For Newbies: Ditch the scale! page 2

[Griff]

Rachel: Tell them that you will allow yourself to be weighed on the condition that the number is not in any way disclosed to you. Yes, doctors need that number to do things like calculate how much medication you need, for example, but you do not need to know it. Also make it clear to your doctor's office staff and to the doctor that weight is not on the table for discussion, period. If they bring it up, say "I told you that that is not on the table for discussion." They have to abide by your wishes; you pay them, remember.

[jfreaksho]

That was an awesome post, Griff. I think I've said similar things to several people over the past couple of weeks. Now I can just link to this.
Thanks.

[loafingcactus]

Rachel: Tell them that you will allow yourself to be weighed on the condition that the number is not in any way disclosed to you. Yes, doctors need that number to do things like calculate how much medication you need, for example, but you do not need to know it. Also make it clear to your doctor's office staff and to the doctor that weight is not on the table for discussion, period. If they bring it up, say "I told you that that is not on the table for discussion." They have to abide by your wishes; you pay them, remember.

Second that. I did it for a while and it wasn't a problem at all. I doubt they will mess w you over it because scale issues are pretty common, but if they were to I would just take your business elsewhere.

[NurseMama5]

I am a recovering chronic weigher. I would weigh several times a day, I would drink milk of magnesia or take my dad's lasix before a weigh in at weight watchers just to have a better number....how stupid I did that for a stupid number when I knew it wasn't fat I lost just water and poop. I now only weigh myself once a week. Why would I allow a stupid machine that tells me I've gained 2 lbs AFTER pooping to dictate my mood and how I feel about myself that day?

Every new person needs to read this!! Thanx Griff!

[Leida]

I don't weigh myself often, but I feel this number is good in conjunction with inches, because then you can figure out if you are gaining muscule, not fat.

[IndigoBanshee]

I weigh myself often, but I think I'm one of those people that is mostly unbothered by the results. Most of the time, I use it to keep track of water fluctuation (helpful as a female), but I really don't get upset at fluctuations at all, and I don't consider what it on the scale as an absolute value, nor does it really discourage me to lose weight slowly. So largely, I think it depends on the type of person you are.

[Kvalhion]

I weigh myself periodically just as a rough gauge to how I am doing. One thing I've learned is that if I eat a big meal later in the evening, the scale will usually be up a bit. Also if I go off plan and have grains or whatever, the scale will jump for about 2 or 3 days and then normalize. I do not live and die by the number at all, but I've enjoyed plugging in my weight online every few days or so to see the trend over time. I weigh myself in the morning if I weigh myself at all. If I know I've eaten some foods I shouldn't have, I'll usually avoid weighing myself for two or three days so I do not see the temporary bump.

The scale is similar to a food intolerance. If you have problems with weighing yourself and obsessing over the number, definitely ditch it. On the other hand if you realize the numbers will fluctuate and are more curious than obsessed, weighing every once in a while isn't necessarily evil.

[Apex Predator]

If you have a mirror, I see no need for a scale.

[Hedonist]

Thanks Griff. I have been doing Primal/Paleo/Archevore or something like that for about a year. I have lost 5 pounds. Everything is looser on me - belts, rings, watches, socks, hats, you name it. I touch my face and am startled to find cheek bones.

[MightyAl]

I don't weigh myself often, but I feel this number is good in conjunction with inches, because then you can figure out if you are gaining muscule, not fat.

Not so much from personal experience. I was a daily weigher for a long time. Last year I lost 4lbs and 1.5" from my waist. Not a real strong correlation.