To weigh or not to weigh?

varula

I am a veteran dieter. Started at 14, so...uh...ack. 33 years of this. I am tired of the starts and stops and the ups and downs. It always comes back. For the past few years now, I've opened myself up to anything and everything that I can possibly do. Giving up wheat, sugar, alcohol, meat....not usually all at once, but you get the idea. And here I am, heavier than ever.

So, I'm trying the 6 small meal a day route. 20 days in and it's very comfortable. One thing I'm trying hard to do is AVOID THE SCALE. I only just this morning got on it for the first time to give me some kind of "starting" place. And now I'm going to stay away for a month at least.

Here's why. I feel that if I am to make permanent, life-long changes in the way that I eat, the focus of this effort needs to be creating a daily pattern of healthy eating, regardless of what the scale says. If I do it right, the weight will come off. But the GOAL is permanence, not movement of the scale. The weight-loss is a by-product. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Does anyone else share this method for trying to create permanent change? What have you done to make solid changes like this?

diannethegeek

I'm only weighing myself once a month now and I believe that I'm happier for it. The week-to-week fluctuations were just making me too grumpy if I didn't lose on a perfect schedule (and, of course, no one ever does). But I've also been at this long enough to know that my plan is working for me.

But, I also include more treats in my day, watch my macros, don't stress about cheat days, and have set a lower weight loss goal and a looser calorie range than the first time I was losing weight. I have to admit that those things are helping me, too.

If you haven't come across them yet, I like starting with these links:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1296011-calorie-counting-101

And then read these when you're ready to take your logging accuracy to the next step:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1290491-how-and-why-to-use-a-digital-food-scale