Someone please convince me to weigh myself... :)

TranquilityBreeze

I just started MFP. I don't own a scale as there is a love/hate relationship there. I tend to either weigh myself all the time or I get discouraged when I'm not happy with the number. I thought I would try not having one. I have no idea my start weight but can feel changes since eating better and exercising. Little things like: more pictures, wearing certain things, being more active... If I am logging correctly, I am never over the goal and I exercise 5-7 times a week. I punched in a weight I thought I would be going back to when I was this specific size in clothes awhile ago.

But, I keep seeing the pounds lost on profiles and wondering if I'm just being a baby. Hehehe... Maybe I should just break down and get one or weigh in somewhere else.

Thoughts?

tcunbeliever

measurements are way better for me than weight - my weight is all over the place, but my clothing size fits with my measurements

goldthistime

In the short term, scales can be misleading and sometimes disheartening because of water weight changes. Using the logs here to track calories in and out is a better measure of your success. But in the long term they give valuable feedback.

Graelwyn75

I tend to use a pharmacy scale each week, on the same day, in the same clothing. I use the same one at the same store. That has worked for me as I have a tendency to obsess over numbers too and I like having the piece of paper with the weight on anyway. However, I have also gone long periods where I didn't bother and just went by my look and bodyfat%. It's horses and courses really, monitor in the way that allows you to keep your sanity.

bribucks

You need to weigh yourself in order to get an accurate calorie goal for MFP - otherwise you're shooting blindly in the dark. Whether or not you buy a scale is up to you - but you at least need to stand on one to know where you're starting from.

Also, consider using a weight trend app like Happy Scale. Weigh yourself every morning, and the app tracks change over time (increase/decrease) rather than focusing on the specific number of the day. It is helped me feel less obsessed/freaked out - because even if you're up a pound, it could be from sodium, no bowel movement, any number of things, and you can see that your overall trend is still decreasing.

MegaMooseEsq

Oh man, I totally get it. I've been logging for over a year and losing weight for about eight months, and only JUST YESTERDAY bought a scale for my house. So if you don't want one at home right now, don't get one! However, I do agree that you are probably going to want to track your progress at some point - the thing is, calorie counting is always going to be an estimate, so if you want to lose weight, you need something to let you know that your counting is roughly accurate and getting you to a deficit. You can do that with body measurements for sure, or what I did was find someplace to weigh myself outside of my home - I was actually seeing my doctor every month for a little while over the winter and spring and getting weighed there. Then I found out that there's a scale in the gym connected to my office, so I'd been sneaking in during off hours and weighing myself there once I was seeing real progress. I almost got caught doing it yesterday, which is why I bought the scale for at home.

But whatever you do, don't stress. This is a long process and you've got this.

lorrpb

Don't weigh in random places at random times wearing random clothes unless you want random numbers. You need to weigh in on one scale in one spot on the floor at one time of day wearing one birthday suit to get consistent readings.

ninerbuff

If your clothes are looser, why bother with the scale?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

acorsaut89

Here's my perspective, and take it for what it's worth but this is how I see it.

Weight doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot. I am 270lbs (lowest ever was 250 and highest was 350). I used to weigh myself on the first day of every month.

However, I found - via a Bod Pod - that I have 150lbs of LBM on me. As per BMI I should weigh about 160, or less to be healthy. Will this ever happen for me? Unless I lose a bunch of LBM - which I don't want to - I doubt this will ever happen for me.

In addition to that, I have been a binge eater for years. I never admitted it until recently, even to myself there was never a problem. So for me, weighing isn't an indicator of progress. Being able to control and not eat 4,000+ calories in one sitting is progress. If you don't feel like weighing yourself then don't. Weight isn't always the best measure of success, do what works for you and your body.

KiraChristiansen

It's just a number, a data point. The better, more consistent data you have, the better you can adjust. Measurements are also data, and will give you a better overall picture. Pictures are also data. You are giving yourself a more complete picture of where you are, and therefore, a better view of where you want to be by adding more data to your collection.

Cmcs85

I just bought a digital scale last week. The good news is I now don't have to guess my weight. I was more than what I thought but not by much. I feel this will motivate me to track and lose. Just my take on it. I'm looking for more friends, the more motivation the merrier! Feel free to add me.

GlassAngyl

Then don't weigh yourself. Measure success by clothing. What size are you aiming for? Buy a size below your current size.. (try it on in the dressing room).. this also becomes your reward. Once you fit into it, buy the next size down.

Continue to log your food and set a calorie goal close to what you are comfortable with. When you stop going down in size, (give it 2-3 weeks to make sure it's a real plateau and not horomones) or the size you reached feels tight.. reduce your calories again by 200.. Start the process over. Instead of a number ruling you, your size will.. and it's more forgiving.

DebLaBounty

I think it's good to have information. I bought a scale and track my progress with the Happy Scale app. It's showing a nice, gentle downward trend so I don't get upset about the exact numbers. I weigh in the morning without clothes on. But the best feeling I've had is taking my bust, waist and hip measurements about once a month. It's really cool to see those numbers change.