I'm thinking of not weighing...
leanjogreen18
Posts: 2,492 Member
When I'm trying to lose weight I step on the scale daily. I know weight fluctuates and I don't have a problem with that. I'm just thinking that since my scale died I won't replace it for a few months.
Has anyone tried this?
My thought is that I'll just focus on my calories and not even think about weight loss.
Has anyone tried this?
My thought is that I'll just focus on my calories and not even think about weight loss.
0
Replies
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For me, the scale keeps me accountable. I also weigh daily because I feel that it keeps me on track. When I know I'm not eating well, I avoid the scale like the plague.
I also feel that the scale helps me measure smaller changes. I know some people prefer to go by how their clothes fit; that just doesn't work for me. I'm currently a size 16 and when you're in bigger sizes like that there is a bigger difference in weight between sizes...probably at least 20-25 pounds. If I had to wait until I lost 20 pounds to see any progress (by changing clothing sizes), I'm sure I would give up long before then! Eating right and working out is hard work and I need to see that it's paying off. Just focusing on the calories and not thinking about weight loss doesn't really make sense to me...isn't the whole point of focusing on calories to help you lose weight?
Even if I were smaller and trying to maintain, I feel that if I waited until my clothes started feeling tight to make any changes, I've already let things go too far. Whereas if I'm weighing every day I'm going to notice if I'm even gaining a few pounds and I can nip it in the bud right away.
I think giving up the scale can be a good idea for someone who is truly obsessed and has an unhealthy relationship with it- to the point where your whole day is ruined with fluctuations. From what you posted you don't seem to have an issue with it, so why get rid of the tool that's measuring your progress?
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I've cut myself down to only weighing once a month, and, honestly, I like things this way. My focus has kind of changed from centering around a number on the scale to worrying about changing things I don't like about my body. I know that my batwings won't be disappearing unless I lose fat, so I'm still determined to keep my calories down, but I'm also doing light weights and body weight exercises aimed at toning the muscle underneath the fat that I'm trying to lose. The scale's not as important anymore.6
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If I went without scales I'd at least use some forms of measurement to ensure weight was not creeping back on. A tape measure would be used much more because must going by how clothes fit wouldn't be enough for me.2
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I found weight loss to be helpful in maintaining motivation. YMMV2
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If it works then great. Not weighing yourself isn't a problem if your weighing food and logging accurately then trust the process.1
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I routinely go lengthy amounts of time between weighing. Weight loss is cumulative and non-linear so there is nothing for me to really see on a daily basis. I don't have to understand why some people like/love tracking their daily fluctuations but for me that is unwanted trivia/TMI. I am invested into this lifestyle so I am passed the point of needing daily accountability which doesn't really work anyway for me because of said fluctuations.
I have total confidence in my deficit or I would not be able to go so long. This comes from weighing my food and knowing my logging is accurate (accurate enough anyway). The scale has backed me up on this just enough to reinforce my confidence. As my deficit decreases I am sure my length of time between weighing will decrease too.
For semi-regular encouragement I find clothing works the best for me. Others that use the scale sparingly or not at all will use measurements. I am sure there are other creative means to measure progress without numbers too.9 -
If it’s more comfortable for you then by all means! I went the opposite way-when I started out with 40+ to lose I only weighed myself a couple times a month, I guess I was still used to not weighing myself at all. As I progressed and was (finally) losing steadily I began to weigh in daily and now it’s a habit.0
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I weigh myself every 2 weeks and I honestly think if I weighed more often it would mess with my mood and progress. The scale isn't rigid. One bad day and it might go up but you must understand it's not weight gain. As long as there is a downward trend you are doing well so rather weigh in every now and then and let the downward trend convert to weight loss0
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The one problem I have with that for me personally is I wouldn't know if I am losing weight too quickly or at the right rate. Why it's important for me? Simply because I am a lifter and I definitely notice a loss of strength when I lose weight over 1 lb per week.leanjogreen18 wrote: »When I'm trying to lose weight I step on the scale daily. I know weight fluctuates and I don't have a problem with that. I'm just thinking that since my scale died I won't replace it for a few months.
Has anyone tried this?
My thought is that I'll just focus on my calories and not even think about weight loss.
