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Member Comments for the Article:

Use Measurements Besides the Scale

What's So Motivating About Numbers Anyway?

167 Comments

ALISPARKES

3/10/2013 6:24:54 AM

Agree, the scales is a very addictive item! Fat percentage and size loss is a much greater indication of whether you are losing weight safely and not losing muscle/ fat/ bone even organ density in those with severe weight loss!

DEBBIE1031

12/30/2012 10:35:23 AM

great article

MOMMY_TO_TIEN

3/17/2012 10:03:13 PM

What a good way to view progress. Instead of beating down my scale, I can choose to see my progress in other areas.

VICKYG99

3/16/2012 8:14:44 PM

I was glad to see this article under the "motivation" section. I myself have lost my lack of motivation due to the fact that the scale has not moved. However, people continue to tell me, "Wow! You look smaller, your clothes are so loose on you. etc." From today on I will reset my goals and concentrate on inches and exercise endurance.

Thanks for helping me regain my motivation.

MICHIGANLORI

11/2/2011 7:30:37 AM

Instead of the scale i use the waist-to-hip ratio measurement and my cholesterol level as a better measurement for progress.

MAGGIE101857

10/14/2011 5:21:46 PM

Just what I needed today! My scale has not budged in ages, and while I know my eating is not perfect, I do know how much and how hard I work out and overall eat healthy. My fiance said to me the other night "you need to stop worrying about the scale and start focusing on how healthy and strong you have become, because you are WOW! I guess I need to listen you both of you!! Thanks for the good thoughts!!

KJRIVERQUEEN

10/14/2011 11:08:07 AM

I was just thinking this recently. My goal weight that I set when I started this journey is 10 lbs from where I am now. I've been holding steady where I am now because I WANT to be where I am now. I'm not "stuck here." I want to be here because I feel good; I look good; I am good. :)

I've even changed the goal date for those 10 lbs to early next spring so I will look a bit better for that swim suit, but for now I'm happy where I am and eating a little more than weight loss mode.

:)

Kimberly

GUITARWOMAN

10/13/2011 1:36:33 PM

This is one area where I have to disagree.

Weight measurement (done on the same scale, all the time) is an objective measure of our healthy lifestyle.

I have read more than once that the 5% (or sometimes 3%, depends on the source) who keep the weight off weigh themselves, as often as every day.

I am well aware about daily fluctuations, and take them into consideration.

I have lost about 102 pounds and have kept it off since September 2010. I am a binge eater. Talk about hard work!

I enter my weekly weight into SP.

I weigh myself daily, on the same scale at the same time in my morning routine. This weigh in provides feedback for me about how I should eat in the upcoming day. This is nothing more than a feedback loop, which can be used for a continuous improvement cycle of health management. I work in quality assurance, so daily weigh ins make sense to me. I do realize that they may drive other folks crazy!

I have also learned a lot about my maintenance range. A certain weight above my goal, I feel sliuggish and bloated. A certain weight below it, I feel weak and trembly. So I try to stay at the sweet spot, and daily weigh ints guide me in this.

MSMICA85

10/13/2011 11:50:38 AM

This was an EXCELLENT article. I am too am a victim of the scale and its crazy because I am SO much healthier today then I was a month or two ago but if the scale isn;t saying I dont feel it and that to me is sad. I vow to break free from the bondage of the scale and use the tips in this article to do so because health is so much more than weight! I think I just got my motivation back!

SANDIATWORK

10/13/2011 10:45:42 AM

Great article at the perfect time for me! The scale has not been my friend for the past couple of months, but I'm working out every day and increasing my weights and cardio. I am fitting into clothes I never imagined a year ago and everyone I see says I'm looking awesome. I think I'll give the scale a rest for a few weeks.

CURVESAREIN

10/13/2011 10:31:36 AM

This is great and good advice for me. The scale is not my friend right now. Yes I've gained a few pounds but I need to foucus on the positive still. I am still down 40 lbs and still get compliments. But I will still focus on exercise again and good eating habits to get back to my size 12!

MOSTMOM1

10/13/2011 7:35:24 AM

This is my favorite Kramer article so far! The scale doesn't know everything.

CINDZINE

9/5/2011 12:29:20 AM

I just spent part of today trying on clothes I haven't worn in over two years...and they fit! It was a great motivator and told me far more than the gravity counter does.

SEASPIRIT1

7/28/2011 7:05:25 AM

Great article to read for me right now...I seem to be "hooked" on having the scale validate my progress! In actual fact my whole body feels less "wobbly", I am exercising longer and harder than I did 3 weeks ago, and next week I'll check those body measurements!

SUSUSUZZZIE

7/3/2011 8:45:20 AM

Great article and great timing for me. I have not considered that I'm on a diet and I thought I easily accepted this as a lifestyle change... However I am watching the numbers and I get a little concerned when they don't change as I expected. I knew that is not the healthiest behavior and this article reminds me why I need to shift my self-talk.

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