How often do you weigh yourself?

[asimon]

Hi. I'm new to this site, but not new to weight loss. I came across an interesting article about how often you should weigh yourself, and I thought I would share it here.

I've always been prone to weighing myself daily. Most of the so-called experts have discouraged this practice, instead recommending that you only weigh yourself once a week. But, I find that I just feel better doing it each morning. I can't start my day without knowing how much I weigh. And, now, there are some so-called experts who agree with me!

"...a group of doctors who studied obese and overweight adults who were trying to lose weight as well as overweight adults who were trying to prevent weight gain found that those who weighed themselves more often lost more weight and prevented more weight gain over two years than those who weighed themselves less frequently. Contrary to the advice given in many popular weight loss regimens, this study suggests that at least some people can benefit from the accountability brought on by daily weigh-ins."

I was just wondering if anyone else here weighs themselves daily, or do you all stick to the once-a-week regime? Or, maybe you don't use a scale at all?

Here is the link to the full article quoted above.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55489

[Jayde]

I don't have a set schedule but weigh myself if I think to.. I keep the scale under the bathroom sink. It is easier for me to sweep the floor daily with it put up.

Now I think it is better that I don't weigh myself daily or even weekly. But once I become closer within a range that I will work to maintain, I think it would be better to weigh everyday.. Then I can't go into a denial about my weight. I've read several threads about this and think that most people who successfully maintain, say they weigh daily.. but they don't let the numbers upset them because they understand fluctuations.

[Ready2ShedLBS]

I try to only weigh once a week, keeps me sane. If I weigh everyday, I tend to get a little obsessive compulsive. But thats just me

[RegisteredNurse]

I'm an everyday weigher.

[featherz]

Once a week when I was losing, once every two weeks when maintaining (if the scale was to go up, I'd go back to once a week). I'm obsessive at heart so I know this is better for ME, if not for everyone. :)

[sarahyu]

I weigh myself every morning after I go to the bathroom, before I get dressed. Sometimes I weigh myself in the evening also just to see how much I've eaten/drank. Sometimes it can be a 5 pound difference.

I don't let it affect my mood, if I see that I'm up a little it helps me to stear clear of the small little treats I might normally indulge in-like the candy dish at the reception desk. If I know that my weight is up then I find it easier to skip it and anything else someone might bring in for treats.

Sarah

[Nicklewise]

I weigh myself probably on average 2 a day, before I get in the shower in the morning and again just before bed. I don't let the numbers scare me to much because I can fluctuate b/w 2-4 lbs a day. I find if I weigh myself I am more accountable when putting things into my mouth.

Last night was a prime example, I had bought a bag of chips over the weekend for watching movies but amazingly it went unopened. Last night I finally opened the bag and was able to have only a handful and put the rest back. I was proud of myself.. I just kept thinking to myself I have lost 12 lbs, I want to see that number drop even further! I just don't want to fall of the wagon. Allowing your self a treat is a nice indulgence but I can't wait to hit my first Mini goal 195 pounds I can buy myself a couple new pants!

[Misti in Seattle]

I weigh every day except on weekends, because the scale is at work. :) I tried the once a week thing but it drove me nuts! So I saw no reason not to go back to every day. I read that article also!!!

But I really don't think it matters!! Whatever you are comfortable with! Even as you see in this thread... some people it drives nuts to do it every day; others are just the opposite. :)

[lessthansign3]

I weigh in every week or two. I've got depression issues so weighing in every day and seeing my weight fluctuate could totally mess me up. If I weigh once every week it just feels better to me. I don't weigh during TOM, though.

[Quirky1]

I weigh once a week. When I get to Maintenance I plan on weighing daily though and keeping a daily weigh-in chart near the scale as a reminder. Also, I think it will help me to feel a little accountable to my husband who will see the chart also. He is also losing weight and hopefully he'll want to keep a chart too.

[SupersizedChicky]

I do it several times a day. I like to see what I weigh after I eat or work out, but i'm used to the daily changes so it doesn't bother me to see it go up one morning cause as long as i've stayed true to my diet I know that my real weight is the lowest I last saw. And it always goes down. Plus I've noticed that the next morning after i've lost, it will go up one pound, so no way am I going to miss a morning and not see the progress i've made for another couple of days.

[Mummy_Tummy]

I weigh daily, bright and early every morning. It keeps me motivated to watch even ounces disappear. Keeps me motivated to eat well so I can see the results again the next morning. If I weighed only weekly, I know I'd get a bit sloppy.

[ELEM-PGF]

I can go from daily to 3 times a day depending on the circumstances. I hve tried not weighing for a week or more and found that i can gain a lot in a week! there is a lot to be said for accountability!

