I think I need to break up with my scale

coopersmom2006
coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
in Health and Weight Loss
I usually weigh every morning when I first wake up. I've been maintaining my current weight (within 2-3 lbs up or down) for the past couple of months. I find that instead of celebrating my workout victories (longest run to date at 7.33 miles yesterday) I obsess over the fact that the scale is up 2lbs since yesterday and freak out that I ate ice cream with caramel sauce last night which put me over my calories by 100 or so. It's dumb and I KNOW that a day or two slightly over calories isn't going to cause me to magically gain a few pounds but it's still my first thought.I think I need to break up with my scale for daily use and make a plan to only weigh in on certain days. Anyone else having the same problem? Frustrated and looking for support/advice I guess. :( Thanks guys.
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Replies

  • coopersmom2006
    coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
    bump
  • firesoforion
    firesoforion Posts: 1,017 Member
    I could have written pretty much that exact thing, lol (except the 7 mile run, NICE!). Perhaps I'll join you in stopping weighing every morning.
  • aklitten
    aklitten Posts: 237 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/aklitten/view/i-think-we-need-to-stop-seeing-each-other-for-now-201032
  • turbophoenix
    turbophoenix Posts: 152
    I used to weigh every morning and put it in a spreadsheet so I could keep track of various things that might be affecting my weight (TOM, sodium intake, lack of sleep, etc.) It was helpful at first, but then I started obsessing and it became a real problem. Especially because when I'd see lots of gains I'd just give up and let the whole plan go down the tubes.

    For a while, I had my husband hide the scale and I only used the one at the gym and only allowed myself to weigh on Fridays. I use my scale at home again now but stil just weigh on Fridays.
  • coopersmom2006
    coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
    Glad I'm not alone. Maybe we need a support group? LOL. I'm trying to build muscle/shed the rest of the fat on my abs so I shouldn't concentrate on the scale as much I guess. Man, this is going to be hard. I think I should tell hubby to hide it or something so I won't be tempted!
  • Splashlove
    Splashlove Posts: 23
    I'm done with the scale for now, I'm only going to go visit her once a week for now on because this up and down everyday is depressing. I did start taking measurements too, every week or so (just started) but I think that will hopefully show some more improvement vs the actual lbs.
  • jkb1129
    jkb1129 Posts: 45 Member
    It seems that quite a few people on MFP have banished scales completely, and instead base success off of things like inches lost and how their clothes fit, which are TRUE measures of success. I can't quite bring myself to do this since I do get satisfaction in seeing the numbers drop on the scale, but I only weigh in once a week. I know others who only weigh in once every two weeks. Your weight fluctuates too much on a daily basis to really get value from daily weigh-ins. Plus it adds needless frustration! If you haven't started taking your measurements yet I would suggest doing that. Some people don't lose a lot of weight but they do lose a lot of inches, which is very encouraging to see!
  • chicky26
    chicky26 Posts: 127 Member
    I have been through this many times and in the end I did brake up with my scales and it was the best thing I ever did. I would constantly weigh myself daily and feel awful if the scales went up even by the slightest instead of down. I now weigh myself once a week and am much happier about it as it always moves down at the mo.

    Much less apprehension and able to just concentrate on forming good habbits.
  • Art63
    Art63 Posts: 87
    I've been weighing first thing every morning for half a year and look forward to it. Like you though it is discouraging to see the weight go up. But the number of times it has gone down has been much more often so I keep doing it. People have told me that I should only weigh once a week but I like the daily gratification when it's a tad lower than the previous day. But, if the once in a while gains discourage you too much that might be a better option for you. If you do the right things you're bound to lose so hang in there. We've all had the ups and downs.
  • paigedwatson
    paigedwatson Posts: 18
    Thank you for posting this! I have become way to reliant on what the scale tells me and less on my overall results. I know that even though I've only lost 4 pounds since November that overall I feel and look so much better. Some of my MFP friends and myself have vowed to only weigh on Friday's. We're starting that regimen this week and keeping each other accountable! Feel free to join us!
  • lisasdoinit
    lisasdoinit Posts: 216 Member
    i broke up with my scale (aka the Bi-Polar Lover) 2 weeks ago. I gotta admit this week is super hard - i *think* i'm doing great food/work out wise but things aren't a whole lot looser so part of me is like "oh just pull him out of the dark closet you have him in and give in just once".

    thing is- eating healthy and exercising daily is my goal.

