I have a problem with scale obsession, so I don't own a scale anymore. Still, I have decided that I will join the 2010 Weight Loss Challenge, and this means that I will be heading to friend's today to weigh in. I am excited, and look forward to the validation, but I am still worried that I will be disappointed.
I know I should probably bite the bullet and buy a scale soon, but I need some guidance on handling it. Any ideas ?

Gosh - you will get as many different answers as there are people on this subject. This is such a personal choice that people make based on their experiences.

For me - I weigh once a week. I can become way too focused on what the scale says. There was a time when I would weigh everyday - but - I becam e obsessed with that number rather than the process of living with food.Once a week works for me.

When/if you weigh just remember that the number is just for that day - it doesn't take into account TOM, water weight and many other things.

I got on the scale this morning hoping for a loss, but I was disappointed. After three and a half years of near-daily weighing, however, I could *feel* that I hadn't had a big whoosh, if that makes any sense. Some days you can just feel it.

For me, daily weighing keeps me on track. If I don't have that accountability to myself, I start to slack, and then I can derail myself pretty quickly. For others, it becomes an unhealthy distraction. So it really is a personal choice, like Beverly said.

I wish you luck with your weigh-in! Try to remember that you're doing more for yourself than just losing weight, whatever the number on the scale.

I had the same decision to make...AND I finally decided to buy a scale yesterday. I have became so obsessed with it in the past that I decided to get my plan started for a month before I owned a scale (I go to Weight Watchers weekly for my "official" weigh in). We'll see how it goes. Throughout the past month though, I have found myself wishing I had a scale throughout the week to kind of "check in" on my salt intake. I'll kind of have a feeling that I've had too much salt, but can't see if I am storing any water throughout the week. I bought the scale for a few dollars at a second-hand store...so if it becomes a problem, I won't feel too bad donating it back

Well, I just got back from my friend's ...guess I'm off to a rocky start...I am only down 3 lbs this month...guess I need to drink the water and cut more calories if I want to reach my goal of 140 by December....on the other hand, I have been on track.... 1550 calories per day... and some of my skinier clothes fit now...Could some of this be water weight ?

It COULD be water weight... this is the reason I weigh every day! You COULD have been like 204 yesterday, had stuff high in sodium and then BAM up three pounds... it's hard to say!

Thanks, CF...I am thinking that what I should do is weigh daily but average it weekly...Does that sound sensible ?