Motivational Downers :(

kids183
kids183 Posts: 204 Member
in Motivation and Support
Okay, so at the gym today, I decided to try a different scale, basically in hopes that it was going to give me a better result. Boy was I wrong. 3 days ago I weighed myself on my home scale and it stated 202 pounds - I was happy with this number. Today, the gym scale said 205 pounds. :sad: This, for me, was a motivational downer. I worked SO hard this week with both diet and exercise (mostly in hopes to read below 200 pounds).

What kind of things are motivational downers for you?

Replies

  • SaintGiff
    SaintGiff Posts: 3,679 Member
    Did you weigh yourself in the morning at home? If so, then of course the gym will be heavier. You have water and food in your system that wasn't there when you weighed yourself in the morning at home. I can weigh myself in the morning, and by the time I get to the gym I will routinely weigh 8 to 10 pounds more. And neither scale is off.
  • ewarlow
    ewarlow Posts: 71 Member
    Thats why you use the same scale - at the same time in the same clothes (no clothes..?!)..

    consistency!
  • sierra_12
    sierra_12 Posts: 249 Member
    Thats why you use the same scale - at the same time in the same clothes (no clothes..?!)..

    consistency!

    ^^^ this. if you weigh yourself on 10 different scales, you can get 10 different results. always use the same scale.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    Ummmm... you DO know that your body weight fluctuates up to 5 lbs PER DAY, regardless of what scale you use/what you eat, right?

    Take a deep breath.

    Calm down.

    Pay attention to the overall trend, not every individual scale number.

    Be patient.
  • kids183
    kids183 Posts: 204 Member
    Ummmm... you DO know that your body weight fluctuates up to 5 lbs PER DAY, regardless of what scale you use/what you eat, right?

    Take a deep breath.

    Calm down.

    Pay attention to the overall trend, not every individual scale number.

    Be patient.

    WOW! 5 pounds!?!? I really didn't know that!

    I wasn't getting bent out of shape. It's just a little depressing is all.

    :smile:
  • runmamarun7
    runmamarun7 Posts: 27 Member
    My hubby kept telling me our scale at home was way off, I finally went out and bought a new one this week, and he was right it was off by 7 pounds, I was so bummed, I was feeling really awesome for awhile there until I realized I weighed 7 pounds more than I thought :( but oh well, I still lost 10 pounds, I was just heavier than I thought I guess :( still bummed though, but also slightly more motivated to work a little harder. Also though I have noticed my weight usually fluctuates between 2-3 pounds and then all of a sudden those will come off and I will lose around a pound and a half extra too, that might sound crazy but maybe you are about to lose a couple of pounds.
  • harvo
    harvo Posts: 4,676 Member
    Take measurements...I had a friend gain weight and lose inches....
  • kids183
    kids183 Posts: 204 Member
    My hubby kept telling me our scale at home was way off, I finally went out and bought a new one this week, and he was right it was off by 7 pounds, I was so bummed, I was feeling really awesome for awhile there until I realized I weighed 7 pounds more than I thought :( but oh well, I still lost 10 pounds, I was just heavier than I thought I guess :( still bummed though, but also slightly more motivated to work a little harder. Also though I have noticed my weight usually fluctuates between 2-3 pounds and then all of a sudden those will come off and I will lose around a pound and a half extra too, that might sound crazy but maybe you are about to lose a couple of pounds.

    I will go back to my home scale and hope for the best. The last time I used the gym scale it was pretty near dead on with the home scale.

    I really hope you're right! :smile:
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    Weighing every morning, naked after going to the bathroom, my weight fluctuates 2-4lbs during the week. During a single day (I tried it once for laughs not for any important info), I can gain 10lbs. There are also differences between scales. The number doesn't matter, just the progress.

    I don't see motivational downers, just challenges.
  • MissKim78
    MissKim78 Posts: 426 Member
    I always weigh myself at home, when I first get up, naked ;) LOL
    Scales will vary, as will your weight through the day.
  • SaintGiff
    SaintGiff Posts: 3,679 Member
    I always weigh myself at home, when I first get up, naked ;) LOL

    Pics or it didn't happen.
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    Ummmm... you DO know that your body weight fluctuates up to 5 lbs PER DAY, regardless of what scale you use/what you eat, right?

    Take a deep breath.

    Calm down.

    Pay attention to the overall trend, not every individual scale number.

    Be patient.

    WOW! 5 pounds!?!? I really didn't know that!

    I wasn't getting bent out of shape. It's just a little depressing is all.

    :smile:

    ^ What Molly said.

    Don't fret too much. Weigh at the same time on the same scale and in the same way (nekkid or otherwise).

    Long-term trends matter SOOO much more!
  • cathy3457
    cathy3457 Posts: 24 Member
    A motivational downer for me that isn't scale related is the way people talk to each other before a class sometimes. Last Wednesday I thought I'd take a step class for the first time. (like first time in a class period) and before class there was this group of ladies at the right side of the class who were sitting there gossiping. Saying things like "I saw her in the locker room in her underwear and couldn't believe it, I mean you know what her butt looks like. If I was her I would change before I come so no one would see me...." Not even kidding. It really killed my excitement about trying something new. Even though I knew this conversation had nothing to do with me I still felt really awful after all that negativity. I know I shouldn't let if affect me but it still made me sad you know?
  • kids183
    kids183 Posts: 204 Member
    A motivational downer for me that isn't scale related is the way people talk to each other before a class sometimes. Last Wednesday I thought I'd take a step class for the first time. (like first time in a class period) and before class there was this group of ladies at the right side of the class who were sitting there gossiping. Saying things like "I saw her in the locker room in her underwear and couldn't believe it, I mean you know what her butt looks like. If I was her I would change before I come so no one would see me...." Not even kidding. It really killed my excitement about trying something new. Even though I knew this conversation had nothing to do with me I still felt really awful after all that negativity. I know I shouldn't let if affect me but it still made me sad you know?

