To Weigh or not to Weigh? – The Dreaded Scale and the Unending Question!
How to weigh yourself
OK … so we might as well enjoy a little humor with this subject!
This is the most fascinating question and seems to generate an unbelievable amount of responses; each person fairly secure that their manner of facing the dreaded scale to measure their weight is the correct way.
I can’t believe I was doing it wrong all these years!
There seems to be a happy medium that needs to be sought and it is different for each person. While we need the scales to monitor our progress, the results seem to lead us through a range of emotions from depressed and ready to give up to being elated and motivated to continue our plan with vigor.
The truth may be that we need to be kinder and gentler to ourselves and realize that our true goal is to change to a healthier lifestyle and that if we are committed to that, day-by-day, we WILL achieve our goal! The scale is merely a tool to help us monitor our progress from time to time. The journal of our food intake, the calories and the exercise we commit ourselves to do is the real indicator of our success; the scale is the ultimate truth machine as to whether or not we’re doing that correctly.
So, just as the tortoise went slow and easy, was steady and determined, remember who one the race? Through the never-ending faith and persistence, the tortoise won the race and so can you!
Below are comments from various people who, just like you, face this question and try to make sense of it; each ultimately trying to develop a plan to monitor our weight that works positively for us. You may find your feelings somewhere below or you may have other feelings that have not yet been expressed. Please feel free to share them in the comment section at the bottom of the blog so others facing their own journeys can receive the benefit of your knowledge.
Should I weigh daily?
I weigh daily, each morning, as soon as I awake. I go to the bathroom and weigh without clothes so my true weight is recorded each day. In this manner, I can make adjustments in my eating choices for that day based on what the scale shows. I am aware that there can be a fluctuation of 1-2 pounds due to water weight so that never bothers me. It does give me immediate confirmation of my behavior and I hold myself accountable to make the appropriate adjustments swiftly for any weight outside of that so I remain on course.
OK … so we might as well enjoy a little humor with this subject! This is the most fascinating question and seems to generate an unbelievable amount of responses; each person fairly secure that their manner of facing the dreaded scale to measure their weight is the correct way.
I can’t believe I was doing it wrong all these years!
There seems to be a happy medium that needs to be sought and it is different for each person. While we need the scales to monitor our progress, the results seem to lead us through a range of emotions from depressed and ready to give up to being elated and motivated to continue our plan with vigor.
The truth may be that we need to be kinder and gentler to ourselves and realize that our true goal is to change to a healthier lifestyle and that if we are committed to that, day-by-day, we WILL achieve our goal! The scale is merely a tool to help us monitor our progress from time to time. The journal of our food intake, the calories and the exercise we commit ourselves to do is the real indicator of our success; the scale is the ultimate truth machine as to whether or not we’re doing that correctly.
So, just as the tortoise went slow and easy, was steady and determined, remember who one the race? Through the never-ending faith and persistence, the tortoise won the race and so can you!
Below are comments from various people who, just like you, face this question and try to make sense of it; each ultimately trying to develop a plan to monitor our weight that works positively for us. You may find your feelings somewhere below or you may have other feelings that have not yet been expressed. Please feel free to share them in the comment section at the bottom of the blog so others facing their own journeys can receive the benefit of your knowledge.
Should I weigh daily?
I weigh daily, each morning, as soon as I awake. I go to the bathroom and weigh without clothes so my true weight is recorded each day. In this manner, I can make adjustments in my eating choices for that day based on what the scale shows. I am aware that there can be a fluctuation of 1-2 pounds due to water weight so that never bothers me. It does give me immediate confirmation of my behavior and I hold myself accountable to make the appropriate adjustments swiftly for any weight outside of that so I remain on course.
It makes me absolutely crazy to get on the scale daily; it is an emotional roller coaster.
When a “bad” number shows up, I immediately head to the kitchen to eat; it is self-defeating.
My moods are affected greatly by the numbers on the scale; I just can’t weigh daily. I had to step away from the scales.
