Weighing, stalls & realistic expectations

[zenandnow 514]

So I've noticed that most people pick a day of the week to weigh & record their weight; others weigh every day; others only weigh when they see their doctor. All methods have pros & cons, but I haven't read any posts by anyone who does what I do: I weigh (almost) every day, but only record when I lose. I can see how long my 'stalls' are by how long the period is between losses, but I don't record any gains. I don't know if that's a bad thing, but it does take some of the pressure off me by not focusing on a higher number. As of today I've lost 42 lbs in 12 weeks. Even if you don't count my pre-op loss, that's a rate of 2.8 lbs a week. Of course I didn't lose 2.8 every week! I lost a lot in the beginning, none some weeks, more other weeks, but I've lost steadily. It might FEEL slow, and I've often felt like a slow loser compared to others, but I'm coming to realize that in reality it's actually a pretty good loss rate. (It's hard to give up that self-defeating inner voice.)

So - let's hear it:

How often do you weigh? What do you record, gains and losses, or losses only? Why?

How do you react to 'stalls'? Do you take them in stride, knowing they're part of the process and will eventually end, or do you stress over them?

When you average your weight loss by week, do you think you have realistic expectations or did you expect more?

[MizzouGirl 148]

I'm doing the same thing as you. I pretty much weigh every day unless I don't have access to my scale (ie: vacation) and I only record the losses (here and on mfp). I'm also tracking my loss in a graph in excel (I log my weight on the 15th and last day of the month) so I have a visual of the loss. I've lost 48 lbs in 9 weeks (including 3 day pre-op diet) which is an average of 5.3 lbs/week. If I back out the rapid weight loss in the beginning, I'm losing about 3 lbs per week now. That's pretty good (which I need to remind myself since I haven't lost anything in the last week!). Yes, stalls do stress me a bit but I'm trying to take them in stride.

I was hoping for more but I'm happy especially considering my diet isn't super strict. I'm around 1000 calories per day and I exercise with a trainer at least 3 days a week but I do eat sugar (the real stuff - no scary chemical sweeteners for me!) and some days my fat intake is a tad high. I'm usually at 60ish grams of Protein per day and around 6 glasses of Water. I could be better but for now, I'm doing what's realistic for me.

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

So - let's hear it:

How often do you weigh? What do you record, gains and losses, or losses only? Why?

How do you react to 'stalls'? Do you take them in stride, knowing they're part of the process and will eventually end, or do you stress over them?

When you average your weight loss by week, do you think you have realistic expectations or did you expect more?

I weigh every day, but my "official" weigh in day is Friday. Whatever the scale says this day goes into MFP, Digifit, and the ticker here and at gastricsleeve.com. The other days i just record it in my smartphone bp app

Stalls tell me that I need to change something. Just lately I started upping my Protein (without upping my calories so much) and that seems to have helped. I also increased my fluids.

I'm getting 3 to 5 pounds a week I wanted a pound per day but that's not realistic. As long as it stays 3 -5 I'm happy.

[Georgia 2,911]

I weighed every day while starting out and still weigh most days. But like others, my official weigh day is Friday.

[NurseGrace 509]

THIS. yes. I do not weigh EVERY day because that just makes me crazy and drives me to do stupid things (past eating disorders effect this) but I do weigh in several times a week, LIIIKE maybe three, not set days or anything, just when I feel like it, and when I lose a pound, I claim it.

[Richard Foor 655]

I personally weigh in every time I get to the gym, but I only truly consider it as accurate on Saturday or sunday, depending on which day I make it to the gym that weekend. I do record the weight every weekend. and anytime it is at least 1 lbs down. If you are able to not be discouraged by the weight variations that are perfectly natural it is fine to weigh frequently but if you are one of those people who will get upset everytime your weight doesn't change or worse yet goes up a pound then you should limit the frequency that you weigh in. Good Luck.

[tamee 0]

I am 3 months and one week post op and i weigh everyday. i have lost 58 pounds and feel like i am a very slow loser. There are weeks i do not lose anything at all then have dropped up to 6 the next week. My doctor told me to expect this. He said when i do not lose pounds i am most likely losing inches. i thought i would be further along than i am. I keep telling myself that as long as i don't see any weight gain when i step on the scales then i am doing ok.

[Phil 4:6-7 13]

I weigh on Mondays since that was my pre-op date with the surgeon - I have lost 30lbs as of today including pre-op and had my surgery on 7.17 - so I guess since I started my preop on 07-09 I have lost almost a 1 lb a day - I"LL TAKE IT while I can!

[TwinsMama 483]

I weigh on either Sunday or Monday (I forget sometimes). I am 9 weeks (almost) post-op and have been stalled 7 of those weeks. I was annoyed at first due to me having a lot to lose but the Vets have helped me calm down by reading their words of wisdom.

Now, I almost think it is hilarious that I have so much to lose but the scale won't budge...yes, I'm doing all the recommended tasks/behaviors. It is like my body will be the only one ever to be in the single digits (if I keep losing inches this fast) with a person that weighs over 300 lbs.

I'm ready to take my show on the road. I could so win the "guess your weight" at this point!

[cindymg 629]

Going to crow here -- I have never had a stall. Mostly because I stay off the scale. I won't have one in my house (I am compulsive, and if one was in my house, I would weigh every hour). I weigh at the doctor's office, and lately at the gym -- but only every 2 weeks. Keeps me honest, but sane at the same time.

[zenandnow 514]

Interesting points, all. Thanks for replying, I think it's good to hear how others approach this and the range of reactions.

DonRodolfo, good point about the stalls letting you know you need to change something. If I'm being honest with myself, I can usually look at MFP & see mistakes either in my eating or level of exercise that point to why I haven't logged a loss in a while. Not always, but sometimes. Other times it's just the old bod taking its time to kick in.

My favorite quote: "I wish I were as thin as my patience!"