I really don’t want to weigh myself
jdonahue1
Posts: 2 Member
My reason for actually following through on losing weight this time was a ‘pre-diabetic’ number for my blood sugar at my physical. I am overweight and have set an ambitious goal and am recording everything I eat. I swim and do strength as yoga classes as well as walking. But I end up in tears if I weigh myself. I am losing and I feel great- clothes are looser, muscles tighter - but I would feel better just sticking to my plan and not weighing myself because the number just sticks in my head and demoralizes me. Am I a wimp? Do I need to just do this to be successful?
2
Replies
-
I don't know that I'd call you a wimp. If what your doing is working for you then keep doing it. I myself weigh often but I use it as a tool to look for water fluctuations, inflammation that could be caused by diet or cycle changes. If the scale causes you more grief than you need in life then skip it, there are plenty of other ways to judge progress.3
-
You don't have to weigh yourself if you have other methods for measuring progress, like clothes getting looser.
Another option would be to enlist a person you trust to check the number for you (don't look at the number beforehand) and decide what, if any, information you want them to convey, like "still trending down" or "it's AOK" so long as you don't gain some specified number.3 -
I used to hate the scale too. When I was really overweight and just starting to lose I think part of it was my anger at myself for having gotten myself into a bad situation.
A couple months into my weight loss I serendipitously spilled a bunch of water on my scale and it stopped working. I continued to lose weight for many months before I bought a new scale. When I did buy one it was because I was in clothes that were three sizes smaller than when I started and I wanted a more granular data-set. I only had a few pounds left to lose and I needed that.
Do what it takes! Scales are not the only measure of success, for sure.3 -
I weigh several times a week. I need the reinforcement and reassurance that I’m maintaining and not increasing. The old “fat brain” lays in wait to trick me and make me feel fat and blobby when I’m not.
OTOH, my husband, also a member here, doesn’t weigh. He also started in an effort to reduce some of his meds, notably diabetes meds. He also goes by “feel”. He feels his clothes getting looser and muscles stronger. He’s gone from a 2X to a L, with few weigh-ins. His doc also gave him the clear to stop the diabetes meds, and were hoping for same with blood pressure at next physical.
You’ve got to do whatever works for you. As long as it’s successful, why beat yourself up over it?
If you’ve got to expend effort over a scale, your food scale is far and away the one to spend quality time with.6 -
Thanks so much. That is so great for your husband. It really cheers me on!1
-
Nah, you’re not a wimp.
I don’t own a scale and only check in once every two or three weeks on the scale in the gym in my building. I do measure my waist regularly. It’s liberating, because I am more tuned in to how I feel and whether I’m actually shrinking. I have too much history of seeing weight fluctuations and getting discouraged.
It also helps me look at this in a bigger-picture way. If I get on the scale after 3 weeks and see a loss, no matter how small, I can look back on a few weeks of logs and recognize that overall, this lifestyle is working. I may have logged 6 pieces of pizza on Tuesday of last week (yum) and was still able to balance it out enough to lose.2 -
The scale is only 1 way of tracking progress. While it is an important tool, the tape measure and the way clothes fit are also important. The mirror and photos are probably the best methods of tracking progress3
-
Whatever floats your boat. You don't like weighing? Then don't do it. Weighing is an easy way to keep track of what happens, but it is not the only way. Whether or not you weigh yourself has zero influence on your fat levels. They are blissfully unaware of you aversion or love for scales and weighing.
All that really matters is that you are at an energy deficit. Many other elements have their place (such as consuming healthful foods instead of "junk" foods) for better health, but as far as weight loss is concerned these are all skirmishes in the margin that have only marginal influence and often none at all.
