Food Scale??

klafrancis

Hi all! I have been stuck on a plateau for what seems like forever now....Not sure what else I can do to get over this hump! I have increased cals, decreased cals, increased exercise, etc.. to no avail. I just ordered a food scale hoping this can help solve my problems.

Has anyone had good results after beginning to weigh food for more accuracy?

Also, I am looking into an HRM. Is it helpful? Any suggestions of brand?

ladykate7

Yes. It helped for portion control. After a while you'll be able to eyeball the food you eat often, makes it easier when you go out to eat. I have a lot of chicken. I usually cut it up, so I used to weigh it and put it in a measuring cup. 3-4 ounces of what that looks like is 3/4 - 1 cup.

Even non-weighing helps. I love triscuts, was surprised 6 of them is one serving. I used to eat a lot more than that each time. Now I cut them out and break them in half, feels like I get more.

klafrancis

Awesome! Thanks for the input!

SuperSexyDork

Weighing is sooooo beneficial. I use it to weigh everything that goes in my mouth. Measuring cups are easy to pack things down into but measuring by weight has no room for error.

ShannonMpls

I don't know if a food scale will help break your plateau, but it will help you judge portions with a lot more accuracy. I weigh everything that can be weighed (assuming it's calorie dense enough to matter...I don't weigh leafy greens).

I also love my HRM.

These are two of my most important weight loss tools, with MFP and a gym membership ranked right above them

MissMegan3119

I have found that a food scale is essential. I used to rely entirely on measuring cups, until my mom bought me a scale as a gift. I had NO idea how many times I was really over portioning on foods, and I have also been surprised sometimes how a measuring cup can lead to under portioning. I would highly recommend getting one.

patchesgizmo

As for HRM I have the polar one, but it does not give me accurate calories burned because I am on heart beat controlling medication.

I just started using my scale this morning.

fabandfunat51

YES Food scale (AND measuring cups and spoons) have made a world of difference. I was overdosing on grape tomatoes thinking I was eating a cup at a time. . . not even! Weighing a "small" sweet potato or piece of meat was an eye opener too.

In my opinion, food scale is not an option!

Good Luck!

runfatmanrun

I started April, 2011 and I still weigh my food today. I don't always need to but I prefer it.

Wuggums

Food scales are wonderful for portion control! I've found that I can cram a whole bunch of food into a "1 cup" serving. But, if I actually weigh it, I can't fool myself as easily.

I second the Polar brand for an HRM. I have a fairly basic Polar FT4 with a chest strap and I love it - works for everything, including swimming!

mhotch

I lost my weight over 5 years ago and have been maintaining for over 4 years now.

I still weigh and measure 90% of my diet. Fruit and vegetables are my only "eyeball" measurements.

lilpe5512

I agree with everyone. I just purchased a food scale and it has been an eye opener for me. As far as your plateau goes, you need to shock you body. Try a new exercise. Something that you have never done. A trainer at the Y also states that you might need to remove something from your diet. Now what you need to remove I don't know.

SueMizZou

I weigh everything. If I don't i wind up with portion size creep. I think that weighing things will help break the plateau because your portions are likely to get smaller.

I have a HRM and a fitbit. I prefer the fitbit mainly because it is more comfortable and less obvious. It records steps, milage, calories, activity levels and can be used to monitor sleep as well. Additionally, it interfaces with MFP.

My fitbit keeps me moving throughout the day.

mustgetmuscles1

I use my food scale and measuring cups with every meal I make at home. Dont know if it will help with your plateau though. An HRM will probably help get more accurate calorie burns. I have never used one myself I try to estimate a little lower on exercise and make sure my food is as accurate as possible. I am not on a severe deficit so Im not concerned with eating too few calories in a day.

klafrancis

WoW! Thanks everyone for the great info! Based on all the feedback, I think I made the right call in buying one! Hopefully you all will see my ticker moving soon!!!