anyone else get completely depressed when they see the scale

Agreed - get rid of the scales! Or at the very least, only use them very occasionally. I personally think weighing every week is too often, especially given that water, pre-menstrual bloat and a carb-heavy (although not necessarily unhealthy) meal can all add pounds. I only weigh once a month and yes, it is really tempting to step on the scales when they're just sitting there in the bathroom calling my name, but I know they have the power to either make or ruin my day so I avoid them.

I'm only weighing myself once a week, as previous people have said, they flunctuate SOO much in 24hrs that it's pointless.

I have to tentatively say, however, that if you're exercising 'til your OH has to help you out of bed, and that seeing a slight weight gain is depressing you, that you are at risk of gaining a warped perception of youself (especially the comment about "it only takes a few pounds to make my belly look like jelly") - you're taking positive steps to make yourself physically better, don't jeopodise your mental health grrl. xxxxxx

Hunny, I've watched you week after week consistently put in 200% every single day. You have done (and ARE doing) so amazing, but you really must try to enjoy what you have worked so hard for, and not obsess. You look fabulous and you've got a wonderful little family with many great things on the horizon. Don't let these last couple of pounds turn this all into a negative experience. xx :flowerforyou:

I could have written this myself. I am a newbie and only cc for a month, last weighin (Friday) I put on a 1lb I can understand the 3500 deficite to lose a 1lb and I work with it and look forward to weekly loss, even upping (and enjoying) exercise for the first time ever!! However I know I havent over eaten and even if I have on one day it wasnt by 3500 calories....it just really bothered me and I have avoided being on here and slowly slipped away to eat chocolate and crap again. I am glad I came back now because reading the replies I feel a lot happier. Think will try weighing every few weeks or monthly for a while

Antoher thing if you are working out, your building muscle, and muscle weights a lot more than fat! I agree with everyone else hide the scale! I actually use a friends scale, and I use it when I go over. I prefer to use measurement... I think its more accurate, but that is something I try to do only once a week also!

Good luck!

My advice is do measurements. I like to do that every few weeks and if the scale hasn't moved I don't too discourage because I usually lose inches in the mean time! Don't give up!

You may want to research body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder. This may be the culprit of you getting so upset.

First, take a deep breath.

If you're exercising to the point of having to be helped to bed, the weight gain you're seeing is likely your muscles retaining water while they repair themselves.

I would take a long, hard, honest look at your eating to see if there's something you're missing. Are you logging food correctly? So many people underestimate the calories they consume and overestimate the calories they burn during exercise. Are you being honest about your food logging? Are you eating enough? Drinking enough water? Giving your body rest days? Sleeping enough? There are so many factors to weight loss.

The best thing to do is first off, calm down. Getting yourself wound up and stressed out will only work against you. Take the time to really evaluate what you're doing. Have you checked your BMR and your TDEE? I would start there - yes, they are guesstimations, but they will give you a general idea of your calorie needs for a day.

It takes time to master what our own bodies want. Time and patience. Don't freak out or fret. Keep in mind that our weight can fluctuate up to 5lbs in a day! It has NOTHING to do with you "failing" or "falling off the wagon". It is normal.

I weigh in every single day (in the morning). I've learned a lot about my body and how it reacts to different things by weighing in everyday. It has helped to get the "freak outs" under control because I know what is a normal, acceptable range for me.

Glad your feeling a bit better. This happened to me, I was doing too much and the stress madse my body grab what I was eating. Reading this I wonder if its happening to you? X

I agree with those who say to get rid of the scale or only weigh as little as once a month. Pounds are such a fickle thing, and it's easy to become obsessed with numbers that can be affected by virtually anything and fluctuate as much as 10 lbs within a day! I had the same issue; the pounds weren't moving and it was depressing the heck out of me. Finally, I decided to put it away and keep up with the exercise and good eating, and I could feel and see the difference (my clothes fitting better, people commenting on my weight loss etc.) The scale will have to be dealt with eventually, but if it's getting you down right now, just leave it alone and keep doing what you need to do to keep yourself motivated!

None of us are here because our bodies look good.
We're all FAT!
Instead of getting depressed with every challenge, just keep your eyes focused on your goals.
Aspire to peak fitness and just keep taking daily action that will move you closer to that goal.
And if progress is stifled?
WELCOME TO THE GAME ROOKIE!
We all have those kind of weeks. You can punch through if you remain always focused on your goals and set your expectations for a long, hard but rewarding process.

If it were easy. America would not be such a nation of fatties.
We can be different if we stay on track; you can do this.

All Is Possible!

I use the scale daily too...it can be a bad thing...but i use it in an honest and positive manner...half pounds and weights below a pound can simply be fluids. If I gain..I look at what i did the day before and analyze what I may have done to cause an increase...and is it possibly muscle mass i put on...and if I had a bad meal or snack then I use the gain to motivate me to not eat badly the next day... most importantly ,I've learned lately... How do You feel...do you feel healthy....

I actually stepped on the scaled tonite and got depressed too! I need to lose @ 30 lbs. This is the heaviest that I've ever been. I'm going to try to keep better track of my calories and figure this fitness pal out. Good luck to you! -Angela

None of us are here because our bodies look good.
We're all FAT!
Instead of getting depressed with every challenge, just keep your eyes focused on your goals.
Aspire to peak fitness and just keep taking daily action that will move you closer to that goal.
And if progress is stifled?
WELCOME TO THE GAME ROOKIE!
We all have those kind of weeks. You can punch through if you remain always focused on your goals and set your expectations for a long, hard but rewarding process.

If it were easy. America would not be such a nation of fatties.
We can be different if we stay on track; you can do this.

All Is Possible!

Not ALL of us are here because we hate our bodies or are fat.

I'm not fat and I don't hate my body.


So, please.. don't speak for me, okay?

I didn't see anything in the post you quoted about hating one's body... at all. It's just frank talk. No, not everyone on MFP is here because they are overweight, but I appreciate this kind of straightforwardness. It is very hard, but attempting to take emotion out of the pure number on the scale, and just getting down to business and facing the situation at hand, really, really helps. It took me a loooong time to get around to that.

But yes, I agree with most here, weigh once weekly, or just take measurements instead!! Good luck OP!! xo