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75% of people who maintain their weight loss weigh at least once a week (source). Yes there are other measures to monitor progress but to me, while you are trying to lose wight avoiding the scale is avoiding accountability.6
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I went for long periods without weighing myself and weighed the same when I weighed again. I wasn't tracking calories so it was just luck. Eventually I gained weight though but a couple of months would probably have been okay. I plan to weigh once a week for the rest of my life probably.
If you are watching your calorie intake fairly accurately then you should be fine for a few months off the scale.
However, keep in mind a new scale will give you a diffrrent weight than your old scale so when you do replace your scale don't compare to the old readings and think you gained or lost. Start from that point.1 -
I accidentally poured water on my body weight scale when I still had 40-50 pounds to lose.
I lost weight just fine without it, but it isn't ideal when you get close to goal. I bought another scale for that last 20 pounds and weighed myself daily.
Have you tried replacing the battery?
(I didn't read any of the replies, so I'm sure someone already suggested that.)1 -
I weigh far less often now than I used to. The biggest reason is that I normally eat the same foods and when I'm actively trying to reduce weight, I know the process works. Because it has worked. As long as I log and measure accurately, the scale can only introduce doubt if I do it all the time. I may go 4-5 weeks between weigh-ins or more.1
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I say good for you if you can do it! I, however, need the accountability of weighing in daily/almost daily. It's way to easy for me to fall off the rails when I'm not keeping track of my weight. Plus, I like seeing the number every day, even if it goes up, because it's always telling me a story, whether I want to hear it or not.1
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I gave up the scale five years ago. I lost a lot of weight here in 2013 and I weighed daily (though only recorded weekly). I ended that run of weight loss eating less than 900 calories a day, weighing myself seven or eight times a day, with my hair falling out and gums bleeding -- even though I was still overweight. That relationship with the body scale was wildly unhelpful to me.
I haven't returned to weight loss mode since then, but I am putting in some hard work to heal my disordered relationship to food and weight. One of my goals is to just maintain a stable weight for a long period of time. My whole life I have been either gaining or losing, but never just stable. Without a home scale I've been able to maintain my weight (+/- five pounds) for almost a year now. The only time I check my weight is at the doctor's office. It's working fine so far, and I suspect I could lose weight without a home scale as well. It just takes careful monitoring of your intake and paying attention to clues such as how your clothes fit, how your joints feel, etc.2 -
I have a Wednesday AM date with my scale every week. I do tend to get either frustrated or elated by fluctuations so clearly I am too emotional about the read out, and just doing it once a week keeps me accountable. Even if I do see a higher than expected number, I do keep in mind that my weight will fluctuate but just doing it once a week means less of my mental space is devoted to the the weight and more of it can focus on healthy habits.
The only time I didn't weigh in at all, I gained 15 lbs in one year. I need some kind of regular weigh in to remain accountable to myself.0 -
If your goal is weight loss, then the number on the scale is what will tell you whether or not you’re moving toward that goal.
If you’re using some other measurement, like waist size, then you are collecting data on a different goal (in this case, having a smaller waist). It is fine if this is your actual goal, but “waist size” and “weight in pounds” are related but different things.
Figure out what your actual goal(s) are and collect the data you need to know whether or not you are progressing toward those goals.3 -
As with all aspects of losing and maintaining weight loss, whatever works best, and is sustainable for each of us.
For me, daily weighing (at the same time every day), keeps me motivated.0 -
If your goal is weight loss, then the number on the scale is what will tell you whether or not you’re moving toward that goal.
If you’re using some other measurement, like waist size, then you are collecting data on a different goal (in this case, having a smaller waist). It is fine if this is your actual goal, but “waist size” and “weight in pounds” are related but different things.
Figure out what your actual goal(s) are and collect the data you need to know whether or not you are progressing toward those goals.
That is very confusing. Weight loss is weight loss regardless of how it is measured. The only requirement for success is eating less than you burn. Everything else is based on personal needs, wants, or opinions.
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If your goal is weight loss, then the number on the scale is what will tell you whether or not you’re moving toward that goal.
If you’re using some other measurement, like waist size, then you are collecting data on a different goal (in this case, having a smaller waist). It is fine if this is your actual goal, but “waist size” and “weight in pounds” are related but different things.
