The Scale

amandaxh
amandaxh Posts: 38 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Lately I have had a poor relationship with the scale. I have only been on this venture now for about 3-4 weeks since committing to this, but nonetheless I've always seemed to have this problem. I weigh myself once a week. In any case, the scale is always so up and down. It bothers me that sometimes I could have lost weight but it doesn't show it on the scale because of water retention, or perhaps other times it says I lost more weight than I really have because the water is flushed out of my system. When you first start losing weight, it seems you could always add or take away 5 pounds or so and it becomes really discouraging after awhile stepping on the scale.

Now I realize this is just the nature of weight loss and body fluctuation, and that perhaps I shouldn't make such a huge deal out of it. But it is tough when you try to do what you can throughout the week and put so much weight on the number you see at the beginning of a new week, when perhaps you didn't do as bad as it seems to show (but alas, what if you did?)

I tell myself that the important thing is to keep going, day after day, no matter what the scale says. Because something must happen eventually over time if you make a change in your lifestyle. I'd like to be able to check the scale to see if what I am doing is working (for example, the amount of calories I am eating, etc.) or if I need to change that number, etc. But it seems I can never get an accurate reading.

I've thought about weighing myself every two weeks instead of one week in order to not discourage myself when I step on. I've also thought about ditching my scale for a month and taking measurements, and remeasuring in about a month, reweighing after a month's time, so I stop worrying about the number and start worrying about the actual shape of my body: what I actually SEE.

Any suggestions? How do you feel, those of you who feel my struggle? Did you ever consider ditching the scale for some time?

Replies

  • dward2011
    dward2011 Posts: 416 Member
    I totally feel you. Here is what I did to make myself feel better: I took measurements. I measured my neck, arms, waist, hips, and thighs. I stepped on the scale once a week at most and took my measurements again every two weeks. I lost more inches in the beginning than weight on the scale.
  • amandaxh
    amandaxh Posts: 38 Member
    I totally feel you. Here is what I did to make myself feel better: I took measurements. I measured my neck, arms, waist, hips, and thighs. I stepped on the scale once a week at most and took my measurements again every two weeks. I lost more inches in the beginning than weight on the scale.

    I'm glad to know I am not the only one with such thoughts. I have yet to take my measurements, so I want to make sure I do that tonight and try to just clear all this discouragement from my head. I do feel a slight difference in my body, but the scale just tells me otherwise. I think measurements is a smart thing to do. Thank you for your thought :-)
  • dward2011
    dward2011 Posts: 416 Member
    I even made an Excel spreadsheet to track everything. Weight loss, inches lost in which area, body fat % loss, BMI loss, etc.

    Yes, I am a dork. But opening that file with the chart and pretty graph tracking all those declining numbers will make my day when I need it most.



    ETA: I am a dork.
  • amandaxh
    amandaxh Posts: 38 Member
    I even made an Excel spreadsheet to track everything. Weight loss, inches lost in which area, body fat % loss, BMI loss, etc.

    Yes, I am a dork. But opening that file with the chart and pretty graph tracking all those declining numbers will make my day when I need it most.



    ETA: I am a dork.

    Honestly, that sounds like something I would do and have actually contemplated doing it numerous times once I get my measurements. So if you're a dork, I'm a dork :-P But really.... definitely not a dork! Sometimes you need to make your own motivation, and seeing your own numbers progress is certainly much more motivating and way healthier than simply looking at photos of other people, sometimes. Its a proof that you can do it, not someone else. If you can be organized about your weight loss, that's awesome. I plan to do the same. It allows you to make mental notes of how your body is changing, and that is something to gain insight from as well.
  • Mayor_West
    Mayor_West Posts: 246 Member
    Ditch the scale, or at the very least, stop giving so much importance to the numbers it shows you.

    Your two best friends in this are a tape measure and the mirror. Measuring yourself will give you a much greater and accurate representation of whether or not you're heading in the right direction. Also, take pictures of yourself and do a comparison to how you look in the mirror over time- this will give you a much clearer picture of your progress.

    Our weight tends to fluctuate from hour to hour and day to day, so the scale is not the best barometer of one's success and as a result, can lead to a lot of frustration when there isn't any need for it.
  • dward2011
    dward2011 Posts: 416 Member
    I take pictures too. Although, the pictures do not help me as much because I can't see the difference in them. Even after 15 pounds I don't see the difference in the pictures. But I feel it in my body and mind. I see it on the spreadsheet though. haha


    ETA: Check out my profile and goals, and add me if you wish. We can be dorks together.
  • 2_young_2B_old
    2_young_2B_old Posts: 90 Member
    I use the scale but only because I can't give it up, however I think they should all be burned. They aren't an accurate portrayal of progress. Take pictures once a month. Take notes on how your clothes fit. After a few pictures show progress and you can really tell in your clothes then get on the scale. The number will likely be lower, but even if it isn't you have your proof that you are kicking *kitten*.
  • confettibetti
    confettibetti Posts: 405 Member
    I tell myself that the important thing is to keep going, day after day, no matter what the scale says. Because something must happen eventually over time if you make a change in your lifestyle. I'd like to be able to check the scale to see if what I am doing is working (for example, the amount of calories I am eating, etc.) or if I need to change that number, etc. But it seems I can never get an accurate reading.

    I've thought about weighing myself every two weeks instead of one week in order to not discourage myself when I step on. I've also thought about ditching my scale for a month and taking measurements, and remeasuring in about a month, reweighing after a month's time, so I stop worrying about the number and start worrying about the actual shape of my body: what I actually SEE.

