Accountability with scales

gorple76

I’ve been working on my weight for 2-3 months consistently. It’s going really well in that I’m finally (having been overweight and struggling with it all my life) feeling in control. I’m being honest and diligent with counting calories, logging and sticking to a steady deficit. One of the ways I’m keeping focussed and knowing I’m on the right track is by weighing myself daily and. tracking my moving average. However I’m about to go away for 4 weeks during which time there will likely be no way of weighing myself. I can and will still track and log food (although weighing food will not be possible either but I’m comfortable with that). I’m thinking of taking a tape measure and using as many points on my body as a way of getting some feedback in lieu of weight. Not sure if that will show much change though over 4 weeks (having not tracked this way before). Also the daily thing feels important to me as it sets up my day somehow. Is there any point measuring daily? Any advice or creative ideas would be really welcome.

Lietchi

A lot of people will find this obsessive, but I actually take my scale with me while traveling whenever possible (even though with a different floor, it might not be totally comparable).

I'm not very good with measuring myself, just measuring a slightly different spot can yield a different result. But if it's for accountability more than precision, then why not use that?
Alternatively, do you have an item of clothing that can act as a 'measuring' device? Something tight fitting (and not too stretchy) which will easily show if you've gained a bit or lost a bit of weight?

gorple76

@Lietchi i don’t think taking the scale with you is at all obsessive - I would if I could, but really can’t fit it in to an already overloaded set of luggage. An item of clothing is a good idea. I have a pair of trousers which just about fit but feel too tight to wear comfortably. They’re perfect for holidays so taking them with the aim of being able to wear them by the end of the holiday would be perfect. I think I’ll take the tape and measure too but, like you, struggle to make the measurements accurate. Maybe if I’m doing it daily I’ll find a consistent method. Thank you for your help 😊🙏

MargaretYakoda

Just out of curiosity I did a quick Google and discovered mini travel scales are a thing.

Use the key words “travel weight scale body” mini might help, too.

They seem to run about $28ish. Amazon has some. You have to stand tiptoe on them, which leaves me out. But it could be a decent option for your needs?

Oh. And anything that helps you stay on track is definitely not obsessive.
🚴‍♂️

callsitlikeiseeit

taking body measurements daily would not show any difference.

even weekly would be unlikely to show any difference, or maybe a small one. every other week could show a difference.

truly, i would be very mindful of what you are eating over the next month and be very mindful of your activity level and see what the numbers are when you get home.

penguinmama87

callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »

taking body measurements daily would not show any difference.

even weekly would be unlikely to show any difference, or maybe a small one. every other week could show a difference.

truly, i would be very mindful of what you are eating over the next month and be very mindful of your activity level and see what the numbers are when you get home.

Yes, I measure every other week and while I've had a couple "wow" measurements, usually it's only one or two that change, and not by much - maybe only a quarter or half an inch. It's very satisfying to look at the trends over a period of several months and realize just how far I've come, but there just isn't a lot of change between two sets of measurements most of the time. My strategy is to pick either the maximum (e.g. thigh, upper arm) or minimum (e.g. waist) girth as my measuring spot.

cmriverside

Scales are about $30. Buy one when you get there and then sell it before you leave on an online sellers' site - or just leave it behind, give it to the housekeepers etc.

gorple76

Thanks everyone. I thought measuring might be a bit optimistic so might try but most likely will find it a pain and unrewarding to do over over a short time period. I’m travelling about so buying one out there would have been a great idea if I was staying in one place - which I will be next year so will def look at that then thank you @cmriverside. Looked up the travel scale option too thank you @MargaretYakoda don’t know why I didn’t think to look that up myself! I’m staying with family til the day before we leave so getting a delivery is awkward now but totally kicking myself that I didn’t think of that.

ahoy_m8

I personally suck at measuring myself, but I do appreciate the ritualistic aspect of starting your day with a form of progress tracking. So even if the measuring RESULT is rather meaningless, the measuring PROCESS may be helpful. I bought a tensioning tape measure to eliminate the variable of how tight I'm holding the tape. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Care-Touch-Skinfold-Body-Measuring/dp/B01BMY8P0E

ETA: Have a great trip!

gorple76

@ahoy_m8 i think you’ve hit the nail on the head with the word ‘ritualistic’. And you’re right in that I think the measurements themselves are less important. I’m away at various relatives this week using their highly variable scales. I’m weighing with the full knowledge that I can’t compare one reading with the next - really not sure why it helps but somehow it does. I’ve had a look at the tape you linked and we have one really similar to that already which I hadn’t considered but it looks like a good suggestion. Thank you for taking the time to reply - I’m getting so much support from people on here, I really can’t thank you all enough.