To weigh or not to weigh

[Maddie 9]

This may seem dumb, seeing as how I know most of you weigh on a regular basis. But, I don't know if I want to buy a scale or not.

In the past, the scale ran my life and depending on what it said to me each day, determined my mood, etc. In fact, very often when dieting, if I saw good numbers, I would think, "cool, I lost a few lbs., I can cheat a little". LOL

So, I was wondering if everyone weighs and how often. I'm scared of falling back into that trap of letting it dictate my life, instead of trusting that if I follow my post-op diet properly, that I will lose.

[stcyt 15]

Part of the reason I got the surgery was to be free from obsessive dieting and letting the numbers on the scale rule my life. I weighed daily at first just because it was so exciting but the first day I stayed the same (I think around day 14) I took the batteries out of the scale. I want to weigh once a month because I can't stand the mind #$%@ that comes with the stalls etc. I know in my head that stalls are about your body using Water to convert fat to glycogen... but I cant help but let the number freak me out.

scales are evil (for me anyway)

[Maddie 9]

Thanks! I'm glad it's not just me.

[Tiffykins 672]

I'm a self-proclaimed "scale whore". I had to weigh daily sometimes 3-4 times a day. It kept me accountable, it gave me something to look forward to every day. I never had a true stall (14 days with zero weight lost) so I never had to experience that frustration. The longest I ever went without a loss was 10 days, and I was within a few pounds of my goal weight.

The only issue I have with being a scale whore is now that I am below goal, and somewhat maintaining, I miss seeing the number drop on the scale. It's a catch 22 to be honest, I loved seeing the numbers drop every day, but once it stopped, I was pissed.

I simply replaced missing that "high" from losing with buying super adorable tiny clothes. Well, okay, I admit I've been a shopping whore since I got out of plus size clothing, it's only gotten worse now that I am in single digit sizes.

It's a really personal choice, and I had to weigh every day. My batteries died once, and I freaked out because we didn't have the right size of batteries. I went to Wal-Mart and bought batteries immediately. It probably wasn't very "healthy", but it's what got me through the losing stage.

[Maddie 9]

Thanks Tiff, I guess it's whatever gets us through, huh?

[CraftyChristie 62]

I think everyone is different... but for me the scale has been a source of emotional rollercoaster-ing. So I am choosing not to weigh very often. In the first few weeks I am only going to weigh at my follow up appointments at 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks. After that hubby and I have talked about doing weigh ins, progress photos, and measurements once a month, either on the first so we can do it together, or on the monthly 'surgaversary' of our respective surgery dates.

I truly believe if you wait long enough between weigh-ins (a month or so), you will always have a loss of some sort to be happy about. If not, you can reevaluate some things I guess... but at least for me I think this is a good plan. I want to focus more on what I'm DOING (food, exercise), how I'm FEELING (less pain, more energy), and what clothes I am fitting into because I have boxes of smaller clothes in my garage. Those things are why I'm doing this - the number is not the reason I am doing this so why should it matter so much??!

With all that said, I think you have to know your SELF and find what works for YOU because we are all different.