    Any suggestions? How do you feel, those of you who feel my struggle? Did you ever consider ditching the scale for some time?

    I just decided this morning that I was going to ditch the scale and not weigh in again until August 5th. Yesterday morning I weighed in at 216.5, which is awesome, I'd lost a pound. I weighed myself last night and I was 220. hahaha, now I know that this is just water, and my daily fluctuation, but I have to just laugh at it because I know I didn't gain 3 lbs in a day eating 1500 calories! I take measurements every two weeks, and my next time with this is the 27th! I've only been doing this for about a month (being really serious) and you are so right, the best thing to do is keep going. Don't let the scale dictate your mood. Its just one way of measuring.
  • skinnynerd
    skinnynerd Posts: 110
    The best advice I have received about weighing is awlays do weigh at the same time of day, do not eat high levels of sodium the day before, and always wear the same clothes or weigh in the nude.
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    Oh man... do I get this. Particularly when I called my scale a few choice names this morning.

    Personally, I don't even trust measurements for an accurate reading of the changes that are happening.

    I've taken pictures, but given how much I have to lose I have little expectations on change in those for a fair bit either, so I'm relying on how I feel, how my clothes fit and how much more I can do, as markers of my successes.

    Really, the scale is only a number, how I feel and what I can do are far more important to me.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    I like your outlook Mayor_West!
    sometimes its hard to think of it that way when we place so much value on the scales. I think I'll aim for the mirror/measuring thing and forget about weighing in for at least a few weeks.
  • myfitnessisavirtue
    myfitnessisavirtue Posts: 673 Member
    I am with you. I weigh myself almost every day but only record it when I hit a new low weight. I do notice the numbers trending downward. But there is a 3-4 pound range that I am in each week. And each week the top number and bottom number move down a bit. MFP has really helped me see that I just need to stick with it.
  • samanthakre
    samanthakre Posts: 26
    It is tough...REALLY tough. I started out at 397 and am down to 318. Over these past seven months, I've seen a few weeks with big losses, but most have been very small.

    As a matter of fact, for this whole month I haven't really lost anything! I weight myself once per week - four weeks ago, 318, three weeks ago up four lbs [talk about panic] at 322, two weeks ago 318, this week 318!!

    It is SO tough to stay on track when you know you are doing all you can and your stubborn body just doesn't want to let it go. I work out six times a week and eat clean [95% of the time].

    We have to look at the BIG picture here. We are getting healthier every single day. One pound of fat is much more compact than muscle, so they could be balancing themselves out. Are you measuring inches? Something I keep meaning to do but haven't. I now weigh the same as a friend of mine, but am three sizes smaller!!

    Just keep it up, girl! You will see results, they will happen. It's just a matter of time...that is the hardest part!!
  • Amryfal
    Amryfal Posts: 225
    I am with you. I weigh myself almost every day but only record it when I hit a new low weight. I do notice the numbers trending downward. But there is a 3-4 pound range that I am in each week. And each week the top number and bottom number move down a bit. MFP has really helped me see that I just need to stick with it.

    yep, this is me. i weigh every day so i know when i'm retaining water - but it's still depressing when i step on the scale and it hasn't budged. i would do measurements if my cats would let me own a tape measure without stealing it and chewing it up, lol...well, really, i probably wouldn't, because adding another thing to my daily routine might be the last straw. i also have a problem seeing the changes in the mirror, so i just stick to it and hope for the best.
  • amandaxh
    amandaxh Posts: 38 Member
    Ditch the scale, or at the very least, stop giving so much importance to the numbers it shows you.

    Your two best friends in this are a tape measure and the mirror. Measuring yourself will give you a much greater and accurate representation of whether or not you're heading in the right direction. Also, take pictures of yourself and do a comparison to how you look in the mirror over time- this will give you a much clearer picture of your progress.

    Our weight tends to fluctuate from hour to hour and day to day, so the scale is not the best barometer of one's success and as a result, can lead to a lot of frustration when there isn't any need for it.

    Thank you! This is really very accurate. It seems like nature (though ironically, very much the opposite) to simply always heavily weigh in our minds what the scale says, but what you see and feel should be priority in your feelings about weight loss. Just trying to make that shift in my mind!
  • amandaxh
    amandaxh Posts: 38 Member
    Thank you all for your replies and your own insights. Glad I am not the only one with this frustration, and you all are simply amazing with your weight loss despite your struggles on the scale! I mean it! It is encouraging me to see you guys that have stuck with it despite the frustration and are doing so well. Thank you for the inspiration :-)
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
    Ditch the scale, or at the very least, stop giving so much importance to the numbers it shows you.

    Your two best friends in this are a tape measure and the mirror. Measuring yourself will give you a much greater and accurate representation of whether or not you're heading in the right direction. Also, take pictures of yourself and do a comparison to how you look in the mirror over time- this will give you a much clearer picture of your progress.

    Our weight tends to fluctuate from hour to hour and day to day, so the scale is not the best barometer of one's success and as a result, can lead to a lot of frustration when there isn't any need for it.

    I only disagree with one statement here... I do not believe the mirror is our best friend ;) I think the tape measurer and how your clothes fit/feel are great indicators on your success... Mirrors (more likely--our minds) give a false perception most of the time. Scales are the devil and once I reach my goal and our wedding is over mine will go somewhere and collect dust :)

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