Figure out what your actual goal(s) are and collect the data you need to know whether or not you are progressing toward those goals.
I think this is mostly true, however as we've discussed so often on these forums, the scale fools you in the short term - sometimes over a month or two. I don't disagree at all with the data collection concept or tracing measurements over time.
But, when it comes to trusting scales....... I trust the food scale. If I'm accurate there, I don't need the body scale to introduce doubt in the short to medium term, because there are actually periods where it does not tell you whether or not you are moving toward that goal. But again, that applies to me as I know what eating level causes what deficit (proven over the long term). I prefer not to rely on the body scale, nor do I even need to check it that often if I am weighing and measuring accurately.1 -
Now I'm in maintenance I rarely weigh, I measure (bust waist hips and thigh) every couple of weeks - if clothes get tight you know you've overdone it! I do however weigh and log all my food. Just back from holiday I'm an inch up on bust and waist (5lb on the scales). Some of it will shift automatically with going back to normal calories and activities, but any stubborn residue after a coupe of weeks back in good habits and I will put my calories down 200 a day until its all gone. Trouble is its too hot for exercise at present, so I do some early morning but its terrible in the evenings.
The reason not to trust the scale is because of the relative densities of muscle and fat - when I was started maintenance my weight actually went up a few pounds, but my measurements continued to go down. So keep an eye on the tape measure, and maybe that one dress that fits perfectly - if you feel heavy, put it on and see if it fits.
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If you were trying to get out of debt would you periodically check the status of your accounts?
It doesn't make sense to not check something you are attempting to manage. As weight management is an output of behavior you need to spot check your weight at defined points to ensure you are logging correctly.5 -
I tried that but it didn't work. I went full tilt boogie with an eating protocol that recommended that no one should have scales or get on the scales and you should not measure your food portions. It took a long while to realize this recommendation only works if disordered eating/recovery is part of that equation...for those that need to be reminded to actually eat.
I tried very hard to wrap my head around said recommendations but in the end I had to admit that it never really made sense to me at all. One can go weeks or months without getting on the scale but that can become another fearful self-coping mechanism by avoidance.
We can learn to moderate ourselves. We don't have to obsessively get on the scales all through the day or every day but once a week is good for routine maintenance. You have to check the air in your tires, make sure your anti-freeze is topped off and your steering fluid, too. Our body is the only vehicle we will ever have. Fuel it and check your levels.1 -
I did this a few months ago while I was in the middle of moving between states. My scale was at home but I was out of state for my new job for weeks at a time so I couldn't weigh myself until I went home. I think it kinda made me even more accountable for my diet since I couldn't really measure it so I erred on the side of caution a lot, and went by how I looked in the mirror and how my clothes fit.
I knew I was eating at a deficit so I wasn't concerned about losing I was just unsure how much. It was kinda nice to not feel tied to that stupid thing. I think a lot of people tie their entire sense of being and self-worth to the darn scale when they are trying to lose weight and it just messes with their heads in a kind of OCD un-healthy way. Made good practice for being in maintenance now and not tying my world to the scale.1 -
Speaking in general: If one has a small to moderate amount of weight loss they're managing through maintenance, the tape measure is an excellent maintenance tool, completely agree.
If you have a large amount of weight loss you're managing, the brain will tell you that you're fixed. You no longer need to do any of the things you did to get you there. You. Are. Fixed.
Buyer beware. You can't take your eyes off the ball and you need to look the scale directly in the eye. Once you reach maintenance the brain is subtle but it will knock the props out from underneath you before you can say rebound weight gain with friends. Maintenance is the most crucial part of weight loss. It is where the rubber meets the road.
Maintaining weight loss for the rest of your life, there's no such thing as the finish line for that. If it were that easy there would be no such thing as repeat customers for weight loss. You would conduct one diet, one time and be fixed for the rest of your life.
Sliding back off the goose = eating it all back while the brain remains perfectly silent. Rebound weight gain happens and during the eating it all back, not one time does your brain alert you. The brain goes silent. It is so quiet and so still, the brain waits until you've eaten it all back and then it sounds the alarm. Not. One. Single. Time. Not once did the brain ever alert you that your maintenance plan is slipping. Stay alert and don't let the brain cleverly and quietly convince you that you're fixed now that the weight is all gone.1 -
We can learn to moderate ourselves. We don't have to obsessively get on the scales all through the day or every day but once a week is good for routine maintenance. You have to check the air in your tires, make sure your anti-freeze is topped off and your steering fluid, too. Our body is the only vehicle we will ever have. Fuel it and check your levels.
