Comments on: Refuse To Be A Slave To The Scale

By: Vee

Vee — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:05:15 +0000

I used to be a slave to my scales as well. I began looking at how my clothes fit. Last night I tried on a size 6 pair of denim capri pants and they fit but are still snug in the abdominal and butt area and I am like okay I got them on and I can zip them up and etc…I have not weighed myself since Wednesday February 1st. I weight 155 at the time.

I agree going by how your clothes fit is a more accurate representation of wight loss vs. getting on the scale on a daily basis.

By: Peaches

Peaches — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:36:49 +0000

Thanks for this post. It really hit on time. A year ago tomorrow, I actually started my journey to lose weight for the third time. I saw an article about this blog in Essence Magazine, and have been hooked every since. I did not weigh myself, but counted my caloric intake and exercised. Maybe it was not a good idea, but I did not want to hurt my journey. In the past year, I have lost 3 dress sizes. I used my clothes to measure my weight. Today, I am focusing on maintaining my weight, and I still am not a fan of weighing daily. I completely agree with you Erica that it is a fanatic behavior. You should measure your body fat, and use your clothes to determine your body’s daily changes. This should be your focus. Thanks so much for your posts, and please keep them coming.

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:50:23 +0000

Thank you SO much for this post. I, too, am a daily weigher. Thinking that if I weigh myself first thing in the morning, that would be my truest weight. Saddened to find out that the number on the scale went up, not down.

Subconciously I knew that weight was mental, but after reading this post, I didn’t truly understand the mental components of losing weight. I am so thankful for your site, Erika!

Here’s to getting to work on a healthier more fit lifestyle. I’ve thrown away the scale until I’m ready.

By: Erika Nicole Kendall

Erika Nicole Kendall — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:01:01 +0000

I’m sorry, but no. If anything, let’s start preaching “incorporate activity into your every day life so you don’t have to rely on an external source of accountability.” To ME, weighing yourself every day IS fanatacism and I’ve been doing this for YEARS.

Besides, there are countless – COUNTLESS – reasons why the scale is inaccurate. If you INSIST on having “a measure of accountability,” then get a tape measure. Measure your body fat percentage. A simple scale is useless, I’m sorry to say, if you’re actively changing your life to make sure you not only LOSE the weight but keep it off and maintain.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:56:04 +0000

I am all for weighing yourself daily and here’s why. Too often we run from the scale which was designed to be a monitor of our weight. If we don’t utilize it on a daily basis how do we maintain accountability of our weight. I don’t think we should become a fanatic, however if I know weight is an issue that I deal with, I could use the same analogy as I do with my blood pressure. If I don’t check that daily to ensure it’s within the proper range then whose responsibility is it if I stroke out. I say we need to stop running from the scale but use it as a monitor or should I say our personal accountability conscience. Let’s stop preaching “No scale” and start teaching accountability. And if you’re wondering……No I’m not some skinny little chick saying this….I’m a sister of this wellness and lifestyle journey and my scale is my friend! “To thine own self be true”

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:09:50 +0000

I am guilty of the daily weigh-in. I don’t take it too serious, I know it will be up or down for obvious things and sometimes up or down when I think it should have been the opposite. But it keeps me aware of how I am doing. It’s my crutch I suppose, I have maintained my weight for a year now after losing 85 pounds. I just am not comfortable yet putting away the scale, lol, I guess I need that daily affirmation that I am not 230 anymore. I do keep track from one Saturday to another how the weight is doing, which I feel is pretty much a good indicator.

By: Nicolle

Nicolle — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:51:39 +0000

I am a daily weigher. I weigh myself every morning as soon as I get up. It keeps me motivated. I lost 61lbs and am in the home stretch of losing the last 19. It is not only very motivating to me to get up and see the ounces drop off every morning but also because I am at the lowest weight I have been at in a very long time and it is nice to get up and that low number staring back at me. It really is a great way to start my day.

