Every morning I weigh myself. Its not something I put a lot of emphasis on, it is just a daily habit that helps me gauge where I am over time. It helps me figure out how my body works, when it retains water, etc. I don’t ever write the numbers down or care much about them. My weigh in that counts is once a week on Tuesdays.
This morning I woke up, did my little wake up routine, then hopped on the scale. It said 244. At first I was thought, “OK.” Then I thought, “Well, that kind of sucks. I really wanted to be down just a few ounces at least. Going up a pound is no fun even if its not permanent!”
So I decided to wait a few minutes and hop on the scale again. Normally my morning weigh in is a one and done kind of thing. But this morning I wanted to see a lower number so I decided to wait a few minutes and hop on again… you know, just in case.
After 10 minutes had passed I hopped back on the scale. It read 237. My normal reaction to seeing that number would be: WOOHOO! This morning it was, “Oh crap, my scale is broken.” I knew this number was not right so I decided to weigh myself again to get a more accurate number.
Another 10 minutes passed and I went to weigh in again. This time the scaled told me I weighed 219. I had lost 20 pounds in 25 minutes! That is pretty freaking amazing, right?
Except its not. I cursed at my scale for being broken and hopped off. It made me mad that the scale started showing me the numbers I want to see, but they were not real. I can’t have a broken scale lying to me every morning if I really want to track progress.
So I waited another 10 minutes. I got dressed. Put my shoes on. Got completely ready for work and then went back and kicked my scale. HARD. After the kick I got back on the scale and it showed 246.6. Now that is more like it. Not pretty, but more accurate than 219.
All of this is to say – scales are not always reliable. On top of that weight fluctuates naturally. I don’t put too much stock in daily weigh ins, but my weekly ones are a great way to track progress. Other ways? You can track progress by measuring inches (which I do). Or you can also track it by trying on a certain stores sizes to measure the fit (which I also do).
Sometimes scales are big liars that can’t be trusted. Especially when they tell you that you lost 25 pounds in 20 minutes.
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{ 11 comments }
the title totally got me!!
scales are SUCH a hard thing to measure your success…don’t beat yourself up over it! Bummer tho that it’s not working right!
Darci’s last blog post..Two Day Recap
Heh oh jeez… scales are sketchy. But I weigh myself nearly every day, too. Best not to put too much focus on it though!
Sagan’s last blog post..The Run-A-Race-This-Summer Challenge
Stupid scale! Kick it for me too, please!
Not that it matters since you’re looking at it as a “big picture” thing, but do keep in mind that if it’s wrong on the low side, that scale can be wrong on the high side, too!
Our scale also stresses us out mostly my friend because it is at her house and easier for her to use it but when I got on one day to weigh in I weighed in 5 pounds heavier (I was not yet changed into my normal weigh in clothes but still) I changed which might I add was just from a shirt to a tank top and I lost the 5 pounds. HM I don’t think the scale scaring me is helping me out at all. Well also do measurments and pictures if you want to check out our progress go to http://www.thefitmission.com Good luck you are doing great.
I am going to go two weeks without jumping on a scale. It does my head in mentally. I am getting weighed once a week at my weekly WW meeting.
I love that you kicked it. How much have you lost?
Keep going.
michelle’s last blog post..Grandmas & Moms
It’s always so exciting at first, then you think about it and realize that oh wait, it’s impossible to lose 20 lbs in a week. Hope the next one is correct!
MackAttack’s last blog post..Thursday’s Eats
@Cammy
I kicked it multiple times. One can be a kick from you.
@Michelle
I’ve lost 9ish pounds on this kick. I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. :)
Is there someone who has a better scale that you could have access to? Or maybe a doctor’s scale?
FLG’s last blog post..Burp…
I hate my scale. It lies to me all the time. I like the scale at my gym, but it was lying to me as well. It is very sensitive. Hm.
Art’s last blog post..Push-up death.
I’m the same as you… I weigh most days, only to guage the trend, but only record my Monday weight. The fluctuations are eye-opening, which is why I feel so sorry for people who get distraught over a number on the scale. I have no emotional attachment to the number I see every morning… It’s like the weather forecast to me!
@Hanlie
Love that attitude!