Anyone go by measuring tape & not the scale for maintenance?
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Kimblesnbits
Posts: 321 Member
Seeing the scale numbers fluctuate gives me way too much anxiety so I think from now on I'm going to measure myself once a week at the same exact spots and go by that. Does anyone else do this? That way I won't be able to see actual water weight on the scale.
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Replies
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Yes, I do this. I don't have a scale; I hate them. I'm going by clothing size. I'm at a size 16 in jeans and aim to get to size 10 by September. I have size 4-5 tops that I also intend to be able to wear by Halloween. Add me if you like!0
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I do something similar, get weight about once a week, and get tape measurments, giving me a BF%. Last week, I was down a pound or so, but up half a % (neck and waist up .1")
Yesterday, I ate to much Pizza, and was up 6 pounds. IN one day.
Really hoping that it doesn't stick around.0 -
I've noticed that I'm losing inches faster than pounds and I can tell the difference in my body even though the scale is barely moving. You have to always do whats best for you!0
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I think that's what I'll do when maintaining will be my goal0
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yes I was just thinking about this, thank you for reminding me!! I will pick up a measuring tape on the way home today. The scale is just too unforgiving sometimes whether you're holding water or it is just a different time of day it can be discouraging. I haven't measured in a while so it will be interesting to see.
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I go completely by the measuring tape, but my reasons for doing so are probably somewhat different than most. I use a wheelchair for mobility, so weighing myself is pretty much impossible. I can't afford a wheelchair scale for personal use and my doctor's office doesn't have one either, so for me it's measurements all the way.
As long as you're consistent in measuring the same way and the same area each time, it should work just fine. And, as Veil mentioned, the way my clothing fits also lets me know which way I'm going.0 -
I weigh every day, but it's the tape measure that's really encouraging. My weight has been stable for a year, but I've lost 2" on my waist and 2" on my hips since I went on maintenance.
So if that makes you less anxious, go for it! I think it shows a lot more about the state of your body than your weight.0 -
The scale is a joke - unless you refuse to buy the medical community's tripe about BMI. BMI was never designed to measure the health of individuals - it was created by a mathematician in the 19th century to assess the weight of populations. So it's a completely inappropriate tool to determine any one person's 'ideal' weight.
That said - the scale can help as long as you don't fret over the daily variations. It can go up or down 3 - 5 lbs and it may not mean a thing - you have to average results over several weeks or a month.
That, that said. The better guideline is waist to height ratio. Your waist measurement should not exceed half your height - in, cm, whatever the formula's the same. So the tape measure is your friend.
Good luck.
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I weigh myself once a week and measure once a week. The tape measure doesn't lie!0
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All about the tape measure here. :-) Nice to see at least some others concur.0
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The mirror and how your clothes fit are far better tools for measuring progress than scales0
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I both measure and weigh. But the measurements discourage me. My weight has gone down considerably, but my measurements have hardly changed and with the exception of my face, I see no notable difference in my appearance.0
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I go by my clothes for regular day to day knowledge, and the measuring tape when I'm doing specific weight training programs. I will check my weight when I'm bulking, but for maintenance it is completely unnecessary. I can be 5-7 pounds more on a day I work out and retain water, so I know it's completely inaccurate and not worth checking.0
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My dad does this sort of. When I get to maintenance I hope to use his advice. "When your pants start getting tight it's time to lose weight."0
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I use my Accu Measure calipers. One pinch in the same spot tells the tale! No need to weigh or measure.0
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I weigh once a week or so, use the callipers once a month or so, and mostly just pay attention to the way my clothes fit. It works for me!0
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True story:
I worked construction for a summer back when I was 17 and still entertaining delusions of toughness.
I put on 5 kilos but felt, looked and performed better than ever before (or since). Haven't trusted the scale since then. I weigh myself every once in a million years if I feel like it, but have always tracked my waist while losing.
I intend to do the same in maintenance.0 -
I've always used both, with a preference for the scale. It's just a tool.0
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Completely. Haven't used scales for months as so discouraging.
Measure every couple of weeks to make sure all is well as well as general clothes fitting.0 -
God no.0
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