Do I have to weigh myself?

I have a history of eating disorders, and while I like the idea of joining a program and a community, I just HATE the whole numbers game! It can freak me out and be the dealbreaker of a diet. Does anybody else out there feel like I do, and if so, what can I do?

You don't have to weigh in at all if you don't want to.

It will effect the calorie coach feature, but that's not absolutely necessary anyway.  I only get weighed when I go to a doctors office so it's been weeks since I was weighed.   Just use the burn meter and the calorie counter and the nutritional analysis.  That way you can be sure your eating enough and eating the right things.  

I've never had any ED issues and have never dieted.  I don't want to get caught up in the numbers game either.   So no you don't have to weigh yourself, use the tools you like and skip the rest.

Good luck.

IMHO, you have to weigh yourself every single day at the same time (i.e. either when you wake up, get home from work or before dinner) and preferably with the same clothing (its weight matters too--I prefer practically nude).

The key is to use all the features of this site.  It's free and pretty easy.  You must enter the food you eat (improvise where you have to).  You can search it and if not found, enter ALL the details of the nutrition label.

You MUST eat less calories the what you burn naturally.  If yes, then the site will show you when you will reach your target weight.  It's all math!

Good luck

"Must" ...  ?   That's a little much.   The burn meter and the food log will work just fine without being weighed.     There is no need to weigh. 

rkdesktop - Your whole post could be considered triggering to some one with a history of ED.   There is nothing she MUST do.  And as for weighing everyday... all the experts and health information on this site say you should weigh yourself at most once a week.  Your sounding a tiny bit obsessive and that is exactly what the OP is trying to avoid!!

OP-  I don't weigh in at all, I only get weighed when I go to a doctors office and I've lost 17 lbs.  There is no need to weigh in at all if you don't want to.  Just focus on eating right and the rest will come.

ive been known to get obsessive with the scale..the whole thing causes me deep stress.... so for me i refuse the word must...i find that goin by my clothes size is a better gauge of how im doing......i weigh in only a few times a year...im not sure how many people can really understand how triggerring upsetting and controlling the idea of weighs in can be for those with past ED......best of luck to you...

Hey courtnayc,

you absolutely don't have to weigh yourself or even measure yourself to see results. I completely understand why either one of these activities would be a trigger considering your ED history. Like another poster already suggested, gauge your progress by the fit of your clothing.

I think that what's important is that you realize that you need to eat healthy and exercise regularly. I suggest trying to change your mindset from 'I'm dieting' to 'I'm getting healthy'... as many of us know, a diet can feel incredibly restrictive whereas getting healthy means that you are eliminating the negative things in your life and replacing them with positive/good/healthy ones. It is also far more sustainable.

You can do this!

You guys rock! Thanks for the support!

courtnay