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To Weigh or Not to Weigh...That is the Question

Happy New Year!

2016 is here and along with it comes a hefty dose of reality.  I'm not sure about you, but I'm fairly certain I survived solely on sugar and alcohol in December. I am feeling it in January.  I know I should get serious and get back on track - and I will - I always do - but wonder if I need to enlist an old foe - the scale.

A little background.  About 2 years ago I decided I was not going to weigh myself anymore.  Just wasn't going to do it.  Mostly because for the past 20 years or so the scale has ruled my life.  The slightest fluctuations (up or down) set the tone for my day.  Lost .1 pounds?  It was a red letter day of joy and happiness.  Gained .1 pounds?  It was a truly terrible, horrible, no good day.  And so it went.  Day after day, year after year I allowed this tool to determine my moods, set the tone for my day and generally control my life.

One day I decided enough was enough.  I stopped stepping on the scale.  I figured I could determine my weight by judging how my clothes fit and staying active.  I've had mixed success.  Did you know that you can gain 10lbs and your jeans will still fit?  They may fit like sausage casings - but they will fit.  Hence the problem.  I was moving and grooving, my clothes still fit YET I gained weight. :-(

I'm back at that place again.  December is fun and amazing and horribly fattening.  I tried on my jeans and they fit in a "really tight, can't breathe and I have so much skin hanging over the top I'm grossing myself out" kind of way.

So, I realized it was time to tighten up and get back on track.  And while researching ways to get healthier I found several studies that show daily weigh ins help lose and keep weight off.

I'm torn.  I loved the freedom of not weighing myself everyday.  I felt lighter and happier and less focused on my appearance.  However, I know in my heart of hearts that I need to lose 10lbs.  And it's really hard to figure out success (yes, I tape measure, try on clothes, etc) without a scale.

What's a girl to do?

Reach out to the Interweb, of course. :-)

Give it to me straight.  Do you weigh yourself everyday?  If so - does it help you stay on track?  If not, do you weigh yourself regularly or just follow a "keep moving and it will all work out" strategy?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Comments

  1. Nope! You can just feel it if you are being honest with yourself right? I believe in accountability in other forms- did i stay on ym clean eating? did i finish all ym water today? Did i move? :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. No scales.. My one friend weighs herself everyday and the roller coaster of emotions she goes through with it seems sooo counterproductive!! I prefer the keep moving, make healthier choices, buy leggings option!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. No scales for me either. I prefer to use my digital body fat "thing" (need to go see what it's called) and a tape measure. I was too obsessed with the minor normal weight changes when I used a scale.

    ReplyDelete

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