Ditching the scales? How can I make this work

lilypond45 · September 2018

Hello,
After years and years of trying and failing I have decided I am ready to try again! With a difference. My scales broke a long time ago and I have decided not to replace them.

The scales do more harm to me than good and I have never tried to do this without them before.
I am going to log in and track every day and just try to complete my goals and go by what I feel and see in the mirror/clothes fitting.

Anyone have any other recommendations of how to track? Or see any possible bumps in the road without weighing? Any else not weighing in?

I know from previously experience how my body changes so I will be able to tell when it is working. I just don’t want the number on the scale setting me back.

Nony_Mouse · September 2018

You may find it helpful to take measurements and progress photos. Seeing ourselves every day, it can be hard to notice the difference.

SoleilxStitch · September 2018

I do weigh-in but only if I feel I look different or someone noticed. I would use a measuring tape, especially if you feel you are not loosing after weeks of trying and take photos as Nony_Mouse said.

fr33sia12 · September 2018

If the numbers on the scale effect you, then I imagine the same would happen with numbers on a tape measure. Just like different things change the number on the scales so too with a tape measure (like bloating, measuring in the exact same place every time etc) I'd say if you don't want to buy scales incase you weigh yourself too often, use scales at a friends once a week/month or in the gym or wherever you may go just occasionally. If you have a clothing item that you can't fit into now, or that fits you well now go by that item of clothing, if it's getting too big you're obviously losing weight. Also maybe take photos of yourself now and then once a month to compare, or ask someone else to compare so you're not biased.

evileen99 · September 2018

I don't own a scale; I go by how my clothes fit.

lilypond45 · September 2018

Yes I think the tape measure might also affect me in the same way. I have a very unhealthy attitude to “dieting”. If I track weight then I tend to fall off the wagon because I am just heading to a certain weight rather than focusing on changing my life. I feel that if I do it until I’m happy with how I look and feel, rather than what a scale says, then I might be more successful.

I find that the scales are a food trigger (whether good or bad results). So I just feel I would do better without them.

Perhaps I’m totally wrong but I just need a healthier mindset.

lilypond45 · September 2018

I also think it would be beneficial to assess monthly rather than weekly. Weekly goals are too short for me, I need to think about it in the long term. I think I might weigh in a month at my mums, if I feel that the result won’t affect me negatively!

Zoejohnse91 · September 2018

I weight monthly and I measure monthly- I'll occasionally pop and the scales mind month but what I've done is set a date (13th every month) and I stick to that. But having the scales at someone else's house is also a good idea!

Danp · September 2018

There are loads of ways to track your progress that doesn't involve using scales. Measurements, clothe size, the mirror, feel, etc.

You will probably have to weigh in a least periodically though as MFP uses your weight to calculate your calorie target for a week and this will change as you get smaller.

G'luck

collectingblues · September 2018

You could take measurements monthly -- that's going to give you more useful data than every week, especially if you're female and dealing with hormone fluctuations/menstruation.

ashesfromfire · September 2018

Goal clothing works really well for me.
When I joined the gym 3.5 months back I decided to treat myself. I bought 3 skirts - one that fit me nicely at the time (because I want to love an honor my body), one that was a wrap skirt so it would change with me (to honor the process) and the last that was about a size and a half too small (to reward my journey) you'll see the difference in how these things fit over time, without it being specifically about number on the scale weight.
I do also like to track my measurements,but o ly do every 6 weeks or so.
I used to weigh myself every Sunday morning, religiously. It motivated me at the time but now I just want to feel better in my body.

PAV8888 · September 2018

Personally I would overwhelm myself with daily weighing till I realized that weight varies for reasons beyond fat change and the trend is what's important.

And the PROCESS is even more important than the results. It sounds like you may have certain predispositions that may make restriction with large deficits more dangerous than it is for other people.

I would set careful goals and concentrate on the process ans heading in a neutral or good directiin as opposed to results.

When I was losing 0.25lbs a week, so about 2lbs a month, consistently, it felt like nothing was happening. And multiple times the scale was higher on a 30 day sample interval even though the weight loss had taken place. As a non vigorously exercising male: No TOM, no hurting muscles both of which introduce variations.

So, personal opinion, is either desensitize yourself or chose something totally different like appropriately chosen clothing and an attitude that as long as things are not appreciably worse then you're winning.

Once a month of any type of measurement runs the risk of lots of drama based on suspect measurement due to the small sampling size or difficulty in getting accurate measurements (where exactly is your waist and how much air is in your lungs at measurement time?)

vanityy99 · September 2018

Using my clothes is the most encouraging.

Ditching the scales? How can I make this work

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