I weigh myself at least 4x’s per week. This may not be normal or even “approved of” in the ‘Healthy Living ‘blogworld, but it works for me.
Let me preface by saying, I do understand why many of you shun the scale. So much so that you’ve ceremoniously dumped yours in the trash. I get it.
I also get that the scale can have unnecessary power of your mental state. If you are down a few pounds, elation fills you; if you’re up a few pounds, you may chastise yourself and feel like crap the entire day.
I can also appreciate that the scale is not the best measure of health, fitness, or physical appearance. Other metrics should be considered, light measurement tapes, body fat percentages, how your clothes fit, your ability to exercise.
But for me, the scale is what keeps me in check. You see, I like to eat. A lot. And while I do also track my calories (another no-no in some people’s eyes), the scale provides me instant feedback as to how my body is reacting to my food intake combined with workouts.
The first 2-3 years of undergrad, I did not own a scale. And I gained weight. A lot – for me, anyway. You can read more about that here. Of course I had those other metrics telling me I was gaining weight – like having to buy larger and larger sizes of my clothes. But this wasn’t enough apparently. I was in denial that I could be gaining that much.
I also was well aware that clothing sizes are not uniform. It was easier to go to a store where I could still fit in their size 4 versus another where I was now a size 8. The scale would have told me that I was up 15-20lbs though.
It wasn’t until my Senior year of undergrad that I started weighing myself regularly. Seeing the drop in pounds was motivation and proof that my healthier eating and more active lifestyle was working.
The scale is my guide. It doesn’t control me. It doesn’t make or break my day. It provides just one metric in the cacophony of feedback of my health status.
When I am up a pound or two, I can often pinpoint that it was the extra slice of deep dish pizza or that giant burrito I annihilated. It reminds me to eat slightly less indulgently that day and maybe do an extra 10 minutes of cardio. If I’m down a pound, I’ll add that extra scoop of ice cream or go to town on some chips and salsa with my hubby. It all balances out.
So, for me, the scale is my friend not foe. And I’m good with that.
What are your thoughts on the scale?
If you don’t use one, what metrics do you use to gauge your health/fitness, etc?
I use my scale at most once a week, but mostly because I just forget to use it. If I have a specific weight goal, then maybe I’ll break it out to keep track, but usually I just check in once in a while to make sure I haven’t gone up 5 lbs without thinking about it. So I guess it’s also my friend not my foe. Or maybe it’s just an acquaintance since we don’t talk often.
Haha, more like an acquaintance
I hate that some people act like they are “above” weighing themselves. And then they whine when they suddenly don’t fit into their pants. Duh. It shouldn’t define you, but like you said, it keeps you in check. You can dismiss tighter pants to a bad load of laundry, but consistently weighing in higher is something that stares you in the face and says “I don’t think so, lady.”
Exactly Victoria!
I’m not much for the scale, but I do weigh myself about once a week. If 4X a week works for you then that’s great too. Everyone is different. For me, I like to use a measurement tape. Idk, losing inches is much more appealing to me!
Inches are totally satisfying — the scale is just faster, but I should start doing the measuring again
Shoot, don’t be ashamed — I weigh myself every morning! And just because, like you said, it keeps me in check.
I think you have the best approach to it. I don’t own a scale, but there’s randomly one at work I’ll jump on to see where I am. Because I, too, have a weight range I like to keep myself in. Especially when I’m not in training for something- because I’m lost without a true schedule!
Yep – and it’s so easy for me to fall out of the range if I don’t keep track
I know some people can “eat intuitively” and just stay thin and not worry about their weight and never step on a scale… but seriously!? It’s not that easy for everyone and that’s why I’m not completely against scales. I think they’re fine as long as it’s not an obsession. Like you said, it’s just another measurement. It seems like most bloggers recovering from an eating disorder are against scales but personally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with knowing how much I weigh. My day doesn’t rely on what the scale says – if anything it gives me peace of mind to know I didn’t magically gain 10 lbs overnight.
So true! My intuition tells me I should eat a whole tub of ice cream and that certainly is not what the scale will say a couple days later.
I used to be obessive with my scale. I logged my daily weight, created charts, etc. Yep, crazy! Now I weigh myself once a week or so to see where I’m at. But I think your approach works as well. As long as you know that weighing yourself 4x a week isn’t dramatically changing your behavior, you’re fine! I say, always do what works for you!!!
I have a scale and I get on it now and then — just to see where I’m at, but usually I can tell if I’m up a few pounds because my clothes will be tight and my wedding ring will be tight too. I used to let a “gain” really control me, but it doesn’t anymore.
I like your healthy approach to it!
I’m right there with ya! I used it approx 3-4 times per week at my old gym who kept the scale in the locker room. I’ve now slacked to once per week. My stupid new gym keeps it upstairs by the trainer gear, so everyone can see you using it. I’m not embarassed, but it still totally bugs me.
