Several times a day is obsessive (or compulsive?) and useless because you should weight at the same time each day (morning before breakfast, after using the bathroom) to have a clear picture. If you use your scale once or twice a week you're not going to gain 30 pounds in between, that's impossible.
Because I'm 14 months out now, I see that my scale is static for weeks. I'm not avoiding it. I just check once or twice a week but there's not surprises so far. It doesn't mean that I'm going to avoid my scale because I'm not on it everyday. But I would certainly not spend my day jumping on my scale because there's other things to focus on. What I put in my mouth is more important than what the scale say anyway. I could have water retention because it TOM of I had too much salt in my food at the restaurant. So one day of feeling bad about it is not worth it especially because two days later it would be gone.
Now, I understand where you're coming from because after years of failing with my "weight control" (or not crashing into a brick wall each time I had pneumonia and gained 20 pounds just with the medication), at first when I had stalls or even when I regained weight after taking the medication in June, I felt like a failure. But I soon realized that taking a step back and just fallowing the rules was really more helpful than stressing out about something I couldn't control. A few days after gaining the weight (thanks corticoids!) it was all gone with a bonus.
I'm glad that my scale didn't control me during that time because I really had mixed feelings.
After a few months you're not going to lose every day or even every week. So I might be wrong but I think it's might be healthier not to depend on your scale several times a day.
You're doing great, losing weight is going to continue for months. Regain usually comes after one year/18 months. Enjoy your honey moon and don't stress out with that scale, it's not worth it!
Focus on what's positive since you lost weight, not your scale. Because you're worth it.

Christie, I'm with you. I weigh myself everyday. I weigh first thing in the morning butt naked after I've peed. I am religious about it. I am 28 months post op, and I've only very recently become lax about it on the weekends because I divide my time between the apartment where I take care of my disabled daughter during the week (where my scale is) and my house on the weekend (no scale here). I used to take my scale with me! I would take it on trips. I even forgot it in a hotel room once and ran right out to buy another one when I realized it several states away.

I am a junk food junkie. I am astonished that I have yet to gain back any weight, so I have to have it just to make sure because I know that time is coming eventually. If and when that time does come, I won't be one of those ones that says "Oh no, 30 pounds just snuck up on me." Nope, I'll be able to nip that shit in the bud right from the get go. Call it obsessive, I care not. At least I won't be crying because I've let my weight sneak back up on me.

I weigh myself first thing every morning, as I'm maintaining, have been for three years this summer. Like you said, I don't want some 30 pound surprise down the road! I'd rather have a 1 or 2 pound surprise and deal with it right away.

While losing, I would NOT recommend the daily weighing. It drives you crazy, as there are always some stalls.

I also weigh myself at least once a day. It keeps me legal and focused. The act of doing it is like going to church. It keeps my mind in the right place...

Originally Posted by Sandra3

Several times a day is obsessive (or compulsive?) and useless because you should weight at the same time each day (morning before breakfast, after using the bathroom) to have a clear picture. If you use your scale once or twice a week you're not going to gain 30 pounds in between, that's impossible.
Because I'm 14 months out now, I see that my scale is static for weeks. I'm not avoiding it. I just check once or twice a week but there's not surprises so far. It doesn't mean that I'm going to avoid my scale because I'm not on it everyday. But I would certainly not spend my day jumping on my scale because there's other things to focus on. What I put in my mouth is more important than what the scale say anyway. I could have water retention because it TOM of I had too much salt in my food at the restaurant. So one day of feeling bad about it is not worth it especially because two days later it would be gone.
Now, I understand where you're coming from because after years of failing with my "weight control" (or not crashing into a brick wall each time I had pneumonia and gained 20 pounds just with the medication), at first when I had stalls or even when I regained weight after taking the medication in June, I felt like a failure. But I soon realized that taking a step back and just fallowing the rules was really more helpful than stressing out about something I couldn't control. A few days after gaining the weight (thanks corticoids!) it was all gone with a bonus.
I'm glad that my scale didn't control me during that time because I really had mixed feelings.
After a few months you're not going to lose every day or even every week. So I might be wrong but I think it's might be healthier not to depend on your scale several times a day.
You're doing great, losing weight is going to continue for months. Regain usually comes after one year/18 months. Enjoy your honey moon and don't stress out with that scale, it's not worth it!
Focus on what's positive since you lost weight, not your scale. Because you're worth it.

I am not losing daily now. To go from 140 to 139 took me 9 days. And I am ok with that. I just like to know where I stand.

Originally Posted by Katrina

Christie, I'm with you. I weigh myself everyday. I weigh first thing in the morning butt naked after I've peed. I am religious about it. I am 28 months post op, and I've only very recently become lax about it on the weekends because I divide my time between the apartment where I take care of my disabled daughter during the week (where my scale is) and my house on the weekend (no scale here). I used to take my scale with me! I would take it on trips. I even forgot it in a hotel room once and ran right out to buy another one when I realized it several states away.

I am a junk food junkie. I am astonished that I have yet to gain back any weight, so I have to have it just to make sure because I know that time is coming eventually. If and when that time does come, I won't be one of those ones that says "Oh no, 30 pounds just snuck up on me." Nope, I'll be able to nip that shit in the bud right from the get go. Call it obsessive, I care not. At least I won't be crying because I've let my weight sneak back up on me.

Yes!! I need to know where I am and I am definitely not going to gain 30+ lbs before I get a hold of myself. I want to be able get back on track the minute I get past my max allowable weight. I am still not at goal but I am thinking long term.

Originally Posted by sraebaer

I weigh myself first thing every morning, as I'm maintaining, have been for three years this summer. Like you said, I don't want some 30 pound surprise down the road! I'd rather have a 1 or 2 pound surprise and deal with it right away.

While losing, I would NOT recommend the daily weighing. It drives you crazy, as there are always some stalls.

I have hit stalls and I have not let them get to me. I know they are part of this process. I am ok with that. I have 18 lbs to goal and I am assuming it is going to take me a while to get there. I am very realistic about it.

Originally Posted by peasantme

I also weigh myself at least once a day. It keeps me legal and focused. The act of doing it is like going to church. It keeps my mind in the right place...

Yup. I totally get it. I think when the weight does move it is like I just won a prize. LOL.

Originally Posted by Christie13

I am not losing daily now. To go from 140 to 139 took me 9 days. And I am ok with that. I just like to know where I stand.

I mean once a day why not, but reading several times per day got me really worried. I'm glad if you cope well with one pound in 9 days. Anyway you are not far from goal so I guess that's very normal and expected at that stage. But I wouldn't be surprised if you lost a little more than 18 pounds...