I didn't weigh myself this morning. I'm not sure hopping on the scale every day is a good idea for me right now.
I wanted to pick up this habit because several studies indicate that formerly fat people maintain weight loss most effectively when they weigh in on a daily basis - see here, here, and here, for example. I'm convinced that a central reason I regained most of the weight I'd lost between 2002 and 2005, going from 209 in August 2005 back up to 307 in October 2008, is that I stopped using the scale to keep myself accountable.
Even so, I find it discouraging and distressing to be following the rules but gaining weight, even if in the back of my mind I know the gain has to be water retention. A few days ago when the upward pattern was becoming apparent, I even started doing research into revision surgeries. (If I fail my RNY, I'm getting duodenal switch, btw. Hopefully I'll be established enough by then to be able to afford the revision without insurance coverage.) But really - why am I already making a contingency plan?
Weighing daily hasn't had a positive effect on my mindset in the past, and it seems that hasn't changed yet. I do plan to weigh tomorrow morning though.
Although I read the links you provided on the "benefits" of daily weighing, I still favor a weekly weigh-in.
ReplyDeleteWe know that water retention and other factors can affect our weight from one day to another. It's hard to believe that the anxiety created by finding that you weigh more today than yesterday without apparent reason is a benefit. Apparently, it IS if, for example, you eat less and exercise more that day. But if you're doing that based on inaccurate data, then isn't that a bit crazy-making? It's the weight-loss equivalent of seeing how your stocks are doing every single day, and selling if they goes down, rather than looking for trends and factors over a longer period of time before taking action.
I've weighed myself once a week for many years, through many, many diets, and after RNY (I'm four months out). I think I'd be a nervous wreck if I weighed more often, much less daily.
I can certainly understand your frustration. Try to wait (no pun intended) it out, and keep doing all the good things that you're currently doing. Good luck!
Clara
Hey Clara, thanks so much for your thoughts. On one level I agree with you, but then I see the data staring me in the face, not to mention my own past experiences with regain. Maybe I shouldn't start weighing daily until I'm in maintenance. Or maybe never. I'll probably have to figure this out through trial and error! Thanks again.
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