    I'm temporarily shelved the weighing 80lbs less goal just to be able to say "ok, i'm eating healthy and exercising daily..next"

    :)
  • Kristina0202
    Kristina0202 Posts: 188 Member
    I actually prefer weighing myself everyday. That way I know where I'm at and if I go a week without weighing myself, I feel more discouraged if it doesn't move. You just have to know that your weight does fluctuate and it's nothing to be upset over.
  • HotAshMess
    HotAshMess Posts: 382 Member
    You shouldnt weigh yourself every day. It's ridiculous, counter productive and incredibly WRONG....as in incorrect. Do you realize that gaining 2 pounds overnight might just be a result of not having had a bowel movement yet? What I do is....every Sunday I get up and go use the bathroom. I don't eat breakfast, shower, have a glass of water.....I go straight to the bathroom and go. When I'm done, I weight myself. Weighing yourself in the morning, before eating and after "voiding" gives you your "true" weight. If I eat something or have some juice or whatever....I either weigh myself the next day or I wait another week. What you're doing is obsessive and not healthy.
  • coopersmom2006
    coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
    It seems that quite a few people on MFP have banished scales completely, and instead base success off of things like inches lost and how their clothes fit, which are TRUE measures of success. I can't quite bring myself to do this since I do get satisfaction in seeing the numbers drop on the scale, but I only weigh in once a week. I know others who only weigh in once every two weeks. Your weight fluctuates too much on a daily basis to really get value from daily weigh-ins. Plus it adds needless frustration! If you haven't started taking your measurements yet I would suggest doing that. Some people don't lose a lot of weight but they do lose a lot of inches, which is very encouraging to see!

    I just had hubby help me take measurements and photos yesterday. I've started hitting the strength training (30 Day Shred) and want to compare before/after once I'm finished.
  • CCChaos625
    CCChaos625 Posts: 55 Member
    I have been here for the last few weeks- month, my husband gets upset with me that I tend to obsess over it at times. I have not weighed myself in 2 days and think I will start weighing in on Wed or Thursday mornings.
  • drea0703
    drea0703 Posts: 83 Member
    Yeah, I know what y´all mean. When I lost weight at the age of 16 I weighed in daily. It helped me to stay on track and I consider it a big part of my success at that time.

    BUT, things changed and I needed to hide my scale from myself. I do a lot of strength training, so it is expected that this dumb thing shows more and/or I am not losing very fast. I KNOW that. And still, this little three digit number can cause a hysterical breakdown? Sorry, I am not doing this anymore.

    I decided to weigh in once a month and focus more on NSVs. Staying on track, eating healthy and sticking with your workout routine. I am pretty sure even the dumbest scale will get this eventually. Mine just needs some extra time.

    Stay strong, ladies. We can do this!!!!
  • MelissR75
    MelissR75 Posts: 735 Member
    Glad I'm not alone. Maybe we need a support group? LOL. I'm trying to build muscle/shed the rest of the fat on my abs so I shouldn't concentrate on the scale as much I guess. Man, this is going to be hard. I think I should tell hubby to hide it or something so I won't be tempted!

    lol, right there with ya!
  • jrditt
    jrditt Posts: 239 Member
    I was obsessed with the scale and it was really brining down my self esteem. I started weight lifting over a month ago and my weight has gone up while i lose inches. Before I was checking the scale everyday, now I manage not to because i know it's going to make me upset. It's not worth it. I love weight lifting and I am not going to give it up and hurt my body to lose weight, I am hoping it will just work itself out over time.
  • graelwyn
    graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
    I get easily obsessed by the scale, admittedly. Until last summer, I had not even checked my weight in about a year, at all and I was relatively content, even though I was 142 Ibs and heavier than comfortable with. I didn't know my weight and was too busy with other thoughts to care as long as I fit into a uk size 10.