By: Fitempress

Fitempress — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:56:42 +0000

Boy did I need this! I’m only 1 week into my journey to the new healthy me (eating right getting back on my exercise regime) and i was pumped all through the week then I stepped on my brand new second time being used scale (yes i bought a scale just for this journey) this morning and the scale didn’t move!!! I was so down that I almost didn’t get up and get in my exercise this morning and even as I pushed my self to keep on track I felt my motivation wane. However, after reading this post I think i’ll leave my scale alone for a while! I for one don’t think i can handle the emotional ups and downs my scale has to offer!

By: Erika Nicole Kendall

Erika Nicole Kendall — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:40:13 +0000

Big difference between “don’t be a slave to the scale” and “don’t track your body at all,” though, mama. There are other more valuable markers – like body fat percentage and tape measure – that tell a more thorough tale than a number that can be affectd by everything from whether or not you’ve retained water to whether or not you’ve pooped for the day. If you need something to track, then use SOMETHING, but just use something accurate.

…and thank you for the very kind words on the meal plan. Glad you stepped out on faith and got a reward in the end.

By: T.R.

T.R. — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 19:34:22 +0000

Hmmm, I’m kind of torn. I actually agree with your post Erika, but for me weighing myself a few times a week (or once a week) actually keeps me on track especially when I know I haven’t been eating the way I should. Maybe it’s because for YEARS I avoided getting on a scale like the plague. And I would over indulge and use my “clothes” and “peoples comments” (as you discussed in another post) as my barometer. And of course I’d just gain more weight. I started my current journey back in November and I find that when I veer off my plan I intentionally stay away from my scale altogether. Getting on it makes me see that I’m still on a journey. I know the scale is a lagging indicator BUT somehow mentally it works for me. I don’t get overly emotionally involved with it because I also use other indicators like my clothes and my Omron body fat monitor which actually calculates my body fat and BMI.

BTW been using your first plan this week. And yes I’ve lost weight but won’t dwell on that. :O) The real coup for me is that I read your recipes and thought, “I don’t do this in my food or that”and “I won’t like that and I’ll modify”…blah blah blah. :O) But last week I decided I’ll just do your recipes as is and low and behold have loved everything so far. My favorite so far is the Rosemary Chicken and the subsequent chicken salad… both were delicious and “I don’t even like fruit” in my chicken salad…LOL. Tonight is the chicken wings and I even went out and got port chops, which I haven’t eaten in YEARS. So thank you. I stepped out and tried something different and realized I really liked it. The Rosemary Chicken and chicken salad are staying in my arsenal. Next week I’ll do the vegetarian menu.

Also, just a few notes. On the weekly menu you had a taco salad that wasn’t in the recipes. Just an FYI.

By: Mary pat

Mary pat — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 10:52:29 +0000

Love this post!! Thanks – needed to heat it!

By: milaxx

milaxx — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 03:18:55 +0000

You know I mentioned on the myfitness boards that I weigh myself once a month and many were horrified. I had to explain that what I do is review that lovely food diary so many of use keep. I look at not only my caloric intake, but the macro-nutrients. I want to know if I’m eating in a balanced manner and if any foods I’m eating are giving me salt or sugar spikes I don;t need. I also look to make sure I;m getting a decent amount of protein. If I am doing things correctly, I feel it in my clothes and my body. Reviewing like that also gives me a better since of what things I can eat when I’m out socially and hopefully help me make better food choices. I don;t always get it right but it helps much more than going nuts on the scale.

By: Moe

Moe — Tue, 24 May 2011 23:10:56 +0000

OMG did I ever need to read this one. I started my journey about 3 weeks ago and I have been weighing just about daily. I was doing consistently great until this week…the numbers are creeping back up despite my pretty good eating and 4-5 days of excercising. FRUSTRATING!!!!

For weeks my trainer has been advising me to stop weighing and to instead focus on “eating perfectly” and “movement”. But I have convinced myself that if the scale doesn not move downward then I have not been successful that week. And this week has me feeling like quitting alltogether.

