Do you log weight increases too?

ChristyRunStarr · March 2013

My weigh in days are on Monday's, not matter what the scale says, I log it, keeps me motivated. But that's just me.

This...except I do Wednesdays.

Evachiquita · March 2013

Yep! Weight loss is not linear. It's the overall long-term trend we need to be watching!

dinkydudette · March 2013

I only log gains if they stick for more than 2 weeks. I would have to be eating an insane amount of calories for a legitimate gain.

This is what I do. I will also glance back over my diary and memory and see if I can think of something I've done differently or failed to log. The extra weight always comes off along with a bit more. Water, constipation (common when dieting), TOM, etc will all affect the number, but if it sticks for 2 weeks or I know I've been eating too much then I would log it.

That's a good idea, although I would have to write down the weight to remember it after a fortnight...maybe in some sort of log or something. :ohwell:

Riemersma4 · March 2013

I will answer the question with a question. What do you do with the information? The data (weight, inches, calories, etc) is only of value if you do something as a result of a trend.

If you aren't going to change your training or eating, why bother? If it will cause you to 'hunker down' and work out harder/eat better, than go for it.

Good luck!

KipDrordy · March 2013

I only log loss because I know I'm not gaining. I don't log until I've recorded the same weight two days in a row.

dinkydudette · March 2013

I will answer the question with a question. What do you do with the information? The data (weight, inches, calories, etc) is only of value if you do something as a result of a trend.

If you aren't going to change your training or eating, why bother? If it will cause you to 'hunker down' and work out harder/eat better, than go for it.

Good luck!

You're right, I would probably do nothing as really I should be looking to tone up rather than slim down. Maybe I should be watching body fat % more though.

SadKitty27 · March 2013

I only record loss after I've maintained it for several days. I don't record gains, because well I am not gaining any weight, and recording fluctuations seems a bit silly to me.

Jennnifit · March 2013

I would normally say it is probably best to log in gains, as you want to keep yourself in check and not live in any form of denial. However, last Sat night I went overload in high sodium foods and put on an instant 5 lbs over night. I KNEW that this was instant sodium/water weight since I have been through this many times before and I can usually wipe it out of my system within two days. For that reason, I didn't bother logging my gain, knowing I'll get right back to where I was and really am. Especially since it wasn't possible for me to have gained 5 lbs in actual fat over night. It took me a few days longer to cleanse/burn the water weight this time, but I'm now back to where I was before. If this went on any longer, then sure -- I'd probably log the gain. It's up to you

)

JoanB5 · March 2013

I did NOT record the day after my LOW two days ago when the next day it was up .5.

I DID record this morning after seeing a 1.7lb. total gain in forty-eight hours. Something is up. What is it? I ask myself.

I look back over my behaviors and logs.

Did I eat something salty (pretzels were the culprit last week)? This week, the beef and veggies did need added salt. Could be it. Am I getting enough fiber in my diet (working on that today) by additives and fruit. Am I drinking enough? Working on that last night with water instead of coffee PM.

I like getting to know my body and try to take care of it better.

I'm not sure I drink enough as a whole without these prompts, or watch my food balance enough. It helps me.

harric88 · March 2013

Yes!! I'm 4lb up after returning from holiday.... I weighed on Monday - not added it yet though :P - Im fully aware I've got a few weeks work to add on to end of the plan now BAH! always always add back on!

Calderon46 · March 2013

Yes, I log weight gain after some deliberation with my MFP friends. I have gained 10 lbs since Christmas and didn't weigh myself until yesterday, but I am back on the wagon now and focused. I didn't like to see the weight gain on my weight slider, so it has refocused me to try harder, with the great support of my MFP friends.

sirabe · March 2013

Yes. Because the record is for me not anyone else.

Hagginss2 · March 2013

Yes I log both

panano · March 2013

Used to, don't anymore. Any kind of fluctuation disappears in a matter of days, and I just find it to discouraging to log it..

