Stop focusing on your Weight Only!!!

13

Replies

  • Mskckaye
    Mskckaye Posts: 69 Member
    I totally agree...I am not a scale watcher..and could just as well toss it out the window if you ask me...but what I do measure is the inches and the clothes sizes that I have lost in the past 8 months. And I am down from a size 22w to a 16...and notice no "W"...yes I agree that weight training added to the daily routine is a plus....Thanks for this post.
  • kierstin1976
    kierstin1976 Posts: 123 Member
    Totally agree! It's about body fat % and what makes you happy. There are too many factors that can cause someone to gain weight while eating healthy and working out. I see the posts all the time about people not losing or gaining. My weight for the past week has been between 123lb-125lbs after changing my workout routine. Progress to me was losing size.
  • cpaman87
    cpaman87 Posts: 193 Member
    My wife tracks her weight and measurements. She gets just as excited when she loses inches as she does with pounds.
  • imanole
    imanole Posts: 169 Member
    Totally agree! It's about body fat % and what makes you happy. There are too many factors that can cause someone to gain weight while eating healthy and working out. I see the posts all the time about people not losing or gaining. My weight for the past week has been between 123lb-125lbs after changing my workout routine. Progress to me was losing size.

    Yes, I agree. Losing size (measurement) in the right places is (IMO) just as encouraging, sometimes more encouraging, than just losing weight.
  • Ladyiianae
    Ladyiianae Posts: 271 Member
    I SOOOO needed this post today, thank you so much! ps...nice pic <grins> do love!

    Sincerely,

    Hiding scale (after drop kicking it) in Minnesota
  • KJoy7
    KJoy7 Posts: 246
    Great post!! I weighted myself today naked.... I didn't lose or a gain a pound and got a little a down...then I looked over to the mirror and I was happy with my progress...tummy flatter, *kitten* not sagging, visible arm muscles...I'm ok with it :happy:
  • _beautiful_disaster_
    _beautiful_disaster_ Posts: 182
    bump
  • ChrisRS87
    ChrisRS87 Posts: 781 Member
    But a lb of muscle weighs more than a lb of fat!
  • ShreddedTweet
    ShreddedTweet Posts: 1,326 Member
    All my friends on MFP will tell you that I am a HUGE supporter of not focusing on weight as much as how you look (and feel). How you look: Body fat vs lean muscle. I have seen myself and helped other people make great transformations where they didn't lose 15 lbs the first month in WEIGHT - but they did in BODY FAT! Why, because they gained muscle in the process. So their pants size shrunk up because they lost some on their waste but they gained more muscle around their body.

    (For those peeps who love to weigh in, don't start spewing venom at me just yet...patience)

    People don't feel bad about themselves just because of weight, but because of body fat. I feel great about myself and I'm around 215. And a traditional BMI reading (for some) is crap. Why? Well, I just put in my stats from today and it says I am at 27.6 BMI and officially "over weight"...now, look at my pic. Does it look like I am at 27.6? No. Because BMI doesn't take in stats like waste, neck measurement or how much of that is actually muscle.

    Here is my point. Keep weighing yourself if this helps you. And if you are 30 lbs or more overweight (like I was 6 years ago), weigh yourself and work on losing weight - but WATCH the transformation. And don't just do cardio!!! You need to do weights or strength training. Build your core muscles. Muscle will help you burn more calories when you are not exercising! Eat every 3 hours - good stuff - small stuff usually - but that will keep your metabolism high. Don't starve yourself (except from extra carbs).

    AND TAKE PICTURES!! I wish I had a before pic - I regret it now. I lost over 30 lbs in 3 months - and if I hadn't, I may not have stuck with it. I SAW the transformation. I believe a weekly picture is a great thing. Some weeks you may see no progress. But if you line them up over 4-6 weeks (or more) and have been doing the things above, you WILL see a transformation.

    If you need encouragement, FRIEND ME. I'm here to encourage anyone I can (and I can use it too!).

    Ps. I don't blog so I am putting this here instead. :wink:

    After 30-Day Shred I haven't lost a single pound, I wasn't overweight beforehand and it was my first foray into exercise but I think I actually gained... Regardless, I'm happy, stronger and I lost 13.75 inches!!!! Scales be-damned!
  • jcstanton
    jcstanton Posts: 1,849 Member
    All my friends on MFP will tell you that I am a HUGE supporter of not focusing on weight as much as how you look (and feel). How you look: Body fat vs lean muscle. I have seen myself and helped other people make great transformations where they didn't lose 15 lbs the first month in WEIGHT - but they did in BODY FAT! Why, because they gained muscle in the process. So their pants size shrunk up because they lost some on their waste but they gained more muscle around their body.

