To Weigh, Or Not To Weigh...That Is The Question

 

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

If you're trying to lose weight or simply don't want to gain unwanted pounds, how often should you weigh yourself? Many popular weight loss plans, such as Weigh****chers, do not recommend weighing yourself daily. Instead, they recommend stepping on the scales once per week or even less frequently. Our weight fluctuates somewhat from day-to-day, and daily weighing can lead to discouragement and potential diet sabotage if you see a higher number on the scale than you saw the day before. Most diet experts believe that a once-weekly or even monthly weigh-in is a more accurate reflection of weight control progress.

But a group of doctors who studied obese and overweight adults who were trying to lose weight as well as overweight adults who were trying to prevent weight gain found that those who weighed themselves more often lost more weight and prevented more weight gain over two years than those who weighed themselves less frequently. Contrary to the advice given in many popular weight loss regimens, this study suggests that at least some people can benefit from the accountability brought on by daily weigh-ins. Potential advantages of daily weighing include recognition of slow patterns of weight gain that may not be immediately apparent and the chance to modify lifestyle habits before the total weight gain becomes extreme and difficult to control.

The personality of the individual dieter likely plays a role in deciding how often to weigh oneself. If you're easily discouraged, daily weighing might cause you to give up your attempts if you don't see rapid progress. On the other hand, if you crave control and feedback, daily weighing might satisfy more of your needs and fuel your motivation. Whatever weigh-in frequency you choose, keep these tips in mind when stepping on the scale:

1. Weighing yourself first thing in the morning is usually best. Because of variations in food and fluid consumption, we often "gain" different amounts of weight throughout the day.

2. If you're weighing frequently, remember that daily fluctuations in weight are common. Just because you're heavier today than yesterday doesn't mean your weight control program isn't working. Don't become a slave to the numbers.

3. Monthly variations in weight are also common in menstruating women.

4. "Plateaus" in weight loss aren't necessarily bad. If you're exercising a lot, your weight may remain constant for a time even though you're still decreasing your body fat content and getting healthier.

5. Finally, cues other than the numbers on the scale are equally important. How do you feel? Are your clothes getting looser or tighter? Do you feel stronger, healthier, leaner? Your own perceptions can be the most valuable tools to help you track your weight control progress.

Good writing. I don't weigh except at the dr because I obsess about the scale.

i weigh myself every morning right before I step in the shower.  And most evenings I weigh myself before bed.  For me it is the control and data factor.  The more data I have the better I feel I can respond to a situation.  Daily fluctuations of a 2-3 pounds does not bother me at all, but if I see a 2-3 day trend upward in the scale then I know my lack of attention in an area (nutrition or exercise) is beginning to take a toll.  To me it would be more disheartening to find a 5-10 pound weight gain all of a sudden and not seen it coming.  So for me constant monitoring is a must.  For example I had probably one of my most stressful months professionally last month.  Working some day 20+ hours and sleeping at the office.  The last two weeks exercise was thrown to the wind and of course meals at midnight at the beginning of an all nighter are hardly ever healthy.  So my goal for the month was to maintain.  Daily weigh ins helped me monitor the situation.  Now with everything slowing down again, I am eating great and running everyday.

I saw the post a few days ago where someone asked: Should I weigh myself? and many were responding no.

WTF?

Hello you had WLS, you are trying to lose weight, and you are trying to not be a fat ass again if you've made it to goal, OF COURSE you should weigh yourself, a few times a week to make sure you're not off track.

Granted if you have OCD or other compulsive disorders..and weighing yourself interfers with your life, then obviously no...don't weigh yourself, but for everyone else...YEP get on the scale.

I personally do not own a scale, I use the one at my gym, since I'm at the gym 3 or 4 days a week, I know what I weigh on those 4 days. I don't take small fluctuations seriously, I do however watch anything more then 5 lbs and cut back my carb intake if it goes to 6. .

Scott

Scott

I get on the thing once per day... In the mornings just because I like that early number better. But, It has kept me on track with my current programs. So I can back up what they're saying. For me it seams to work as a motivating factor. This is a change from before when I HATED to get on the scale. I never did I used to even get on the scale at the Doctors office backward so I didnt see the number. NO I OWN IT. That just make a HUGE difference.

I weight myself every 2 to 3 days, mornings right after a BM (if I had one that day) and before I eat my first meal. These are usually mental checks to monitor my progress.  The weighing I take on Sundays is what I use for logging my progress and the weighing I do prior to meeting with the nutritionist at the doctors office (approximately every 3 weeks right now) is my "official" weight.

Could I stop the 2 to 3 day weigh ins, yes, I could. However I like to know how I am trending. I guess it is a control and data thing.

I am pro ably at  2-3 times a week and also follow the Sunday rule to track my progress.

I was doing it every day twice a day morning and night. I was disheartening after the first 2 months and I just had to quit it. 2-3 times a week I can see fluctuation but not be obsessed. Then I also see that drop of two to three pounds and be able to be happy.

I honestly dont find it disheartening at all. Hn???? I actually find it extremely funny that at 0600am I can actually weigh 2-4 pounds liter then I do at 0800am and that 0800am weight always seams to be the true weight. But, I also find it quite motivating to see the day to day changes and how my body weight will change in a day.  I also have noticed that the days that I hit my target calories I tend to loose more weight the fallowing day the days that I go UNDER that target seam to be the days when my loss is less gratifying.

 I weigh once every three months or if I start to feel lighter on my feet. That's it.