Will I always need a scale?
ksmommy5
Posts: 142 Member
I am meticulously weighing everything for the last 65 days.
When did you stop weighing your foods? I really hope I will not need to weigh everything forever...that doesn't seem like a realistic lifestyle change. I can't picture myself at 70 busting out the scale for my 5 almonds lol
When did you become confident enough in eyeballing accuracies?
When did you stop weighing your foods? I really hope I will not need to weigh everything forever...that doesn't seem like a realistic lifestyle change. I can't picture myself at 70 busting out the scale for my 5 almonds lol
When did you become confident enough in eyeballing accuracies?
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Replies
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I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.3
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I'm five years in. I weigh many things, but not everything. I can maybe imagine slowly weaning myself off of weighing, but I'm not quite sure how to get there. I know I'm subject to portion creep.
My mindset is that I'm living with a chronic condition which is in remission. Counting calories and weighing food is better than giving myself insulin shots, which is pretty much what my mother's side of the family all had to do.12 -
fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.
Agreed. I'll stop weighing & logging when I'm ready to gain all my weight back.4 -
I'm weighing what I can't count. I weighed everything during my weight loss phase, and I've maintained my weight for almost 2 1/2 years because I take care to eat appropriate portions. What is it about weighing that you find not realistic?0
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I've been in maintenance 4 years and still weigh the odd thing - pasta /rice. I've got to know how to eye ball portion size almost perfectly.0
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fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.
I agree with the fact that the scale and logging is my new friendly reality in my life and I'm happy with it because of the the results I get. I know others like the idea of intuitive eating (not logging or weighing but eye estimating and body listening to ones needs of food) and that's fine if they are comfortable with it and the results it derives. I know some people become anxious or obsessed about logging and weighing and therefore they part ways with this also and walk in to intuitive eating because of the freestyle and freedom it affords without triggering their obsession or anxiety, and this is perfect too. We all should follow what it's best emotionally and physically for our goals and needs, and there is no one way to arriving to ones goals.
To me I'm the most free and happy logging and weighing, and I could not be any happier plus I have seen results doing it.
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I have been logging for ell over 3 years now. I have learned where I need the scale and where I don't. I don't weigh everything anymore, but for breakfast I will. I generally also weigh meats and my pasta/rice etc. Those are the ones where it really adds too quickly.
I do audit myself - so every week or so I will fully weigh out everything for a day just to see if my eyeballing is still accurate (it is).
In part it is dictated by life - At present I am not 100% in control for some lunches due to a course I am taking. I take it into my stride, log as much as I can and that is that.
Having said all that I will continue to use my scale a lot lot more than before MFP. I find it incredibly useful and no hassle3 -
I've been weighing food for nine years. I've maintained my weight except for when I try to go freestyle. I know the portions and I know what to eat but if I don't weigh and log it I get the fun task of losing that last ten pesky pounds. Again. It's hard to lose that last ten. I don't want to play that game again. It takes me an extra 10 seconds to weigh it as I'm making my meals. It takes two or three minutes to log each meal. It's just part of the day, and worth it to maintain my weight.3
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I'll always need a scale. It's convenient, fast to use, doesn't require the washing of extra dishes, and adds to my peace of mind.
I used to weigh more things than I weigh now. I've obtained enough experience with most of the pre-packaged foods that I eat to know which ones need weighing and which ones are close enough. Calorie-dense items that aren't in single-serving packs that I've previously weighed multiple times to see how close they are always get weighed when I'm home.
I just consider food logging and weighing as part of my personal daily care plan now. I'll always need to brush my teeth (or clean my dentures), shower, comb my hair, wash my clothes, etc. Why should I think that taking steps every day to be careful about my food intake is somehow a less worthy endeavor?6 -
I am meticulously weighing everything for the last 65 days.
When did you stop weighing your foods? I really hope I will not need to weigh everything forever...that doesn't seem like a realistic lifestyle change. I can't picture myself at 70 busting out the scale for my 5 almonds lol
When did you become confident enough in eyeballing accuracies?
It's not going to be the same for everyone. Some people cook food everyday and don't weigh or measure anything that goes in to their recipes. Other people could never cook or bake without their weights and measures.
