There is a huge debate in the weight-loss circles over something as simple as how often to weigh. It both annoys and amuses me. I don't see it as One True Answer For Everyone.
Some people can stress and obsess over it and have it become a distraction. For me, it is just the opposite. I find it motivating and helpful.
I weigh myself daily -- same time, same place, same type of clothing. The daily weight gets logged on the "personal stuff" calendar I have in my closet. For "official" weigh-in purposes, I only count Wednesday's weigh-in, but I log it daily.
How does this help?
-- I learned how much sodium DOES affect me. I can "gain" up to 2 pounds literally overnight after a high-sodium day. Even if I drink a significant amount of water.
-- I learned that my monthly cycle can affect me up to a week and a half before it actually begins.
-- I learned about normal fluctuations in weight by looking back and seeing patterns.
-- I learned that the number on the scale is JUST a number.
I log more than my weight. I log my mood and my schedule, so it gives me good idea of how everything fits together. Maybe it comes from my tendency to make lists, but a daily log keeps me focused in a way that weekly doesn't.
Several weeks ago I decided to listen to The Experts who say that daily weigh-ins are ridiculous. I actually did this on two different, non-consecutive weeks. During one week I stayed almost the same. I lost less than half a pound. During the other week I gained. I really think that the two minutes that it takes me to weigh, log, and jot notes is not just about a number on the scale; it's a two-minute time for me to evaluate and focus.
The Experts aren't always right, and I should learn not to second-guess myself.
I keep reading both sides and I will just have to figure out how it works for me on my own. It is great that you can keep an objective outlook. I really think I have a mental thing about the numbers.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what you should do. Figure out what works for YOU, which is probably not what works for someone else!
ReplyDeleteI think it really helps that when I started, I honestly wasn't looking to lose a certain number of pounds. I wanted to avoid blood pressure medication, and I knew the easiest way to manage that was to get my butt off the rocker. Everything else came afterward, piece by piece. I didn't start weighing myself until after I noticed my clothes were loose. The missing pounds are a bonus for me, so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me as much.