Do NOT "throw the scale away:"

I totally agree with Karen. I jumped on the other day because I thought my eating was way out of line. I had lost 6lbs. Huh!

I so makes you accountable and we have to be more so than ever.

I weigh twice a day.  It makes me accountable.  In the same breath, I have been at a so called 'stall' for two months.  I am not freaking out because I know stalls are to be expected throughout this journey.  I know this because of the many knowledgeable people on here who have been through this and reported out.  The scale is another tool.  Use it as such.  If you find you are freaking out too much over what the scale says, then maybe it's best to weigh yourself less.  I mainly use it to make sure I don't go up, and if I do, to smarten up.  The stalls, I don't worry about.

Giselle

I am one of the people have have been told many times to throw away the scale. I am much less obsessed with the number, and still continue to weigh myself every morning. Shrink agrees with me, and I will keep on trucking as such. Past Behaviour shows me that I will get lazy without the motivation of the scale.

I agree Karen. 

It is of course the obsession on the negative that's the problem. Having that tool is great if it's used in context with a good understanding of the WLS basics. 

My own just now is the amount of pain inflicted upon my sensitive and gracious person by my personal trainer, Satan. Perhaps you've heard of him.  Seems the more pain I can endure, the looser my pants the next week. Which of course sounds totally weird when typed out like this. I'm off to the tub now or as it's come to be known the crying pool. 

owouch

 

 

I suspect your "Satan" has met my physiotherapist and that they are twins.

Enjoy "The Crying Tub"

I think everyone should keep a scale by their toilet and weigh before and after going just so you know how much your crap actually weighs, so if you're going to blame constipation, just count back to how long since you last weighed yourself and add the amount of crap you're holding onto and see if its just crap you're worrying about!  

Not everyone needs the same advice and one size does not fit all when it comes to weighing oneself, nor the advice some folks need (or we deem they need).  Sometimes folks don't need to be advised to follow your way, sometimes they need to stop obsessing over scales, water intake, tom, etc etc.    It ain't all about me... or you.   If we're offering advice it should be about them mostly.  Just my opinion. 

Poop, Poop, Poop I love when we talk about it!

I see both sides and I think when it comes to scales we need a happy medium.

I did throw my scale away a couple weeks ago. For one thing, it was completely inaccurate (by a good 35 lbs) and also because, when I lost a considerable amount of weight several years ago, I found myself playing all sorts of mind games with myself about it. So I'm not going to replace the scale any time soon.  I will weigh myself at work or at the doctor's office weekly or biweekly.  This will work for me for now.

Hmmm I think I agree with Ian. Personally I think that it really depends on your personality; if you are obsessive and the number effects your whole day/attitude then try to stay off them as much as possible. If you are able to use them like Karen and I, and just determine if you need to make adjustments to your eating/exercise in order to maintain your weight then daily or weekly is good.

Although not a 6.5 year vet, I have now maintained my weight within a 5 lb range 130-135 for over a year now. I just came back from an all inclusive vacation and only gained 2 lbs, which I promptly lost as soon as I was back into my normal routine. 

Each to their own, but for me the scales as well as the way my clothes fit are the determining factors for me. I am determined to remain vigilant; I don't ever want to end up back where I was!

I think that it is required for those maintaining. I think it is important for those who are starting out to know the initial numbers. I think it is important to go to your follow up appointments and find out at those. I think it can be important to do once a month, or twice a month in months 2-6. I think everyone needs to find what works for them. To keep focused, and honest without being disheartened.

From my perspective:

I found my scales... In a box... In the closet of my home office. I didn't throw them away but I didn't use them. Just... Keep people away from the pink tape measure I leave on my bedside table to remind myself what really counts for me and to use once a month. OK? *has that crazy half obsessed look in her eyes*

Seriously though... If you are maintaining the scale is a great tool and you are able to adjust your day a bit to compensate; however, if you step on the scales and it makes you cry, or want to throw in the towel "because it's not working" then you need to step away from them for a bit and try something else. Like a measuring tape. As long as you are following the plan and working with your medical team.

For me.. I may NEVER be friendly with my scale. I look at it... I laugh... I step on it. I shrug. I can't make it "count" for me. How would I begin to do that... Not to be rude but I can play line up with 20 women including myself. We all wear the same size shirts, pants, and dresses. We are all different shapes. I stepped on the scales at 333.2 and they step on the scales at 250-280. I am 1-2 inches taller then some... 1-2 inches shorter then others... The same as others. Yet 50-80 lbs heavier.

i will give you a perfect example of how scales can fail for ME... I am pre-op. Most who've read my posts, or met me know I have been "trying" pre-op to make changes and work on things. More that I needed to eat less of the good things.

I lost between Aug. 13th and Oct. 22nd (hips 1 inch more, waist 3 inches more if I go back to early July):
1.5 inches of each calf, 3.5 off each thigh, 4 off my hips, 1 off my waist, 1 off my bust, 3.5 off my ribs, 2 off each bicep, and 1 off each forearm.

It only equated to 7 lbs.

Sometimes... It is less important to focus on the scales. Should I beat myself up that I didn't lose pounds or congratulate myself on the lost inches? I just stopped using the scales instead.

As of yesterday morning (got excited and measured a week early)... Since July I've lost:
1.5 off each of my calves. 4.5 off each of my thighs. 6.5 inches off my hips. 5 off my waist. 2.5 off my bust. 3.5 off my ribs. 2 off each of my biceps. 1 off each of my forearms.

So... Am I running out to step on the scales? No. Did I want to for a moment? Yes... Is there a possibility it might only show another 2-3 pounds loss? Yes. So instead of stepping on the scales I shall stay accountable in other ways. I do not need my heart aching because I am not motivated by those moving numbers.

No one is entirely sure what will happen in the process. Especially me... I am not aiming in the same places as others are for end goals. I was 185lbs, a 36F-26-36 with 26 inch thighs and arms that were too muscled for my own good at one point. I don't know I would ever want to achieve that again. I just want to do things like buy a bra in a "normal" store... You know... The 15-65$ ones at PINK. I don't care if it is comfy... It's just got to be "hawt". Messed up goal? Maybe but it's mine.

I'd love to hear suggestions on something else to use but at this point the measuring tape and clothing sizes are what is working.

I get both sides of the picture. I'm not throwing it away but I may never use it as it is intended. My scale is rather pretty and sleek. Black glass topped with chrome detailing. Good to 400 lbs... Think I can use it for something else? Just asking.