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If the scale didnt exist

Posts: 77
edited September 2024 in Motivation and Support
If the scale didnt exist, how would you judge your body and how would you measure your progress? Also, how would you decide when you were at your right weight/size?

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Replies

  • Posts: 11
    For me, I would stop losing weight when I look in the mirror and feel happy about what i've accomplished. I try not to obsses over the number on the scale, and I feel like i've made more progress when I feel good about how I look. :)
  • Posts: 603
    When I could put on a bathing suit and not make anyone vomit.
  • Posts: 77
    I think feeling good is the best motivator. I dont even weigh in on days I'm supposed to if I'm having a "skinny" day because if the scale tells me differently I dont want to waste a day of being motivated to do better.

    LOL I doubt anyone would vomit, but I have welled up a few times in a dressing room trying them on
  • Posts: 603
    I think feeling good is the best motivator. I dont even weigh in on days I'm supposed to if I'm having a "skinny" day because if the scale tells me differently I dont want to waste a day of being motivated to do better.

    That is a good idea. I'm going to do that from now on!!
  • Posts: 86
    Great question! I gave up the scale for Lent and have been giving this a lot of thought.

    I'd go by the fit of my clothes. I have an idea of the size I want to be and if I can fit into that size and feel comfy and confident, then YAY ME!

    The other indicator for me would be that my diet is rich in F&V and lean protein. That my fitness level continues to improve.

    I have only lost about 10ish pounds in the last year...due to poor nutrition:embarassed: However, due to my fitness, I've lost 2 pants sizes!
  • Posts: 77

    That is a good idea. I'm going to do that from now on!!


    You should. I only weigh on "fat" days. If its good it makes me feel great, and if its bad I already expected it. I tell myself "this is going to be bad but I am going to do better." ,and then step on. :)
  • Posts: 770 Member
    Well right now the scale is not moving much and I must admit I do look relatively awesome on my "skinny" days, so I think my goal is to drop one more size in my hips area, if that is possible, and to get that stomach a little firmer. Its like my hips are M/L and my upper body is all S/XS, its a little disturbing sometimes...
  • Posts: 454 Member
    If the scale did not exsist I would be soooo happpy!!! Best wishes!
  • Posts: 365 Member
    If the scale didn't exist I wouldn't think I made any progress at all. I feel fat every day. :( But I am working on that.
  • Posts: 153 Member
    If the scale didn't exist I would start using a tape measure. If a tape measure didn't exist I'd go by clothing size. It's only numbers for me: gotta get where the doctor ordered.
  • Posts: 13,247 Member
    I'd know I was fit when my mushy bits stop being mushy, except for the places that are supposed to be mushy. :wink: The number on the scale or the tag on my clothes doesn't much matter to me.
  • Posts: 1,057 Member
    Im slowly giving up on the scale...I hop on it when the mood strike me, however, I prefer seeing results by my pant sizes, body tone, measurements....etc...
  • Posts: 2,657 Member
    This is a great question.

    I've been on long-term diets where I paid absolutely no attention to the scale. In WW, I would not let them tell me what I weighed or how much I had lost or, on my own I just didn't weigh myself. I went by how I felt or how my clothes felt. Both times I lost 50+ pounds. (I weighed myself once I was happy with how I looked or felt or fit into the clothing size I wanted to wear.)

    And gained them all back. I believe now that one of the reasons (but not the only reason) I gained the weight back was because I wasn't weighing myself. If done correctly (weigh at the same time of the day every time), the scale is ruthlessly honest with you. If you're really gaining weight i.e. you're up more than 4 pounds twice in a row), the scale will tell you. You can't fool yourself with a scale.

    Without weighing myself, I lied to myself. "It still fits ok." "Its just water retention." "These pants have always been tight." Only when I found myself sticking those tight pants into the back of the closet or pulling out the larger sized ones, did I start to admit the truth. And by then, I was on that "gaining weight" wagon and couldn't get myself to jump off.

    So, this time, it's the scale every morning and a once-a-week "official" weigh-in. And its going to be that way forever.
  • Posts: 77
    I think the scale is a usefull tool, but I'm not sure it should reign supreme. I guess because I've never really been close to my goal weight before, I wonder if my goal weight will feel "right" or if I should listen more to how I feel?
  • Posts: 823 Member
    The scale is unimportant for me cause I know I can never weigh what the charts say I should and be healthy. First of all I am 53, not 23. I also have alot of muscle, so I will always weigh heavier than normal. When I see my clothes fit just right, look good in the mirror and see the inches lost, I don't need a scale!
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