    Now I get on every day and am reassured by the number, often believing myself to be heavier than I am until I jump on.
    I hope one day I can break the habit, it is better than it was... I used to go on 3 different scales a day to be sure, lol.
  • HittingHerStride
    HittingHerStride Posts: 82
    I am glad to see this post because I am debating on getting a scale and I fear I will end up in this place, instead of keeping me focused and on track I will become too obsessed with the number and let it dictate my life.

    Thanks for posting
  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    I'm 5 days into my "no scale month" which is quite difficult already!!! But I recently upped my calorie intake about 40% and have started a heavy lifting program (NROLFW) so I know that for the first few weeks my weight is going to go up and then hopefully back down, so I didn't want to be discouraged when I know that in the end this program will work how I want it to. So I am not weighing in until 4/21!!!!!
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    I usually weigh every morning when I first wake up. I've been maintaining my current weight (within 2-3 lbs up or down) for the past couple of months. I find that instead of celebrating my workout victories (longest run to date at 7.33 miles yesterday) I obsess over the fact that the scale is up 2lbs since yesterday and freak out that I ate ice cream with caramel sauce last night which put me over my calories by 100 or so. It's dumb and I KNOW that a day or two slightly over calories isn't going to cause me to magically gain a few pounds but it's still my first thought.I think I need to break up with my scale for daily use and make a plan to only weigh in on certain days. Anyone else having the same problem? Frustrated and looking for support/advice I guess. :( Thanks guys.

    This is why it may not be wise to weigh everyday.

    Bear in mind also, that when you run, the next day you may have water weight ESPECIALLY if the training session had been a particularly gruelling one, this will, indeed, affect your weight the next morning.

    Set aside one day per week as your weigh-in day and stick to it, it will enable you to get a hold of the obsessive thoughts that are cramming your mind at the moment - you can do without those lol.
  • maryduggins
    maryduggins Posts: 219 Member
    I'm the same way(; If I weigh even a half a pound extra I start freaking out ;P which I *know* is stupid... Everyone fluctuates a pound or so; so I weigh in every Friday morning (... EXCEPT if I had a cheat day the day before lol) but I almost always weigh in on Fridays(: and I try not to let myself weigh in any other days.

    I gained a pound or two this past week because I had a CRAZY cheat day earlier this week, but I know it'll drop(; just gotta wait(:
  • coopersmom2006
    coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
    I doing it! I'm breaking up with the scale. I'm going to move it to the hallway closet this evening so I can resist the temptation to weigh in first thing in the morning. I think I'll try weighing myself only 2 times a week at first. **someone hold me**
  • honestlysweet
    honestlysweet Posts: 221 Member
    I weigh every day. I know that I wouldn't be able to stick to only once a week. So what I do is make it only count on Saturdays. So if on Monday it is up a pound or two, I don't count it, I just concentrate on the rest of the week and count it on Sat. That way, I am not so upset at the fluctuations.
  • julie781
    julie781 Posts: 221 Member
    I only weigh myself once a month. I do it right after my tom. My weight fluctuates too much from day to day and I give too much power to that little digital b@#tch of a number!
  • TheLongRunner
    TheLongRunner Posts: 688 Member
    Great run! And I can totally relate to you. I had to stop weighing everyday...especially after a long run! I only weigh once a week and I am much happier.
  • coopersmom2006
    coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
    Great run! And I can totally relate to you. I had to stop weighing everyday...especially after a long run! I only weigh once a week and I am much happier.

    When I first joined last week I asked about gaining a little after really pushing myself on a run. A few people said they'd had that happen, a few thought I was nuts I think. I'm SO happy to hear it's not just me. I'll make sure to NOT weight in after upping my distance for a few days. Maybe I'll try to weigh on Fridays. That seems to be a safe time as it's before my long run (going to up my distance by at least 1/2 mile each week when I feel capable) and before my bottle of wine night with the hubby. :tongue:
  • shammxo
    shammxo Posts: 1,432 Member
    I broke up with my scale a little while ago.
    We still see eachother like... Once a month. if that.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    I keep saying this over and over for some of us the scale is the ENEMY. Dump it.

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