[SupersizedChicky]

What kind of scales does everyone have. Mine only goes as small as a half pound. I know that there are ones that measure your fat and everything.

[CheeseBurger&Thighs]

I try to only weigh once a week, keeps me sane. If I weigh everyday, I tend to get a little obsessive compulsive. But thats just me

Me too. Since weight fluctuates daily I would drive myself crazy if I weighed every day. I weigh once a week, same day, same time of day.

[lilybelle]

Throughout my weight loss journey I have weighed only once a week. Just this past 2 weeks, I started weighing twice a week. It is nice to see that little drop in the middle of the week, even it's only a pound. I plan to continue to weigh 2 or 3 times a week once I hit maintenance, due to fear of a few lbs. climbing back on.

[SusanB]

I'm an everyday-er too. When I was heaviest I could have a 6 or 7 pound variation with my period. I learned to watch for patterns, salt, water, hormones ... It's helped me to get my head around normal fluctuations. I feel that I have more power to be discerning about changes that don't normally make sense.

Anne at Maintainers did an excellent job of learning the ebb and flow of her body and tells about it here ....
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51927

[Nichole52476]

Now I weigh myself about 2 times a day , once in the morning before I eat anything and once at night before I go to bed , I stopped weighing myself about 3 months ago because I felt I was at my goal weight but in the time that I had stopped weighing myself I gained weight 5 lbs so I will never go without weighing myself that long again.

[helwa588]

i weigh myself every other day.i know i should weigh myself once a week but i cant help it.

[jillybean720]

For about a year now, I have been weighing myself just about every day. I always said, hey, the daily fluctuations don't bother me (which is true). However, I've discovered this tiny little voice in the back of my mind. When the scale was lower in the morning, it says, "Hey, you've been good--the scale shows it. Go ahead and have that extra treat." I should be eating as healthfully as possible EVERY day, not ust when the scale tells me I need to do so.

Also, I belong to TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). If I have been seeing the scale say too high a number all week, I am much more likely to find an excuse NOT to go to my weekly TOPS meeting/weigh-in for fear of disappointment, embarassment, etc. The times we gain are the times we need support the MOST, not just when we're doing well.

And so, as of Saturday, this daily weigher has placed her scale on the top shelf of the hallway closet. Out of sight, out of mind, right? ;) I WILL go to my TOPS meetings regardless of weight, and I will find out at these meetings what the scale says. I will spend less time thinking about the numbers and more time thinking about developing healthy overall habits for LIFE and not just for weight loss. I thought I had been doing this all along, but having been such a slave to the scale, I am now awake to my reality.

[MtaTJac]

I weigh every day, it really helps me to know if I should skip my nighttime snack :lol:

[jillybean720]

I weigh every day, it really helps me to know if I should skip my nighttime snack :lol:
Exactly my point! What the scale says shouldn't be the deciding factor as to whether or not you have an additional treat :devil: You're either hungry and have it, or you're not, so you don't ;)

[sun_kissed206]

I weigh myself every morning. I like to do it daily because then if I have lost weight (from the day before) I am so excited and so determined to keep it up... and if I have maintained or gained a little than I am more motivated to eat right and make healthy choices.

[Misti in Seattle]

Same here, Sun Kissed! I weigh every morning as soon as I get to work. Great way to start the day if I have lost... and if not I know I just have to keep working at it and "maybe tomorrow..." :) Today it was a happy day, as I zapped one! :dance:

[2frustrated]

I used to weigh-in monthly when I was on a big stupid plateau and I couldn't figure out how to budge it, that was best for my sanity! Now I've got it busted I try to weigh in every day. I keep a tally of my weight and exercise and calories and % in a little diary, just so I know what works.

[FrouFrou]

I don't know how you ladies do it...I would drive myself crazy if I weighed everyday. I do once a week...every Monday morning.

[teatree]

I weigh in daily after I shower, despite my hair being wet and having a bit of water weight. That way, even if I step on the scale a while after I eat, it's not a difference that is too extreme.... usually.

[KriWes]

"I weigh in daily after I shower, despite my hair being wet and having a bit of water weight. That way, even if I step on the scale a while after I eat, it's not a difference that is too extreme.... usually. "

Only thing is...you actually sweat out a lot in the shower, you generally sweat out more than the water that's left in your hair. I weigh about a pound less after a shower. (Yes, I have weighed before and after a shower on more than occasion I'll admit it) Not that it really matters as long as you weigh around the same time each day and don't rely too fully on the scale.