    OMG! YES!! I've also heard ladies talk like this in the change room!! I think that's why I haven't taken a class either! People can be so cruel!
  • dianalee9
    dianalee9 Posts: 134 Member
    People who talk bad about other people are only doing it because of their own insecurities. They need a reason to feel good about themselves, so they point out the flaws in other people.

    Don't let them get to you. Use it as a motivator and turn it into a positive!

    You're doing what you're doing for YOU, not them!
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    I wouldn't let it bother you. I weigh 4lbs more at night than I do in the morning. If you're focused on scale weight, focus on trends, not each and every weigh in. Try weighing yourself at home every morning and every night and see how different it each day.
  • Pamela_June
    Pamela_June Posts: 342 Member
    Each scale is different.. and the time of day will also affect the 'number' it shows... -don't let it get to you...
  • runmamarun7
    runmamarun7 Posts: 27 Member
    A motivational downer for me that isn't scale related is the way people talk to each other before a class sometimes. Last Wednesday I thought I'd take a step class for the first time. (like first time in a class period) and before class there was this group of ladies at the right side of the class who were sitting there gossiping. Saying things like "I saw her in the locker room in her underwear and couldn't believe it, I mean you know what her butt looks like. If I was her I would change before I come so no one would see me...." Not even kidding. It really killed my excitement about trying something new. Even though I knew this conversation had nothing to do with me I still felt really awful after all that negativity. I know I shouldn't let if affect me but it still made me sad you know?
    Oh my gosh, that is horrible!
  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    I wouldn't let it bother you. I weigh 4lbs more at night than I do in the morning. If you're focused on scale weight, focus on trends, not each and every weigh in. Try weighing yourself at home every morning and every night and see how different it each day.

    And I'm the opposite(sometimes 6 pounds lighter at night) so yep get an average and do not sweat(pardon the pun) the scale; over time it will get better. OP---one day at a time.:bigsmile:
  • rachrach7595
    rachrach7595 Posts: 151 Member
    A motivational downer for me that isn't scale related is the way people talk to each other before a class sometimes. Last Wednesday I thought I'd take a step class for the first time. (like first time in a class period) and before class there was this group of ladies at the right side of the class who were sitting there gossiping. Saying things like "I saw her in the locker room in her underwear and couldn't believe it, I mean you know what her butt looks like. If I was her I would change before I come so no one would see me...." Not even kidding. It really killed my excitement about trying something new. Even though I knew this conversation had nothing to do with me I still felt really awful after all that negativity. I know I shouldn't let if affect me but it still made me sad you know?

    OMG! YES!! I've also heard ladies talk like this in the change room!! I think that's why I haven't taken a class either! People can be so cruel!

    Live in the happy thought that the reason they occupy most of their mind with bs like that truly is because they have no life of their own, their husband has probably left them for having a filthy attitude like that and they are probably inherently miserable within themselves :D
  • DebraYvonne
    DebraYvonne Posts: 632 Member
    it doesn't help when people tell you look puffy either. seriously. puffy. WAHHHH :sad: :sad:
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Scales are liars!!! After 2 years of not having a scale at home, I finally decided to get a body analyzer scale to measure not just weight, but also body fat, since I'm trying to build muscle and lower my BF%. To my surprise when I get on it (after my morning constitutional of course) it said I weighed 170lbs, 15lbs heavier from the last time I weighed myself on the scale at work almost 2 months before. I knew I had indulged over the holidays, but not that much and I had been back on track since the new year. So when I got to work, though I was dressed, but on an empty stomach I weighed myself again...157lbs...whew! that I could handle. 170 had to be off since my measurements had not gone up nor my clothes fitting tighter and not even a die hard body building could put on that much muscle in such a brief amount of time. Not sure if the BF% is accurate, but it at least gives me a starting point and I will have to try to ignore the weight.
  • jrwilliams124
    jrwilliams124 Posts: 38 Member
    A motivational downer for me that isn't scale related is the way people talk to each other before a class sometimes. Last Wednesday I thought I'd take a step class for the first time. (like first time in a class period) and before class there was this group of ladies at the right side of the class who were sitting there gossiping. Saying things like "I saw her in the locker room in her underwear and couldn't believe it, I mean you know what her butt looks like. If I was her I would change before I come so no one would see me...." Not even kidding. It really killed my excitement about trying something new. Even though I knew this conversation had nothing to do with me I still felt really awful after all that negativity. I know I shouldn't let if affect me but it still made me sad you know?

    This kind of thing is one of the main reason I am afraid to start at a gym. I am down 25 and have a lot to go and I am ready to start a program but do not want to deal with that kind of thing.
  • duckiec
    duckiec Posts: 241 Member
    My brain knows we can vary in weight 5lbs or more a day, and over the course of a week, but I agree- it's still such a bummer when you get on the same scale, or a new one, and see that go up when you can't think of anything to cause that. Frustrating. I try to just let it go but I won't like, seeing a number I didn't like in the morning has been a start to a "oh f it day" which never helps!
  • Fitfully_me
    Fitfully_me Posts: 647 Member
    Don't let such things affect your motivation. What you've done here is essentially compared apples to oranges. Stick with comparing apples to apples. Weigh yourself on a single scale if weighing in is your chosen way to mark progress.

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