Estimating vs Weighing

skinniestminniest

Hi everyone!

So I know estimating is not the greatest way to go, but up until now I didn't have the resources available to weigh my food. Last night I bought a food scale and my HRM is on the way!

My question is - for those of you who weigh all of your food, have you ever stalled out? Or has this method always shown results from day one?

I've been losing just by estimating, but not nearly at a pace that I should be and I know it's because some days, my estimation is probably far too low.

One other question - I know that things like cereal or veggies should be weighed, but what about pre-packaged stuff? For example, Chobani yogurt. Is it okay to just use the 'package' weight for the cup of yogurt instead of taking it out of the cup and weighing it?

Thanks!

SezxyStef

I have not stalled out since I started weighing my food.

I estimated at first as well and was losing...1/2lb a week...started measuring went to 1lb a week.

I weigh all solids...crackers...cookies...chips...meat...the small cups of yogurt I admit I don't weigh those yet...but I may start.

JenMc14

I lost with just measuring with cups and stuff, but getting a scale did make me realize I was probably eating more than I thought. I don't weigh prepackaged foods that are one serving per package like yogurts or oatmeal packets. But, if it's a big tub of yogurt or oatmeal, I weigh out a serving.

GauchoMark

First of all, you can stall out for other reasons besides estimation error. However, by weighing at least most of your food, you are eliminating one variable.

As for weighing pre-packaged food, I do sometimes. The thing is, most prepackaged foods are about 10% more than the package says. A lot of times, I'll get curious and weigh something pre-packaged, but I usually don't worry about it. I try not to get the majority of my food from pre-packaged sources, so I figure it is close enough. If I am running an experiment, I weigh everything - no matter what.

Also, the probability of me weighing something is directly proportional to the food's calorie density.what it is. If it is a candy bar, then yeah, I try to weigh it. If it is a bowl of lettuce, I'm not too terribly concerned about estimation error (I would have to be GROSSLY mistaken - like think a head of lettuce = 1 cup - to see a significant difference in calories).

Francl27

I've stalled, but only 2-3 weeks at a time (every month in fact). It's normal though, it's linked to my period. I haven't had any plateau, except the month I didn't get a period, but again, not really shocking. You can still plateau if you overestimate your activity though (or your metabolism is a bit slower).

And yes, definitely weigh everything you can. Yogurt cups I don't really bother, it seems like a pain (I guess you can weigh it before you eat it, then after though), although I did it once and there was much less yogurt in the cup than it said, so it might be worth it (I figure if I overestimate a bit, not a big deal). I don't weigh wrapped cheese like mini babybels or laughing cow wedges either. But bread, cereal bars, crackers, cheese slices... I weigh it all.

h7463

I got stuck for a while until I noticed that the spring on my little old scale was worn out. It underestimated the food quite a bit. I found a little digital food scale that will allow me to load up a single plate by just resetting to zero after every spoon of food that I put on it. Fast and easy. Makes weighting much less of a hassle when you're the only one at the dinner table watching your food intake....

CeddysMum

...
I don't weigh prepackaged foods that are one serving per package like yogurts or oatmeal packets. But, if it's a big tub of yogurt or oatmeal, I weigh out a serving.

^^^^ This.

And yes, stalling happens for a number of reasons. Weightloss is not linear, it will always vary.

I've just had 2 to 3 weeks of barely any loss at all and just this week the scales are dropping daily (I weigh daily because I want to keep an eye on water retention for other reasons but I only log here weekly). It can be frustrating but since I know I've lost inches (progress pics/measurements/clothes getting more loose) I don't worry about it and neither should you

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

Weighing your food won't necessarily prevent your from "stalling out"......logging accurately and consistently and maintaining a deficit will prevent your from experiencing that. The scale is simply another tool in your arsenal to educate yourself and assist in learning new habits.