I weigh more than once throughout the day but mostly that's to remind me how inefficient a tracking method it is because I can fluctuate up to 4 or 5 pounds through the day. The inches and clothes sizes are a much better indication of progress. That being said...keep in mind I'm the girl that just admitted she's weighed pre and post shower before. ha ha.

[teatree]

"I weigh in daily after I shower, despite my hair being wet and having a bit of water weight. That way, even if I step on the scale a while after I eat, it's not a difference that is too extreme.... usually. "

Only thing is...you actually sweat out a lot in the shower, you generally sweat out more than the water that's left in your hair. I weigh about a pound less after a shower. (Yes, I have weighed before and after a shower on more than occasion I'll admit it) Not that it really matters as long as you weigh around the same time each day and don't rely too fully on the scale.

I weigh more than once throughout the day but mostly that's to remind me how inefficient a tracking method it is because I can fluctuate up to 4 or 5 pounds through the day. The inches and clothes sizes are a much better indication of progress. That being said...keep in mind I'm the girl that just admitted she's weighed pre and post shower before. ha ha.

Wow! I had no clue! However, as I take a shower in the afternoon, while it's still warm, I've started to have cooler showers. Maybe that's why I'm at a plateau? I should turn up the heat! :lol:

[margaret1975109]

I've recently purchased a scale and have started weighing myself every morning after going to the bathroom and before my morning bath. I knew that some fluctuation was normal, but was quite surprised at how much my weight actually fluctuated.

For the first few days, I was wondering if there was something wrong with my scale. Every consecutive morning I got on the scale, it would show that I've lost a pound. This went on for 4 days and I knew that I couldn't have burned that many calories. Fortunately, on the fifth day, my weight jumped back up 3 pounds. I now average out in my head what the scale has shown for the past few days to get an accurate idea of what my weight is.

So many things can cause you to show a weight gain; even something like needing to go for a number 2. You kind of have to take the numbers on the scale with a grain of salt.

[penpal]

I weigh myself every morning before I get dressed. :goodscale:

[KristiS]

I weigh myself every morning. I just have to remember that it is normal to fluctuate a bit.

[Cardiomonster]

I usually weigh 2x a week - Saturday and Sunday morning - after going the bathroom (at least once) and before getting dressed. If I can't spend at least 45 minutes between getting up and weighing myself, then I skip that day.

I weigh Saturday AND Sunday to verify it as a true weight loss and not a water/salt/hormone fluctuation. I sometimes weigh during TOM - and sometimes not. If I do weigh in TOM, I don't really count it - just note it as I go along.

As for the type of scale question, I use an analog homedics one from Bonton. I tried 5 different digital scales because I wanted precision and reliablility. I got 1 out of 2, it was precisely UNRELIABLE. Everytime I stepped on it (I tried like 10 times in 10 minutes) - it read a different weight - up to 3-5 pounds different. Didn't matter which digital scale - they were ALL like that. :mad:

So I went back to my reliable analog. And I make by bf read the numbers, so I don't have to try to shift to read them. It keeps me honest :p

[phantastica]

I weigh once a week at my TOPS meeting. I also write the weight down and graph my weekly progress in Excel. Oh, and I always try to eliminate variables by eating breakfast and lunch (but not dinner) and drinking half of my daily water before weighing in, so I know it's always roughly the same each week.

The Hacker's Diet (http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/www/hackdiet.html) suggests that, if you weigh yourself daily, graph it so you can see the trend and notice the variance and daily fluctuations.

I sometimes step on the scale at home mid-week just to see how I'm doing.

[bnbsmommy1]

once in the morning and right before bed (because I almost always weigh 2 lbs more at night)

oh, and if I have a big bad craving then I pop on the scales to remind myself of why I don't need it :)

Lacey

[salvi]

I am have OCD when it comes to my scale :dizzy: I weigh myself every morning after I pee in my birthday suit. I take any jewelry off and I comb my hair getting broken hairs out. Now, I know I know, loose hairs aren't going to affect my weight, but like I said, OCD! Oh, and with the after shower thing - my hair comes down to my mid- to lower-back, and I have a lot of it, so, with that said, I have never weighed myself post-shower.

The key is (or so I have been told) is to just be consistent. If you weigh yourself naked, always do; if you weigh with clothes on, always do; weigh yourself at the same time(s) of day, etc. etc. I like to weigh myself every morning cause, like others have said, it makes me think, "you're going to have to weigh in tomorrow, do you really want to eat all those salty chips?" :o

[athenac]

I weigh myself twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. If I have a really bad day, then I'll weigh myself more. :^: Just because I constantly am trying to keep myself in check.