And yet, if that number is higher than it was last week, I will feel crummy. I will literally feel bad for a day, or two, or three, depending how much higher that number is. Conversely if the number is lower, I'll feel good. Energized, happy.

I don't like that the scale has this power over my mood. But I don't know how to stop it. And I can't just stop weighing myself, because of aforementioned doctors. (Lose xx pounds, get under xxx weight, et cetera.) And then, as my dad used to say, "How do you know you're winning, if you don't keep score?"

Finally, despite the way it affects my mood, I do not let it affect my behavior. Whether up or down, I don't let the scale or my mood drive me off plan, either to celebrate or to assuage my sorrows.

I just want to get the number off the scale without also getting all the emotions. Maybe someday I'll be able to do that.

Edited to add: It feels like the scale's power is greater now than it has been in the past. As of last Sunday, I'm 2 lbs away from a big milestone, and 15 lbs away from a major milestone, so it feels like every week has the potential to be a step forward or two steps back.

Can't let it get you down! I really like to weigh and did so when I was skinny. I usually weigh morning, after a workout, and in the evening. It will go down a couple lbs after a workout, up 4-lbs after eating and before bed and back down 2-3 lbs in the morning. I know if I kept my calories down, I didn't gain fat and I'm just retaining water so it doesn't matter what the scale says. Also, if I have a good run, the NSV is even better for me than seeing a drop in weight! Sorry didn't notice the old date on this before posting.

baconslave

blambo61 wrote: »

Steph_Maks wrote: »

I hate how much power the scale has over me, my mood. I know, logically, it should not rule me like it does.

I know and often say, it is not the only metric, it is not even necessarily the best metric. Unfortunately, it is still the most common metric.

In my experience, that is what people ask or mention. "How much weight have you lost?" "How many pounds this week?" "Wow you've lost weight."

From doctors too. "You need to lose XX pounds." or "Come back when you're under XXX pounds." or that sort of thing. It's never "I want you to feel 17% better." or "Come back when you're down three dress sizes."

This is the disconnect, the cognative dissonance that I feel when approaching the scale.

I know, logically, that regardless of whatever number it displays, I'm the fittest I've been since probably the 1980's. I know that almost every piece of clothing I own is now loose. (The only remaning clothes still tight are things I've kept from waaaaaay back that I'll soon fit into again.) I know that the number on the scale does not change how I look, how my clothes fit, or the progress I've made in the past ~22 months.

And yet, if that number is higher than it was last week, I will feel crummy. I will literally feel bad for a day, or two, or three, depending how much higher that number is. Conversely if the number is lower, I'll feel good. Energized, happy.

I don't like that the scale has this power over my mood. But I don't know how to stop it. And I can't just stop weighing myself, because of aforementioned doctors. (Lose xx pounds, get under xxx weight, et cetera.) And then, as my dad used to say, "How do you know you're winning, if you don't keep score?"

Finally, despite the way it affects my mood, I do not let it affect my behavior. Whether up or down, I don't let the scale or my mood drive me off plan, either to celebrate or to assuage my sorrows.

I just want to get the number off the scale without also getting all the emotions. Maybe someday I'll be able to do that.

Edited to add: It feels like the scale's power is greater now than it has been in the past. As of last Sunday, I'm 2 lbs away from a big milestone, and 15 lbs away from a major milestone, so it feels like every week has the potential to be a step forward or two steps back.

Can't let it get you down! I really like to weigh and did so when I was skinny. I usually weigh morning, after a workout, and in the evening. It will go down a couple lbs after a workout, up 4-lbs after eating and before bed and back down 2-3 lbs in the morning. I know if I kept my calories down, I didn't gain fat and I'm just retaining water so it doesn't matter what the scale says. Also, if I have a good run, the NSV is even better for me than seeing a drop in weight! Sorry didn't notice the old date on this before posting.

It's a good thread though.

RalfLott

I have a few stock lines when people ask if I've lost weight, have cancer or GI distress (yes, really).

My current go-to is something like, "Oh dear, I must be dehydrated again."

tcunbeliever

I love this thread...it should be resurrected often!