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Member Comments for the Article:
Measure Progress Without the Scale
An Arsenal of Tools for Your Motivation
160 Comments
JOCELYNR5
8/22/2010 11:34:09 AM
Very motivational article. It is hard to look at the scale and see that the numbers don't change or somedays actucally go up alittle! This article gave me a little hope because I can answer yes to most of the key points: clothes feel less snug and yes, I do have a lot more energy and can last a lot longer than I did before.
JEWELSMG
7/28/2010 1:10:01 PM
I totally agree with this article! I use to only measure my success by the scale and was always disappointed. Now I dont bother with the scale and only take measurements, I am seeing the inches coming off!! IT is very encouraging :) I will have to monitor my engery level more, that is something i never that to consider
N.NICHOLSON
6/27/2010 6:40:13 PM
I got discouraged for awhile because my weight went up since I started exercising. My body fat went down and I noticed definition in my arms and legs now. I weigh more now than I did when I was just watching my diet. The scale is not the best indicator of health. I have learned to pay attention to my body and accept it for what it is. I have learned not to measure myself by anyone else's standard but my own. Good luck to everyone.
I have gotten very frustrated with the scale so I've backed off quite a bit. Since I'm losing inches and moving down another size in all areas, I'm learning to let go of the my ultimate "weight goal". I just wanted to get to a size 16 (from 22), I'm not completely there, stil need some 18's, but I'm not buying anymore. I'm changing my goal to be either/or the clothes size or the scale. I've lost 41 lbs, I have 23 to lose to reach my goal. I'm not going to drive myself insane over the scale or the lbs as long as I'm moving downward in size. Now I see a 14 is a possibility!!
Ultimately, it's about being pleased with my body image, feeling healthy, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. That's my goal!
I haven't weighed myself in over 13 months. I remember being so frustrated by the scale. I just couldn't do it any more. When I decided to get fit again, my weight was the least of my concerns. I'm slimming down, toning up, fitting into smaller sizes and so much happier. I don't need a scale to tell me that a proper diet and consistent exercise is working for me.
I need to read this one til I memorize it! I am about 48 days into sparking and for the last 2 weigh ins, I have not be happy. Letting way too much ride on the scale. It is so frustrating when you go from losing 2-3 lbs per week- before doing ANY exercising, to now losing or gaining half a pound while now walking 10+ miles per week. I am going to copy and paste some key points, and print them off and mack tack them in front of my treadmill!
I do own a scale and track daily , knowing if I am up a couple of pounds it is water weight . The daily scale visit is my days highlight as I have tried so many times before to lose weight. This works for me. But most of all, I feel happy and have more enegry.
Oh, please. I am so sick of this "calories in equal calories out" fiction. If that were true, there would be no such thing as fat Orthodox monks, since these people *never* eat meat, and for over half the year don't eat dairy, either -- and during the 49 days before Easter, they eat just one meal a day. *And* they are physically active!! So explain to me, if you can, how so many of them are overweight, and at least one got type II diabetes -- which he was only able to conquer by "doing Atkins" (he ate a *lot* of fish). Until I see a serious study of weight problems that includes this population, which by all standards should contain only emaciated skinny-whizzes, I don't want to hear about calorie burn.
I don't own a scale in the house except the WiiFit, so I rarely do weigh myself. This article makes me think of my adult beginner ballet class, and how, when I started in January I was exhausted after every little thing, and now I can do releves and echappes without being out of breath! For me,that was the most amazing feeling.
I am feeling a bit disappointed, since the scale hasn't budged in the last several days despite my working out and watching my calories. My clothes are fitting looser, and I have lost inches, however, I still find myself being a slave to the scale! I will try not to let the scale alone mark my progress. Wish me luck.
Spark has taught me not rely on the scale for reward. My clothing tells the story. After a 4 month "plateau", I noticed that my body was changing all the while I was "sort of following" my food plan... I never completely left Spark or the food portion control I had learned... I avoided the scale, terrified that if I was not logging my food every day that I would gain. I had become discouraged with a plateau (my first in 9 months) and being between sizes!
Shirts, pants and old "favorites" began to hang on me and I could feel the changes happening in my body. I was not a perfect model of eating right, but the fear of returning to my old "binging" self was enough to make me face the music... so, back to the scale. During the "hiatus" I had not gained any weight, staying within 5 lbs of my last weigh in. But!... I went from a size 16-18 to a 14-16, and when I went back on program full time, logging my food every day, the first week I lost 1.8lb... totally a shock to me. I also had to buy new bras and panties this week. Go figure! My body adjusted without the scale yelling at me! Eating right and moving more made a difference.
Dear AGGIE1007, I just read your comment. Since yours is just above mine maybe you've read mine also. Of course we all lose differently, but I have long noticed a pattern in my losses. I might have a week to be proud of....the right food, wise amounts and appropriate excersise. Then....NOTHING.....I weigh the SAME. UHGGG!!! And discouragement sets in so easily. The "reward" shows up the NEXT week in the form of a lower number. Also, I might have a week when I have a loss and tend to think I "got away" with having extra snacks and bread (I LOVE bread!) The NEXT week it shows up, darn it! "To thine own self be true" (isn't it Shakespear that said that?) As we continue to do what we KNOW to do, always open to learning more, we will be successful: I know when I go to bed what I DID and what I WISH I had done. I've recently heard we need less WISHbone and more BACKbone. The scale does not lie (unless it's broken) but neither does it immediately respond to the good changes we have made. Eventually it will. Like me you're getting BACKbone and developing patience at the same time. Bend your arm with elbow toward the ceiling and pat yourself on the back for the great start you have. Many of us have allowed what is only one of many tools in our arsenal (THE SCALE) to determine the kind of day we'll have. Way too much power for a few pounds of scrap metal.
Summer's not over yet! There's still plenty of time to tone up and bust out that swimsuit for one last hurrah. Get results in just 15 minutes per week with this plan--no excuses!
