Must I weigh myself?

[DesertRain]

I have just started weight training and I know that I won't be losing numbers as fast as I would like to see on the scale. Even equipped with all the knowledge about factors that contribute to the numbers not budging on the scale, I know myself and I know that no weight lost will discourage me. I didn't even check my weight for my once a week weigh day last week, and I don't want to check my weight this week. I can see that I'm getting thinner, my clothes feel better, and people are starting to notice that I've slimmed down a bit. I would much rather go by these indicators of success than the numbers on the scale. The thing is, I'm in OWL and I'm just wondering, can I just listen to my body or can I fall off track by not weighing? I am doing so well and I just honestly think that it's because I have not been weighing. I'm even thinking maybe I can do a once a month weigh in and stay on each owl rung for a month at least so I can determine my CCL without having to be so diligent to the scale. Has anyone else ever felt this way? Any suggestions? Has anyone else done this successfully without weighing themself?

[elizabethbuttercup]

i think you may be giving those numbers too much power. it is just one way to track progress. measure yourself too. hey-i want the pounds to fall off too, and i really don't like the way i look and feel right now....but the extra weight has been here for YEARS, so if takes an extra week or month to kiss 'em good bye- i'll do it! you're little like me, and i think it might mean smaller (but still very visable!) results.

[*Alexa*]

I think you will be fine on OWL without weighing at all. Just check for bloating, heacahes, tiredness, tighter clothes etc to gauge how foods are affecting you.

I would personally weigh once a month just to keep an eye on that, but don't get too concerned with no loss or even gain if the tape measure and clothes and compliments say you are doing well.

[gman]

DesertRain-
I'm in the gym pretty much every night at 6 pm. Mostly weights, stability ball, cals, etc. for a couple hours. I switch around from day to day. I'm checking out more exercises for variety. I am definitely seeing results like you might plan on - muscle growth, toning up, looking much better, feeling much better, skin tightening up, smaller clothes, more confidence ... without much net weight loss.
So I agree with you and Alexa - great pictures by the way Alexa - so I can see not monitoring weight too closely. I weigh in daily and am seeing fluctuations of 0-3 pounds. I'm persistent, but this can be an upper/downer. For where I am at, measurements, and the other results I mentioned, are better.
Good luck with weight training. You've made a good choice.
Glenn

[sugarsack]

desertrain- measure measure measure

alexa - great new photo

keep up the good work !!

[molaurie]

Thanks, I was wondering about this, too. I know from past experience that if I even keep a scale in the house, I get way too obsessive about it! I'll weigh myself at least once a day, if not more, and then get discouraged if I see little fluctuations. It's a good way to beat myself up - so I threw out my scales a long time ago!

[studyinscarlet]

desertrain- measure measure measure

I agree. I don't weigh myself very often either but when you're on OWL you have to have some way of gauging whether or not something stalls you since you are introducing new things. I highly recommend measuring yourself.

[DesertRain]

Yes, measuring is the one thing I have continued to do, which is how I know things are moving in the right direction. Yesterday when I saw my personal trainer for the first time he was filling out my form and he skipped over the beginning weight section and looked at me and said, "I don't ever judge by weight, I measure body fat and inches so you can do that on your own but honestly weight is not really a good indicator of success" and I can't help to agree, only because of my past experience.
I also have some clothes that I keep trying on to see how much looser they are. I think I will do once a month weigh in's though just to keep myself on some kind of track!

[studyinscarlet]

That's awesome that he said that.

[DesertRain]

Originally Posted by studyinscarlet

That's awesome that he said that.

Yes, it is! Actually, I had a choice after meeting with him if I wanted to keep him or try someone else afterwards, and honestly, he won me over by saying that. There are so many people on here that are having so much success without seeing the numbers drop, and whether that's how my body works or not, it's just something different I want to focus on for my health. If I'm eating right and exercising well, who cares what the scale says. At first I was thinking, oh I wanna weigh [insert number here], now I just want to 1)be healthy, and 2) feel confident.

Thanks everyone