Throw away those SCALES!

[dwiley56 5]

I don't look at scale any more, i don't even own one. I base my weight loss on inches lost and how I feel. I get excited if my clothes feel loose or if i can walk an extra lap at the track. I have found that scales bind us to unrealistic goals, the type of goals that often disappoint and discourage us if we fail to meet them.

[cheryl2586 3,053]

I believe that having a scale keeps you on track and is an important tool to your weight loss. I dont believe that it should be used everyday but throw it away no way. I need to be able to be accountable for every single pound if I should start gaining.

[dwiley56 5]

I see your point. every pound should be accounted for, i choose the only weight for my doctor. I used to weight in everyday and if scale didn't show me a 'reduction in pounds' i was pissed or sad, sometimes both.

I believe that having a scale keeps you on track and is an important tool to your weight loss. I dont believe that it should be used everyday but throw it away no way. I need to be able to be accountable for every single pound if I should start gaining.

[bromo 17]

I also use my scale as a tool to see what is working and what is not. If they scale isn't moving then something needs to change and it helps me to know just when to do that. I do weigh daily, but usually just record my weight weekly.

[Jachut 487]

So true. I got sooooo skinny during chemo, but I was elated that the scale read 60kg (which is underweight for me by the way). I've regained 5kg. I'm 65 (somewhere between 140 - 145lb) at 5ft 10, all the clothes I was wearing when i was so skinny still fit (I've made huge efforts to regain lean muscle, not fat) and I'm still thin, I know that objectively. But i feel like a fat cow because my weight has gone up by 5kg. I had cancer, for crying out loud, I was deathly ill and having horrible treatment. But I feel like a failure, yep because my weight has gone up by 5kg. Its now 2kg above the bottom of my healthy weight range. But I'm beating myself up for not being underweight still.

All because of a stupid number.

[Humming Bird 275]

Yes, the numbers on the scale can mess with my head sometimes. I think clothing sizes are more important to me.

I feel great when I fit in size 10 jeans and I feel obese when I'm in a 12. It's strange to feel that way because I started this journey in size 22 and 24.

[elcee 3,341]

Clothing sizes are not what they used to be either. I am happy because I wear a size 8 pants (US4) which makes me feel really good. However the other day I was going through a bag of clothes from about 20 years ago.(No I'm not a hoarder but I do keep my good stuff) 2 of the skirts were marked size 10 and I used to fit in them easily.They didn't even come close to doing up around my waist which made me feel fat and miserable. So that probably means that the size 8s I wear now are the equivalent of a 12 or even 14 from when I was younger. (That probably does make sense as I am not slimmer now than I was then).

It's amazing how a simple number can affect your mood.

[Humming Bird 275]

Mirrors and cameras too ......ugh

[Cazzy 725]

I know a lot of people advise not weighing in daily but i do and i record my weight on a weekly basis, if i havent lost any weight or have remained the same i am fine if i have put on a 1lb overnight i work extra hard the next day to get it off. Being diabetic I was used to monitoring my sugar after each meal so i could see what food affected my sugar levels, i see my scales as a similar tool, i see what food doesnt help me lose wieght and i adjust my food accordingly. After a year of weighing every day i am used to the fluctuations in weight each day so it doesnt affect me at all now but i can really understand why some would get upset or disappointed weighing in on a daily basis. The trick is to weigh yourself at the same time always. We all cope with things differently and no one way is the right way.. and life would be pretty boring if it was

[brenda62 47]

I do not have a scale at home, I weight once a week at the gym. That way I do not see the ups and downs of the week and it is something I look forward to every week.

[Marla290 3]

I weigh myself every Monday and sometimes I sneak in another weigh in during the week and I love it! Even if I were to gain a pound it helps me to improve my eating habits. I agree that reading to much into the numbers can drive u crazy though! LOL...

[Thee-O 15]

I agree with checking in on the weight about once a week. Especially if you are lifting weights and building muscle than the improvement in the inches might be bigger than what you see on the scale since muscle is heavier than fat.

Being obsessive with the scale isn't healthy in my opinion, but yes, you should always be accountable.