Comments on: How Much Credit Do You Give the Scale?

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:58:41 +0000

I hop on the scale most mornings, though I’m not obsessive about it and sometimes I just plain forget, but I never let it freak me. I find that if I don’t weigh regularly, the weight just creeps upward and upward. I need that little reality check. Otherwise, it’s just a number and a routine.

By: Tom Kopff

Tom Kopff — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:03:57 +0000

I hop on the scale every morning at work, and the Wii Fit every Saturday (this is my ‘official’ weight). At work, to avoid getting bummed out, I set the scale to the weight I started at in April (about 244 lbs.) and then count down in 2 pound increments. So even if, like after Christmas, I was up 5 pounds from what I was in November, pre-Thanksgiving, I can see that I have still made a lot of progress, 35 pounds worth. I find that weighing in every morning helps keep me on the straight and narrow.

By: dawne

dawne — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:33:19 +0000

i like how you say it is ONE form of measurement…I give the scale WAY TO much power. Thanks Roni!!!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:19:37 +0000

I lost 40 pounds 3 years ago. before that I was up and down with the scale as my enemy and best friend, but could never get the numbers out of my head, and it did effect my head. But 3 years ago I put away the scale and lost 40 pounds. Did not even know how much I lost until a year later I went to gyno appt. and they always weigh me.. I was down 43 pounds from the year before.. I always go by how my clothes fit me and now know when I need to get my butt in gear again.. which I am doing right now after all the HOLIDAYS!!!!

By: Amberly

Amberly — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:41:50 +0000

I normally do weigh in everyday. Sometimes the number does affect my mood. But to me it’s not the scale… it’s me… I get upset/disappointed in myself because I know that I’m the one making the mistakes and hopes that the scale doesn’t catch it. Now if I’m on track and have been good… when the number happens to maybe go up a pound or two, I don’t sweat it. I know that I’m doing things right…. it only affects me when I have a guilty conscience. So I don’t think I personally give the scale too much credit… but I know of people who let it lead their entire lives.
Thanks for your post, I will choose choices with you from now on!
~Amberly

By: Kara

Kara — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:07:15 +0000

Hi Roni! I totally agree that there is too much credit given to the scale. I weigh in once/twice a week – only on Wednesday. I weigh myself each Wednesday morning, first thing, and then each Wednesday night at my WW meeting to maintain my lifetime member status. I don’t really pay much attention to the night number, though, since it fluctuates greatly based on what I eat that day.

I used to weigh every day and it was much too stressful! I like how I do it now. :)

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:58:01 +0000

I use the scale to give myself a reality check. At my preferred weight range (its a several pound range) I am between sizes, so I have clothes that range in size in my closet. When I tend towards choosing the larger sizes more and more often, I know it’s time to hop on the scale and look at a number to give myself a kick in the pants.

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:41:11 +0000

I have a love/hate relationship w/ the scale also. Obviously, I love it when it tells me I am down and I hate it when it tells me I am up. One thing that has helped me is to have someone weigh me (or use the “hidden” form on the WII) just to have the info and a starting point, I will get back on my healthy plan (WW) and then I look at my weight a week later. So I am looking at a week-old weight and I am not emotionally attached to it b/c (hopefully) I have had a better week and am weighing less when I look at it. Assessing my weight a week old helps w/ my emotional state and doesn’t make me as crazy. Thanks for all you post, I really enjoy reading. It really is nice to know that I am not the only one who does all these kooky things w/ food and body issues.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:09:19 +0000

Unfortunately, I give the scale too much credit. It will ruin or make my entire day. When it ruins my day, it usually started a downward spiral of beating myself up. Luckily, in my case, it is somewhat better after lots of therapy, but it still effects my mood. I HATE IT.

I am only weighing in once a month to take motivation away from the number.

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:16:25 +0000

Roni,
I am in the same boat as you.. only I have not gathered the courage to step on the scale yet! I am pretty sure it is hovering around 155 though. I honestly just stopped caring over the holidays. I would still exercise occasionally, but really not enough (5K run every 2-3 weeks). Now I am still not sure that I want to step on it. I am considering just making healthy choices and counting points until my jeans are not so tight THEN stepping on. If I get on now and see a really high number I am worried I will give up before I even get started.