Weighing in...

RanaSimon
RanaSimon Posts: 73 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I joined a 10 week Biggest Loser challenge at my work. We're ending week 7 of the program tomorrow, which is weigh-in day.

I'm anxious as anything and want to weigh myself now. But I've been following my weekly weigh-in as my real progress points so far, and don't want to break that streak.

I've always had a problem with weighing in, mainly because I can get discouraged so easily. I know some of that weight is new muscle, I know I'm progressing even in the numbers don't reflect it because the numbers don't mean as much as how I physically and mentally feel about my health, but I still look, I still track, and I still get discouraged.

Does anyone else have regular weigh-ins for themselves? Weekly? Daily? Do you even bother? Do you track something other than weight, like measurements in areas you're trying to improve on? How do you deal with the numbers not 'adding up' to the effort you've been putting in? How do you keep yourself from obsessing over the numbers and focusing on the good feelings?

Replies

  • jpoulsen14
    jpoulsen14 Posts: 2 Member
    edited June 2016
    I've currently been feeling the exact same way. I started exercising daily on June 1st as I got a treadmill. At least 40 minutes a day is spent doing cardio. I'm a nurse, so I'm constantly moving at work. I also have been diligently tracking everything I eat (weighing and portioning out my food) and I am not eating back my calories gained by working out, giving me between 200-400 calories left at the end of the day. That being said, I've actually stayed the same weight for my first two weigh ins. I'm getting insanely discouraged even though I know the number on the scale isn't the only important factor. I know it can take time for my body to adjust. I've also adjusted my daily calorie intake down from 1310 to 1200 hoping it will make a difference.

    I'd take any tips/tricks people can offer.
  • ogtmama
    ogtmama Posts: 1,403 Member
    I would suspect mismeasuring your food and eating more than you think you are...either that or overestimating your burned calories at work.
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    New exercise will cause water retention which will mask any loss on the scale.

    That said, OP, taking measurements is very helpful when the scale isnt showing much/any change. I take mine every 2 wks as I have a high sodium diet (Dr's orders) which will also cause water retention.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,592 Member
    I weigh myself daily.

    I find the fluctuations in my weight interesting.
  • jpoulsen14
    jpoulsen14 Posts: 2 Member
    eveandqsmom wrote: »
    I would suspect mismeasuring your food and eating more than you think you are...either that or overestimating your burned calories at work.

    I wear an Apple Watch, so I use it for steps. I feel the heart rate monitor has to be more accurate than me estimating my "exercise" during the day.
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    I weigh myself daily.

    I find the fluctuations in my weight interesting.

    Same.
  • RanaSimon
    RanaSimon Posts: 73 Member
    capaul42 wrote: »
    New exercise will cause water retention which will mask any loss on the scale.

    That said, OP, taking measurements is very helpful when the scale isnt showing much/any change. I take mine every 2 wks as I have a high sodium diet (Dr's orders) which will also cause water retention.

    I've been curious what ways I could combat water retention. I've been taking in a LOT more water. (I used to drink next to nothing all day every day, now that I can tell when I'm dehydrated, I'm keeping it in check.) Not sure what other ways to address the water retention possibility, though.
  • capaul42
    capaul42 Posts: 1,390 Member
    I haven't really found any ways either other than drinking enough. I try to drink 8-9 cups in water a day. But I can't cut too much sodium out of my diet as I need the added for my low blood pressure. I have found that as long as I'm hydrated enough (go by color of pee) that it's not as bad. Anything below 6 cups of water a day and I will see slight increases of .5-.8 lbs a day for a few days.
  • virscott
    virscott Posts: 4 Member
    jpoulsen14 wrote: »
    I've currently been feeling the exact same way. I started exercising daily on June 1st as I got a treadmill. At least 40 minutes a day is spent doing cardio. I'm a nurse, so I'm constantly moving at work. I also have been diligently tracking everything I eat (weighing and portioning out my food) and I am not eating back my calories gained by working out, giving me between 200-400 calories left at the end of the day. That being said, I've actually stayed the same weight for my first two weigh ins. I'm getting insanely discouraged even though I know the number on the scale isn't the only important factor. I know it can take time for my body to adjust. I've also adjusted my daily calorie intake down from 1310 to 1200 hoping it will make a difference.

    I'd take any tips/tricks people can offer.
    jpoulsen14 wrote: »
    I've currently been feeling the exact same way. I started exercising daily on June 1st as I got a treadmill. At least 40 minutes a day is spent doing cardio. I'm a nurse, so I'm constantly moving at work. I also have been diligently tracking everything I eat (weighing and portioning out my food) and I am not eating back my calories gained by working out, giving me between 200-400 calories left at the end of the day. That being said, I've actually stayed the same weight for my first two weigh ins. I'm getting insanely discouraged even though I know the number on the scale isn't the only important factor. I know it can take time for my body to adjust. I've also adjusted my daily calorie intake down from 1310 to 1200 hoping it will make a difference.

    I'd take any tips/tricks people can offer.

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