I'm thinking about ignoring scale. Thoughts?

bbell1985

I think ignoring the scale for awhile is fine, but I do think checking for a solid starting point (maybe weighing once or twice) before you start your weight loss is beneficial. The scale needs to move. It's a tool that lets you know what you are doing is working. So is the tape measure but that can move very slowly.

I don't check my weight very often, but I know I'm not doing well at staying in a deficit. Once I feel like I am on track again, I definitely think it's important to give it a looksee. Maybe not every day, or even every week. But a couple times per month.

not_my_first_rodeo

Take your measurements. Weigh yourself now. And then if you think you will obsess about it, do it monthly. But I would definitely weigh yourself and measure yourself now.

WatchJoshLift

Be careful of extremes. Last time you lost weight, you obsessed over the scale. Now you want to abandon it completely. Balance is the key. Set a weekly or monthly weigh-in day, and then determine not to step on the scale until that time.

amusedmonkey

I found weighing myself daily to help much more with the scale obsession than not weighing at all. Once I started charting daily fluctuations I acquired a broader look at my weight average instead of a specific number. I tried not weighing myself at all at some point and I just kept wondering if I was doing things right and if my weight was going in the right direction. Not having a clear gauge for progress was more stressful than worrying about the numbers on the scale. I did not last for more than a month with that strategy.

perkymommy

I know of many people who do not use the scale. They measure themselves instead or go by how their clothing fits. Good luck to you! I'm back on the wagon (again) as of yesterday!

amusedmonkey

perkymommy wrote: »

I know of many people who do not use the scale. They measure themselves instead or go by how their clothing fits. Good luck to you! I'm back on the wagon (again) as of yesterday!

The problem with that strategy is that people who have a lot to lose like me tend to be "lumpy". A tape measure can't be exact because the smallest deviation from a previous measuring site can produce inconsistent results. Photos and how clothes fit are not good measurements either, because heavier people tend to need to lose quite a bit before it shows in pictures or before they go down in size. Took me about 40 lbs to lose my first size and I only knew because I had smaller pants that I kept trying on every now and then. My older clothes still fit well after 40 lbs.

Spliner1969

The scale is a tool, nothing more. Your body is going to lose weight if you eat at a deficit. The only other tools you have to judge your progress is your appearance in the mirror and the fit of your clothes. The latter two are subjective so the scale is best in my opinion. Why not set yourself a day of the week to weigh in, then refuse to step on it any other day. Stick to that plan and you'll have your weight to judge your progress but you won't obsess over it as much.