    (For those peeps who love to weigh in, don't start spewing venom at me just yet...patience)

    People don't feel bad about themselves just because of weight, but because of body fat. I feel great about myself and I'm around 215. And a traditional BMI reading (for some) is crap. Why? Well, I just put in my stats from today and it says I am at 27.6 BMI and officially "over weight"...now, look at my pic. Does it look like I am at 27.6? No. Because BMI doesn't take in stats like waste, neck measurement or how much of that is actually muscle.

    Here is my point. Keep weighing yourself if this helps you. And if you are 30 lbs or more overweight (like I was 6 years ago), weigh yourself and work on losing weight - but WATCH the transformation. And don't just do cardio!!! You need to do weights or strength training. Build your core muscles. Muscle will help you burn more calories when you are not exercising! Eat every 3 hours - good stuff - small stuff usually - but that will keep your metabolism high. Don't starve yourself (except from extra carbs).

    AND TAKE PICTURES!! I wish I had a before pic - I regret it now. I lost over 30 lbs in 3 months - and if I hadn't, I may not have stuck with it. I SAW the transformation. I believe a weekly picture is a great thing. Some weeks you may see no progress. But if you line them up over 4-6 weeks (or more) and have been doing the things above, you WILL see a transformation.

    If you need encouragement, FRIEND ME. I'm here to encourage anyone I can (and I can use it too!).

    Ps. I don't blog so I am putting this here instead. :wink:

    Okay, um, first...HERE! HERE! :drinker: I couldn't have said it better myself. Second...how old are you and are you married, 'cause <
    YUM! YUM! (at your profile pic) :love: :blushing:
  • ClarkeEJ
    ClarkeEJ Posts: 155 Member
    Love this post. My weight has recently been at a standstill but my body and the inches are definitely reducing.
  • imanole
    imanole Posts: 169 Member
    But a lb of muscle weighs more than a lb of fat!

    LOL
  • AubreySue81
    AubreySue81 Posts: 167 Member
    Love this post! Thanks! :happy:
  • Crystal0827
    Crystal0827 Posts: 244 Member
    great posts! Thank you for sharing this point of view!
  • imanole
    imanole Posts: 169 Member
    Love this post. My weight has recently been at a standstill but my body and the inches are definitely reducing.

    That's awesome. Keep going.
  • donna_glasgow
    donna_glasgow Posts: 869 Member
    im addicted to the scale however I also measure and check BF ... in the last month

    I gained 3lbs
    lost 1.3% BF
    lost 1 inch on my waist
    it's strange to say, but, I'm happy with that result even thou there was the gain of weight
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    So very true!!! I, like most here, have a love hate relationship with the scale....I realize it is JUST a stupid # and means very little. I take weekly measurements as well as weekly pics- both have been very helpful to refer to when the scale is not cooperating the way I think it should! I have lost less than 30 lbs, but my BF has gone down tremendously and I have lost almost 16" overall...thats what matters to me!
  • jen_bd6
    jen_bd6 Posts: 501 Member
    Exactly... that's why I bought a pair of "goal jeans" once I can fit into those, I will be happy... no matter what the scale says!
  • imanole
    imanole Posts: 169 Member
    Love this post! Thanks! :happy:

    Glad it helped. :)
  • rhonadouglas
    rhonadouglas Posts: 12 Member
    Thanks for that, I have not lost a ounce in a month, but have lost inches and my clothes fit really well. I was thinking of moving my calories up to 1500 instead of 1300 to see if I can lose weight, but know I might stay on 1300. Thanks again
  • DaveMurphy6
    DaveMurphy6 Posts: 130 Member
    Exercise is actually not the best means of losing weight. Think about this..which is easier? NOT eating a pizza slice with 400 calories plus fat, sodium etc or running for 30 minutes? Controlling your diet is much more effective for weight loss. BUT exercise does so much more..improves your heart strength, lung strength, blood flow muscle tone etc, so even if you are not seeing weight loss results by exercising DONT QUIT.

    There are many thin people who die from heart attacks and respiratory problems because they thought exercise wasn't necessary for them because they were not overweight.

    Unfortunately, this also means that you can forget any thoughts you might have had about quitting all this exercise as soon as you hit your weight goal..Sorry

    I wish you Continued success
  • imanole
    imanole Posts: 169 Member
    Exactly... that's why I bought a pair of "goal jeans" once I can fit into those, I will be happy... no matter what the scale says!

