Is it legit to only record the "new low" weigh-ins?

MatthewLewis81

I weigh myself every morning (sans clothes, before eating or drinking, using the same scale, placed in the identical place on the floor) and log my weight on MFP whenever I hit a new low.

My rationale for this is that I know for an absolute fact that I'm on about a 700 calorie deficit every single day (well, except for a day or so every few weeks, and even then I rarely exceed maintenance). Because I know my water weight and other factors can vary widely from day to day, and that my actual weight will change more slowly and steadily, and always down due to that reliable calorie deficit, I therefore conclude that any "new low" weight for me is more accurate than any of the daily fluctuations, for the simple reason that the lower weights more reliably represent a clearing away of the unmeasurable variables.

While the reasoning seems strong to me, part of it also seems a bit like tricking myself, because, after all, the lower weights usually only last a day and then I don't see them again for a week (at which point, however, I usually set a new record).

So, what are some other thoughts on this? Is this a fairly accurate way to track real losses, or am I faking it?

wheels6030

That's what I do. You are absolutely not faking it in my opinion because that lower weight should be your actual base weight, independent of salty food etc. that makes you retain water.

aarar

I weigh myself 1 time every morning and record whatever the number is whether it's up or down. You're not tricking yourself, because a new low is a new low, even if you don't see it again for a week or two.

LorinaLynn

I think it would be more "faking it" to record every fluctuation, since your friend list will only see when you lose. You could lose and gain the same pound over and over again, and they'll congratulate you every time you lose it. :laugh:

I'll record a gain if it sticks around for a few weeks.

irisheyez718

I agree with Lorina. I don't want to be congratulated for losing the same pound over and over. If its a true gain, and its still there a few weeks later, I'll record it.

pteryndactyl

That's what I've always done. Some people like seeing the natural fluctuations to remind them that weight loss is not linear, but I'm content with just seeing a general downward trend.

I'd consider it more like trickery to log up and down the 1/2 lb I'm fluctuating that week. My friends would just keep seeing "HumAlong has lost .5 lbs since her last weigh in!" over and over, giving the wrong impression.

I'll register a higher weight if it's been a while since I've logged (i.e. after my 5 week vacation) or if it sticks around for more than a week -- but that hasn't happened so far.

DianneP6772

I think you are absolutely correct. At least thats how i do it!! And yes, i will hit a new low and maybe the next day it goes up a lb. and stays up for several days, but then, like you, a week later - its back to that new low and the next day probably another new low. For that reason, i don't record that new low on my ticker until i am safely a couple of pounds under that.

MsPudding

I only record new lows. I think in the end it all averages out, the only difference will be that your graph line will look zig-zaggy whereas someone who only records new lows will just show the general downward trends.

Neither is faking it, the ultimate destination is weight loss.

I_Will_End_You

I record new lows after I get that weight a few days in a row.

Runningcircuits

I would love to record my weight everyday because I am a crazy person that way. But what is stopping me is just what people have mentioned here - I don't want my feed to show the same .5-1 lb loss over and over. It would be a nice feature if we could record weights for our own use and select the ones that go into the feed. (not complaining at all about this totally free, awesome tool!)

I suppose I could chart my daily weight elsewhere, but I don't care enough to do that!

SpecialSundae

I record all my ups and downs for records purposes (and to keep my FitBit as accurate as possible) but try to make it clear when I've made a real loss and when it's just coming down from a bloat.

Mr_Knight

I record everything. Each to their own, of course, but personally I see little value in a half-filled log. There are several issues around food intake and hydration levels that I would not have found had I only logged the "good" measurements.

But again - chacun à son goût!

Ignaura

I weigh myself every saturday morning, and record whatever is on the scale... wether I like it or not.

Gee_24

I was reluctant to weigh my new low last week.

I had dropped 4lbs overnight. My first loss in 2 weeks roughly. But Ive since averaged about 2-3lbs above that consistently despite multiple weigh ins a day. I have no idea what happened that morning!

I dont log a number until I see it consistently for about a week. Hence the random weigh ins every other day or every other week, as Im never sure if I should log it or not. My logging isnt quite real time.

Technically if I had logged that I would have hit goal weight over a week ago. But the scale hasnt reflected that once since that day. Boo!

spookiefox

Seems like it's "legit" to do whatever you prefer. It's all about you.

Anjellic1

I also only record my "new low", however, each morning after I weigh, I log it in my "food notes" so I can see the fluctuation on a daily basis.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

I would love to record my weight everyday because I am a crazy person that way. But what is stopping me is just what people have mentioned here - I don't want my feed to show the same .5-1 lb loss over and over. It would be a nice feature if we could record weights for our own use and select the ones that go into the feed. (not complaining at all about this totally free, awesome tool!)

I suppose I could chart my daily weight elsewhere, but I don't care enough to do that!

You could enter it everyday and then delete the feed entry.


I also track in excel, then I get to do fun things like add trendlines.

michybeans

Thanks for this thread - I do this too - record only the "new lows". I like the way you explained it too. Of course I plan to log every 3-4 weeks when I am on maintenance, whatever the number may be, so I know to adjust my calories up or down. Still got a ways to go before I worry about that part.

sugarstrawberries

Totes legit

retirehappy

It is your journey do what you like.

