How often do you step on the scale?

BlastMom44
BlastMom44 Posts: 4 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have heard so many different opinions on this and was curious to know what y'all thought. Some say that weighing in every day is a good way to keep yourself on track and others say that it can be discouraging when you're not losing any weight. I personally weigh myself every morning (out of habit) and get extra motivated when the scale isn't moving. It makes me work harder in my workouts and eat cleaner meals.

How to y'all track your weight? Daily? Weekly? Not at all?
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Replies

  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    Once a week now at the doctor's office.
  • bebeisfit
    bebeisfit Posts: 951 Member
    I weigh myself at the gym, so sometimes 3 times a week and sometimes just once a week. I tossed my scale out about 25 years ago. I only log my weight on MFP about every 7 to 10 days. I can fluctuate up to 5 pounds in either direction, so I may weigh myself for 3 days and either take an average or the highest. I know I don't actually lose 5 pounds in 10 days, so I might just give myself a loss of a pound or two and see how the next week goes. I know that's not how most people do it, but it works for me and my well being.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    neldabg wrote: »
    trigden1991 wrote: »
    I weigh daily and track it on a spreadsheet along with my caloric intake and macro breakdown. This allows me to see what causes fluctuations in weight and appreciate the overall trend.

    The key is to not let the scale determine how you feel!

    This is my method exactly. Choose whatever frequency works for you, but don't completely avoid the scale unless a mental health professional says otherwise. It's easy to fool yourself that you're not gaining weight, especially if you own stretchy clothes.

    Very valid points. Mental health or medical conditions are generally a seperate matter entirely!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I weigh daily but don't actively track, it just lets me spot a developing trend early or confirm I'm on track.

    A bit like using kitchen scales for food portion sizes I think it's educational to weigh daily for a period of time to get to understand your normal daily fluctuations and their causes. But long term it's very much personal preference. It's data without emotion for me but that's not the case for everyone.
  • BlastMom44
    BlastMom44 Posts: 4 Member
    trigden1991 wrote: »
    I weigh daily and track it on a spreadsheet along with my caloric intake and macro breakdown. This allows me to see what causes fluctuations in weight and appreciate the overall trend.

    The key is to not let the scale determine how you feel!

    I love this idea! I weigh every day but haven't been making the comparison. I'll have to put something together and start tracking it.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    BlastMom44 wrote: »
    I have heard so many different opinions on this and was curious to know what y'all thought. Some say that weighing in every day is a good way to keep yourself on track and others say that it can be discouraging when you're not losing any weight. I personally weigh myself every morning (out of habit) and get extra motivated when the scale isn't moving. It makes me work harder in my workouts and eat cleaner meals.

    How to y'all track your weight? Daily? Weekly? Not at all?

    There's no right answer...it really depends largely on your mindset. Your weight is going to fluctuate from day to day and throughout the day...up and down...so if that is going to drive you crazy then you shouldn't weigh in daily...daily fluctuations for whatever reason really seem to get people's panties in a bunch even though they're completely normal and natural.

    It doesn't really matter though...ultimately it comes down to trends over time, not weigh in to weigh in. Weight loss is a long process and is all about tracking long term trends.
  • Bee_Le
    Bee_Le Posts: 48 Member
    I have one of those wifi scale, so I weight myself daily. I only care for the monthly averages. Daily numbers are just for fun and giggles to know. =P
  • Trendline15
    Trendline15 Posts: 48 Member
    edited October 2016
    Every day, naked, in the morning.
    (preferrably after moving my bowels.)
  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
    Every day to see if I gained a gram.
  • _dixiana_
    _dixiana_ Posts: 3,262 Member
    Every day, naked, in the morning.
    You get the idea...

    I'm a bit on the OCD side so I'm sort of surprised I haven't started tracking on a spreadsheet yet. Actually, I think I would only go this far if I had a certain goal or was actively working towards something. I'm in maintenance limbo.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    _dixiana_ wrote: »
    Every day, naked, in the morning.
    You get the idea...

    I'm a bit on the OCD side so I'm sort of surprised I haven't started tracking on a spreadsheet yet. Actually, I think I would only go this far if I had a certain goal or was actively working towards something. I'm in maintenance limbo.

    A spreadsheet would be perfect maintenance. Set your personal weight "limit" and if you see X amount of weigh ins over or under your range you can readjust your calories.
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    Every Monday Morning before I step into the shower.
  • LifeInTheBikeLane
    LifeInTheBikeLane Posts: 345 Member
    Every week or so. I skip if I feel I've messed up. It's always a different weight in the morning than it is that afternoon at the doctors.
  • jpdo2much
    jpdo2much Posts: 2 Member
    my weight fluctuates during the day as well as daily which does drive me nuts so I limit weigh ins to twice a week. I log my weight on Mondays and just do a quick check midweek to see if I am still on track (ie - not gaining) I do my best not to let the number on the scale rule my weight loss emotions. I focus on the more physical aspects of not huffing and puffing any more going up a flight of stairs, or clothes being noticeably looser. I am bigger than average female anyway so I know my weight will always be higher than my average size female friends. Plus as you put more muscle on your frame it will affect your weight even as your measurements decrease. So in short for my mental weight loss health, I try to focus on the whole picture, not just the number on the scale.
  • tomteboda
    tomteboda Posts: 2,171 Member
    Daily. It got me over my fear of the scale and able to live with normal fluctuations.
  • Javachipgirl
    Javachipgirl Posts: 27 Member
    I started with daily weigh ins but lately do twice a week. I track my weight in mfp which gives you a nice graph. I also track my waist and hip measurements in the app as well.
  • MommyMeggo
    MommyMeggo Posts: 1,222 Member
    edited October 2016
    Daily.
    Input into Happy Scale
    Its better than weekly for me because I like data. And it helps me figure things out.

