Scale Phobia

So, I had RNY on 8/27...I am just one week shy of my 1 month mark. This is my last week of soft foods before going to my 'normal' diet.

I have a fear of the scale. In the past with dieting, the scale was always a precipitating factor that would cause me to sabotage my efforts. For example, I'd weigh daily, and if I was not where I felt that I should be (based on eating plan/exercise), I'd quickly lose heart and get off of my plan, gaining instead of losing...

To combat the sabotage this time around, I have planned to only weigh in no more than every 2 weeks. My last weigh in was during my 2 weeks post op visit with the surgeon on 9/12. My weight loss at that point was 13 lbs. I wasn't thrilled, but I was okay with that loss. So in another week, I will be at my 1 month mark and I am terrified of weighing myself :( My next post op appointment is not until 10/10 (my 6 week checkup), so obviously I want to weight before then.

I'm Terrified....Terrified that I didn't lose (what I consider to be) enough weight, terrified that I went through all of this for nothing. Terrified that despite my efforts in measuring foods, counting protein, drinking water, taking vitamins and exercise (4 times per week), that I will have lost very little or nothing since the last weigh-in. In addition to these things, I am going to support groups, and reading a self-help book, and trying to remain positiive....

I just don't know how to overcome this fear. Any suggestions?

 Well - for one, it's great you've decided to weigh only once every 2 weeks.  I was a "scale *****" and weighed every day, sometimes more.  

I know it's hard to say - and hear - and do - but don't have expectations for yourself.  I know we all want to lose as much as we can as fast as we can, but we ARE lightweights and it seems there are a different set of rules for us.  

Stay positive.  Do the right things.  Trust me - it WILL come off!  When the scale isn't responding, how your clothes fitting is.  Did you take your measurements before surgery?  Sometimes that was the ONLY thing that kept me sane - the scale didn't move, but the inches were melting off.  

Also - we need to look at weight loss as a "percentage" - like on the Biggest Loser.  The number of pounds is great, but those who lose the largest percentage wins.

Hang in there - you're doing great!

I am so sorry you are having this anxiety because it sounds like you are doing all the right things.  13lbs in the first 2 weeks is wonderful and I'm sure you are still losing.  Try to get your pats on the back from the good things you are doing and divorce yourself from #s.  I took joy each and every day that I got my protein in, got my fluids in, ate on plan, weighed and measured, logged on M&M, exercised.  If necessary, make yourself a star chart and give yourself a star for all the things you are doing right.  Come to grips now with the idea that this isn't a diet, it is the rest of your life.  The scale is only secondary to all the other stuff.  We can't control what it says in the morning, only the things that contribute to it going one way or the other.  Time, how quick or slow we lose isn't an issue.  The issue is that the weight comes off and it will if you continue doing the right things.

Several of us have found that in maintainance, it is easier to get back on track after vacations, a weekend away, anytime the scale starts creeping up.  Used to be that was when we threw in the towel and ate everything in sight.  Now we quietly get back on program and get back to where we should be.

Thank you for the awesome advice ladies....

Just what I needed to hear.

I will take it to heart...

I also want to thank you for your advice.  I had my RNY on 9/12/12 so I'm only in my 2nd week of liquids.  I admit I've been using the scale each day and have been getting a little discourage not seeing it move in four days.  Now I'm encouraged to skip the scale.  I'm going to start tracking my inches too.  I also like the idea of a star chart.

I'm glad I found this forum.  Thanks again :)

I weigh a couple of times a week, but ONLY when I feel I've had a really good poop - sorry if that's TMI. I was doing it every day at first and my weight was going up by a pound and then down by 1.5 and it was just messing with my head.