Using the weight scale

Does anyone (with weight loss success) have a good recommendation on how frequently one should weight--once a week or once every other day?

I know this isn't much of a reply but I think that each person should choose when to weigh themselves. Some people feel comfortable weighing every day, I prefer to weigh only when i'm at the gym every other day (i refuse to have a scale in the house because i tend to get a tad obsessed with it). But i do think that weighing yourself is a good thing to measure progress. I think that no less than every other week (preferably once a week) just so you know where you stand. I also think that a better measure is how you are feeling and if those tight jeans aren't tight anymore! :)

I agree it depends on the person, if you become too obessive, do it once a week, but if you can handle fluctuation then go for once a day...

I like to do it once a day that way you know if you need to exercise more or if you need to watch what you're eating more, it's a better guide. But you can't get too upset if you see numbers staying the same or even going up.

Hi sue,

I think whether you weigh daily, every other day or weekly is an individual thing. Some people go bullistic if the scales don't recipricate the hard work that they have done that week with their dieting.

A lot of things effect the scales: the level of hydration, amt. of salt intake, amt of exercise. Are you gaining muscles? Fluid retention also plays a part.

If you have been dieting without any "mistakes", exercising, and get on the scales expecting (demanding) the scales to applaud your efforts, it might be better to weight less often.

If nothing rattles your cage, daily weighing might be ok. It gives you a trend line to show your progress. You see your minor ups and downs, but the general direction is down.

this is a great site, full of all kinds of tools to aid in you weight loss journey. It is also full of friends that are on the same journey, ready to help a fellow travelor.

to the finis line!!!

Karen

Whether you weigh once a day or once a week, try and weigh yourself at the same time each time.

How much you've eaten or drunk can have a large effect on what the scale will reflect.

As others have said, remember that there are a large number of factors that affect your weight. So don't look at the number as set in stone, instead focus on the trend line that it goes with.

My home scale only goes to 330 lbs and I am not going to buy another scale. So I have to rely on my weekly weigh in at weight watchers.

My wife was weighing herself daily but it became compulsive so now it is once a week for her too.

I have to weigh myself every day anyway, to watch for sudden weight gain, which for me means dangerous water retention. If I had a choice I'd weigh once every three days. It's hard to see the scale stay in the same spot day after day, but I'm making slow progress.

I weigh first thing in the morning wearing only my nightgown.

I agree with the other ladies that it has to be an individual choice. I can see the positives to both sides. If you are one who will obsess over the numbers, and that is a hard thing to resist, then I say every few days or once a week.

If you can handle the fluctuations :) I personally have found for myself that once a day, first thing in the morning after using the bathroom works well for me. I can see my normal fluctuations now after a few months and know what is "real" weight gain as opposed to water/muscle weight etc.

Also some ladies mentioned having a scale that actually measures body fat percentage etc. That may be helpful as well because you could still see BF percentage going down even if the scale wasnt' moving..

Thank you for the tips...the reason I am asking is that I'm a little disappointed with myself. After a week of maybe "false" excitement thinking the scale number was going down (I thought I lost 5 pounds, yesterday my weigth was almost went up to the original number as I started the calorie counting 6 days ago). I didn't increase my calorie intake but had increased the starches...I dont want to loose my motivation but it sure feels good to see a lower number every day? but what counts for the fluctuations, water??

Please disregard my last entry...I found another paragraph input by Eric explaining water could actually add up to 5 lbs of fluctuations...I guess I have to be patient which is one of my weakest virtues. thanks.