Your Scale and You

Your Scale and You

Unlike other plans that recommend weighing in weekly or less often, we advise you to weigh yourself daily.

"Daily?" you ask. Yes! Studies show that people who weigh themselves daily are more successful at long-term weight loss than those who weigh themselves weekly. Experts speculate that frequent weigh-ins remind you of your goals and help keep you motivated. At the Duke Diet & Fitness Center (DFC), we feel that an essential part of this daily weighing strategy is tracking your weight on a graph. A graph helps you to see the big picture: Rather than focusing on one day's number, you're looking at trends over several days, weeks, or months. There's nothing more motivating than seeing that line move downward over time!

We also like graphs because they can help you to become accustomed to the fact that the number on the scale does fluctuate each day. The line won't always move downward, and that's okay. Weight normally varies from day to day, based on factors like how much water your body is retaining, among others. We find that seeing these normal fluctuations on a graph keeps our clients at the DFC from getting discouraged by them — they look past the little ups and downs and focus on the larger trends.

Another advantage to graphing with daily weigh-ins is that it helps you self-monitor more effectively. If you see your weight beginning to trend in the wrong direction, you can take steps to nip that trend in the bud.

Of course, weighing in daily isn't right for everyone. If you've ever had an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia or if you find it extremely upsetting to get on the scale, you should talk to your doctor or mental health–care provider. Otherwise, give it a try and see how it works for you!

If daily weighing is a good strategy for you, we encourage you to keep it up — even after you meet your weight goals. Research has shown that people who've lost weight and continue to weigh themselves regularly afterward are better able to keep the weight off. So plan to make your friendship with your scale a lifelong one. Doing so will greatly increase your chances of both short-term and lifelong success.

Based on the world-renowned Duke Diet & Fitness Center Residential Program in Durham, North Carolina, Duke Diet & Fitness Online applies the same proven approach to weight loss: diet, fitness, behavioral strategies, and medical expertise.

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What a scary thought.   Facing the scale on a daily basis.  But not facing it is even scarier.

 I do not weigh everyday nor do I WEIGH every week.  I would drive myself weekly. It would drive me crazy.

I am almost 7 years out and I do weigh daily . Some people ask my why ? My reply has always been and will always be ..
I have to know... if I do not keep up with my weight , it can get out of control . Now I am not saying this is good for everyone . Some like to weigh once a week , or even once a month . That is great .
I just know I can deal with what ever the number can be , and I have taught myself to be strong no matter what .

Remember too , that even if the scale does not move , you can lose inches and that counts too .
Just call me the Scale Pimp .. LOL ..

Best to you all ,

Tink

Thanks for reply because the reason I posted this was to see what people are doing and so far most are weighing daily.

I learned that daily weighing works best for me also and I have gotten strong as you put it. I used to get very upset when the scales goes up and I ate and exercised and there was not earthly reason for a gain. But I learned when the time of months comes the scale goes up for days for no reason. I also learned if I continue to eat right, when TOM leaves the gain comes off and more.....:-)

Since I am struggling right now, I believe not weighing daily would give me a chance to gain more weight and when I know that number in the morning, I think about it when I eat or question what I should eat. Weighing daily keeps me very mindful of my choices during the day.

When I re-gained weight back, I was not weighing daily. This will not happen again. From now on I do not miss more than 2 days weighing in. When on vacation most places have a scale in the health clubs. I still weigh and most times I am able to maintain my weight on vacations.

I also have noted that long time WLS patients who have maintained their weight loss weigh daily. Not all of them but the majority do. So this helps me see no matter how crazy the scale acts at time it is still a trust worthy friend and in the end it is reliable if we listen to it.

Hugs,
Molly

THANK YOU MOLLY FOR THIS AWESOME ARTICLE !! KEEP EM COMING ! 

HUGS,

TINK