When Does the Scale Tell You It’s Panic Time?

[Alex Brecher 10,485]

The scale doesn’t always say what we want it to, even when we know we’re eating right and it should go down. There are daily fluctuations, which is why you can’t get bent out of shape about one bad weigh-in.

At the same time, the scale holds us accountable. At some point, you’ve got to accept the fact that maybe the scale is trying to tell you something, even if it’s not something you want to hear. For me, in maintenance mode, I give it about a week and a few pounds. If I’m up by more than about 3 pounds for more than a week, I take the scale seriously and try to reevaluate – what am I doing wrong and how can I fix it?

So when do you ignore the scale, and when do you take its warning signs seriously?

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Good topic but I disagree with the phrase "panic time". I HOPE that I never get to a point where the numbers on the scale instill panic. Concern, yes but not panic.

[Katnroyal 225]

I weigh every other week. I give myself a 5 lb range if I get above that I refocus get back on track and get back down where I want to be. We do need to listen to the scale because we don't want it to get out of hand, been there done that right? Just remember DO NOT WEIGH DAILY!!!

[Babbs 14,680]

I weigh every other week. I give myself a 5 lb range if I get above that I refocus get back on track and get back down where I want to be. We do need to listen to the scale because we don't want it to get out of hand, been there done that right? Just remember DO NOT WEIGH DAILY!!!

Gosh, i'd hate to disagree with someone who has obviously done very well and has been in maintenence a lot longer than I have, but I'm a daily weigher at 18 months out. I feel I can start to be proactive BEFORE I see that 5 extra pounds that may sneak up on me in a couple weeks without weighing. When I'm up 2 or 3, I do some adjustments until back to my comfort zone.

It may change when I'm a little further out like you, but for now weighing daily works for me.

But what do I know. I'm still a relative noob with maintenence

[Kindle 8,667]

I don't own a scale, so I weigh when I think of it...usually 2-3 times/month. I make it a point to step on the scale at work after a particularly carby weekend or vacation or holiday so I know if I have to be "good" that week. My lowest weight was 138, but I typically hover around 140-142. If I see 143 I buckle down with basics....protein and veggies. I saw 145 twice and immediately put myself on a few days of liquid "preop diet". That knocks the extra lb's off pretty quick.

I've even started making "preemptive strikes" before holidays or vacation when I know I will be eating off plan. I eat super clean and try and get down to the bottom of my bounce range before I head out. Makes any gains much easier to deal with afterwards. I've found the scale to be much more helpful in maintenance than while losing.

[jj7481 363]

I've found I can't weigh daily for the simple fact of reducing "panic mode." For the most part its because I don't see a loss, but I have had a 3 day period where I gained 3 lbs. When I reevaluated things over the last week I discovered my diet had a LOT of sodium (and my Water intake was lacking). Got myself back on track and back to losing I went.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Daily weigher and yes, I panic. I give myself 7 pounds from my low weight to bounce. It's not anxiety producing, but it makes me keep it at the forefront.

[KristenVSG2014 1,871]

I have a normal 1-3 lb fluctuation. I start to panic when it gets over 5 lbs. I weigh a few times a week.

[Miss Mac 6,261]

My doctor told me to put the scale away for month, and I gained ten pounds! So, I am back to weighing daily and I leave myself a three-ounce bounce. Being as I can gain three pounds overnight, I have to weigh daily to stay ahead of the game. And if I gain three pounds overnight, it takes me weeks to lose it.

[amazon 579]

I have a normal 1-3 lb fluctuation. I start to panic when it gets over 5 lbs. I weigh a few times a week.

Same here. Me exactly ????

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

I've gone back to daily weighing. I'm still losing. If my food is clean and I've been recording it accurately, I don't worry if I'm up even two pounds from the day before. I know it will come back off. The one time I won't weigh myself is a morning when I need to feel my absolutely most confident (like a court date for the damn divorce), because if it went up instead of down from the day before, that can mess with my head.

[mama0297 6]

My one year sleeve-sary, is next week, wait don't congratulate me yet! Yup...I've lost about 91#s initially...then the holidays...now I'm up 13#s. Not too bad you say?! Well I am panicing because of health issues, specifically, diabetes. It did not take much weight for it to develop for me. Seen pcp today and discussed Byetta and even to bring up revision to surgeon next week, that is if it gets to that point. Now I feel as if I should've weighed myself more often...maybe monthly atleast?! Please understand that even though I am panicked, I will excerise (no pun intended) every avenue that brought me to my 91# loss. I still haven't even reached goal...what a naughty lady!

Edited February 16, 2016 by mama0297

[Nurse_Lenora 903]

I am only 1 week post op.....well, it will be a week tomorrow so at this point I weight daily and when I step on the scale and don't see a weight loss its time to take a look at my intake and movement.

Of course this will change the closer I get to my goal weight but for now its where Im at.

[4MRB4PHOTO 3,899]

When my talking scale says "Whoa, fatty! Only one at a time please".

I also learned it says "Glug! Glug! Glug! Help me, I'm drowning!" when I threw it in the bathtub afterwards.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I weigh daily and record my weekly and monthly weights, too.

I don't worry at all about daily weight fluctuations.

I don't worry much about weekly fluctuation (most I've ever gained in a week is 2.0 pounds).

Thus far (nearly 18 months post-op) I've always weighed less every month than the month before -- although I think this month will truly the end for me, as it should be at 135 pounds.

But if I started to gain from this bottom weight, I wouldn't just keep gaining. From this bottom point I think a 2-pound gain would be a signal for me to dial it down the following week.

Key to all this FOR ME is that I have to weigh daily and record my weekly and monthly weights. Constant vigilance will be as critical for maintenance as for weight loss. I suffer from obesity. I have it under control now. If I stop paying attention and caring for myself it could get away from me again.

Not gonna do that!