Do any of you maintainers think you could ever live without a scale?

[dae_tona]

I'm starting to realize that I can. I never thought I would make it 3 weeks without jumping on the scale. But I have. By about day 2 of not getting on the scale, I would have been jumping on it. But now, it has no appeal or hold on me whatsoever.

After not exercising & having a lingering cough at the same time I stopped getting on-I finally started exercising again. I'm feeling better, looking better, keeping my appetite under control & my clothes are fitting just fine. Well, the ones in my closet are...when I go to buy new clothes, I'm in between sizes but I don't stress to lose another 5 lbs to get into a smaller size. I like my clothes a little loose & comfortable on me so I opt for the size that's just a tad big.

Being off the scale for 3 weeks has actually been...very freeing.

I was trying to analyze (if any of you read my other post) about divvying my meals up, etc. Too much thinking, I started to realize. I go through days where I might eat 5 meals a day. I go through days where I might eat 2-3 meals a day. I still feel good. I still look good. My clothes still fit nicely. So why analyze anything else?

Have I had thoughts of getting on the scale? Only in momentary lapses of reason. But it doesn't show the whole picture. Sure, I could get on. But it won't change me. It won't change who I am or how I feel. The only thing that might change is the number. And that's it.

So I'm 'dieting' from the scale.

Dyan

[LaurieRobo]

Yes and it has taken me a long time to realize that! Especially now that I have accepted a slightly higher weight. I totally go by how I FEEL and how my clothes are fitting...

Those up-2/down-3/up-4 daily fluctuations can drive you crazy.

I usually sanity weigh about once a month - more a reality check.

However, as long as I am eating well and working out - I'm done stressing about the scale and a blasted number!!!!

[steady]

Yes...I had to let go of the scale to gain sanity. The scale determined my mood, and my mood determine how I ate. It was not a good pattern. I don't have a scale at home, I check my weight when I come across a scale like in a houseware store, in someone's bathroom, or occasionally at the gym.

I am not one of the lucky one, if I have to watch what I eat. So I have to be true to myself...I know when I eat poorly I gain weight, so I must focus on eating right ...the scale doesn't change that. So there is no point in me weighing myself.

[BellaHMB]

Well.... I still have my scale and have a commitment to weigh Fridays. So far it has been ok, but it's a bit tough if my weight goes up! I really have to hold the larger viewpoint as if I weigh once a week then I need to also be aware of how I feel, my clothes etc and basically how Im eating. I know when I eat too many carbs (legal foods), and when Im
in the groove.

Good question!

Bella

[Dharma]

I can easily go without weighing for long periods. The last time though (the last six months) I gained 10 lbs. I thought I was doing okay, and exercising portion control and that I wouldn't gain. But I did. I just got careless with sugar basically, and then I couldn't go without it.

I'm weighing daily right now, but I know I'm not chained to the scale. I no longer let it determine my mood. I've found that when I eat right my moods are right anyway. For me, the food determines whether my brain chemistry is right or not. I look at the number on the scale pretty objectively. It's when my pants are too tight that I know I'm off course.

[atcgirl42]

Yes I can. The scale doesn't matter to me. I can tell by the way I look and by how my clothes feel if I'm up or down in weight. I still have a scale since DH likes to weigh himself and every once in a while I'll jump on it, but maybe only once every month or two.

[Kissa]

Still love the scale, generally because it is now my friend!

[hhhmom74]

Nope, I weigh myself every single day!

[SuSUN]

Hi Rachel, I do too!

Daily weigher!

Susan

[Ailuros]

I can live without the scale, and I have done it when I've had to be away from home for a couple of months. But generally I prefer to weigh myself daily. If I do it monthly, then I either end up not doing it at all, or I worry about what the number's going to be, and then I worry about whether I'm catching the top end or bottom end of the daily wibbles. If I start to gain weight then I agree that it does show in how my clothes fit, but I have clothes in a range of different fits, and it's very easy for me to tell myself that I'm picking something loose because it's hot today, or I like the colour... or anything other than I'm avoiding the more fitted things because they're too tight. Avoiding the issue like that was how I ended up overweight in the first place.

So, I can live without the scale, but I prefer not to.

[LindaFaye]

I was weighting everyday but it started messing with my
mindset so now I weight once a week on Saturdays...Linda

[Kansas Deb]

I know I will have to use a scale every day. I want to catch myself once I make it to maintenance before I gain 10 pounds. The only way to do that is weigh every day. I could easily gain 10 pounds in one week! And as Ailuros said above...

If I do it monthly, then I either end up not doing it at all, or I worry about what the number's going to be, and then I worry about whether I'm catching the top end or bottom end of the daily wibbles.

[LoveMontana]

Packed my scale away a couple of years ago and found I can live with out it.

[Tecnokitty]

No, I weigh everyday and it keeps me in check with what I put into my mouth everyday. When I stop weighing I know I am in big trouble.

[BellaHMB]

I make myself step on the scale twice a week. Always on Friday even if I don't wanna....
My weight has been pretty stable since last summer, and I also watch my clothes to see how they fit esp. my jeans. So I guess I use the combination of clothes and scale to keep myself in check.

Bella

[Tecnokitty]

You have done so wonderful Bella!!! I can't always use my clothes as a guage cause some d ays I have those "I feel fat days" even though when I get on the scale it is fine. All in my head but it has been a long time trend for me that if I stop qweighing it is because I am not doing what I should . I am ok with a lb or 2 from water or TOM or whatever aslong as it goes away the next day or day after but it is easy for me to slip even with staying lc and eat too much or lose my focus. I did want to tell you I recently added back in my beloved wine! I love dry white, pino gricio, and had not had ANY since June so I was nervous about adding some back in. But it is going well and I am really enjoying my glass or two once in a while! I know I will prob never be able to eat what some folks can and maintain cause they are trigger foods for me, like pasta, even the dreamfieldsmakes me over eat BIG time. BUT, I have so been enjoying maint and being careful and stillbeing able to feel good about me and my body and weight You have been someone who's advice I have really depended on so thank you!!!

[BellaHMB]

You are most welcome

I eat a very careful diet plan, and it is basically protein and veggies (both green and not),
1 flax muffin each day, 1 serving of Greek yogurt with fruit/nuts, a salad, protein at each meal, cottage cheese, almonds, some eggs (dont like them much), bacon, coffee/cream/stevia, teas. I eat 1/2 a Lara Bar which is low glycemic and doesn't cause cravings and occasionally an Atkins bar for a snack. If I have bread it is always ezekial, and I only eat 1/2 piece with almond butter or ghee on it, and if I eat that I don't eat oatmeal.

Basically too many carb foods, even "good" ones, cause cravings for me. If I am not thinking about food as much (ie always on my mind!) then I am doing ok! If I start having cravings, I cut back.

You will find your own rhythm here as long as you watch what you eat and don't get unfocused. Now that I have weighed this weight since last August I know if I keep doing what I am doing I will maintain. If I veer off, or start "cheats" which I never do, I will fail. How do I know that? My own personal history!

The only foods which give me a run for my money are nuts. The rest I can turn away from including chocolate.

Bella