Every morning without fail, I get out of bed, strip off my pyjamas and weigh myself (after going to the toilet of course – every pound counts!). The results of the bathroom scales can make or break my day and I think it might be verging on an addiction. I know I’m losing weight, but the scales sometimes tell a different picture as my weight jumps up and down like a yo-yo – especially before and after fasting days (I’m doing the 5:2 Fasting diet). This morning ritual can be disheartening at times, causing me to lose track of my overall weight loss.
I’m a bit of a wham, bam kinda girl! I like to see results quickly, or I tend to lose interest. I know I’m in it for the long haul this time – trying to lose a whole load of weight – but I don’t want to lose motivation too much along the way.
Last week, I popped into Sports Direct to invest in a cheap pair of tracksuit bottoms for my new Pilates classes. Unsure of my size, I headed to the changing room with a selection. I thought an 18 (UK sizing) might be a safe bet, so that’s where I started. Ooooh, I think they might be a little on the large size – dare I try the 16 to compare? Wow, the 16 fitted perfectly – I had to prevent myself from doing a song and a jig in case anyone witnessed it!
This is the first time I’ve been in a size 16 since pre-pregnancy – we are talking about 4 years here. At the height of my largeness, just after giving birth, I was a size 22. When I think about this I realise how far I’ve come. It puts it all in perspective and reminds me maybe I shouldn’t put so much faith in the scales after all.
This post was written for the Yeah Write Moonshine Grid number 151.
101 Challenges in 1001 Days 
Congrats on your weight loss, that’s awesome! Toss out your scale, especially since it stresses you out – how the clothes fit is way more important!
Thanks Stacie. I wish I cluld , but I am too attached to the bloody things!!!!! 😉
Wow! That is so impressive. Congratulations! Perspective is incredibly important, isn’t it? It’s all too easy to lose sight of how far we’ve come.
Thank you. Its been slow progress over the last 3 years but I am really biting the bullet this time and sticking to my diet ….
If you are going to weigh yourself every day, then calculate your weekly average. Then you can compare the average once a week to truly see your progress. Water weight and other factors cause daily variation, so the average gives you a more accurate picture of what’s going on. Of course, how clothes fit and how you feel are much more important than the scale.
Thanks for stopping by. I should do something like this really. I might even try and push myself to a no weighing week! 😉
Well done. Agree with Stacie. Throw the scales out. You’re on the road to good health. That’s more important
Thanks. Ooooh no scales …. I’m feeling jittery already! 😉
Agree with Stacie. Throw out the scales. The road to good health is more important. Looks like you are there already
Popping over from the Moonshine grid.
Awesome. Keep going. It must be a great feeling to see such progress and to know where you’re headed!
Thank you. I am feeling much better in myself for losing some weight. I still have another 4 stone or so to go …. But the end is closer in sight! 😉
Try and build muscle. That is the key to maintaining weight loss. As you gain muscle the scale may seem to be stuck for awhile, but in the end you will be losing inches and gaining muscle mass, which will help you keep the weight off for the long haul. Good luck in your quest!
That’s great for you!! And definitely if you can break routine.. once a week weighing shows true weight loss… or at least that’s what weight watchers taught me. lol
Exactly. The scale doesn’t account for muscle gain, or water fluctuation. Like Jen said, once a week is plenty!
Way to go, Caroline! That’s quite an accomplishment to return to pre-baby weight!
Like you, I’m motivated by quick results, and when I don’t get them, I’m easily discouraged. Though, I’ve learned my lesson that weighing myself daily can be quite detrimental in the long-run. I worked my butt off last summer, and when I finally got down to a healthy weight (and only 3lbs from my target weight), I couldn’t even celebrate. I was so stressed about gaining it back that I did some major self sabotage, and sure enough, the pounds returned. I’m sure by now you’ve hear that muscle weighs more than fat and that our water retention can influence these things too. What I’ve found to be more motivating measures of success is a body fat caliper and progress photos. Just remember that your success and self-worth cannot be scaled down to a number! Congrats!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. We definitely can be out own worst enemies sometimes can’t we?! 😉
Pay no mind to scales, Caroline! On the one hand, hormones wreak havoc in water retention and of course, this impacts your daily weight, and on the other, what’s important is not how much you weigh but how happy you are with the way you look… and from what I can see here, you are pretty happy! Congrats!! 😉
Thanks Gisela. Wise words! 😉 x