    That is a really cool idea!! I may "steal" that from you for some peeps I am working with.
  • Shara126
    Shara126 Posts: 144 Member
    You are so right!!! I started weight training less than two months ago to help break out of a plateau that I have been stuck in for 4 months ( I lost 18 pounds on WW before I came to MFP) and I can see and feel a difference already. My arms are firming up and I no longer have IT pain when I run due to strenghtening up my quads with leg extensions. I only do 15 minutes, 3 times a week. I started doing squats with 10 pounds and now I am up to 30, it is a great feeling!!

    Now I just need to get my addiction to high fructose corn syrup under control. LOL


    Add me if you like:)
  • Shara126
    Shara126 Posts: 144 Member
    I have a pair of goal pants too....they are a real motivator!!
  • imanole
    imanole Posts: 169 Member
    You are so right!!! I started weight training less than two months ago to help break out of a plateau that I have been stuck in for 4 months ( I lost 18 pounds on WW before I came to MFP) and I can see and feel a difference already. My arms are firming up and I no longer have IT pain when I run due to strenghtening up my quads with leg extensions. I only do 15 minutes, 3 times a week. I started doing squats with 10 pounds and now I am up to 30, it is a great feeling!!

    Now I just need to get my addiction to high fructose corn syrup under control. LOL


    Add me if you like:)

    LOL. I changed my profile statement a few hours ago to "Put down the Twizzlers". That was meant for no one else but me! :)
  • louliz82
    louliz82 Posts: 7 Member
    So pleased I've seen this. I weigh myself every 10-14 days so I don't get obsessed with it- something some of my friends and family don't understand as they think I should be losing 'weight' every week. I'm glad I'm sticking to my guns. My ultimate goal is fitting in a pair of my old jeans- then I know that I'm a SIZE that I'm happy with, not a weight.
  • imanole
    imanole Posts: 169 Member
    im addicted to the scale however I also measure and check BF ... in the last month

    I gained 3lbs
    lost 1.3% BF
    lost 1 inch on my waist
    it's strange to say, but, I'm happy with that result even thou there was the gain of weight

    You should be happy with that. If you're measurements are going down (in the places we retain the most fat - which can be different for different people), and you gained weight...most likely that you have put on muscle while dropping the body fat. Good work.
  • Sinisi2012
    Sinisi2012 Posts: 333 Member
    Yes!

    Mine is going NOWHERE right now...and for the past 12 weeks! If I'd still focused on the scale only, I would be back to my old habits. Not going to happen. Eventually I will figure out why I can't break this!

    Tandi - we're gonna figure this out. ;)

    Same boat. Plateaued for 4 months. That last 4-6 weeks I have increased my calories because I work out so much I was causing too big of a deficit, decreased my cardio but added 3-4 days of strength training. Hoping August is the month to break it. Hard not to be concerned with the scale when it hasn't moved in months. But, I have been noticing little things and they keep me going... for now.

    Sometime this week I'll try to post some ideas for the "stuck" crowd. We can all get there at times.

    I will look out for that. Loving this thread, its like we have our own personal coach and guru!!! lol

    I agree! :)

    Ditto! Looks like this post will be welcomed. I just started weight\strength training to my cardio routine last week. Hoping it helps me lose more and shrink my trouble areas that don't seem to be getting smaller despite losing weight. And yes I am addicted to the scale, but it does motivate me and make me workout harder when I don't see a loss.

    Thanks for your post!
  • LeslieSJR
    LeslieSJR Posts: 64
    Nice post, and one I needed to read today! That scale gets me in a terrible mood, even when I know how hard I have been working and how honest I have been in my food and exercise diaries (I always meet my goals, no cheating, and do what I have to every day to eat and exercise the right amount for me). I took my own body fat % measurements last night, and I also have my first fitness assessment with a trainer tomorrow. I am within 15 or so pounds of my goal weight, so I know it's going to be more about the slow steady change at this point to see the physical transformation I am working towards. I hope to start basing success on the measurements rather than the scale!
  • imanole
    imanole Posts: 169 Member
    After 30-Day Shred I haven't lost a single pound, I wasn't overweight beforehand and it was my first foray into exercise but I think I actually gained... Regardless, I'm happy, stronger and I lost 13.75 inches!!!! Scales be-damned!

    ShreddedTweet. That is inspiring. Keep up the good work.

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