2 replies to this topic

[lizzie_blue]

I'm actually starting this topic because I just hate my regular bathroom scale. Don't get me wrong, it works just fine, but since I started dieting I've been weighing myself more than once per day in a desperate need to see the slightest change. Needless to say, whenever the scale shows me the same number it did before I just get depressed and feel miserable, I feel like all my hard work isn't paying off. The fact that my weight loss process is really slow doesn't help either. However, I am sticking to eating healthy and exercising, so surely changes must occur with my body.

I know there are scales out there that can measure your body fat instead of just your weight by sending an electrical current through your body in order to basically read your percentage of body fat. I'm not entirely sure they actually work, plus they're expensive so would you say they're worth the investment? I've also heard of DEXA scales, that measure where your body fat is stored without being invasive. These would be quite useful, but then again, they can go as high as $300, quite pricey.

I've also been reading on other forums about the Quantumscale, which is supposed to help with your motivation because it doesn't actually tell you how much you weight, it just tells how much you've been losing since your first day of diet.

So what's your take on the subject? Is it worth it investing in a fancy scale, does the regular one work for you? I'm not really convinced a scale can accurately measure body fat, shouldn't that be done in a laboratory?

[admin]

Hey lizzie_blue!

Bathroom scales shouldn't have to be fancy. All they should do is just give you the current weight number. That's it.

There are numerous reasons for why the number on the scale can change - countless times not from weight loss. This can be very discouraging when trying to do just that - lose weight.

Instead, use your clothes as your indicator for weight loss. It's a no-brainer that if your shirt goes baggy or if your pants are melting off of you that a measurable weight loss has occurred. Plus, when you get down to a smaller size, stick to that size and never upsize your clothes. This will keep you confined to your current weight and will only encourage further weight loss.

This is just my humble opinion. I understand many people prefer to see an actual number which is why I'm for weighing yourself with a cheap scale once or twice a month.

The best part about weighing yourself once or twice a month is that the numbers will be larger compared to weighing yourself several times per week. Saying that I lost 5 pounds on a bimonthly weigh-in is better than saying I lost .2 pounds on a daily weigh-in. I think if more people followed this method, more will stick to their weight loss.

It seems like the majority who are concerned about weighing themselves all of the time only set the tone for not fully succeeding their weight loss goals.

Again, this is just my humble opinion. I'd rather save the cost of buying the scale and buy some highly nutritious food, because that will directly help with weight loss. Food ain't cheap too you know.

Sorry that it doesn't really answer the question, but I hope this changes your perception of scales.

[lizzie_blue]

Thank you so much for replying. Sometimes, my clothes feel looser and baggier on me, and do look so, but my scale shows the same number, it's so frustrating! Weighing myself only twice a month seems like such an unreachable goal for me, but I will try to follow your advice and maybe go for weekly weigh ins, or at least twice per week. I guess I'm just one of those people who need to see a concrete measure of their efforts in order to stay motivated to continue.