Checking my weight

[mochic 8]

I am 5 days post-op and I have already lost 17 pounds since my pre-op appointment. I am reaching out for suggestions on how often I should check my progress/weight, I don't want to become obsessed with, or worse case, be dissappointed.

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

Some people weigh daily, around the same time each day. Be prepared for ups and down, losses and temporary gains...... Fluctuations. I, however, weigh only once a month, at the doctor's office. I unfortunately, let the scale dictate my mood for the day, so now I don't have to deal with it. I am seven months post op. I have seen as little as a three pound loss for the month and as much as an eight pound loss for the month. I've not seen a gain or a stall by only weighing once a month. That's what works for ME. You have to figure out what works for YOU. Best wishes !

[Terribj 208]

I weigh once a day first thing in the morning. I track my progress (total weight loss and inches lost) every Tuesday. If you think you will become too obsessed with the scale I would recommend putting it somewhere so that when you want to weigh it is a deliberate decision. I have a friend who keeps hers in the trunk of her car.

Many people don't weigh at all and just wait until they see the doctor. Which ever choice you make it has to make you feel comfortable. But I agree - don't become obsessed with the numbers on the scale - I love taking my measurements and seeing the progress. Even after 1 week I lost 11 inches. That is worth it right there

[2muchfun 8,927]

I weigh twice a day. Morning and night. Fluctuations don't bother me. I like to make sure the food I'm eating isn't taking me down the wrong road. Many people can't deal with the daily fluctuations. Losing weight is not a linear path. Our weight can go up one day or week and then come down the next. Our weight isn't only fat. It's mostly fluids, so Fluid retention factors into our weight.

I agree that it's important to take your measurements before surgery. I never did but wish I would have. It's especially important if you don't weigh often as I do. We see so many frustrated members who have stalled for a month or two on the scale but their clothes are fitting looser. Muscle replaces fat if you're exercising. Muscle takes up less space than fat.

tmf

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

I didn't even own a working scale until a couple of weeks ago. I weighed at the doctor's office and then immediately upon returning home, and the two weights were only 0.2 pounds different, so I knew I could trust the new scale. That said, I'm 2-1/2 weeks post-op and on liquids, and exercising daily (walking, increasing time each day). This is a hard time to stay on the plan because of the limited food choices and hunger. So for ME, I'm enjoying weighing myself daily because I've started to lose. I had to shed some surgery swelling weight I gained, and it did bum me out for a day. But I now weigh daily after stepping off the treadmill each day. For me, for NOW, it's keeping me motivated. Once I start food, I might not need that validation as often. It's a very personal decision. Weighing daily, I must be prepared for ups and downs, so I'm not depressed if I see a fluctuation that makes no apparent sense. Do what feels right. If you are getting down because of the scale, then weigh only at your doctor's office. Just keep eating right and exercising and it will keep going down. Good luck!

[SlowJourney 57]

I'm with healthynewme on this one. The scale affects my mood so until I'm not seeing my doctor every month or six weeks, I'm only weighting in at the Doctors office. Once monthly visits are no longer required, I think I'll only weigh every two weeks or so, but I have hypothyroidism and it makes it a little harder for me to lose the weight, or more time actually so I don't want to get on the scale and not see progress.

The way my clothes fit tell me everything I need to know anyway.

[enjoythetime 1,457]

I do the same as HealthNewMe. I only weigh in once a month when I check in with my doctor. I'm 10 months post-op and for me I think my weightloss journey has gone by faster not weighing all the time and obsessing every day. I know I have OCD so I threw my scales out a LOONG time ago:-) Now that I'm approaching the maintenance stage though, I know I need to keep and eye on things so I will probably buy one and have my husband hide it and continue my 1 month weigh in's. Best wishes on your continued success!

Edited March 31, 2014 by enjoythetime

[Christy929 18]

I've only been banded for a week but I have made a habit since before surgery go weigh itself every morning. For me, it's a way to start the day as a reminder that the food choices I make have an impact. It helps me set the tone for my day not only with food choices but activity.

[SillyAuntDi 1,610]

I officially weigh and track that weight every Wednesday morning. However, I will occasionally step on the scale on a Saturday or Sunday. I could easily let the scale dictate my mood, so I do avoid stepping on too frequently.

I'm still thinking about moving to monthly weigh-ins...but right now, I think that weekly is good. I can catch things (slight increases) before they snowball into something huge and defeating (not so little increases)

You have to figure out what is best for you on your journey!

[gowalking 10,790]

I weighed in daily while on the losing part of the journey. As with others, I did not let a weight gain derail me as long as I knew it wasn't due to poor decisions on my part. Now that I've transitioned into the maintenance phase, I weigh weekly. If I find this is enough to keep me accountable, I may move to monthly as well.

There's a wonderful thread out there...i wish I can recall the topic title but it's all about the NSVs and the positive changes that happen while you are losing. It's a much healthier way of looking at the journey rather than doing it by focusing on the numbers.

[JosieK 120]

I'm similar to "HealthyNewMe" .... I found the scale messed my head up. So I only weighed once a month. I had to get the scale out of my house in order to do this.....