How wrong can it be....

Hmm, maybe, just maybe I'm missing the bigger picture here, but I have not had a set of scales in about 15 - 20 yrs.  I learned a long time ago to NOT live by what the scales say but rather what your body, clothes and measuring tape says instead.  (I've been reading wayyy tooo many postings on this subject) I think its best, for me anyway, to only make it a point to use the scales once a month... if that maybe.  Could this be inviting problems?  I honestly don't know.  Seems so many get depressed so quickly watching those darn scales!  God knows that is the last thing I want, depression! I know there will be plateaus but isn't it far easier to get past them with out getting hyped over what the scales say?   Wouldn't it just be easier to do what we know we are supposed to do and just arrive?  Yes, this would mean a "from time to time" scale check.   I think I have enough emotions to deal with.  Moreover I understand we will go through a yo-yo of them after our WLS, so why ask for more?   Just MY opinion of what will work "best for me"...  Please post, YOUR opinion it IS appreciated!

I weigh myself every day.  One of the reasons is that I hold onto water and when the scale goes up 3 - 5 pounds then I know it's time for tha****er pill to be added to the daily schedule.  Yes, there are plateaus and they are a pain but when you know the reason behind them is not your eating, then it's ok.  I am pretty much at where I'm going to be without plastics so it's nice to know that I'm staying in the range I should.  I guess it keeps me honest.

Yes,     What a red hot but true subject you have hit on! I am a guilty scale watcher; and yes it causes me self doubt, depression; and fear of failure! I am five months post op, and I have learned that day to day my weight can very by as much as 2-3lbs. And when I have seen others with my same surgery date posting greater losses it has made me feel like a problematic failure! I really wish I were not a scale slave! I had my WLS in Feb 07; and since then I recently measured myself to a total loss of 35 inches. WOW! I have been exercising my heart out; and what others say is true muscle weighs more than fat! We all do so go through a lot of different feeling and transistions with this WLS.. Sometimes the more you read in posting the more self critical and judgemental we can get. This can lead to depression like you said; but I believe more than that it can lead to bad habits and things that harmed us in the first place! WLS is not the easy way out; it takes a lot of work, physically, mentally; and emotionally! I have figured out that if I am going to suceed I need to believe it with all my heart and soul. How I think, act, feel, and talk to myself are what will be the determine factor in my sucesses! I think it is of the utmost importance to celebrate our own accomplishiments; and give ourselves credit where credit is due. Also no one has been more critical of you; than you yourself! At the same time, they doc's, NUT, and others sometimes hang the scale to our awareness too. Thanks for your honesty, supportiveness, and cander! Sincerely, Judy R

I got morbidly obese by ignoring the scale.  I fooled myself into believing that if I didn't know the number, it wasn't really happening to me. I have weighed myself religiously every day that I could since surgery (there was a time for the first 2 months that I was too heavy for my scales, so I could only weigh myself at the doctor's office).  It keeps me honest with myself and also lets me know if I need to change something up in my routine.  Knowing the number is different for everyone.  Do what feels right for you. Jenn  

Thank you all for your replies as each of you have very valid points! I had originally posed my question because it is what works for me but moreover my heart does go out to those who are so upset at their plateaus and getting so discouraged.  If only we could perhaps mix and balance the two, scales AND measuring tape, it just might keep all on an even keel of emotions..? I certainly can see your point too Annie, you have very valid reasons for sticking to the scales, and for you too Jenn as you use it as a motivator!  Yet there are those who seem to get sooo upset and/or depressed, and/or panicky over those darn scales, when it just seems by the responses of others to be "sweating the small stuff" when they level off for awhile... Please don't get me wrong in all of this as I do realize extra l-o-n-g plateaus can certainly be strong warnings...all the more reason I would think to keep tabs on measurements...? I gained the majority of my weight because of depression and I will continue such methods to avoid what I know I can by what means I can do it by.  Such is my second point in all of this...why not at least try something other than the scales, a balanced mix of the two, to avoid such valley's of whoa? After all WLS people have made bigger changes one more modification just might help in the long haul.  Just a suggestion to those who seem to be dealing with these issues. Wishing all the best of the best in what works best!

Terri, You should do what is best for you.  Right now I'm only weighing myself once a week.  This helps me to see how I'm doing.  I wish I would have taken my starting measurements back in May when I started my healthy eating plan.  Ahh well, I'm planning on measuring myself this weekend so when I find my scale isn't moving, I can see if inches are coming off.  As you say, using a balanced mix of the two to track progress and to actually keep myself on the straight and narrow. Melinda