To weigh or not to weigh, that is the question

[Left Is Write]

I don't have a scale at home. If I want to weigh in, I have to go to the gym to do it.

I tend to get obsessive about numbers. My question is - should I weigh or should I forget about weighing? Should I buy a scale for my home?

My last weigh-in was the day before Christmas Eve. I was 110.

I take measurements, which I check every 2-3 weeks. They are the same as before. My clothes still fit. I am happy eating by instinct and allowing myself some lenience rather than very rigid calorie counting.

I'm afraid of two things - I'm afraid if I DON'T weigh, I'll get too lax with my diet (I exercise vigorously, so that area is fine). I'm also afraid if I DO weigh, I'll get obsessive if the number is, say, 114 instead of 110, and I'll lapse into precise calorie counting and deprivation.

What should I do? What would you do?

[Poiuyt]

1. I just ordered a new scale

A lot of people say that the most important measurement is how you look in the mirror. If you workout a lot, you can add muscle and have your weight actually go up because muscle weighs more than fat.

That being said, I think it's important to weigh yourself about once a week. I weigh myself first thing in the morning, before breakfast but after visiting the WC. I think it's a good idea to keep track of trends in body weight.

The scale that I just ordered is a scale that also measures body fat by Tanita. Body fat percentage is a more important number than body weight anyway. From what I understand, the Tanita scales are very accurate as far as weight, but pretty inaccurate as far as body fat measurement. I figure that if I am consistant in the time and method of measuring BF, at least I can see if my BF is going up or down.

[liontamer]

2. Don't get a scale

you already say you're obsessive. If you really gain weight, you'll know.

[Lex]

3. The scale weight is just an approximation

because of the water weight flux (depending on if you've eaten something salty, or it you are retaining water for other reasons).

Also, if you are working out vigorously, you could be putting on some muscle weight and it weighs more than the fat it might displace.

So I'd say don't weigh, and just go by how your clothes are feeling on you. You can use one particular pair of pants and one top to kind of keep a handle on your progress (the "measuring" clothes).

[mopinko]

4. unless you used to weigh 300

i can't imagine why you would even be thinking about your weight.

[Left Is Write]

8. I've been thinking about my weight for 25 years.

I was anorexic at age 13, and my fear of getting obsessive is rooted back there.

I was always a slender person. With my last two pregnancies, I gained 70 and 52 pounds respectively, and when all was said and done after my youngest weaned, I was 135 pounds. There's nothing wrong with 135 pounds, but with a very small frame and 32.6% body fat, it wasn't very healthy for me. I started eating right, exercising, and I lost 25 pounds and reduced my body fat to between 20 and 21%.

I've been maintaining since last summer, but I only stopped rigidly counting calories a couple of months ago. I didn't want to be counting calories forever, so I had to reach a point where I could trust myself to eat well without relying on a calorie counter, and still maintain my weight.

It's a fine line to walk, between wanting to maintain the results my hard work got me, and not wanting to become obsessive and consumed with it.

[mopinko]

9. do you still go to therapy? or?

now i understand your concern. or are you getting through this all on your own? i don't know too much about this stuff. maybe a little "tune-up" might help. it would be my completely ignorant opinion that you should not own a scale.
but as a fellow mom, which i do know about, you should do whatever it takes for you to take care of yourself. i can completely understand needing to take your body back from 2 pregnancies, and feel like yourself again.
the thing i like best about working out is feeling strong. there is a lot of comfort in that for me. mom's need all of that hat they can get.

[Left Is Write]

10. No, I never had therapy, though it probably would have been good for me.

It was 1979, and I'd never heard the word "anorexia." My mother was concerned enough to take me to the doctor and ask how she could get me to put on 40 pounds. The doctor dismissed her, saying, "She'll gain when she wants to." (Whatever that was supposed to mean - I was 5'3" then and 69 pounds.) I got over it - mostly - with help and support from my mother.

I do agree that I shouldn't buy a scale, having thought about it. I know I'd start getting on the damn thing every day, and that's no good. Once a month or so should be enough for me.

I love that feeling of strength from working out too. I love feeling strong and vibrant, and I like pushing myself just that little bit extra to accomplish something different.

[flvegan]

5. Based on your last paragraph

Don't get a scale. You're only using it to find out if you're maintaining or gaining. There's no real positive feedback. Besides, at 110, you'll notice a true 4 pound increase (as opposed to water) in a big way, I'll bet. Besides, with your vigorous exercise, you probably won't gain, especially if you're equally obsessive with exercising.

Now, if you REALLY want negative feedback, take thee to The Lounge and post "I gained 4 pounds (I weigh 114 now)! Aaaagh! Ask me anything!"

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

6. So true! The lounge people would eat you alive! n/t

[Left Is Write]

7. LOL! Yes, that would guarantee some negative feedback, wouldn't it?

I did weigh in - still 110 pounds. (Actually, it was 109.75, but I don't like to quibble over a quarter of a pound.)

I stopped counting calories just before Thanksgiving, but I must be doing something right.

I thank everyone for your thoughts and advice, and I have decided NOT to buy a scale for my home. I'll continue to go by measurements and how my clothes fit, and just keep doing what I'm doing.

[H3Dakota]

11. ROFL...

FLVegan, you sure don't like those Ask Me Anything posts, do ya? LOL... but you are SO right in that, too...

[wildeyed]

12. Don't weigh.

Listen to your body and pay attention to how your cloths are fitting.

I gained 55 pounds with both of my pregnancies. But it eventually came off and I have no trouble maintaining now.