SCALE ISSUES

I think I made the right decision on taking my scale out of the house. Ironically, I feel so much better. No more disappointments, no more obsession. I think I am grazing less. I am still grazing too much but much less than before. I have to take baby steps. Everyday I TRY to cut back on more and more grazing. But having the devils tool out of my house has taken such pressure off of me. Have any other OBSESSED people gotten rid of the scale? Joanne

Joanne, I still weigh in daily but I have found it doesn't have the "power" over me and my emotions like it did before. I also log my weight in daily on a software program called Weight Commander, but have found myself skipping entries because I forgot to enter them. Never did that before. I'm working hard on the grazing too. Doing much better. Not ready to give up the scale just yet, but maybe some day. Mary

It had too much power over me! I couldn't deal with it anymore. I always forget to enter into Fitday.com. I decided I am gpoing to eat my way. And then I can see how my numbers are. I was so concerned about the protein, carbs and all the meals. So Now I eat only if I want. Today I had low carb yogurt and high protein Kashi cereal for breakfast. For lunch, I just wanted a huge bowl of sf jello. It has a little low carb fruit ****tail in it and I used some ff whipped cream. Now for dinner, since I am at school, I will have something like a scoop of tuna and some dipping veggies maybe. If I can, I'll wait to get home and have some sausages and peppers. I don't need all the protein cause I don't exercise. So if I feel like it later, I'll have a protein shake for a snack. I've also been nibbling all day on sunflower seed but they are in the shell and it takes me so long to eat them. That is how I am trying to not graze on other things. I just got so sick of worrying about everything. I will watch my blood tests closer and adjust from there. I am trying to make smarter choices for foods. So throwing out my scale just made sense. I have too much going on in my life that I can't deal with everything so closely. I watch my heath, take my vitamins and meds and I am starting to get back in touch with my surgeon. joanne

My surgeon doesn't believe in counting calories, but does believe in counting protein grams. He wants me to do 75 to 125 grams a day. So that is really the only thing I watch, but I do more of a mental counting than logging it in. You are doing great with the vitamins etc. Changing what/how you eat is good too. You are doing the right things and sound in control. Your body needs 60 grams of protein a day to function properly, so whether you exercise or not it is important. Mary

Joanne, I still get on my scales daily. I know I shouldn't, but do it anyway. For some reason, knowing how much I've gained/lost keeps me doing what I'm supposed to do (eating right, drinking water, and exercising). Its just a mental thing with me. The way I look at it (for myself), if I gain a little, I watch closer what goes into my mouth. And if I lose some (which I am finally starting to do!), I don't want to eat anything to change the loss. I noticed that during December, I didn't weight myself as much and, lo and behold, I put on 3 pounds. At that time, I wasn't paying much attention to what I was eating. It just seems to help me to weigh to keep me in check. (Gee, after reading this, I've even confused myself!) I'm happy that you've made the right decision for yourself. I haven't made it there yet, but hopefully will soon. Take care, Wanda 256/179/145 5'6"

Joanne, You sound so much better today in this post. I am trying to curtail the grazing too. I decided I need to record daily (even several times a day) in the diary of fitday.com my feelings and hunger when I eat throughout the day.. I really worry that I am trying to sabotage (sp) myself because I am so close to goal and I am terrified about maintenance. I did great over the holidays but in the last 2 weeks I've gained 4 pounds and have been so mad at myself. I am not ready to give up the scale. I need to keep myself on track and weighing every morning reminds me that I have to nip this in the bud NOW. Paula

I agree, you sound so much better today Joanne! I tried taking the scale away once. It lasted for about 2 weeks. Sometimes I forget to weigh myself, but I generally weigh every morning. It just helps keep me honest. I doubt I'll lose much more anyway, so this way I can be more careful if the scale is on an upward swing (when there isn't any periodic reason for it). Linn

The scale has always been a double edged sword, for me. On one hand, I like weighing in every day; it keeps me on top of the game. But, I realize that weight can fluctuate depending on so many variables, and even the after-you-pee-first-thing-in-the-morning weigh in is not always accurate, and can have the power to ruin my day. So, I weigh in twice a week. That is a compromise I can live with. Also, every scale says I weigh something different. The scale at work, my scale at home, the scale at the gym, my mother in law's scale, any scale in a doctor's office... they all weigh differently. Me and scales have a long history of not getting along I dont trust 'em! Now that I have made goal, and then some, I find that i still weigh in just as much.. The only difference is that now, I am making sure I am not gaining, with the same interest I had about losing and reaching goal. I have so many issues with this "lifestyle"; reading your angst about not losing weight fast enough is a good example of what i am talking about. I had surgery with several coworkers; we all had the operation within 6 to eight weeks of each other. Not everyone has reached goal yet, and we are all almost a year out. Some people try harder than others with food choices, exercise, and so on. Some of those that have worked the hardest have struggled for every pound, while some of the others just seem to lose weight without any effort at all. There is so much comparison, which is USELESS. Unless you started off at the EXACT same weight, and are EXACTLY the same height, a comparison is totally and completely useless. Also, our metabolic rates are all different. And, contrary to popular illusion, we can BOOST our rate with exercise, but exercise wont automatically end our metabolic worries. Throughout the last few months, I have seen some really bad stuff, too. Lots of negative remarks about those of us that have reached goal..including my personal favorites...anorexic, obsessed, sick, etc... Most of these remarks came from other post ops...can you believe it?!?!?! Instead of supporting one another, no matter where we are in the process, there are at least 2 people who spend their free time hurling insults. I guess it is easier to scrutinize someone else, rather than yourself. I have learned that no matter what side of the fence you are on, or where you are in your weight loss, there is always going to be some kind of emotional component to all of this. That is what I had to get used to, in order to remain positive, and not get my feelings stomped on. And, programs like Fitday are a wonderful way to objectively see your food choices, and what they all boil down to in the end...calorie and nutrition wise that is. I know a few people who were able to see where they were "zigging" instead of "zagging" with fitday's help. Personally, I don't do fitday. I make sensible choices most of the time, and some very insensible ones, too... (splenda brownies are cooling right now). The difference between 327 pound me and 117 pound me is that the bigger me would have eaten the ENTIRE tray. this me is satisfied with just a small piece. This is my life, and I don't want to live it as a prisoner of food....still. I enjoy a treat every now and then, guilt free. I exercise and do my best to stay healthy. Believe me, your time will come. Stay on track, and don't think about anything or anyone...just your journey. This is your surgery, and your tool. you get out of it what you put into it. Remember, Rome was not built in a day, and it took you more than one year to gain your excess weight. There is something to be said for slow and steady weight loss, too. Keep your head up. Look for support when you need it. And try to view the glass as half full, instead of half empty. Although it is often easier to focus on what is not right, remembering what is right is ESSENTIAL, to keep a positive attitude. Good luck. Andrea

Thanks, Andrea, for writing. You speak (eloquently) for alot of people, I'm sure. It IS tough sometimes to feel comfortable participating when you're the one who has had no problems; I often feel guilty and helpless that I've had such an easy time when I read about the others and their struggles. And I hate to write to celebrate, because it feels like I'm goating and I don't mean it that way. I like fitday.com and use it often, but what I've been finding lately, is whether I just eat what feels right, or if I watch it like a hawk, I'm coming in at almost exactly the same calorie, carb, fat count, so I'm thinking it's becoming more a way of life for me which is what I had hoped for at the beginning of this entire process. Thanks again. Have a great day Julie