Ditching the scale?

SisterSueGetsFit
SisterSueGetsFit Posts: 1,211 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I’m back at it for 2019 and back to the basics, which includes cutting out alcohol for the month of January. The scale hasn’t shown much, if any progress the first week. Having been here for three years I understand there’s numerous reasons for this. I’m considering putting the scale away for the rest of the month, following plan and weighing in on February 1st. Thoughts?

Replies

  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    I'm doing the same thing here. I normally weigh daily but decided to try something different.
  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,129 Member
    For most people posting I'd say it depends what your motivation for ditching the scale is, if it's to avoid a negative emotional response from your normal fluctuations then fair enough but otherwise it's just one of many tools and is helpful for measuring progress/accuracy.

    However, knowing your MFP stuff well enough personally, I know you know how to accurately log, you've been at this for aaaaages so if you're confident your numbers in/out are accurate then you probably don't need to weigh and will probably get a nice surprise on the 1st Feb and you are knowledgeable enough to know that even if the scale on the 1st doesn't show what you want it to, if you've stuck to the accurate logging then it'll show eventually.
  • PaigeAnderson1793
    PaigeAnderson1793 Posts: 21 Member
    I agree with what you are doing. I am someone who can become frustrated with the normal daily fluctuations of my weight. I usually weigh in weekly or every 10 days. If I weigh in more often I obsess over the number on the scale and not the multiple non scale victories I have accomplished. If that sounds like you, then I'd say your approach is a great one.
  • pierinifitness
    pierinifitness Posts: 2,226 Member
    Whatever works for you. I prefer the daily encounter and the desire and discipline it reinforces in me to continue marching forward in my fitness, health and wellness journey.
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    Weighing daily will show your fluctuations and if you log in an app like Libra or Happy Scale you will see your progress. Weighing daily or monthly will not give you the information you need to determine if what you are doing is working.

    The scale is just one tool in a whole tool bag of things you should be using to track your progress. Measuring, the way your clothes fit, the way you look in the mirror, how you feel, if you have enough energy, all of that should be taken into consideration as well.
  • Running2Fit
    Running2Fit Posts: 702 Member
    If it works for you, great!

    Personally, I find that the scale adds a large amount of accountability for the choices I make each day. When I stop weighing, I start slipping. That’s not true everyone though so if you feel like you can/will stay on track while you step away from the scale I don’t see why you shouldn’t.
  • CarvedTones
    CarvedTones Posts: 2,340 Member
    If you have large fluctuations, bad luck could be really discouraging. by that I mean what if you weighed at what is a low number for you now and in a month weighed on a day where you spiked up? You might lose a pound a week and see no progress.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    SisterSueGetsFit wrote: »
    I’m back at it for 2019 and back to the basics, which includes cutting out alcohol for the month of January. The scale hasn’t shown much, if any progress the first week. Having been here for three years I understand there’s numerous reasons for this. I’m considering putting the scale away for the rest of the month, following plan and weighing in on February 1st. Thoughts?

    Using the scale for accountability, working with daily/weekly fluctuations so you understand them, etc.. basically using it as data point/tool works for some and others not. I see it everyday here how people react to the fluctuations (for those various reasons you mention) and develop an unhealthy relationship with the scale and alter their eating behaviors based on the results.

    You can always try it and see. You can always get curious 2 weeks in and take a peek as well. :smile:

    I personally like to use my scale anytime I make adjustments in my intake and also exercise to make sure I am point and staying on point through out my goal. Maintenance is a min of once a week for me. If by chance the week or two prior I wasn't so great with logging or I thought I was, when the week I chose to weigh and I see weight creep, well that isn't so fun.
  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,070 Member
    This is really going to depend on you.

    For me, I MUCH prefer a daily weigh in and using a trend app. Then, if I step on the scale with a heavy day, I know it's just that - a heavy day - and it doesn't demoralize me. On the flip side, if I see day after day after day closer to that heavier weight, then I know it's not just water and I need to adjust something.

    BUT, that's me. Nothing wrong with putting the scale away if it makes it harder for you to stay focused.
  • SisterSueGetsFit
    SisterSueGetsFit Posts: 1,211 Member
    Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments. I'm going to try to at least stay off the scale for a week. In the past, and when I've been most successful, I had been weighing daily and using Happy Scale. I feel like I just need a "scale break" this time around for some reason. We shall see... Knowing myself, I'll be on that darn scale tomorrow anyway. :)

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