Question:
Is there anyone else out there afraid of the scales and afraid of not loosing weight?
I am almost 7 weeks post op, started at 390 lbs and have lost 41 lbs, but I have only weighed myself once since I had surgery. The doctor's office weighed me and told that I lost 24 lbs in two weeks and then I weighed myself once at 6 weeks and had lost 41 lbs. I am totally afraid of the scales, afraid of taking my measurments and afraid that I will not lose weight. My outlook on life is much different now and I feel so much better, I guess I am just afraid to wreck this wonderful feeling with looking at the scale and getting discouraged. Failure with weightloss has become a familiar habit with me imbeded in my mind and for that exact reason, I feel that I will NEVER lose weight (41 lbs is wonderful, but I can't see anything). Success (200lbs) just does not seem like an option for me. That is what the BMI counter says I need to lose to be NORMAL. Has anyone else gone through this and how do I get past this. Any advice? — Angela B. (posted on November 22, 2002)
November 22, 2002
Yes, scaled can be yor enemy. But since I have been on the other side, they
have been more of a friend to me! My only advice,is that you go by one
scale, either yours or yoyur doctors, because theyll show different
results! personally makes me crazy! I weight myself in the morning (with
no shoes and before I've eaten or drank anything) and the doctor weighs me
with my huge 4inch clog shoes on after I've eaten lunch and drank 40 ounces
of water, so it can be a difference of 5 pounds! I used to weigh myself
everyday!! Now I do once a week, which is still probably a bit too much.
But you will lose the weight though, so don't be scared, look how great you
have done so far- 41lbs in 7 weeks is great!! We have all been on many
diets and that is why we are here, so most of us hate the scales! And ofen,
even if you don't lose pounds, you wll lose inches, so it stil works out
for the best :) Keep up your good work! :)
— Lezlie Y.
November 22, 2002
I think everyone has the fear that they won't lose weight. But for most I
don't think it's enough to keep them off the scale. I think it's a given
that you will get discouraged when you look and see the numbers not going
down as fast as you think they should, or if you hit a plateau (which will
happen at some point). But it sounds to me like you are getting
discouraged without stepping on the scale anyway. You need to have a
positive outlook and despite setback you will run into, you need to know
that everyone has them. Just remember that the surgery is a tool, not a
cure. So although in the beginning you will lose weight without trying,
you will come to a point when it's up to you to continue with the newly
learned good eating habits and future weight loss. I personally wasn't
obsessed with the scale as some are. But I do like to have a peek at least
once a week or every 2 weeks. Just for the simple fact that if I don't see
the loss I want to be seeing, it means I have to work harder. It keeps me
on track. If I hit a plateau I know that I need to exercise more that week
to try and get over that hurdle. I think the worst problem people have
with the scale, is comparing thier own weight loss to someone elses. It's
hard not to do, but everyone loses at different rates. There are so many
factors that contribute to how fast a person loses so comparing doesn't
help encourage anyone. You will ALWAYS find someone that loses faster than
you, no matter what. I hope that helps. Good luck! Lap Roux en Y, July
29th, 2002, 70 pounds lost.
— Laurel C.
November 22, 2002
Hi Angela:
God yes, can I relate to your question. My worst nightmare is to go to the
doctor's office, and for him to say I must be cheating because my weight
loss is poor. This has not happened. In fact the doctor was pleased at my
loss since I saw him last. In addition, I am an extremely slow loser,
which makes me even more sensitive to this issue. I actually read a post
on the message board where a woman's doctor told her she did not lose
enough, and she had lost much more than me!! Yikes. By the way, I think
you are doing so well, and handling the scale issue much better than me. I
weigh every day. At least you are sensible enough to get weighed
occasionally. I truly believe that you will do great, you already are.
Love Grace
— Grace H.
November 22, 2002
I pretty much had this same conversation with my therapist yesterday. I was
avoiding the scale completely because I've been a very slow loser. He told
me I shouldn't avoid the scale and be obsessive in reverse (paranoid about
NOT losing weight). He suggested that I weigh ONCE A WEEK, at the same time
on the same day of the week.
I've decided I'll start to listen..and when I DID weigh..I realized I'd
lost another five pounds!
Hopefully this will work for you. Also, my sister suggested that I keep a
diary and record the weightloss...so that I can see MY ACTUAL progress and
not get so down on myself.
Hope this helps.......................K
— Karen K.
November 22, 2002
First-throw away the BMI counter. Did you know that Tom Cruise and those
guys on the cover of Muscle and Fitness magazine would be considered
OVERWEIGHT by those BMI counters?? Yup..its true. I am down to a size 12
and considered overweight still. I beg to differ. I consider myself
NORMAL. As for your fear of the scale, well, we all have a love/hate
relationship with our scales. In the beginning, where you are now, its
usually the love part, but later on, when you hit plateaus, its the hate
part! If you can't take it, then just let yourself be weighed by the
doctor on your scheduled visits. But don't fear that you won't lose. If
you work the tool correctly, you cannot fail. Good luck!
— Cindy R.
November 22, 2002
I'm not afraid of the scale, but I avoid them. When I get a really bad
urge to know how much I've lost, I go somewhere and find out. This happens
less than once a month. The one nice thing about this, is I don't get
freaked out by the daily ups and downs that accompany ALL forms of
weight-loss. The downside is, I'm often in the dark on how well I'm doing
or not doing. So far it's been to the good and I'm crossing my fingers
that it stays that way. I think the scales are addictive...been there done
that and not going there again if I can help it!
— [Deactivated Member]
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