I found this information on a newsletter that I received from Real Age.
“Don’t weigh yourself every day.” Research found that people who weigh themselves regularly after reaching their goal weight do a much better job of keeping the lost pounds off than people who step on the scale only when the planets align in a certain way. But the operative word here is “after.” While you’re trying to lose weight, a bathroom scale may not be your best friend, since it’s easy to read success or failure into every natural fluctuation. But when people had reached their goals, daily weighers or waist measurers (didn’t know that was a word, did ya?) did best at keeping the pounds off for the long haul.”
How do you feel about this statement? Do you weigh yourself daily when you are trying to lose weight? How about after you have reached your goal weight?
I think weighing onceself daily is a recipe for madness. Your weight can fluctuate a bit from day to day, based on a number of factors. Why stress yourself out about having “gained” one pound when it’s not even a real pound?
I think weekly weigh-ins are sufficient for dieting or maintaining. I actually think that when you’re dieting it can be even better to see if you can weigh in a bit less frequently, like every 2 weeks. That way you’re not at the mercy of an off week. I almost think it’s more important when you’re trying to maintain; how many people lose a bunch of weight and say, “I’m never going to let THAT happen again!”, only to gain it all back? I think weekly weigh-ins there make sense – you can nip a weight gain in the bud, when it’s still a small problem.
I think weighing yourself daily is not a good idea. I mean, you can weigh yourself, step off the scale, step back on the scale, and weigh 2 pounds more than you did 25 seconds ago! ha . But in all seriousness, I do think it’s important to weigh yourself regularly, as in weekly or bi-weekly. It’s important also to find a balance between being healthy about it, and being obsessive. I know for myself, weighing myself too much causes anxiety and stress that I really don’t need. For me, it’s unhealthy to weigh every day.
I’m a glutton for punishment (well, I’m a food glutton too), I weigh myself each and every morning without fail. I don’t like at all the number I see, but I continue to do it everyday. What does that say about me? A form of self-punishment? Eternal hope that the scale is magically going to change? Go figure!
I don’t own a scale so I can’t weigh myself everyday. I actually have a reason why I don’t own one. I get weighted every few months in the Doctor’s office. Right now this is the best healthy situation for me for if I did have a scale I’m thinking I would be obsessed about it. Living through an eating disorder and having a scale don’t mix 🙂
I weigh in once a week, and is discouraging (a bit) not to lose anything in a week. I am interested in why weighing in daily after weight-loss, for maintaining weight, would be better than once a week?
I weigh myself daily. I have no idea why. It doesn’t really make a difference one way or the other, I am still overweight. I have no idea why I do it either, Eileen. I can see the reasoning behind not stepping on the scale every day if you are trying to lose weight. I guess it would be easy to become frustrated and say to heck with it.
Whew! I’m not alone! Okay, now I don’t even care so much why I do it, as long as I’m not the only one!Why is it if we find one person who agrees with us or acts in a similar manner we somehow feel validated?!Thank you, Pam, for making me feel validated!
It’s true, I weigh myself daily. When I was losing weight I weighed myself almost everyday to see the progress (or lack thereof). But now that the weight is off I weigh myself to keep on pace. If I’m gaining a couple pounds, I know I need to cut back on what I’m eating. I do, however, keep in mind that women fluctuate a couple of pounds either way. 113-115 is normal for me. Anything over 115 and I’m eating salad and protein bars!
L, good job. 115. Sigh. I am not jealous! 🙂
I very much agree that while actively dieting daily weighing is not a good idea. If you are like Pam and Eileen and already in the habit, I think it is not as big a deal, but I would not recommend it to others and try not to do it myself.
Once you hit the maintaining stage, I can see why daily weighing may not be a bad idea. It is so easy to fall back into bad patterns in the maintaining stage. I speak from experience. If you are prone to avoidance, I can see how a weekly weigh-in may turn into a monthly weigh-in may turn into a NO weigh-in. Daily keeps you honest.
To Darlene’s point, however, I think we should take into consideration our own personal issues with weight. Sometimes not having a scale in the house is the best policy. Honestly, I think most of us can tell where we are at weight-wise by just putting on our favorite pair of jeans….