Same for weighing your food for calorie counting. You'll know when your guesses become fairly accurate. If you're not losing weight, it means you may be underestimating the items you enter on your chart, so you should stick to using the scales. If all is going well, then you're probably able to skip that process.1 -
I've weighed my food for 15 years, maybe more. I was a fat kid and once I lost the weight I didn't want to gain it back. I maintain, sometimes on the high or low spectrum of a 10lb range.6
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The scale is still on my counter after 5 years but no I don't weigh everything anymore.2
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I don't weigh anything at all so it's possible!!2
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I agree with the fact that the scale and logging is my new friendly reality in my life and I'm happy with it because of the the results I get. I know others like the idea of intuitive eating (not logging or weighing but eye estimating and body listening to ones needs of food) and that's fine if they are comfortable with it and the results it derives. I know some people become anxious or obsessed about logging and weighing and therefore they part ways with this also and walk in to intuitive eating because of the freestyle and freedom it affords without triggering their obsession or anxiety, and this is perfect too. We all should follow what it's best emotionally and physically for our goals and needs, and there is no one way to arriving to ones goals.
This is put wonderfully. For me, logging and weighing is a pain; I found over time I was taking shortcuts, fibbing, and flat-out not doing it. It worked wonderfully at first, though, and I am grateful for the lessons it taught me. And just like you, OP, it was not a sustainable lifestyle change for me. Now I only measure pasta, rice, & potatoes, because I've found that I struggle with those portions. But I don't struggle with anything else, so I don't bother with anything else. Find a comfortable place for you, no matter what anyone else says. Good luck!
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JerSchmare wrote: »I've been doing this for a good 8 years or so. I hate it. I try to stop, and start gaining. I think I'm in for the long haul if I want to avoid health problems. Why is being 70 and weighing food a problem? It's funny how people view others that care about their health. It's not always for vanity. It's feel good to be healthy. I hope when I'm 70, I'm weigh food and exercising, and completely free from taking medications. That's more important than worrying about what people think about me weighing my chicken portion.
Look, people think that watching what you eat is for vanity. It's is for some, but that's not completely why I do it. And, at 70, I'll likely be doing it purely for health reasons.
If all I have to do to avoid increasing medical costs is weigh my food and eat proper portions, it's totally worth a few @$$ hats thinking I'm weird.
I completely agree with you about it.
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I'm 67 and I weigh things. No big deal.2
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Thank you mrschwarten for you sharing what works for you. I have noticed that people in the event of becoming healthy or fit, like to dictate that their way is the only way. This behavior of telling people what works for them so it should work for you is not respectful or caring but dictatorial and controlling. We all have our own unique journey and this, like our individuality, should be respected.1
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I don't weigh anything at all. I did buy a scale but I never did buy batteries for it. Most days I don't log either.
Different people need different things. IMO it is worth at least trying to transition off weighing food. If you find that you're gaining, you can always start again.2 -
I'm closing in on 3 years of weighing and logging. It's become such a habit, that i dont even think about it anymore. It's just normal part of my food prep.3
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Have to agree with some of the other posters. For me it's become part of my normal day. I look at it this way weighing the food it's a small price versus where I was and where I know I am. I don't want to go back
Look at it this way it won't become part of your normal day. I don't weigh everything some stuff I bought you will eventually figure stuff out but it's a small price to pay would extremely large benefits. One of the previous posters stated it look at it as a simple solution to a chronic condition2 -
I have been maintaining for years and I still measure out meats, cereal, bread fruits and most fats. What I eyeball more is veggies. Anything prepackaged liked Healthy Choice meals and protein bars I don't measure and it hasn't caught up to me yet.1
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fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.
This is depressing to read. You're basically a slave in this scenario.0 -
GaveYouPower wrote: »fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.
This is depressing to read. You're basically a slave in this scenario.
I disagree. That's like saying that someone who's nearsighted is a slave to glasses and should strive to figure out how to live without them. Why eschew a simple tool that gets the job done easily and effectively?
Are you depressed by the prospect that you'll need to shower on a regular basis for the rest of your life?
Many people can figure out how to eat intuitively and maintain weight without logging or weighing. That's great and more power to them. Those who can't do that should not be looked down upon when they choose to use the tools available to them. I'd much rather take 20 minutes per day to weigh and log than to have my weight creep upward year after year.4 -
GaveYouPower wrote: »fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.
This is depressing to read. You're basically a slave in this scenario.
I disagree. That's like saying that someone who's nearsighted is a slave to glasses and should strive to figure out how to live without them. Why eschew a simple tool that gets the job done easily and effectively?
Are you depressed by the prospect that you'll need to shower on a regular basis for the rest of your life?
Many people can figure out how to eat intuitively and maintain weight without logging or weighing. That's great and more power to them. Those who can't do that should not be looked down upon when they choose to use the tools available to them. I'd much rather take 20 minutes per day to weigh and log than to have my weight creep upward year after year.