“Your priority should be incorporating healthy behavior in your daily activity, because the weight will just fall off after that!” DING DING DING…I GET IT!!!

It will be tough breaking the “gotta weigh” mindset, but if it will eliminate the frustration whch almost resulted in me saying “forget it” this week, then I am willing to try. I have along journey ahead so every bit of inspiration helps!

Thanks!

By: christy hyman

christy hyman — Tue, 24 May 2011 22:54:18 +0000

Good post indeed. My mom knows how hard I stick to my cardio and she is not into the whole “eating right” thing, so she ALWAYS asks me how much I weigh, and each time I tell her, “Mom, the scale gives too many false positive/negatives and I go by only inches”. She looks at me skeptically after that. Some folk just can’t deal with nutritious eating and fitness-it keeps you from eating their chitlins and hamhocks, lol.
But yeah between hormonal water retention, sodium water retention, and being “backed up” I am not letting a scale steal my joy.

Every time I put on a pair of jeans that I can fit that I could not fit three months ago is my scale

By: Tiana

Tiana — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 02:31:38 +0000

OMG – just the article I needed….

I’m at this exact moment right now – I hate my scale…lol

By: tlove

tlove — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:46:08 +0000

Hi Thanks for this this. This past year, I gained more than 20 pounds. I have always been petite, and my weight has always been relatively low, so I was truly at a loss when I couldn’t fit my clothes. Eventually, I joined a gym, but, again, having never had to work on losing weight, I was at a loss. They set me up with a routine (which I felt was not intense enough) and I started working out everyday. I tried to incorporate some healthier eating habits as well, but I’m a pretty healthy eater, which is why I’ve probably stayed small for so long. Well, I would go in the bathroom each day and weigh myself. Imagine my shock and dismay when the scale either didn’t change or went up! I had no explanation, no understanding for why this was happening and it made me really feel down. I was so excited to have started something to get back to my “normal” weight and it seemed as if it just wasn’t working. A good friend, who’d lost a lot of weight, told me not to weigh myself. Best advice I could have gotten. I will continue to work out and I believe that in time, my weight will change. Thanks for sharing and allowing me to do the same.

By: Penny

Penny — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:55:52 +0000

I’m loving this site and I too am a “WEIGHT WATCHER!” Thank you so much for this post. I’ve decided to stop playing the numbers game & focus strictly on being healthier & everything else will fall into place. I’ll weigh myself once per week.

By: Erika

Erika — Wed, 12 May 2010 00:25:36 +0000

Yeah, LOL… I’m pretty anti-scale. It can go up and down at its own leisure… definitely not a win for anyone. Focus more on your body, less on the scale, and you won’t dampen your own spirits.

By: Lady Barbara

Lady Barbara — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:51:19 +0000

OMG, this is right on time. Right now I’m at work & it’s lunchtime and I’m reading this post and yes I’m a daily weighter as well. I up 3-5, down 2-6 and right back to the same weight, can not seem to just past this point certain number. I called the doctor, yes I did, I imform them that it must be these pills for my high blodd pressure causing me to gain weight! I’m working out lifting 3-4 times a week, up my cardio to do more and I’ve gain weight!!! I even thought about buying a newer scale, but for now, I need to stay off that thang. I have lose body fat and that is important as well, but I stuck on that scale number too. Help!

By: Erika

Erika — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:20:55 +0000

Tracy, I’m glad you posted your comment! You know, if you were picking up a routine again and were pretty rigorous with it, you also could attribute a bit of that gain to developing muscle! I’m sure it had a bit to do with what you’ve taken in as far as food and water are concerned, but you can also thank your workout for that gain!

I was saving this for an upcoming post, but you definitely want that muscle! It works for you when you can’t, since it burns three times as many calories as the fat we carry on our bodies. So… it might be a gain this week, but it may help you burn off an extra 2lbs over the next month with the same effort!

Best of luck to you, and thanks for stopping by!