To buy a scale or not? That is the question..

poochierockz

I just moved back to Ireland and I don't have a scale in my bathroom yet. I just reserved one to pick up at Argos but now I'm going through a dilemma. I don't know if it's a good idea to actually have one!!

I know in the past, when I weighed myself and I lost weight, I'd be over the moon and my motivation would soar through the roof and then when I weighed myself and the results weren't what I expected, I lose all that motivation and tend to say F* it. Eventually picking up the diet again in a couple weeks time. I don't wanna go through that now, going back and forth. I need to learn to keep the motivation going though, I know.

So I'm still debating, I don't want anything getting in the way of the motivation I have right now. I know how much I weighed when I started this diet and I've been on it for 2 weeks now and have no idea how much I weigh now. I'M DYING TO KNOW!!!

Should I get it, should I not? Anyone else have the same problem? Seems like a silly problem, I know..

FunkZ

Definitely purchase a scale! It's a necessity.

Though on the motivation side of things, some weeks you might lose no weight or even gain some and it'll get you down. Though I've found that when this happens you should measure your waist, I've often gained some and lost an inch. Also, you're only on the diet two weeks. So if you get it now you can keep track over the next few months/years.

We should all really have a weighing scales, a body fat calipers and a measuring tape

beks101

Are you a gym member and could you get weighed there?

I'm like a child when it comes to scales, if I see no change after a week of hard work I get into a strop and am tempted to jack it all in. I'm abroad at the mo and haven't invested in a set of scales as I'm finding it handy to use the one in the ladies changing rooms in my gym once a week.

I'd agree that a measuring tape is vital though - the scales is only one indicator and often not a good one of fat loss.

Mellor

FunkZ wrote: »

Definitely purchase a scale! It's a necessity.

no it isn't, especially if the variations of +/- 1kg affect your motivation. These are natural and can't be avoided. If your the type of person who gets upsat over a kilo or so, and the type that weights them selves every day then its a bad idea imo.

We should all really have a weighing scales, a body fat calipers and a measuring tape

No everyone needs a mirror.
I weigh myself once every week or two at the gym, no need to do it more often.
If i was to check bf% or waist size, then you are talking months apart, i'll find somewhere

Dixie Chick

Id have to say No, dont get a scales but be sure you weigh in every two weeks somewhere, same time, same place same clothes!

poochierockz

beks101 wrote: »

Are you a gym member and could you get weighed there?

Unfortunately I'm not working at the moment and can't afford the luxury of a gym membership! Most of my workouts are done at home and on the beach!! (which I much prefer, ahh that cool ocean breeze does wonders for one's soul!) So I've no place to get weighed.

FunkZ wrote: »

Though on the motivation side of things, some weeks you might lose no weight or even gain some and it'll get you down. Though I've found that when this happens you should measure your waist, I've often gained some and lost an inch.

I don't have a measuring tape either but thats something I should invest in! At the moment, I'm measuring my progress by how my clothes are fitting and in the past 2 weeks, its definitely gotten looser!

Mellor wrote: »

If your the type of person who gets upsat over a kilo or so, and the type that weights them selves every day then its a bad idea imo.

I don't weigh myself everyday when I had a scale, I only did it once a week. If I didn't lose weight or didnt lose as much as I expected, then I do tend to get very upset after the weeks hard work. Thats why I'm very hesitant to get the scale.. I don't want anything getting in the way of my progress .. even though its something that would be measuring my progress.

Dixie Chick wrote: »

Id have to say No, dont get a scales but be sure you weigh in every two weeks somewhere, same time, same place same clothes!

I think I'm leaning towards not getting the scale at the moment...
Maybe after a month, I might rethink getting the scale and by then, I might have developed more of a routine and have changed my thinking around a bit in regards to weight loss. My biggest problem is losing the willpower to continue when I run into something that gets me down. I'm gonna take this next month to change that habit and then tackle the scale!! Thanks all for your input!!

El_Dangeroso

You should get a pair of 'trousers of truth', don't buy anything if you can just fish out something that you could fit into before but can't now. Be realistic, don't pick something that is more than 2 sizes smaller than you are now, because it will take you far too long for them to fit to be any sort of motivation.

Fit of clothes is usually a far more consistent measure of progress than the vagaries of the scales, the scales can flat out lie sometimes, especially as a woman with all the attendant variations in water retention.

There is no better validation of weight-loss than to be able to comfortably close a button that wouldn't close before.

Lantus

If you want to measure your 'progress' then scales are just one part of a bigger picture. They only measure your weight in kg or lb, what they dont do is tell you about your body composition or (unless you have fancy scales) the ratio of body fat to lean muscle mass.

Just seeing a big number can be very off putting depending on wat you tell yourself you want to see and can even be detrimental as continuous loss in 'weight' doesn't always mean a better shaped body because you could be losing muscle as well as fat. (Muscle being that stuff that makes you look toned, strong, healthy, strengthens your bones and protects your body and back from injuries.

I have over the last year lost almost 2 stone but I have put a lot weight back on as muscle through training. As a result my body shape has changed dramatically from a podgy look to a classic V with a well defined body.

The scales say I'm fat. But sclaes alone ain't very bright.

I would say measure yourself every 2 weeks for weight and also waist, chest and hips and arms with a tape measure. If you like get some calipers (which are fairly cheap) so you can get some idea of what the fat content of your body is rather than just the overall weight. But it's not essential. Through a good mix of solid healthy nutrition, cardio and resistance you will change your body shape successfully.

poochierockz

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

There is no better validation of weight-loss than to be able to comfortably close a button that wouldn't close before.

YES!!! What an amazing feeling that is!! I used to be much thinner but 4 years in a bad relationship and I packed on the pounds very quickly.. yikes. I've lost over half of what I've gained so far in the last year and then got stressed with work (back in the states) and just stopped working on the diet and was at a standstill. Moving back to Ireland has definitely changed all that and I'm hoping to lose the rest of what I gained and even more! So I've a bunch of clothes that are more than 2 sizes too small from my previous smaller days and I can't wait to wear them. Although I know they are goals for further down the line as it would take a long time to fit into them again!

Lantus wrote: »

I have over the last year lost almost 2 stone but I have put a lot weight back on as muscle through training. As a result my body shape has changed dramatically from a podgy look to a classic V with a well defined body.

The scales say I'm fat. But sclaes alone ain't very bright.

Congrats on losing all that weight .. and then gaining muscle!! I'm in the process of doing an hour of walking/jogging for an hour everyday and doing pilates and some weight training as well. I have a horrible shaped body at the moment.. I can actually see the old body I had .. with fat all around it!! Ugh! Makes me mad. Hopefully all the exercises will help get rid of that although it just seems so hopeless at times. I just need to keep at it and just like you said, not use my weight and weightloss as an idicator of my progress.