I get your analogies however they don't exactly equate to what we're talking about here. One is a physical impairment the other is a psychological one. Very different.Now I'm not saying you must quick tracking in it's totality in one day. That's absurd. I'm saying one can get help to return to a state to which such individual has a healthy relationship with food.0 -
GaveYouPower wrote: »GaveYouPower wrote: »fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.
This is depressing to read. You're basically a slave in this scenario.
I disagree. That's like saying that someone who's nearsighted is a slave to glasses and should strive to figure out how to live without them. Why eschew a simple tool that gets the job done easily and effectively?
Are you depressed by the prospect that you'll need to shower on a regular basis for the rest of your life?
Many people can figure out how to eat intuitively and maintain weight without logging or weighing. That's great and more power to them. Those who can't do that should not be looked down upon when they choose to use the tools available to them. I'd much rather take 20 minutes per day to weigh and log than to have my weight creep upward year after year.
I get your analogies however they don't exactly equate to what we're talking about here. One is a physical impairment the other is a psychological one. Very different.Now I'm not saying you must quick tracking in it's totality in one day. That's absurd. I'm saying one can get help to return to a state to which such individual has a healthy relationship with food.
They do equate. How is obesity not a physical impairment? Any and all tools that work for people should be used and none of those tools are somehow less "moral" than the others. Why should I constantly worry if my calorie balance is correct when I can easily track it?3 -
GaveYouPower wrote: »GaveYouPower wrote: »fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.
This is depressing to read. You're basically a slave in this scenario.
I disagree. That's like saying that someone who's nearsighted is a slave to glasses and should strive to figure out how to live without them. Why eschew a simple tool that gets the job done easily and effectively?
Are you depressed by the prospect that you'll need to shower on a regular basis for the rest of your life?
Many people can figure out how to eat intuitively and maintain weight without logging or weighing. That's great and more power to them. Those who can't do that should not be looked down upon when they choose to use the tools available to them. I'd much rather take 20 minutes per day to weigh and log than to have my weight creep upward year after year.
I get your analogies however they don't exactly equate to what we're talking about here. One is a physical impairment the other is a psychological one. Very different.Now I'm not saying you must quick tracking in it's totality in one day. That's absurd. I'm saying one can get help to return to a state to which such individual has a healthy relationship with food.
They do equate. How is obesity not a physical impairment? Any and all tools that work for people should be used and none of those tools are somehow less "moral" than the others. Why should I constantly worry if my calorie balance is correct when I can easily track it?
You do know obesity is a psychology problem at it's root right?
At the end of the day everyone should use any tool they feel will enrich their lives. My only point was no one needs to a slave to tracking - there is hope.0 -
So are psychology problems any less valid?4
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GaveYouPower wrote: »GaveYouPower wrote: »GaveYouPower wrote: »fitmom4lifemfp wrote: »I will never stop logging my food. It's something I have to do, to manage my weight - I know this and I am fine with it. Weighing my food goes along with that. Nothing unrealistic about it, in my opinion. So, for me, I will always need the scale.
This is depressing to read. You're basically a slave in this scenario.
I disagree. That's like saying that someone who's nearsighted is a slave to glasses and should strive to figure out how to live without them. Why eschew a simple tool that gets the job done easily and effectively?
Are you depressed by the prospect that you'll need to shower on a regular basis for the rest of your life?
Many people can figure out how to eat intuitively and maintain weight without logging or weighing. That's great and more power to them. Those who can't do that should not be looked down upon when they choose to use the tools available to them. I'd much rather take 20 minutes per day to weigh and log than to have my weight creep upward year after year.
I get your analogies however they don't exactly equate to what we're talking about here. One is a physical impairment the other is a psychological one. Very different.Now I'm not saying you must quick tracking in it's totality in one day. That's absurd. I'm saying one can get help to return to a state to which such individual has a healthy relationship with food.
They do equate. How is obesity not a physical impairment? Any and all tools that work for people should be used and none of those tools are somehow less "moral" than the others. Why should I constantly worry if my calorie balance is correct when I can easily track it?
You do know obesity is a psychology problem at it's root right?
At the end of the day everyone should use any tool they feel will enrich their lives. My only point was no one needs to a slave to tracking - there is hope.
Whether it is or isn't, the "cure" is to control calorie intake and to keep doing so over time. People who have and face their psychological issues but still eat excess calories won't lose weight. People who figure out a way to control calorie intake that works for them (be that through surgery, tracking, intuitively, or a combo of those) are successes. It's not cheating or using the easy way out or any negative connotation to keep logging and weighing if that works for the person.
I'm excited to have found a tool that works, not feeling hopeless about using it now and in the future.2 -
Who knows. You ned one now and so do I. The future will be different and technology may change.0
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