I say this as someone who totally loves his scale, and usually weighs himself several times a day. On the other hand, I just as totally loathe "working out" so I don't do it. It has not prevented me from losing almost half my body weight.3 -
Photos are indeed a great way. People should perhaps be encourage to take pictures, for that reason. Since I have barely any photos of myself, it doesn't work very well, but still. It is impossible to deny the change in the very few I do have.tomcustombuilder wrote: »The scale is only 1 way of tracking progress. While it is an important tool, the tape measure and the way clothes fit are also important. The mirror and photos are probably the best methods of tracking progress
One fun way to measure progress, depending on one's age, is to measure the length of one's panniculus. If it grows, that is a good way to ascertain weight loss is continuing. It is not often talked about that way, but it really is or at least, can be.1 -
BartBVanBockstaele wrote: »tomcustombuilder wrote: »The scale is only 1 way of tracking progress. While it is an important tool, the tape measure and the way clothes fit are also important. The mirror and photos are probably the best methods of tracking progress
One fun way to measure progress, depending on one's age, is to measure the length of one's panniculus. If it grows, that is a good way to ascertain weight loss is continuing. It is not often talked about that way, but it really is or at least, can be.
For those of you scratching your head, the panniculus is the “apron” of skin hanging down after weight loss. It’s loose and floppy, as opposed to a “beer gut” which is full.
If you continue with good nutrition and excercise, the panniculus will usually slowly shrink on its own.
There’s also surgery available if it bothers you.
I’ve learned to coexist peacefully with mine. Leggings, jeggings, high waisted pants. And it can be totally entertaining in a bathtub because it floats and is moldable. Endless fun.5 -
100% no.
You never need to weigh yourself to gauge your 'success'.
You don't even have to log your calories to be successful in losing weight - there are other methods too, if counting calories and weighing yourself is triggering.
Why engage in a behavior that will hurt your emotionally/mentally when you don't need to.
You said you know you are losing weight based on how your clothes fit, how you feel, how your medical results are.....that's totally fine.2 -
springlering62 wrote: »BartBVanBockstaele wrote: »tomcustombuilder wrote: »The scale is only 1 way of tracking progress. While it is an important tool, the tape measure and the way clothes fit are also important. The mirror and photos are probably the best methods of tracking progress
One fun way to measure progress, depending on one's age, is to measure the length of one's panniculus. If it grows, that is a good way to ascertain weight loss is continuing. It is not often talked about that way, but it really is or at least, can be.
For those of you scratching your head, the panniculus is the “apron” of skin hanging down after weight loss. It’s loose and floppy, as opposed to a “beer gut” which is full.
If you continue with good nutrition and excercise, the panniculus will usually slowly shrink on its own.
There’s also surgery available if it bothers you.
I’ve learned to coexist peacefully with mine. Leggings, jeggings, high waisted pants. And it can be totally entertaining in a bathtub because it floats and is moldable. Endless fun.
That might be the case for some people, but I lost 79 lbs and have no such thing, nor any saggy skin to speak of either. Can’t say I feel too sad to be missing out - but glad you are having fun with it! You always have a good sense of humor and attitude
2 -
Thanks for that. You are completely right. It should be added that some people have a panniculus that hangs to below their knees. The vast majority of these people really need surgery, for medical reasons, but it is prone to infection and such, and can be beyond irritating in warm/hot weather, for example. Contrary to popular opinion, that surgery is often done for medical reasons, not cosmetic ones.springlering62 wrote: »BartBVanBockstaele wrote: »tomcustombuilder wrote: »The scale is only 1 way of tracking progress. While it is an important tool, the tape measure and the way clothes fit are also important. The mirror and photos are probably the best methods of tracking progress
One fun way to measure progress, depending on one's age, is to measure the length of one's panniculus. If it grows, that is a good way to ascertain weight loss is continuing. It is not often talked about that way, but it really is or at least, can be.
For those of you scratching your head, the panniculus is the “apron” of skin hanging down after weight loss. It’s loose and floppy, as opposed to a “beer gut” which is full.
If you continue with good nutrition and excercise, the panniculus will usually slowly shrink on its own.
There’s also surgery available if it bothers you.
I’ve learned to coexist peacefully with mine. Leggings, jeggings, high waisted pants. And it can be totally entertaining in a bathtub because it floats and is moldable. Endless fun.
I have a panniculus as well and, like you, I simply accept it as part of who I am. I have no feelings about it. To me, it's like having a navel. It is part of being human. nothing more. I sometimes joke that I no longer need serviettes. I can wipe my mouh with the skin of my tummy ^_^. That is a lie, my panniculus is not nearly big enough, but it is just fun.
