I am contemplating throwing out (packing away?) my scale. I've been playing a semi-sick game with myself since getting pregnant that I'm half proud of myself when I see the numbers go up but the other half of me is scared. (I should also mention that I've gained 30ish pounds at six months) I've never lived and died by my scale but I mainly use it to keep myself in check and limit weighing myself to once a week.
My main motivation to do this is to switch from a numbers based perception of healthy to a feeling based perception. There has been a lot of posts here about weighing more and looking/feeling better then at their lowest weight which have been really inspiring. Plus, I am bringing back clean eating now while pregnant, and plan to do so as a lifestyle permanently (as much as possible) which I think will help in this feeling based health vs number based health.
Just wanted to see if anyone here is pretty far removed from the numbers game and how well it has worked for you.
Re: Who here does not know their weight?
I have no idea how much I weigh. I have a guess, but I don't own a scale.
For a long time I was absolutely obsessed with my weight and it was causing me to be really messed up in the head. DH drove me out to a field and presented me with my scale and a sledgehammer. Best thing he ever did for me.
I know my calorie needs based on the last time I was weighed in October or November, so I just track calories and exercise. The daily up and down of the scale is really pretty meaningless if you're living a healthy lifestyle.
I have a general range of what my weight is, but I don't think I've weighed myself since at least the beginning of the year. The only scale I own is on the Wii Fit, so I only weigh myself when I'm motivated enough to drag it out, or when I go to the doctors office.
I've learned that my weight can fluctuate by up to 5lbs in one day depending on numerous factors, so if I fixated on that I would drive myself absolutely crazy. I try to go by how my clothes fit, and if I notice them getting a bit snug, then I buckle down and get serious about my diet again.
I'm the opposite. I'm at my best and my healthiest when I weigh myself if not every day then several times a week. Otherwise, I can delude myself into thinking I'm eating well when I'm eating too much and the scale is creeping up.
I've been pregnant twice. first time, weighed regularly, worked on being healthy, gained 15 (I started a bit heavy and delivered early). 2nd time, figured it would be easy and hey, I was pg after all. avoided the scale, gained (wait for it) 50 lbs. Obviously, not looking at the scale was only a small part of what was going on there. But avoiding the scale certainly contributed to my being out of control with food and weight.
For me, being aware of what I weigh and how that relates to what I'm eating and doing is an important part of staying healthy. This isn't the only way to do it, but it works for me.
My Lunch Blog
I only weigh myself when I go to the doctor. I know what I weigh within a few pounds. On the rare occasion, I will break out the scale at home.
Gaining weight is HEALTHY during pregnancy. If you have a concern, you should talk to your OBGYN.
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
My Clean Eating Blog
Green Living Reading List
I didn't know what I weighed for about 2 years. I went to the doctors a few weeks ago, was weighed, and it resulted in a panic-y post questioning BMI and weight altogether. It was not a good moment for me.
Yeah, I won't be weighing myself again anytime soon. I know I eat right, workout regularly and my favorite jeans fit perfectly. That's all I need.
However, I ditto Sadlebred, when you are pregnant you should be gaining weight, and then I think it is a little more important to stay on top of it. Or at least make sure your doc/midwife is staying on top of it!
I do weigh myself every month or so, but not more often than that.
I don't have any attachment or detachment to the number on the scale. It is just one of those things that is what it is.
I relate so much to your response, especially about deluding myself!!
Re: pregnancy and weight gain, my Dr. has actually told me twice to increase my cardio to combat my rapid gains, she did explicitly say its not the biggest deal in the world, but that I am gaining a little too much in between visits. I was given the 25-35 lb. total gain range, and it appears I will be exceeding that. I am not beating myself up over it but in the back of my head, it is a little scary. But again, this is why I'm considering giving up the scale at this point and just really focusing on "being healthy" and not letting numbers get to me.
PR's
5k 10/15/11 30:34 9:51 pace
8k 9/24/11 55:20 11:08 pace
10k 11/24/11 11:24 pace
10 mile 4/25/10 2:03:54
This is the same for me as well. I have to do it daily to keep myself in check.
I know how much I weigh roughly. I might weigh myself once every 2 weeks, if I happen to be somewhere where there is a scale.
Otherwise, I would be weighing myself everyday and worrying or thinking about it often.
I prefer not weighing myself, as it allows me to focus on how I feel and how my clothes fit rather than how much I weigh.