Should I buy some scales? and seeking advice on getting in shape

[funkybutt]

I haven't owned any scales before. I usually only see what I weigh when I go to the doctor or visit a family member who has scales. I currently weigh around 125 lbs and I'd like to be closer to 115.

I'm about to begin a post Mardi Gras workout routine. Attempting to stick to such a routine or a healthy diet during Mardi Gras is impossible for me. Then after mardi gras, I came got sick 2 different times. NOW I'm finally starting to feel better.

My routine will include cycling (10-16 miles) and jogging (2-3) miles. I will engage in one of these activities 3-4 times a week.

My diet is generally pretty healthy but the food here is awesome, so when company is in town, it's hard to pass on some of the local flavor. I don't care much for fried foods but I do eat boiled seafood at least once a week (crabs or crawfish). Boiled seafood contains a lot of salt so I probably carry around a bit of water. Can drinking lots of water flush the salt out of my system?

How much water should I drink a day? What would y'all recommend as a "reasonable" diet for me?

[CitySky]

1. My totally non-professional opinion of all this...

is, friend, you are going to LOVE what the biking and running do to your body. I have been doing both for less than 2 months now and I'm more firm, my pants are all loose... you get the idea! Plus I have more energy. Your plan sounds great!

YES to drinking lots of water. YES to the salty seafood in moderation (God gives us these things for our enjoyment, n'est pas?), YES to even more water when you enjoy that. Keep healthy snacks around (nuts, fruits, what have you) because all of that biking and running will make you hungrier, and you don't want to reach for junk just because there's nothing healthy nearby.

NO to the scale. Don't waste your $ and attention on it when there are so many tempting bike gadgets in the stores, not to mention making sure you have decent running shoes. For all of the improvements cited above, my scale weight has only gone down slightly. Use the "how the jeans fit" test instead of the scale. You'll like it. :)

[wildeyed]

2. I'd say no to the scales, too.

Go by how you feel and how your clothes fit, not an arbitrary number. I am actually heavier when I am in shape than when I am out of shape, due to the difference in the weight of muscle vs. fat. But I am thinner when I am strong and 'heavy', at least in the butt and waist.

I am not a fitness professional, but I would say add some strength activities to your routine. Anything from yoga to weightlifting counts. I mostly do yoga and climbing with a simple weight routine thrown in for variety.

As far as diet, I only keep healthy food in the house, but I don't worry about an occasional splurge on a night out.

Good luck! You will feel great once you get going.

[emulatorloo]

3. PLEASE read this essay "Why The Scale Lies"

And if you want to get a scale after, at least your eyes will be wide open.

http://skwigg.com/id12.html

I will snip part of it, but please go there and read the whole thing.

<snip>

Why the Scale Lies

By Renee Cloe

We've been told over and over again that daily weighing is unnecessary, yet many of us can't resist peeking at that number every morning. If you just can't bring yourself to toss the scale in the trash, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the factors that influence its readings. From water retention to glycogen storage and changes in lean body mass, daily weight fluctuations are normal. They are not indicators of your success or failure. Once you understand how these mechanisms work, you can free yourself from the daily battle with the bathroom scale.

Water makes up about 60% of total body mass. Normal fluctuations in the body's water content can send scale-watchers into a tailspin if they don't understand what's happening. Two factors influencing water retention are water consumption and salt intake. Strange as it sounds, the less water you drink, the more of it your body retains. If you are even slightly dehydrated your body will hang onto its water supplies with a vengeance, possibly causing the number on the scale to inch upward. The solution is to drink plenty of water.

<snip>

[emulatorloo]

4. As to diet and nutrition - The Zone has worked for me

in a big way. i have lost a lot of weight and feel really terrific. In terms of health indicators on my yearly physical, there have been some really amazing changes.

And you don't have to worry about the occasional cheat meal.

www.drsears.com

Of the books he has out, to me, the first half of The Omega Zone explains the Zone most clearly. It is an easy eating plan to follow.

[funkybutt]

5. Thank you all so much!

I really appreciate your input. I will NOT be buying any scales for reasons that many of you discussed.

It's really not WEIGHT that I want to loose..it's fat. I'd like to slim up in the butt and thigh area.

I ran this morning and I feel great! I'll be cycling tomorrow (weather permitting) then I'll probably take Sunday off. Maybe I'll do some weight work (dumbells) and stretching.

[IronLionZion]

6. Screw the scales

weight is meaningless. What's more important is how you look and feel...just don't psyche yourself out.

[Scout1071]

7. I'm on the edge and thinking of buying one anyway.

I kid you not, I was just getting my shoes on to go buy a scale. I've been wogging (walk/jog)for the last 7 wks. I really would like to know how much I have lost and keep track of it. I don't want to have one longterm, but for now while I am really working to lose, I think I'm going to get one. After all, it's only 5 wks until I go to Mexico and I'd really like to drop 10 lbs.

[Scout1071]

8. i'm back. I went to the store and changed my mind. I'm till scale free!