    I like to see that I gain 3 lbs after chinese food. *edit* Within calorie goal*
    I like knowing it will take 4 days to fall back off.
    I know a big dinner and my slow digestion are a factor so I like to track that aspect.
    I can tell when Im ovulating and an increase and hold comes right in line with the dreaded monthly visitor.

    I can tell more easily what my maintenance calories are (since Ive spent a lot if time unintentionally maintaining) and therefore can better adjust my deficit.
    Also thanks also to the daily logs of MFP + Fitbit + Happy Scale I have a beginning middle and end.
    Its all in the data and Im a nerd.
    With out an emotional tie to the number(( Im more emotionally tied to my tight pants)) - whether high or low - its only digits and math.
  • todduga
    todduga Posts: 18 Member
    Once a week on Friday.
  • supermanda28
    supermanda28 Posts: 10 Member
    I try and aim for once a week to log my weight BUT I have a hard time lasting that long. I normally crumble & step on the scale every 2-3 days but only log my weekly weight. I slide the scale under my bed so I'm not tempted to weigh everyday because I know I will get obsessed with the numbers.
  • bunnyrides09
    bunnyrides09 Posts: 4 Member
    BlastMom44 wrote: »
    I have heard so many different opinions on this and was curious to know what y'all thought. Some say that weighing in every day is a good way to keep yourself on track and others say that it can be discouraging when you're not losing any weight. I personally weigh myself every morning (out of habit) and get extra motivated when the scale isn't moving. It makes me work harder in my workouts and eat cleaner meals.

    How to y'all track your weight? Daily? Weekly? Not at all?

    It depends on the day for me. I weigh most days. Sometimes it makes me give in and say I'm happy with my size. Other days it kicks me in the butt and makes me move. For the most part though I think it as least keeps me from overdoing things.
  • StrongGirlFitGirl
    StrongGirlFitGirl Posts: 183 Member
    Almost every day. If I know a higher number will bum me out and I'm expecting a higher number due to water retention, a cheat day, etc., I'll skip the scale. I like seeing the trends though, and I'm working on attaching less emotion to the number.
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    Usually, every morning...but I'm out of town and haven't been on a scale all week...not sure that's a good thing...guess I'll find out Saturday...
  • MsRuffBuffNStuff
    MsRuffBuffNStuff Posts: 363 Member
    Almost daily - unless I'm feeling particularly bloated. Then I skip it. ;-) It's a tool. Don't obsess over it. I do other things to track progress; Measurements, body fat testing, etc. The scale is just another tool, but it fluctuates a lot more than the other tools due to things like water weight, whether you pooped that day or not...lol
  • ds41980
    ds41980 Posts: 133 Member
    I weigh twice a day, once in the morning that I track on here and once in the evening to see how much I am going to weigh the next morning. If I knew how to do a spreadsheet I would do that also but right now I track my weight once per day so I can see whats trending.
  • endlessfall16
    endlessfall16 Posts: 932 Member
    A couple times a week only after the days I spend effort to lose. I monitor my wt on a weekly basis so obviously wt is allowed to go up and down.

    It's pointless for me to weigh to know I gain.

    Only important to weigh to know if my effort is on track.

    Minimal work.
  • maidengirl_
    maidengirl_ Posts: 283 Member
    Weekly :)
  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
    edited October 2016
    Ruatine wrote: »
    Daily weigher here. I have a Fitbit Aria scale - syncs to Fitbit which syncs to MFP and Trendweight. It definitely helps me be mindful of water weight fluctuations and to see how my overall trend is going. For some people that doesn't work - the fluctuations drive them crazy - but I like to see them and reflect on how my eating choices affect my body day by day.

    This is my method exactly, with the same equipment. I used to do weekly weigh-ins, but I found that more disheartening than daily weighing and see the fluctuations. Because what happens if the day you chose as your day to weigh-in is the start of ovulation or PMS? I gain water weight during both of those times, so I would be doing all of this work and see no results and get a little frustrated.

    Now, I know to look at the overall picture. Check where I'm at in my cycle, think about if any of my food choices have changed, think if any of my workouts have progressed that would have caused DOMS.

    For example, today I "gained" .8lbs, but I just started lifting yesterday and my period is due in a day or two which means I'm actually shocked I only "gained" .8 and not more. I actually went to sleep yesterday thinking to myself that the scale was going to go up due to A) DOMS B ) period gain or C ) both A & B.

    TLDR; I weigh daily to help me focus on the overall picture.

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