Opposing View: Weigh Daily

There are two reasons for this: (1) trending and (2) accountability.

First, I have weighed daily using a Fitbit Aria scale.  It records weigh, body fat and uploads the data automatically via my in house wifi.  Because of this behavior I have historical data throughout the entire weight loss phase.  On several occassions it allowed me to analyze the data in ways beyond just "today's weight" and provided me crutial feedback along the way.  The availability of these trends helped me keep "today's weight" in proper context, helped me make minor adjustments at certain points, and is now helping me evaluate my fitness adjusments.

Second, accountability is crutial to success.  You may or may not feel the need for it, but I can see how "slippage" can easily occur and derail us.  With week to week measurements, you are right, there isn't that daily check-in.  So before long, especially when the pressure to loose weight is off your back, you could easily justify the occassional splurge.  After all, one splurge won't derail us.  With a daily weigh-in you are essentially keeping any splurges in check.  Without that daily accoutability the opportunity for occassional splurges to become daily splurges is too great.  This process continues and before long it's snowballed and gotten out of control  We've all read the accounts from vets who have gained back pounds because of this exact scenario.  It can be hard to "not do" something the first time, but each time you "not do it" it becomes easier and easier.  Gym memberships often fall into this category.  How many of us had past experiences where everything was going fine, then we stopped it once, then twice, then before you know it we stopped all together?  How many of us have lost massive pounds, mulitple times even, only to gain it back later?  Yes, the sleeve will help us in a way we've never had before, but we are not superhumans now and must remain vigilant to maintain.

However, a proper mental attitude is needed if you're using weigh-ins and to help in avoiding the "funk" when things appear stalled.  You really need to cultivate the ability to step on, weigh-in, note the reading, and then dismiss it without further thought to move on with your day.  I think we've all seen posts from people weighing in multiple times a day hoping to see differences.  This is not helping you and brings up the second thing needed here which is consistency.  For the trends to be helpful, the data must have some level of consistency.  Sporatic measurements will not help the process.  My personal recommendation is weigh once each morning in all your naked glory.  You'll get the most consistent results that way.

Anyway, considering the passion (and font) of the previous post, I figured a alternative view was appropriate.

I'm with you. I weigh in every morning before I shower. This way if things move in the wrong direction I can regroup and cut back that day. Holds me accountable.

Yeah, what she said!  I weigh daily but i don't get hung up on numbers.

I agree and want to get that Fitbit Aria scale!  I enter my weight daily on my My Fitness Pal and watch the graph stair step.  I also track my weight loss each week - Mondays is the day of accountability.

I stopped weighing daily MONTHS ago and look where it got me.  I will admit though, that scale plays too much with my head.  When I do good I want to see it reflect on the scale but I do know it's not always the case.  I stepped on it today and I was scared but saw a little surprise in my favor so all is good.  I do think it's a great tool for accountability, especially when are ultimate goal is to lose weight. 

 You have an amazing scale lol, I'd never heard of that but it sounds nice.  and you bring up some good points. We all have different things going on inside our heads and for some everyday may be the way to go and for others it may not. I know that I'm going to lose something for the week, but I don't know about everyday, and if I didn't then I could be discouraged,  and I want to keep this process joyous instead of stressing over the scale everyday.  I don't plan on swaying from my plan, and so far I haven't and for me a daily weigh in or lack of isn't going to be the temptation that gets me, I can see how it could be for some.  

$129 at Best Buy.  I only picked it originally becuase I was planning on using the the Fitbit Flex also.  When you have multiple Fitbit devices, all the data uploads to a daily dashboard which is nice.

It could be argued that I'm a data and/or tech junkie....

I also weigh daily, especially since I graduated to a full diet, introducing new foods. I want to know if I am trending in the wrong direction. I don't stress about it, just a quick check in the morning. 

I also have to weigh in every day. Everyone is different but weighing in every day works for me.

I do think this is a personal choice during the weight loss phase, but I see daily weighing aa critical during maintenance.  Understanding the trends is so important in maintaining, so for me, it helped to learn how to use the scale as an additional tool - and get over the freak out - during weight loss.  I know that in maintenance I must weigh daily or I will never understand my body and how it responds to the infinite number of changes in menu/diet/calories/carbs that occur now!  The numbers don't scare me anymore, but they always cause me to pause and reflect.  That really helps me.