scale junkie

[winter2b]

OK I apologize for so many posts asking for help tonight...but I am taking careful notes and appreciate all of your input thus far as I develop my rotation. Now the worry starts in about the scale. I know it's a horrible measure of success...but since I have so much to lose (~30 pounds) is is reasonable to assume that if I follow a cardio/toning routine AND eat cleanly (weight watchers) that I can expect the scale to go down? This has been a source of frustation in the past and I wonder if I was being as strict with both aspects as I thought....because I remember people telling me that the reason the scale wasn't moving was probably because I was weight training with the Firm. I am cutting back on alcohol...so this should help also.

Someone on this board has the tag line of "motivation is what gets you started - results is what keeps you going" or something along those lines...and I really need to see some results to keep me going - so I hope the scale cooperates!!!

Amy

 

[lorihart]

Of course you will see the scale go down but don't weigh yourself to much. I weighed yesterday morning and I was o.k with what I saw.Then for some reason I hoped on again today and I was up 3 1/2 lbs. Needless to say it didn't bother me b/c I know i didn't gain that in one day.I am probably retaining water or something.
But you have to keep that in mind b/c alot of people will get fustrated.If you weigh yourself once every two weeks things should pretty much balance out. Also, take your measurements.
I am thinking about ditching my scale and just going by how my clothes feel b/c the scale can really toy with ya.
Good Luck!
Lori

 

[candi]

If you are weight training....throw the scale away or you will continue to frustrate yourself. JMHO.

 

[Maximus]

I always tell people to weigh themselves once a week at the same time of day. But I do not take my own advice. I weigh myself every stinking day. We have a scale at work in our bathroom & I just can't help myself.

That said, I still don't judge my progress by the scale, I judge it by how I look & how my clothes fit. I think it's OK to check the scale frequently, but not if it's frustrating for you. Just keep doing what you're doing & you'll see results.

 

[materialsgirl]

I agree with Candi. Your weight is essentially a meaningless number if you don't also know your body composition. Tracking your physical measurements (waist, bust, hips, thighs, arms, etc) is a much better way to monitor your progress. Throw away that scale. It will only frustrate you.

 

[Boybert]

I agree about the weight training and being frustrated. I have only lost about 5 lbs but my body comp has totally changed. The scale needs to not be your only marker of success. I think if you weigh yourself constantly you're going to make yourself crazy. I do it maybe once a month. More is fine but I personally think everyday is overkill.

Debbie

 

[kathryn]

Make sure to only weigh yourself once a week, in the morning before you've eaten, and not more often, or you can drive yourself crazy!

The weight on the scale ísn't a very precise indicator of much of anything, except how much you weigh. It doesn't take into account fat vs. lean weight, water retention, etc.

I try to think of the scale as just one element in judging "how I'm doing" when I'm actively trying to lose weight. Other factors, like how I look, how my clothes fit, how firm I am,, are more important.

I'll admit, though, that I do have a " magic number" that I would like to get back to (the weight I was when I came to town). But I'm thinking of that as a "hover point" (ie: some weeks I might be a couple of pounds over, some weeks a couple of pounds under, but if the scale keeps going up, that's time to rein things in) rather than an ultimate goal (ie: the scale MUST read that number every time I get on it).

 

[WD]

I don't weigh myself very often. I keep the scale in the cabinet in the bathroom so I do not feel tempted to stand on it everyday. I used to do it once a week, same day, same time. Now if I know I have been eating loads of food out, or at parties I don't bother. I know what will happen. I will weigh more and it will be food volune and maybe water retention. You soon learn to know what makes the difference. My eating rarely changes a lot. Eat a clean diet and weigh every week or more often.
Diane Sue
http://wd.1ww.us