Screw what the scale says

timeforachange2011

Thanks!

kimad

First off, since I am also a size 8 I am geniunely curious how much you weigh

Secondly, I used to be obsessed with the scale, and can't lie maybe I am still a bit.
BUT!!!! I tried on a top on my birthday, August 11th and it was tight in the tummy.... when I tried it on 2 weekends ago (so one month later) it was a little baggy in the tummy. Now in that time I maybe lost 2 lbs, but I fluctuate back and forth so I could have been up 2 that week for all I know.

Moral of my babbling is, it is true!!! your body can change even when the scale doesn't.

efcdcdb

So why do I have pants that are an 8, pants that are a 10, and pants that are a 12 that all fit me? And why does my 55 year old BEE-hind not fit in ANY Victoria's Secret undies, even extra large high cut briefs? And pants that fit in the waist are too tight in the hips? And shirts that fit "on top" are too tight at the bottom? (is there a theme here that anyone is noticing?) :laugh:

Marie31450

Thanks for posting! This is so true! We let a number on a scale or a height weight chart define us! I'd give anything to be a size 8! But, I went from a 14 to a 12... So watch out 8,here I come!

Ilangilang

true...

dvcab

Me too i think im good it goes upi fluctuate between 81 and 82 and that darn MFP indicator at the end of the day tells me in 5 weeks i will be 78 ... i think its been telling me that for a couple of months now...but im now in a size 14 i think i was a bride last time i was a 14 so that is my new goal im happy, fitter and healthier:flowerforyou:

19bulldog60

I love the scales !!!

wk9t

Mirror/Body Fat% > Scale

Ditto!

firstsip

I have to say it even though it will piss off people.

You traded one number for another. You say what you weigh/what the scale says isn't important and shouldn't define you, yet you're clinging to your size 8 jeans. The number on your pants tag is now what defines your weight/weight loss. Why not just cut out all the tags in your clothes, basically throw them away like you say to do with the scale?

THIS. How about level of health, fitness, FEELING good, or just pictures?

Posts like this make people like me, who can't really go by sizes because my hips will never be below an 8, feel like crap!

BonnieLouWho89

Amen!

Mummyadams

Here here ... love this post! I have put on weight since weight training but losing inches and body fat all over the place!
Kick those scales into a dark dusty corner and go by how you feel and how your clothes fit!

BonnieLouWho89

I agree with firstsip! The original poster is not trying to say ignore the scale completely; they're just saying that the scale is not the most important aspect of weightloss because a lot of people get obsessed with the number even if they are in good physical shape (i.e. look skinny).

By focusing on feeling good about how you LOOK (and exercise and eat), you guarantee success without scale depression!

hollyNhollywood

I think measurements and body fat % is the ultimate indicator.
I didn't lose a single ounce for 3 weeks. And just a few days ago the scale finally moved, I finally lost .4 lbs.
Therefore my BMI didn't budge in those 3 weeks and I'm still classified as overweight.
BUT my body fat monitor tells me that in that time I've lost 2% fat. And I'm well into a healthy body fat % for my age. That means more to me than a scale.

susan9

I don't always love the scale, but I need it to keep me on track. I try not to let daily weigh ins bother me as long as I'm making weekly progress.

LorinaLynn

I'm within 3 pounds of what my weight was a year and three months ago. My clothing size is more or less the same.

But progress has still been made. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn/view/it-ain-t-over-when-you-hit-your-goal-423924

kikih64

Agree! I have a FB friend (not on MFP) who has been on a weight loss journey for almost a year. She posted about how hard she's been working, and that her clothes are feeling looser and she bought a smaller size in something....but she was moaning about "why aren't the pounds coming off"?? I posted back to "step away from the scale" and realize that her clothes and her energy level are telling her that she's making progress. It's a really hard concept for people who have always focused on the scale.

:drinker:

peuglow

I have to say it even though it will piss off people.

You traded one number for another. You say what you weigh/what the scale says isn't important and shouldn't define you, yet you're clinging to your size 8 jeans. The number on your pants tag is now what defines your weight/weight loss. Why not just cut out all the tags in your clothes, basically throw them away like you say to do with the scale?

IMO, you need SOME measureable results. What's wrong with clothing size? Everyone needs a frame of reference for their level of fitness or health.

amayaveronica

I just figured this out today ive been down on myself for only losing like 2 lbs since exercising since june but everyone keeps telling me ive lost weight and my waist is definitly shrinking and i tried to see if id fit into my old jeans and i did! So realy F you scale DONT STOP thats my advice

WendyTerry420

Best post, OP! TRUTH!!!!! :flowerforyou:

WendyTerry420

I think you should get a freaking award for this post. Excellent job.

Here's the gold ribbon:


OMG! Truth online! LOL

Ge0rgiana

I'm about to be in the next pants size down. They're getting lose. The scale? Ha! Forget it. :happy: I don't care if it says 200lbs. when I hit my goal body, the body that I'm trying to achieve. And I could care far less for BMI. If you're tall, short, muscular, etc. it's totally bunk anyway.

Klem4

Awesome post. I try to remind myself of this when I want to break my scale.

beansprouts

Well said!! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

summertime_girl

The scale means way less than it used it. In high school, at 5'6.5", I was "fat" at 115. I wasn't in shape, though I was skinny. I was a 0 or 3. I'm more than 50 pounds heavier now, and wearing a 6 or 8, but I'm in MUCH better shape. When I started losing weight, I was thinking I wanted to get back to around 125. Now I realize that at 125, I'd look emaciated, because my body has changed and added so much muscle.

ABrideToBE

True, however, size does not define you as well. Vanity sizing is as what it says: vanity. Although I define my success as my goal weight of 125lbs, I still rely on how I feel overall.

kooltray87

I guess my fear is, I don't WANT the scale to be my motivator.

Well said! I don't want to look at a 1-2lb gain on the scale and feel that I have that I have to starve the next day to make up. I also don't want to see a big loss then get too relaxed and start cheating. A healthy lifestyle should be the only thing motivating weight loss.

Dancer113

Well said -- the number on the scale doesn't define success! thanks for the reminder!

runnerblues86

Great post!! I am seeing changes even though they are small, but the scale isn't moving much. I keep working on things, though and hopefully I will continue to see improvements - even if my scale doesn't tell the same story.

mandy_lynn

You couldn't be more right!