I'm thinking of not weighing...
Replies
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If your goal is weight loss, then the number on the scale is what will tell you whether or not you’re moving toward that goal.
If you’re using some other measurement, like waist size, then you are collecting data on a different goal (in this case, having a smaller waist). It is fine if this is your actual goal, but “waist size” and “weight in pounds” are related but different things.
Figure out what your actual goal(s) are and collect the data you need to know whether or not you are progressing toward those goals.
That is very confusing. Weight loss is weight loss regardless of how it is measured. The only requirement for success is eating less than you burn. Everything else is based on personal needs, wants, or opinions.
Weight is the number on the scale. That’s how we define weight. If you want to see the number on the scale change, then you need to know the number on the scale.
Weight, however, is not solely fat. It takes into account everything in and on your body, including water and muscle mass. If you want less fat on your body, then you may want to see the number on the scale go down, and/or you may want to see other indicators of having less fat. These indicators can include waist or other body measurements, or the clothing size you wear.
There is a difference between measuring what you weigh vs. how much fat you have. If you just care about how much fat you have, then the scale might not be the only useful measuring device. But if you care about what you weigh, then you need a scale.
If you are attempting to identify and isolate body fat %, then weight is a critical variable.
The problem isn't with weight, but people's perception of what weight means. This perception needs to change.2 -
midlomel1971 wrote: »I rarely weigh myself because I find it self-defeating, but that's me. I usually weigh myself and record it here about once a month. Definitely not every day, but when I reach goal I will start daily weigh-ins.
Checking daily is counter productive and I agree - this behavior is self defeating and unhealthly.
Comparing to the financial analogy this would be like logging on to see your credit card debt daily without doing anything about it. Checking in weekly or monthly would be a healthy practice as long as you are engaging in activities to reduce debt/reduce body fat.0 -
I used to weigh myself a few times a week, but after about 6 months of quitting logging and just hoping for the best, it was soooooo difficult for me to get back on the scale! I finally did, and I had regained most of what I had lost before.
That said, it is a relief now to know where I stand and not have the unknown hanging over my head.0 -
My scale didn't work when I first started. It was nice to just focus on my healthy eating and not worry about how much I was loosing. After a month or so I got on the scale at my friends house and was down 19lbs! (When I first started mind you) It was exciting to see that my hard work had paid off. I say go for it!0
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My scale didn't work when I first started. It was nice to just focus on my healthy eating and not worry about how much I was loosing. After a month or so I got on the scale at my friends house and was down 19lbs! (When I first started mind you) It was exciting to see that my hard work had paid off. I say go for it!
This is actually an argument for weighing more often - so you will know if you are losing at a healthy rate. Unless a person was starting at 400 lbs, that rate of loss would be concerning (though some of it was likely water).
Now that I think about it, if your scale wasn't working, how did you know your starting weight?0 -
If your goal is weight loss, then the number on the scale is what will tell you whether or not you’re moving toward that goal.
If you’re using some other measurement, like waist size, then you are collecting data on a different goal (in this case, having a smaller waist). It is fine if this is your actual goal, but “waist size” and “weight in pounds” are related but different things.
Figure out what your actual goal(s) are and collect the data you need to know whether or not you are progressing toward those goals.
That is very confusing. Weight loss is weight loss regardless of how it is measured. The only requirement for success is eating less than you burn. Everything else is based on personal needs, wants, or opinions.
Weight is the number on the scale. That’s how we define weight. If you want to see the number on the scale change, then you need to know the number on the scale.
Weight, however, is not solely fat. It takes into account everything in and on your body, including water and muscle mass. If you want less fat on your body, then you may want to see the number on the scale go down, and/or you may want to see other indicators of having less fat. These indicators can include waist or other body measurements, or the clothing size you wear.
There is a difference between measuring what you weigh vs. how much fat you have. If you just care about how much fat you have, then the scale might not be the only useful measuring device. But if you care about what you weigh, then you need a scale.
If you are attempting to identify and isolate body fat %, then weight is a critical variable.
The problem isn't with weight, but people's perception of what weight means. This perception needs to change.
This ^^^^0 -
I used to never weigh myself maybe only every other month. It helps you lose any animosity and attachment towards a number and base decisions off of how you feel and strength/progress in the gym. The only reason I weigh so often now is so that I stay within my realistic fluctuation and can get back down to competition weigh in a reasonable time.0
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Thank you all for your responses I appreciate your insights.
I was a active member here a couple years ago. I was successful in losing 40ish lbs. I’m not tied to the ups and downs of the scale on a daily basis. I allowed stressful events (family illness, broken foot) to derail my progress.
I’ve tied food to the scale. When I eat in a deficit I weigh, when I stop eating in a deficit I stop weighing so it’s always about the weight for me.
I want to try something different break the pattern so to speak. I know for a fact if I eat in a deficit I will lose. I don’t need a scale to tell me that just like I didn’t need a scale to tell me I was gaining.
I will eventually buy a scale but for now I will measure my progress by how closely I sick to my weekly calorie goal and my activity. I’m not trying to have a throwaway the scale moment I’m just trying to figure out how to break a pattern and get my mind set in the right direction. Does that make sense?0 -
Best of luck. I weigh and trend 6 days a week. Even God took a day off. I also do measurements 1 time a week. I am a bit of a data geak. I also base it on my gym performance as well. To each their own though.0
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