Quote:
Originally Posted by little edie
Okay, so I broke down and bought a scale. I was determined not to obsess about my weight at home since it really only counted at the Metabolic Research Center. But I missed some official weigh-ins and was worried I was losing track of my weight.
Anyway, after three official home weights followed by center weigh-ins within thirty minutes, I have found my home scale weighs me two pounds heavier. This part doesn't really matter, but it has helped me determine the best time of day to head over to MRC to make it official.
I also have my own set of weigh-in clothes (a very thin Old Navy tee and linen shorts or yoga capri pants). My hair has to be absolutely dry and I don't wear my usual chunky jewelry. I go weigh in after sleeping six hours without any water touching my lips except for that on my toothbrush.
I know, I know.
I've fallen into the very trap I thought I had avoided.
Anyone else have superstitions or secrets?
I weigh about 3 times a day, although morning and night only sometimes. Gains really don't get me down, they just get me focused. And losses don't lead to cheats, only motivate me to work harder. I can't imagine showing up for a WI and not having any idea what it will say...now that would stress me out and make me depressed if I was expecting one thing and got another.
If I gain from one day to the next 'unexpectedly', it makes me immediately think about what I ate the day before that impacted me like that. I need that immediate feedback. My center is constantly telling me not to weigh everyday because it can cause a 'mental plateau', but since it really doesn't impact my mood and helps keep me focused, I keep doing it.
As far as WI secrets, what works for me is having only a bar or shake (the pre-made ones, not the powder that apparently makes a huge drink? Haven't tried it yet.) I can't possibly wait to eat until after I WI. I'm up by 6:30am (often earlier) and always wake up hungry, as I have my whole life. Since the center doesn't open until 9:00am, there's no way I can wait that long to eat, so I eat what doesn't weigh much! And I don't drink any water beyond the minimum necessary. I take my 32oz water bottle with me and guzzle in the parking lot after I WI. I also wear the lightest outfit I have.
On days when I work out and WI on the same date, I can really manipulate the scale! I'll lose 1 1/2 to 2 pounds working out in just water weight. But, I quickly decided it wasn't worth it since it's not real weight loss. So, I weigh myself before I work out and after and drink enough water to get me close to the start weight (okay, maybe not all the way back...
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I am very sensitive to salt, so the day before I weigh in I avoid all salty foods like tuna, shrimp or creamy HNS of any kind so I'm carrying extra water weight because of the salt. For the same reason, I avoid eating out the day before WI's, too.
Those are my tricks to avoid random WI readings.