Stop. Relying. On. Scales. For. Progress

(Carolyn aka stokies) #1

That’s it.

:rofl::joy::rofl::stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye::crazy_face:

Thank you for attending my TEDtalk…

:wink:

(Scott) #2

I have a two pound loss this morning so I am not going to ditch my scale now.

(Bunny) #3

Hmmmm?

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#4

I often exhale 2 pounds in one night but my scales degree of error is .5 pounds

(Carolyn aka stokies) #5

Just so many are hyper fixated on the scale as a means of monitoring that the progress and NSV are not noticed. Weight loss is a side effect of getting healthy. I feel that often gets overlooked. That is all.

#6

This is true, we don’t really need them and I often dont use mine for days but I like using it to see how much I sweated during a long hike. I drink two pounds of water on a hike and come home 4 pounds lighter so I know about how much salt I lost. (not so much in the winter)

(Scott) #7

I get a lot of ups and downs so while a loss is always fun I don’t go crazy over day to day changes. That said I am down four pounds this week and it is only Tuesday. I decided to fast through breakfast the last two days and my body is responding, who knew. I am also sick again too so I could bounce back up.

(Scott) #8

I use mine as a tool. It logs via WiFi and weigh after waking each day. It is really interesting to see a graph of weight over a two year period. The graph also has a trend or average line. All the lighter spikes that are up and down around that trend show how much fluctuation occurs. It is something I enjoy but to each their own. Weighing is not required.

(Jennibc) #9

Can I rely on my scale to keep me honest? In the past, the times I ‘avoid’ the scale I have gained. The times I say I am going to face the music by getting on the scale, I tend to keep the weight off or gain less if I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing. That said, I don’t think the number on the scale should be the source of any kind of shame. Shame undermines us.

(Christy) #10

I have a pretty good relationship with my scale thus far. I weigh every morning &, if it doesn’t fluctuate too much I don’t put too much emphasis on the number. As long as Ifeel good, I just keep trudging along :surfing_woman:t2:

(Jennibc) #11

I am everyday person too. I know that it will fluctuate up and down by day based on how well I slept, water retention etc. But the idea of getting on the scale each and every morning is what keeps me away from sugar and grain. Both of those will be a multi-pound gain that I will then work at least 5 days to take off. So knowing that I will have to see that the next day keeps me from eating it today.

#12

I weight every morning too. I don’t get too fussed about the fluctuations. I’ve been doing this (trying to lose) for a very long time and I know how it goes.

When I stop weighing, then I’m in trouble. Outta sight, outta mind.

(charlie3) #13

I have a bio impedence scale. I get on it first thing in the morning and last thing before bed. I don’t pay attention to the displayed pounds. The scale saves it’s measurments. Every day or two I bring my phone close to the scale and the data is transfered via bluetooth. I have 6 months of measurements. The day to day data isn’t informative. It doesn’t get interesting until you are looking at trends over months.

I also have been tracking food with Cronometer for a year. I can generate charts in both programs and look for relationships. One of the most interesting trends so far is the most recent one where I’ve been doing carnivore. I’m eating a stupid amount of calories but body weight, including body fat are the same or declining. That observation makes it easier to let my body have it’s way for a while and see of appetite normalizes.

#14

Tape measure: bro
Scale: not bro

(squirrel-kissing paper tamer) #15

I think the scale is harmless if it’s looked at unemotionally as just one more piece of data such as: tape measure + loose bra + feel better + I’m healthier + NSV + NSV + my weight. Then it’s just a piece of information that makes a whole.

When folks live and die by it, use it as a sole marker for success and tie self worth to it that’s a recipe for feeling bad and creating stress.

#16

It’s all good :o)

(Windmill Tilter) #17

I wish I had a programmable scale that would only display the value if I went outside of a specified range. Or maybe it might be nice to see a 2 week moving average, so that all the ups and downs just smoothed out to a reassuring gentle downward slope. Anybody have a scale like that? If not, why doesn’t anybody make a scale like that? I’d buy 2. :yum:

(Carolyn aka stokies) #18

That would be an amazing tool especially for those recovering from eating disorders too… you might have a brilliant idea here!

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #19

Dont. Tell. Me. What. To. Do :joy:

if I don’t check my scale weight daily, I lose track and put on weight.
I don’t change anything with regards to the results (I don’t freak out when I gain) but it helps me to keep track and confirm that what I did the previous day was positive.

I started carnivore 2 days ago and i’m already 5lbs down. That’s motivating :stuck_out_tongue:

(Carolyn aka stokies) #20

That is awesome! It is a useful tool for sure - I just wanna shake people who live and die by the scale changes and not realize it is a dynamic number influenced by not only what is eaten, but hormonal interactions of sleep, coritsol etc…

Keep kicking ass!