How do you gauge your results?

T

trinity

New Member
Hi All!

Although I am new to posting, I have visited this forum and others (Firm) many times ... I find it a great source for info & motivation. I guess I am one of the yo-yo types ...after losing 80lbs 4 yrs ago, I abandoned my healthy ways and regained 45 lbs. Sigh .. can't believe it, but its true. Ah well .. what is done is done.

After two months of exercising and mostly clean eating I am happy to say that I have lost 12lbs. Yippie! The only thing is that I find myself stepping on the scale way too often .. habits are hard to break. I know muscle ways more than fat .. and the scale doesn't give you a true idea ... but it is nice to see those numbers slowly go down. So ladies (& gents?) .. how do you gauge your results and how often? Should I just take the battery out of my scale and toss it out the window? : )

Thanks in advance!!
trinity
aka "scale worshiper in hiding"

PS - Where can I go to learn how to use the cute icons? A bit confused.
 
Toss it

Hi Trinity! I know old habits are hard to break, but you should really lose the scale. Especially if you are a frequent user. Body composition changes so often that I think scales can possibly give you a false measure of your progress.

I say take measurements. That way you can see where the weight is coming off and what specific areas you'd like to improve.

I take measurements for: Bust, Arms, Waist, Hip, Upper thigh and
Mid thigh

And record them ONCE a month. I also get my body composition tested once a year, which gives you lean body weight vs fat PLUS it can tell you if you are driking enough water. It's worked much better for me. I really have no idea what I weigh on a day to day basis...it would drive me crazy.

Wish I could help with the icons, but I'm a bit baffled myself.
 
OH..AND I FORGOT

Congratulations on your successful "comeback"! Hang in there and take it one day at a time. You can do it.
 
Hi Trinty,
As far as the scale goes. I personally find that using a scale everyday can help keep me in line. I know that your not supposed to weigh yourself everyday, but I do. Mainly because I know that tomorrow morning I'm going to get on the scale and it does help some to keep me in line with my eating, especially in the evening when I tend to have most of my "breakdowns". As long as you realize that the scale isn't going to move everyday as your trying to "get fit" and that gaining a pound or two isn't a big deal because it might just be muscle, or water weight go ahead and weigh yourself. HOWEVER, If you have trouble with this and get discouraged by not seeing weight loss every day or even every week - THEN TOSS THE BATTERIES ON THAT SCALE. You need to find what works for you!!!!!!!!

Remember that the way your cloths fit and your body measurements are the best way to monitor your success.

Dawn W
 
Hi Trinity!

I know that several of the gals here have started a "Weight-Loss Check-In" just the past couple of weeks. I think they check-in on Mondays in the Discussion Forum. I know there was talk of weighing yourself only once a week or maybe it was once a month?? My point being, you may want to join them for encouragement & ideas. Great job on the 12 pound loss!:-jumpy You're on your waaaay!!!

If you want to add the cute icons, go to the red writing just above the box you post your message in. Click on the "EMOTION icon short cuts" and it will show you how to make the cute faces! Again, congrats on your hard work and keep it up!!!:D Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH :)
 
I weigh myself weekly. The same day of the week, same time of day. I keep track of it in my workout journal. I actually made myself a graph for the year, but I only draw in a new dot at the first of the month.
I also take measurements. I do these weekly too, but only bust, waist, hips. Monthly I do a more complete measurements. This helps me stay on track, but it's so infrequent that it doesn't rule my life.
I have noticed that I have a really strange reaction to the weigh in though. If it's gone up, I know logically it could be due to a number of reasons, but I have trouble making myself workout. If it's gone down, I have a great workout week. You would think it would go the other way, but it doesn't. Strange, huh.
 
Personally, as someone who used to really beat myself up over weight, obsessed about numbers and ultimately ended up bulimic, I completely got rid of the scale. I went by how my clothes fit initially and then started doing monthly measurements with a tape measure.

I figured going in for my checkups a couple times per year, I would have weight checked then and that was plenty. Funny thing is I have done better and been more disciplined and happy since completely putting numbers and weight out of my mind. Now I don't track my body at all, but of course I notice when a favorite pair of pants is too loose or too light.

Try not to focus so much on your body's size and appearance. As odd as it may sound, it doesn't seem to be a motivating enough factor to keep most people consistent. I'm finding so much more fulfillment with exercise and results 100 times more exciting by focusing on my performance and abilities as they grow and improve with time. When you take the focus off of something negative, like body image, and put it more onto something positive, like endurance, strength and an overall feeling of energy and well-being, you'll find that every single workout is a lot more fun and you'll be thrilled to do them again and again.
 
RE:Have to agree..

with lex. Clothes and how they fit is my main barometer. Other times I just look in the mirror and if I see that tiniest bit of extra definition that no one will notice but me, I still like it...the scale is a problem during pre-periods and for me going through pre-menopause. I can't trust it.
 
I am one of those die-hards who weighs every single day, first thing in the morning. My eating habits can be really bad if I don't watch it, so this is my best gauge. Can't help it, but it works for me.
 
Thanks everyone for all the replies! Such a friendly bunch!!

Over the past 2 months I have been officially recording lbs once a week, but I would sneak a weigh in everyday. And like you Rose031, if that weight goes up I find myself a bit down, and not so into working out. This week for example, weight went up ... worked out hard, could push and do more than last week :7, ate fairly clean, clothes are fitting better ... and all these positive outcomes are overshadowed by that darn number on the scale. How did I ever get so brainwashed with this scale thing???

So, I'm gonna hide that battery (can't toss it yet), weigh myself once a month ... and GULP :'( ... take my measurements. For somereason I dread those inches more than I do seeing lbs.

Have a great day & a wonderful workout!!
Trinity

PS - Bear with me if this post looks strange. I am trying to learn how to include these little icons. :)
 
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