I think seeing the number on the scale is hindering me from losing weight in some way. If I see a gain, then I will binge. I know the body fluctuates all the time, so I am thinking that I want to follow my plan and not get on the scale frequently, maybe once a month? I want to go by how my clothes fit instead.

Anyone else done this and been successful?

I lost about 20 pounds without the scale. I hadn't intended to lose weight [at least not as quickly as I did] so had packed away the scale. When my size 22 pants were falling off and all my belts were too big and size 18s were suddenly loose...I decided to step on again.

You can do it. The scale gives an instant reward. Lose 2 pounds see it on the scale. Clothes give a bigger reward, but it takes longer to get the payoff. If you can handle the waiting, it'll work for you.

The scale is my way of keeping myself in check...If I dont weigh myself then I dont realize that the way I'm eating is helping or hurting...I didnt have use a scale all summer and I gained way too much weight because I wasn't being held accountable.... If you stick to your diet then you may be fine but because I wasn't checking up on myself I wasnt doing fine.

I highly recommend you try this At 38, after years of focusing on a "goal weight" and "losing weight" i think I'm finally getting into my head that the goal is to lose FAT, not "weight". And you can't tell on the bathroom scale whether you are losing water, muscle, fat, or anything. So yeah, tape measure instead of scale gets my vote

I'm a fan of both the scale and tape measure. I use the scale daily to keep myself in check like one of the above posters. I find that even if I see fluctuation, as long as it shows an overall decrease, I'm happy. I learned to deal with my frustration re: fluctuations about a month ago, so I don't despair or binge like I used to with increases. Everytime I drop 4-5 lbs, I take out the tape measure to see if the inches are decreasing as well. That's a way for me to tell that I'm not getting happy over water weight - other things are happening as well.

Totally agree with SunnyP. I was getting into an obsessive pattern with the scale, which was just detrimental to my emotional wellbeing, so I gave it away. I used the tape instead, and my wedding dress. I have managed, this month, to zip it up all the way without struggle. Have gone from a 10 to a 2 this way, so yeap tape works best for me.

If you feel the scale is detrimental don't weigh in often- do once a week or even once a month.

I weigh in a few times a week because it keeps me in check, seeing a higher number doesn't make me binge, it helps keep me focused (though so do lower numbers as well).

*this*

I think I will follow Oprah Winfrey's trainer Bob Green's advice and not weight myself the first month. I will weigh October 23rd and give my body a chance to get used to all the ups and downs and changes. If that works, then once a month it is.

7 years ago I lost almost 50 pounds in 4 months and looked at the scale... twice? in that time. I was "dieting" but it was Fun, yes a capital F.U.N. I enjoyed my dance classes, frisbee golf, hiking. I was watching my intake but not the scale.

Now I am a weigh-in fanatic... I'm trying to break myself of it.

Thanks Uniquely. I am focusing too much on the number on the scale rather than making myself healthy, so I'm hoping this will work.

I go by my Myotape more than anything, but I always weigh myself Saturday morning like clockwork. It always drops, so it keeps me motivated to do all of my workouts!