Why is everyone so scared of weighing their food?

spara0038

because food is supposed to provide pleasure not torture...weighing before eating that's just too much hassle and takes away the fun...

I second this. I struggle with eating enough sometimes, and if I had to weigh everything before I ate it, I'd just rather not eat. I tried the whole weighing thing, but it just discouraged me from eating anything, so for me it's healthier to just use a rough estimation and log everything.

tigerette12

I weigh my food. I have no issue doing so and it keeps me on track plus helps me to accurately log my food in take for the day.

juliafromrf

When I first started, I also thought weighing food was unnecessary and obsessive and I thought I ate very reasonably. Did I lose? No.
Then I gave it a try and it's actually HEAVEN, for me at least. To know how much I consume, to know I am (most) definitely in a caloric deficit, to know I hit my macros. It feels so good and it's so easy ... I also completely stopped emotional eating.
However, I dislike the reactions of other people when they find out I weigh my food. A lot of them think this is an eating disorder by itself.

Rubie81

I lost 88 pounds without weighing a single thing. If it works for him, GREAT! Let him be.

Guinness80

Yes but those aren't the ones I am speaking about...the people in my real life don't have eating disorders they just don't want to weigh their food...and I am made fun of for it...because they think it's excessive which is fine...but don't berate those who don't feel it's excessive and who aren't triggered by it...

You are right. It is a personal choice and nobody should be made to feel fun of or berated if they use a scale or not. Unfortunately that goes both ways. You say in your life you get made fun of for it, yet just read on this thread. Many of those that do measure are quick to call those that don't "lazy" and "not committed".

lthames0810

I'm in the "not weighing your food" camp, but I admit to being a little conflicted about it.

The reasons I don't weigh:

1- All parts of the deficit equation are estimates. Your BMR/TDEE are estimates. So are your calorie burns. How much precision can really be gained by attempting to be accurate with only your food intake?

2-The manner in which I'm trying (and slowly succeeding) to lose weight is to adopt the habits I intend to keep for the rest of my life. I don't see weighing every morsel of food to be a desireable habit for the long term. I'm trying my best not to have to resort to that.

3-Laziness. And this also goes for measuring with cups and spoons, too. I don't want to make extra dishes that have to be washed. If I can eyeball my portions, then I don't have to wash the things I used to measure or weight them with.

4-Admittedly shallow, but I'm a little embarrased to be seen weighing my food.

rml_16

because food is supposed to provide pleasure not torture...weighing before eating that's just too much hassle and takes away the fun...

I have been weighing certain foods (especially cheese) for years. It's simple, easy and is such a habit I barely notice doing it anymore.

I still enjoy my food. *shrug*

It's only torture if you make it torture. It adds no extra time (maybe a split second) and sometimes actually allows me to eat more than I thought I could.

Branstin

I don't use a food scale nor am I scared of weighing my foods. I learned portion control with Weight Watchers and have been very successful with it. This is the method I still use because it works for me. I think a scale is an excellent tool for weight loss but as with weight loss in general there are different paths to the same goal.

disasterman

I lost quite a bit - %75 of my goal without weighing food. Once the weight loss slowed I started weighing higher calorie food. I don't want to make this more work than I have to and I don't always have a scale available so I'm also still learning how to manage portion sizes on my own.

Rainboots80

I don't because I just don't want to take that extra step. I have measured things like cheese a couple times but now I know what an ounce looks like. I was actually overestimating most things anyway and eating less calories then I thought.

nilbogger

It doesn't really matter if it's working for you.

However, I get annoyed when people are struggling to lose weight but won't go out and buy a food scale.

yopeeps025

I am too lazy to weight my food out. Also I do not need to see results.

_mlee_

I estimate my food and it seems to be working great for me. I don't feel the need to weigh everything I put in my mouth because I'm seeing the results without the hassel. If it wasn't working for me THEN I would start weighing. I'm just frankly too lazy to have to deal with all that He will learn on his own with trial and error what works best for him.

yopeeps025

It doesn't really matter if it's working for you.