I log something once a week. I track daily and average the "low" for the week. I found this keeps me more focused on what I am doing right if I have lost i will see the same number more than once during the week. So I average it out.

What ever keeps you motivated is what I would do if I were you

Cheers :drinker:

pienthesky32

That's exactly what I do...it actually frustrates me when I see my friends lose the same 2 pounds and regain it every weekend over and over...as long as you're consistently doing most things right, then yes you're going to see a new loss eventually and since down is the only way to go, I feel it's great to rejoice in every new low, even if it's just for the day. It'll come back around.

sunshyncatra

I used to record it only if I weigh that way for two days in a row, but now I record it as soon as I hit the new low. If my weight goes up to a consistent number for a couple weeks I adjust it back to that.

crisb2

I weigh myself every morning (sans clothes, before eating or drinking, using the same scale, placed in the identical place on the floor) and log my weight on MFP whenever I hit a new low.

I do exactly the same thing! I weigh myself out of habit, I've done it all my life because I gain weight rather easily. But, I only record the new lows (and mine usually stick around, barely fluctuating a pound up at most).

For me, it makes more sense than only weighing myself once a week, the curiosity and anxiety of not knowing would make me eat more and stress out. And imagine, if on the ONE day a week I weighed myself, my body decided it was water-hoarding day and the bloating made it seem I was 3 pounds heavier, when I really wasn't. That would be totally discouraging for me.

Every ounce lost, motivates me to keep going forward (but I don't freak out if it fluctuates up-which I think is a key factor!)! I got raised eyebrows from my endocrinologist when I mentioned I did this, but she told me that if it's part of my routine, and it works for me, there's really no reason to stop.

If it works for YOU it's FINE! Because you're recording things your way and you know the truth about your effort and what you're putting in your mouth... you're doing this for you after all, not for the congratulatory messages on your feed! (eventhough those are nice too )

DaveHuby

I log twice a week on a spreadsheet so I see the minor ups and downs. But I only post my new lows on here. To me the incentive is to get the next low.

Benefit of the spreadsheet is I can see the overall graph of progress. Averaging a pound a week over the year.

Francl27

It's what I do now. I don't even bother logging the random water weight I'll gain, I know it will come down again eventually.

Lonasue32

I only record new lows in MFP. But I have a walking and weight tracking program on my android and I record both ups and downs in that program.

SingingPilgrim

Sounds like you're like me and everyone else here....

Fun part is I was actually wondering about it myself, because like I hadn't seen my last "new low" that I recorded for a few days and then today I there again and I was like "whew, I didn't make that up" haha.

But as long as you're not having serious gain, I wouldn't worry about it.

I'd been kind of plateauing for a while and I was wondering because I was fluctuating like five pounds up or down for a few weeks without significant change and I was wondering when do I need to record a gain... and then I lost and I think I'm losing again. And it's reassured me that unless it's a significant prolonged gain (really I was just the same weight, with fluctuation) I don't think it needs to be recorded, and I think recording all the "new lows" is the best way to stay motivated since it feels great to see that total lost number rise!

LessthanKris

I only record losses and only do it once a week on MFP. I keep a spreadsheet for daily weigh-ins. Monday is usually my official weigh in day since if I have a cheat day it is on Saturday and I am up the next day. With the the spreadsheet I can see the trends to see if any loss or gain seems kind of erratic.

Stage14

I record my weight once a week (or once every other week sometimes). I record whether it's a gain or loss, but since I only do it once a week, it is almost never a gain over the last entry. It's either the same or lower. I don't record daily weight for the same reason others don't record gains. I don't think you're cheating. At worst, you may be recording a lb of water loss here or there but since you don't record a new weight until you get a "new low" it likely all equals out to show the actual weight loss.

bridgie101

I weigh myself every morning (sans clothes, before eating or drinking, using the same scale, placed in the identical place on the floor) and log my weight on MFP whenever I hit a new low.

My rationale for this is that I know for an absolute fact that I'm on about a 700 calorie deficit every single day (well, except for a day or so every few weeks, and even then I rarely exceed maintenance). Because I know my water weight and other factors can vary widely from day to day, and that my actual weight will change more slowly and steadily, and always down due to that reliable calorie deficit, I therefore conclude that any "new low" weight for me is more accurate than any of the daily fluctuations, for the simple reason that the lower weights more reliably represent a clearing away of the unmeasurable variables.

While the reasoning seems strong to me, part of it also seems a bit like tricking myself, because, after all, the lower weights usually only last a day and then I don't see them again for a week (at which point, however, I usually set a new record).

So, what are some other thoughts on this? Is this a fairly accurate way to track real losses, or am I faking it?

Well first of all - it does appear to be working for you. You have certainly lost some weight and it's not imaginary weight, is it.

So it's not faking.

I do, though, always weigh myself every day the same way you do - but I weigh for the MFP system on a Sunday morning, no matter what. and if I am higher that day than I was the day before, that's just tough luck. and if I'm lower than I was the day before, that's fantastic. but I just use a chop-off system because anything else would make me lose motivation.

If I only recorded any weight when it got lower, it would be random. If i went too high, ate too much, I'd start saying 'oh well, won't weigh myself till i get lower' and that day would probably never come.

But it works for you. I really wouldn't question a system that works for you!