I couldn’t stay away from the scales so I gave them to a family member and got them out of the house and removed the daily temptation to get on them. I was drawn to the scales like a moth to a flame and it was not producing good results.
Should I weigh weekly?
I weigh in weekly on the same day each week; it provides me with additional motivation. A few days prior to my weigh in I really buckle down to see some results.
I’m in Weight Watcher’s and weigh every week.
I just keep doing what I know to do and then when I get weighed in a month, I can see how much I’ve lost and take pleasure in my achievement.
I try staying off the scale and it helps me to have longer periods between my weighing sessions. I don’t let the scale rule my life.
I weigh once a month. Although I remain curious and am tempted, it has helped me stay on my plan. Previously, I used the slight change in numbers to derail myself from my plan.
Should I take a hammer to the scales and throw them away?
I threw out the scales and ignore them; I go by howI feel and how my clothes fit.
I only get weighed at the doctor’s office.
I don’t weigh.
I may take a hammer to my scales once I’ve reached my goal!
What if the scales don’t change?
Give yourself a HUGE HUG and a pat on the back; you HAVE made progress! Your weight has remained constant and you have not gained!!! That is improvement over your past behavior and leads to the advancement of your understanding, which is ultimately what is needed when making a long-term lifestyle change!
Besides, the scales should change in the following week or two. Remember the tortoise; they will! :]
What if the scales go up?
A slight shift upwards could be due to the time of day; we tend to weigh heavier as the day progresses or it could be that you are wearing a heavier outfit than you weighed in last time.
If you’re exercising, muscle weighs heavier than fat and this can account for a minimal weight gain.
Journal your food intake, absolutely everything, and see how many calories you are truly consuming. Count every bite that goes in your mouth, including tasting dinner while cooking, eating a few bites from the plates of your children or grabbing a candy or two from the office candy jar; you may be surprised.
If you’re still having trouble and they continue to go up, send me your journal and how to contact you and we will discuss.
Sunshine wishes and many heartfelt hugs … always … Ranae
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I don’t weigh.
I may take a hammer to my scales once I’ve reached my goal!
What if the scales don’t change?
Give yourself a HUGE HUG and a pat on the back; you HAVE made progress! Your weight has remained constant and you have not gained!!! That is improvement over your past behavior and leads to the advancement of your understanding, which is ultimately what is needed when making a long-term lifestyle change!
Besides, the scales should change in the following week or two. Remember the tortoise; they will! :]
What if the scales go up?
A slight shift upwards could be due to the time of day; we tend to weigh heavier as the day progresses or it could be that you are wearing a heavier outfit than you weighed in last time.
If you’re exercising, muscle weighs heavier than fat and this can account for a minimal weight gain.
Journal your food intake, absolutely everything, and see how many calories you are truly consuming. Count every bite that goes in your mouth, including tasting dinner while cooking, eating a few bites from the plates of your children or grabbing a candy or two from the office candy jar; you may be surprised.
If you’re still having trouble and they continue to go up, send me your journal and how to contact you and we will discuss.
Sunshine wishes and many heartfelt hugs … always … Ranae
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Positive Thoughts from Becky …
Affirmation: I choose to be a happy person.
Truth Be Known: Don’t sweat the small stuff—it’s all small stuff.
Quotes: One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. -- Andre Gide
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. --Chief Joseph
Funny: I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every minute of it.
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Affirmation: I choose to be a happy person.
Truth Be Known: Don’t sweat the small stuff—it’s all small stuff.
Quotes: One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. -- Andre Gide
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. --Chief Joseph
Funny: I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every minute of it.
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1 Comment:
I choose not to use a scale. I prefer to judge my success by how my clothes fit. It's inches that matter to me, not the weight itself. After all, weight can change based on water, muscle mass, etc. and thus can be misleading. Even though I'm not obese or dramatically overweight, I agonize over stepping on a scale. I therefore choose to stay on a healthy diet and exercise almost daily. Good luck to you in your endeavors and yeah, don't sweat the small stuff.
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