However, I get annoyed when people are struggling to lose weight but won't go out and buy a food scale.

Same here. If its not working then find out what does.

TheVirgoddess

i dont have one for these reasons;
-my meals are prepared for my whole family not just me, weighing wouldnt give me a much more accurate calorie count than volume/estimating since its all prepared in one big batch
-i think for many people getting a scale is what would push them over the line into the stereotypical "health-nut" category
-weighing food for the rest of my life seems much less sustainable then learning how to eyeball appropriate portion sizes
-i wont always be able to access a food scale
-estimating/volume measuring has worked very well for me so far

All of these - though I do have a scale. Everyone on here told me I was underestimating my intake and the scale would shock me - but the truth is I was overestimating everything.

I'm using the scale right now to get a general idea of portion sizes and such - but it's not a long term thing for me. It's a tool to use to train my brain.

I don't blame people for not being interested in using one. I find them to be a PITA.

Eoghann

I'm not scared of it, I simply see no value in it. I'm pretty consistently losing 2lbs a week which... coincidentally matches the calorie deficit that Fitbit thinks I have based on the food info I'm logging.

Why make something that's already working more complicated than it needs to be?

FeraFilia

I didn't use a food scale on a previous weight loss endeavor because I didn't think I needed one, and because I thought it would be time consuming and a big pain.

This time around, I picked up a $15 digital scale at walmart to measure my most commonly eaten foods, and it's pretty quick and easy to use, and much better way of getting the right amount of a serving of certain foods than measuring cups. I'm sure after I've used it for a while, I'll be a little more comfortable estimating the portion sizes.

I love that it has a measure for milk on it! Set bowl on scale, zero. Add cereal to proper amount, zero. Switch to milk setting. Pour milk. Not much longer than it would normally take, and now I get an accurate count! Great for other things too, like adding cheese to my food. Set the plate on the scale, zero it out, sprinkle on cheese to desired weight.

I also find it helps when I'm feeling a binge coming on to take the time to weigh out a serving of, say, chips, and then walk out of the kitchen rather than just grab the bag and shove all of the contents into my face without thinking. 1 serving of chips might put me a little over... but the entire bag would do much, much more damage... and my habit of doing just that is probably why I'm here.

I'm getting pretty good at using the scale, so it's not crazy time consuming, which is what my biggest fear was.

stevee290

I do it the lazy way and eat entire packages of food no guess work or scales needed.

HMonsterX

I do it the lazy way and eat entire packages of food no guess work or scales needed.

This.

SezxyStef

Yes but those aren't the ones I am speaking about...the people in my real life don't have eating disorders they just don't want to weigh their food...and I am made fun of for it...because they think it's excessive which is fine...but don't berate those who don't feel it's excessive and who aren't triggered by it...

You are right. It is a personal choice and nobody should be made to feel fun of or berated if they use a scale or not. Unfortunately that goes both ways. You say in your life you get made fun of for it, yet just read on this thread. Many of those that do measure are quick to call those that don't "lazy" and "not committed".

agreed those words shouldn't be tossed around unless it's the person not using the scale saying it about themselves...which is in this thread.

To those who lose weight without it...Yah...
To those who lose weight with it...Yah...
To those who don't lose weight without it....sorry...I hope you find what works for you.
To those who can't use one...I hope it gets better with time and things like that don't trigger you anymore.

*notice there is no line there that says to those who don't lose weight with it...:bigsmile:

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Jarahal

I dunno, I love doing it, cause I want to know exactly how much Im consuming, estimation leads to overeating.

phoebezeng

Some people think it's not necessary to do so ,like the whole thing suddenly become ' dead serious ' once you put a scale on the table and weight everything you eat ... Some claim weighing their food would make eating less enjoyable because it makes them become mindful of the amount of food they eat.

But I say it is necessary to weight things just couple of times to get a idea of , for example , how much is 1lb of beef, or how much is a cup of peas etc. Once it's done I can deal with just a estimation. I would slightly overestimate the amount of food I eat because we tend to underestimate.