Honestly, until last summer I NEVER owned a scale. I would hop on at my parents and weigh in at the gym, but never at home. Now I DO weigh myself, wedneday and saturday… sometimes other days and honestly even if I never compete again I will always have a scale. The number no longer defines me (thanks to prep for teaching me that!!!) but like you said, it’s a reality check, a check for myself. I like my foods and I know in offseason it’s tough to keep that in check without a showdate looming.
I Am always a lot skinnier when I don’t weigh myself for a while. If I see myself losing weight (even when I need to) I eat more.
Oh how I’d love if this worked for me Alyssa!
I really like that you posted this Shanna. So many people in the Healthy living community have eating problems or weightthem themselves multiple times a day and then go to make smart comments people who do the same thing. Or they don’t weigh themselves and they ridicule people that do. I personally don’t weigh myself because the scale doesn’t help me in athletics and only makes me feel worse. It is really just about what works for you.
So funny, we were leaving comments on each other’s page at the same time-
Seems like we do that alot 
Anyways, I love that you posted this! I think it is great that you do not let the scale control you, no determine you mood! I also weigh myself a lot….but I canot say that I feel the same about the scale..it’s not my friend, that’s for sure…but I’m not about to throw it in the trash either. It is a balance for me too, I just need to adjust my balance a bit more & try to not let it affect me as much. I have been doing better- everyday it is getting better, so that is definitely a work in progress
Great minds think alike Holly =)
I totally appreciate where you are coming from. Some days the scale isn’t my friend, but that doesnt’ mean I’m going to throw it away. Or when I got quite skinny and obsessed about the scale, it was not the scale that made me too skinny — it was other issues.
As long as it doesn’t get obsessive, I think a scale is a fine way to follow your weight. I know I use my scale and I don’t think I’m unhealthy with that. It’s when it gets obsessive and it rules your life that it is a bad idea.
I hop on the scale at the gym about once a week just to keep myself in check.
I probably weigh myself once or twice a month. I don’t actually own one- I have to go to my parents’ to use it! I definitely fall into the category of person that is very emotionally affected by the number, so I learned a long time ago that it doesn’t do me much good to weigh myself all the time. Although, I can totally respect people like you who use it as a guide- you’re a stronger woman than I!
I just sent my scale packing! I totally understand your reason for using one, though and I admire your ability to not let it take over your life/emotions. I, however, could not do so. My parents own one so I very occasionally step on and see that I’m still in the right range, but otherwise I’m okay with living a scale-free life.
I’m all about weighing myself too! I weight myself a few times a week – sometimes more, sometimes less. It keeps me check and that’s all!
Exactly!
I think this post just goes to show how everybody really just needs to do what works for them – it’s so refreshing actually! I never weigh myself, never have, don’t care too – I have no idea what I weigh and pay no attention to other people’s numbers. I’m more concerned with how I look to me…(unfortunately).
But – I like that you recognize your scale “relationship” – as long as you feel okay with it and it’s healthy, then it’s your prerogative…
Now – go eat some ice cream!
I agree Jenn..how I look to myself matters
I don’t really use a scale but it’s not because I’m anti-scale…it’s just because I know how I am…and if something isn’t how I want it to be, then I’m bummed out. Like, if my weight was higher than I thought it was. Without the scale, I don’t feel like I need to know what my exact weight it. I just aim to eat right and get exercise!
If I could hold myself to eating right, I’d be all good
I dont have a scale at home because I know I cant be trusted with it. Some people can have a healthy relationship with a scale, and not get obsessed with it, and though I may be strong enough now, Im still not willing to take that risk. There is a scale at work, its in the warehouse out back, and I do use it on occasion, but it is on occasion, just to see where Im at. My weight has been steady for the last year, and Im just starting to drop a bit of weight again. So I so use it, and I think I need it since I do plan to drop a few more pounds. But it takes effort for me to use it, and that keeps me from going overboard.
Totally get that Leah — sounds like you have a good system
I am the same way. If I’m up a pound or two, you better believe I’m picking an apple as a snack instead of going out for frozen yogurt. If it’s the other way around… then I might have extra chips and guac that night! It’s a realistic gauge for me. I do try to be strict about eating healthy and exercising 4 times a week, but sometimes life gets in the way, and I’m totally cool with that.
“The scale is my guide. It doesn’t control me. It doesn’t make or break my day. It provides just one metric in the cacophony of feedback of my health status. ”
If you truly can let it just be an additional guide to give you an IDEA of where you are, and don’t let it ruin your day, and it works for you…then right on. I preach to my clients about teh scale because i have so many that let it control them. They go up 2 pounds in a day because they ate CHinese food and retained a bunch of water and just don’t get it that it’s not REAL weight. That drives me crazy. I, however, try not to weigh myself often, maybe once a week or every 10 days but like you said it just gives me an idea and keeps me in check. If you are doing it every day it can fluctuate SO much and drive you NUTS!
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