That is a matter of opinion. There is nothing I am going to learn with regular weekly data that I don't already know right now. Perhaps if I were in maintenance I might want to check every 2 weeks but while I am in weight loss. I know it is going to take time and a lot of it. As long as my habits stay consistent my weight is not going to make any dramatic unwanted changes in a single week. Since I trust my logging my weight will not make any unwanted changes for the next 6 weeks to 2 months or whenever I decide to check again.
I did check weekly for a brief time to adjust my calories after a significant weight loss milestone. I am good again now for quite some time.
Besides all that the scale is not the only way to "check your fluids."
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If your goal is weight loss, then the number on the scale is what will tell you whether or not you’re moving toward that goal.
If you’re using some other measurement, like waist size, then you are collecting data on a different goal (in this case, having a smaller waist). It is fine if this is your actual goal, but “waist size” and “weight in pounds” are related but different things.
Figure out what your actual goal(s) are and collect the data you need to know whether or not you are progressing toward those goals.
That is very confusing. Weight loss is weight loss regardless of how it is measured. The only requirement for success is eating less than you burn. Everything else is based on personal needs, wants, or opinions.
Weight is the number on the scale. That’s how we define weight. If you want to see the number on the scale change, then you need to know the number on the scale.
Weight, however, is not solely fat. It takes into account everything in and on your body, including water and muscle mass. If you want less fat on your body, then you may want to see the number on the scale go down, and/or you may want to see other indicators of having less fat. These indicators can include waist or other body measurements, or the clothing size you wear.
There is a difference between measuring what you weigh vs. how much fat you have. If you just care about how much fat you have, then the scale might not be the only useful measuring device. But if you care about what you weigh, then you need a scale.0 -
Now I'm in maintenance I rarely weigh, I measure (bust waist hips and thigh) every couple of weeks - if clothes get tight you know you've overdone it! I do however weigh and log all my food. Just back from holiday I'm an inch up on bust and waist (5lb on the scales). Some of it will shift automatically with going back to normal calories and activities, but any stubborn residue after a coupe of weeks back in good habits and I will put my calories down 200 a day until its all gone. Trouble is its too hot for exercise at present, so I do some early morning but its terrible in the evenings.
The reason not to trust the scale is because of the relative densities of muscle and fat - when I was started maintenance my weight actually went up a few pounds, but my measurements continued to go down. So keep an eye on the tape measure, and maybe that one dress that fits perfectly - if you feel heavy, put it on and see if it fits.
I complain about having bought clothes a little too soon because I dropped a few pounds lower and now they are loose. But the silver lining to that cloud is that my warning is that my clothes fit properly. If the belt is optional, there's a problem.
My goal was/is based on BMI and therefore weight. Not everyone likes BMI and weight as an indicator of health and that's fine, but it seems accurate enough for me and it's what I am using. If success is based on weight, then I need to weigh.
Something to be wary of - we often note that we can't pick where we will lose weight first, last or in between. the same is true for gaining. I might be able to gain a few pounds of fat without my waist measurement changing.
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Weight is the number on the scale. That’s how we define weight. If you want to see the number on the scale change, then you need to know the number on the scale.
Weight, however, is not solely fat. It takes into account everything in and on your body, including water and muscle mass. If you want less fat on your body, then you may want to see the number on the scale go down, and/or you may want to see other indicators of having less fat. These indicators can include waist or other body measurements, or the clothing size you wear.
There is a difference between measuring what you weigh vs. how much fat you have. If you just care about how much fat you have, then the scale might not be the only useful measuring device. But if you care about what you weigh, then you need a scale.
I understand now. Some people are tied to a number. I am not so I don't think that way. Even if I was I still don't think I would care about small incremental changes right now.
I will admit when I do check it is kind of fun seeing a 15+ lb loss though.0 -
I rarely weigh myself because I find it self-defeating, but that's me. I usually weigh myself and record it here about once a month. Definitely not every day, but when I reach goal I will start daily weigh-ins.1
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