2 -
That is why I said "depending on your age". It is true that not nearly everyone has one. I lost almost 63 kg abd I do have one. My age may (and almost certainly does) well play a role in that.Sinisterbarbie1 wrote: »That might be the case for some people, but I lost 79 lbs and have no such thing, nor any saggy skin to speak of either. Can’t say I feel too sad to be missing out - but glad you are having fun with it! You always have a good sense of humor and attitude
0 -
I weigh almost every day but I've been at it for awhile and have gotten used to the ups and downs.
I highly recommend selecting some "Honesty Pants" (or trousers for my friends across the Pond.) or an "Honesty Dress"... An item of clothing you have with very little stretch to the material. Try it on every other week or so to see how it fits.
This is especially great if you're strength training where you may weigh the same for several months but your body shape changes as you lose fat and build muscle.1 -
BartBVanBockstaele wrote: »
That is why I said "depending on your age". It is true that not nearly everyone has one. I lost almost 63 kg abd I do have one. My age may (and almost certainly does) well play a role in that.Sinisterbarbie1 wrote: »That might be the case for some people, but I lost 79 lbs and have no such thing, nor any saggy skin to speak of either. Can’t say I feel too sad to be missing out - but glad you are having fun with it! You always have a good sense of humor and attitude
While i don’t consider myself ancient, I am in my mid fifties and lost all my weight post menopause. So I am not sure what you think age has to do with it one way or the other in my case. I am pushing back on this discussion so as not to scare and discourage people starting out on their weight loss. I think that there are more pleasant and optimistic ways of confirming progress on weightloss if one is afraid of stepping on a scale because the whole weight drama is already enough to deal with than suggesting that a great way to check on progress is to measure your dangly skin folds , and then adding for good measure that they can grow to stretch below your knees and get infected.
Everyone’s situation may be different, but I am no young teen, nor am I a fashion model or genetically gifted in any way. My personal experience is that by losing weight slowly and getting a mild amount of exercise one does not necessarily end up with a panniculus even after losing a significant amount of weight. So OP, weigh yourself or don;t — because it sounds like you are doing great — but please don’t worry that a fate worse than being overweight is in store for you when you succeed.8 -
That’s why my mantra throughout is “it’s better than it was before”.
I may have a bump here, or a fold there buts it’s a darn sight better when it was all forced outwards by sheer lack of room inwards.
Believe me when I sincerely say, being “thin with caveats” absolutely beats the hell out of the alternative, both health and appearance wise.
5 -
Sinisterbarbie1 wrote: »springlering62 wrote: »BartBVanBockstaele wrote: »tomcustombuilder wrote: »The scale is only 1 way of tracking progress. While it is an important tool, the tape measure and the way clothes fit are also important. The mirror and photos are probably the best methods of tracking progress
One fun way to measure progress, depending on one's age, is to measure the length of one's panniculus. If it grows, that is a good way to ascertain weight loss is continuing. It is not often talked about that way, but it really is or at least, can be.
For those of you scratching your head, the panniculus is the “apron” of skin hanging down after weight loss. It’s loose and floppy, as opposed to a “beer gut” which is full.
If you continue with good nutrition and excercise, the panniculus will usually slowly shrink on its own.
There’s also surgery available if it bothers you.
I’ve learned to coexist peacefully with mine. Leggings, jeggings, high waisted pants. And it can be totally entertaining in a bathtub because it floats and is moldable. Endless fun.