Givemewings · March 2013

I log it...but I know it can be painful!

sharleengc · March 2013

If my weight remains up from my last logged weight for more than about 2 weeks, then I log it to give me more motivation to get it down. If it's up for a few days or a week then usually not because then it's usually due to water retention

EAPTX · March 2013

I wasn't logging my weight here unless it went up or down five pounds because I didn't want to fool with it, but might have to change that. I do log in every single day on the wii fit at home and let it record my weight, which is regularly up or down 2 pounds. I have always heard not to weigh every day because of the fluctuations. However, the weekly weighing seems less accurate now that I've been weighing every day. Here's why.

I was getting frustrated because it seemed like I had hit a plateau or had lost a lot more in the beginning than lately. When I looked back on the wii fit chart, I could see that there was a definite diagonal line through all of the fluctuations, and that it was at a consistent angle no matter what period I looked at. It was consistent for the first month, the most recent month, the entire time - all the same rate. I never would have guessed that because I get discouraged that it is taking so long. I averaged it out and it is exactly the goal I set here! I wouldn't have as many data points with weekly or monthly weighings and that would be more misleading.

On a related note, does anyone know if you can view a longer period of time on the mobile app than 3 months? I couldn't find a way to change that default.

mfoster1019 · March 2013

I weigh in on Thursdays. Whatever the scale says, whether it's a loss or gain, is what gets recorded.

WendyBlendy · March 2013

I log every Sunday...lose or gain!

KristyHumphrey · March 2013

I will log gains, but only on log in day...but by the same turn, i only log losses on log in days too

this

The people who actually log weight kill me-mine would be all over the place if i did that!

Soosannah · March 2013

I log whatever the scale says

This

trud72 · March 2013

I only log gains if they stick for more than 2 weeks. I would have to be eating an insane amount of calories for a legitimate gain.

THIS :happy:

runbyme · March 2013

I log every weigh in. Up or down. Not logging it doesn't mean it didn't happen! I find it easy to think it's no big deal if I don't log it...and it is!! Of course, that's just me! Good luck with your fitness goals!

mfpcopine · March 2013

Why would you think you could pick and choose? The purpose of keeping a record is to provide feedback and reveal trends. You always have to use additional tools to determine if weight is caused by an increase in muscle. The scale alone isn't sufficient.

andrewjcarter · March 2013

Record everything. That way you'll better understand how weight loss works and how no-linear it can be.

I am finding it very motivational to see how I stall then whoosh off a big amount of weight as I go along.

larryc0923 · March 2013

My approach is to treat this as an experiment and as data that can be used for analysis so always simply log the facts. Whether it is logging what I eat, what I weigh, or what my measurements are it is very important to log the facts.

As far as logging weight when it goes up this can and will be as important information as when weight goes down. For example, how will you know if you are eating or not working out enough? what happens after you reach your goal and are trying to maintain how will you know if you are maintaining?

I take and log my weight every day (in the morning as I am getting ready for the day). Have been doing this for over 10 months now. One interesting observation is that 40+% of the time my daily weight measurements are higher than the previous day. For example during one month I weighed myself 30 times. Of those 30 times, 13 of those times (43%) the measured weight was higher than the previous day. The largest increase was 1.0lbs. So there were 13 days that I could despair about the lack of progress or about why am I doing this or that I may as well just quit. But wait, there were 16 days (53%) that measured weight was less than the previous day. There was one day that there was no difference in weight. The largest decrease was 1.8lbs. So there were 16 days that I could rejoice. Most importantly, my weight in those 30 days dropped 6.4lbs and that is something to be really happy about.

Sorry to ramble so much, hope that helps.

terriejones · March 2013

I log on mondays and I put down whatever the scale says. If its just water gain, then the scale should really be good the next week. I also write it down on a calender so I can look back at any time. And I can look back at my food log and see if I'm eating wrong or if its just a normal fluctuation. I love the number on the scale but body change is really the most important thing, it doesn't lie. I have to keep it honest if I'm going to maintain this for what I hope is a very long lifetime.