FireOpalCO

I weigh for my husband, but not in a "treat him like a child way".

I'll ask him something like "hey do you want some ice cream" when I get it for myself. and if he says yes, I go portion it out and give him exactly one serving in a little dessert cup. He's learning pretty quick that what he would portion out for himself was about 2 servings. He stops with what I give him and doesn't go get himself seconds, so he's sated with the smaller amount.

I serve dinner buffet style since it's just the two of us. I put my plate on the scale and weigh everything as I add it. Since I'm making two of everything, he is getting a potato close to my size, his steak might be slightly bigger, etc. If he wants seconds, quite often the only thing available is more vegetables. Of course he is drinking sweetened tea and I'm doing water and we we aren't around each other for breakfast, lunch, or snacks.

I don't nag him about anything he eats, but I wouldn't be surprised if he dropped a little weight as "collateral damage" to the changes I'm making.

laciemn

I am using the scale ALL the time. I am quite confident I will eventually gain the ability to measure and estimate quite accurately, but until that time has come, I will continue to use the scale.

However, some people have an approach of "just eat less than before" or "have a small portion." My grandpa once said it very simply : if you usually eat 2 hamburgers, just eat one." Things like that do work! I prefer to be accurate, however. I can't possibly imagine risking a regain from inaccurate estimates.

lizziebeth1028

My husband has decided to lose weight, but he doesn't want to weigh his food (or log his food really). He said if he stops losing, he'll consider it.

I don't get it... Why not start with something that works if you're really determined to do it?

Back in the day - People were able to lose weight before the invention of fitness gadgets, websites, trackers and scales ect. Although they are wonderful tools to use, they are not necessary for everyone. It's really an individual preference.

wannakimmy

My husband has decided to lose weight, but he doesn't want to weigh his food (or log his food really). He said if he stops losing, he'll consider it.

I don't get it... Why not start with something that works if you're really determined to do it?

It isn't for you to get. This is his personal journey. As long as he is happy with the way things are going for him, your only job as a spouse is to be supportive of him. Remember, what works for one person, may not work for another. I wish him much success.

Amerielle

I don't use a food scale because I can lose weight without it. I like to do things the easiest way possible. If at some point I'm not getting the results I want, I will consider a food scale as my next step. I say if it isn't broken...

jmv7117

My husband has decided to lose weight, but he doesn't want to weigh his food (or log his food really). He said if he stops losing, he'll consider it.

I don't get it... Why not start with something that works if you're really determined to do it?

Think about the vast number of folk who maintain a healthy weight or have lost weight WITHOUT weighing their food. Using a kitchen scale as a tool for weight loss is simply that, a tool. Seriously, if it works for you fine but let your husband make his own decisions as to how he will deal with his weight loss journey. There is more than one way to skin a cat! During the weight loss portion of my fitness journey, I weighed my foods when possible for about 2 months. The first two months and last month I did not. I still lost weight at the same rate I should have. I only used the scale because I already had one for certain recipes and saw it being recommended on MFP.

Would I recommend weighing food for weight loss? NO, unless the person is doing what they think they should be doing and is not losing weight AND then only if they asked my opinion. Weighing your food is not convenient if you eat out a lot, travel a lot, or live between multiple homes as we do. IMO, weighing takes away the enjoyment of food as well. It's far more useful to learn portion size and control rather than depend on weighing your food. It is also important to learn the value of activity in relation to what you can eat in a day.

jmv7117

My husband has decided to lose weight, but he doesn't want to weigh his food (or log his food really). He said if he stops losing, he'll consider it.

I don't get it... Why not start with something that works if you're really determined to do it?

Well, if he's losing without weighing his food, then so what? Leave him alone.

Well, he has a lot to lose, so it's pretty easy so far to lose by just changing his habits a little. I guess we'll see how it goes down the road.

Would you want him telling you what to do if this were reversed? If he starts struggling and asks for your help, offer this suggestion. Until that day (if it ever comes), shut up about it.

^^^^^THIS