That might be the case for some people, but I lost 79 lbs and have no such thing, nor any saggy skin to speak of either. Can’t say I feel too sad to be missing out - but glad you are having fun with it! You always have a good sense of humor and attitude
Bodies are crazy man...I lost far less weight than that and have a little one of my own LOL. I am thin/skinny - at least that's how other's looking at me would describe me, but she's definitely there. haha. Good thing is I'm much kinder to my body now than I was some years ago.0 -
That is as valid a consideration as any. I prefer the truth, all of it, but that is my viewpoint, nothing more, although I do think that people should be aware of that before they start. That is what "honesty" means.Sinisterbarbie1 wrote: »BartBVanBockstaele wrote: »
That is why I said "depending on your age". It is true that not nearly everyone has one. I lost almost 63 kg abd I do have one. My age may (and almost certainly does) well play a role in that.Sinisterbarbie1 wrote: »That might be the case for some people, but I lost 79 lbs and have no such thing, nor any saggy skin to speak of either. Can’t say I feel too sad to be missing out - but glad you are having fun with it! You always have a good sense of humor and attitude
While i don’t consider myself ancient, I am in my mid fifties and lost all my weight post menopause. So I am not sure what you think age has to do with it one way or the other in my case. I am pushing back on this discussion so as not to scare and discourage people starting out on their weight loss. I think that there are more pleasant and optimistic ways of confirming progress on weightloss if one is afraid of stepping on a scale because the whole weight drama is already enough to deal with than suggesting that a great way to check on progress is to measure your dangly skin folds , and then adding for good measure that they can grow to stretch below your knees and get infected.
Everyone’s situation may be different, but I am no young teen, nor am I a fashion model or genetically gifted in any way. My personal experience is that by losing weight slowly and getting a mild amount of exercise one does not necessarily end up with a panniculus even after losing a significant amount of weight. So OP, weigh yourself or don;t — because it sounds like you are doing great — but please don’t worry that a fate worse than being overweight is in store for you when you succeed.
As for *your* age, I have no idea. All people are different. Some people get no panniculus, some people get one, some people get a massive one. It tends to be a more severe problem if one is older, but younger people are not necessarily exempt. There are young people who do get a panniculus. Googling "panniculus" will yield hundreds of pictures and for some people, it is really an enormous problem. Not nearly as enormous as the weight they had in the beginning, but enormous enough. Some people have a panniculus that reaches below the knee. Just try to imagine dealing with that, this is not a trivial luxury problem. On top of that, panniculus-removal is major surgery and it can have very serious consequences, so it should only be done in cases where there is a true medical need.
In short, it is my opinion that withholding information from people is the same as lying to them. As Captain Picard said in "The First Duty": "You told the truth up to a point, but a lie of omission is still a lie."
https://youtube.com/watch?v=xefh7W1nVo4&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE&t=135
Again, this is an opinion, but I am quite firm about it, I have had enough times I was harmed by such lies. I do not want to do this to any other person, and will avoid it to the best of my ability.0 -
hugs - so pre-diabetic is serious & kudos for taking action! go you!
do you need to weigh? not really - you could wait until your next doctor's appointment and focus on actually doing things that will help your body....
essentially, the scale shows the results of what you do. So, I like to Focus on the action - eating well, eating enough but not too much and not too little. How do you know how much is enough? for me, that's where the MFP food tracker comes in. It helps me figure out how much is enough.
What kinds of foods do you choose? that's the great thing about using the tracker - it lets you experiment with all sorts of food choices to find foods you like. There are so many different meal plans out there.... Did you doctor refer you for nutrition counseling? Personally, I started with the diabetic myplate for creating meals and choosing types of foods.... it is just 1 way.... other times i use a lo-carb or keto design.
for example, here are some of the diabetes myplate ideas. The diabetes myplate puts carbs/starchy foods together with milk, fruits for choices. The diagram helps - does not mean put them on a plate in that way - a lot of my stuff I mix together in bowls....
an example
a meal i did dished up, then mixed up for the eating.
explore what works for you - make it an adventure - embrace the journey and watch your body respond! cheers
3 -
I had stalled for months because I didn't want to face the music. I regret that. Just because I didn't know the number on the scale didn't mean it wasn't the number that would be on the scale. The thing to work on here is knowing the number on the scale doesn't change a thing about you, and you shouldn't feel bad about it. We all have to start somewhere, but the important part is to start, and be consistent! Good luck!1
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 398.3K Introduce Yourself
- 44.7K Getting Started
- 261K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.4K Food and Nutrition
- 47.7K Recipes
- 233K Fitness and Exercise
- 462 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.7K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.5K Motivation and Support
- 8.4K Challenges
- 1.4K Debate Club
- 96.5K Chit-Chat
- 2.6K Fun and Games
- 4.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 17 News and Announcements
- 21 MyFitnessPal Academy
- 1.5K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions