Scalephobic?!?!?

[bunzaga]

I have read so many posts on here where people are addicted to checking out the scale. I am just the opposite! Though I am pleased with my successes, I am too frigtened to actually step on the scale. The last I looked it said 130lbs, and that was over 3 weeks ago. It is apparent to me by the way that my clothes fit (or don't anymore!) That I have lost some more weight but I just can't make myself step on a scale. The last time that I LC the same thing happened to me when I started nearing my ideal weight. WHY?!? I am obviously afraid of something, but I can't quite put my finger on it, let alone verbalize it. Am I alone? Anyone else have this weird little problem? :D :D :D

[cj5811]

Hi i wish i had that problem...i cant stay off the stupid scale and its upsetting to me because of the fluctuations....i do get scared right before i step on it...i just wanted to give you some support....
cj

[pennink]

Although I don't have any scaleophobia (loved that) since I've been low carbing, I do understand. You are worried about seeing a number you don't like, so a bit of denial keeps you going? Oh, I so get this.

I'm addicted to daily weighing and I'm thinking about a therapy group for those who can't stop sticking the stix in (you know what).
I say I'm using them to monitor any fluctuations in anything I eat, I know I just love the validation that I've been good.

Good luck to you! I'm sure you know you better than any of us do. Just remember, as they say, it's not just in the numbers, it's in how your measurements change.

[fressca]

Although I don't have any scaleophobia (loved that) since I've been low carbing, I do understand. You are worried about seeing a number you don't like, so a bit of denial keeps you going? Oh, I so get this.

I'm addicted to daily weighing and I'm thinking about a therapy group for those who can't stop sticking the stix in (you know what).
I say I'm using them to monitor any fluctuations in anything I eat, I know I just love the validation that I've been good.

This is me, too - addicted to the scale, addicted to the sticks. I wish I had scaleophobia instead! It must be one of those things, you know, if you have straight hair you wish it was curly and vice versa. This morning I actually flipped my scale the bird... :lol:

[3shewolf8]

I HATE the scale. I weighed myself then exercised for a month at a gym, my clothes were totally lose! I was wearing stuff I hadn't worn in TWO years, feeling great, people were asking me how much weight I had lost, telling me how great I looked. I decided after a month, I would weigh again. I DIDN'T LOSE A SINGLE POUND!! I weighed EXACTLY the same as when I started!! I decided then and there AGAIN that I am going to judge myself by how my clothes fit, not that DAMN number!!

[bunzaga]

Lol, yeah, I am definately in denial and I think that my biggest fear is that I have put forth this effort and that like 3shewolf8, I will be dissappointed at the results on the scale.
I have went through periods where I couldn't wait to weigh myself, but I am getting closer to my goal now...

[Klucas]

I wish I could stay off of the scale, but on the other hand I know how hard it has to be to not be mentally ready to step on the scale, that must be scary for you. I'm on the other side of the coin, I can't stay off of the scale, I wish I could. I once ran out of batteries for my digital scale and I was almost near tears. Good luck, just take a deep breath and go over the pros and cons about getting on the scales.

[MandalayVA]

My home scale broke and I refuse to buy a new one. I weigh myself once a month at the gym and I won't do the sticks because I always end up peeing on myself. :D If I'm feeling better and my clothes and rings are fitting I figure I'm doing something right. END THE SCALE/STICK TYRANNY!!

[DietMonstr]

I HATE the scale. I weighed myself then exercised for a month at a gym, my clothes were totally lose! I was wearing stuff I hadn't worn in TWO years, feeling great, people were asking me how much weight I had lost, telling me how great I looked. I decided after a month, I would weigh again. I DIDN'T LOSE A SINGLE POUND!! I weighed EXACTLY the same as when I started!! I decided then and there AGAIN that I am going to judge myself by how my clothes fit, not that DAMN number!!

The exact same thing happened to me! I've lost 3 lbs but have gone from a size 10 to a size 6! Scales are EVIL. I can't imagine how many times I wanted to quit, or became depressed over the number on the scale, and all the while, I'm losing pant sizes!

[ElleH]

I have read so many posts on here where people are addicted to checking out the scale. I am just the opposite! Though I am pleased with my successes, I am too frigtened to actually step on the scale. The last I looked it said 130lbs, and that was over 3 weeks ago. It is apparent to me by the way that my clothes fit (or don't anymore!) That I have lost some more weight but I just can't make myself step on a scale. The last time that I LC the same thing happened to me when I started nearing my ideal weight. WHY?!? I am obviously afraid of something, but I can't quite put my finger on it, let alone verbalize it. Am I alone? Anyone else have this weird little problem? :D :D :D

If I were you, I'd try a technique called mindstreaming. Sit down with a piece of paper or on a word processor program, write "STEPPING ON THE SCALE" at the top.

Then just start writing. What ever comes into your mind. DO NOT worry about sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling, morality, right or wrong, good or evil, just write whatever comes into your mind. You may it find it weird at first, or just one or 2 words will come to mind at first, like for you, "fear." or dread. Just go from there. Sit quietly, picture yourself doing it, and allow the feelings to come. Just explore whatever comes into your mind. No matter how many strange it may seem at first.

I can almost promise you that if you do this and really let yourself go with it, you will soon find out what is at the root of your issue.

This is a technique that I learned in therapy that was worth the money I spent the entire year I was there. It is so valuable. I use it ALL THE TIME.

The scale isn't evil. The stick isn't evil.

FEAR is evil. Obsession is evil. Both will stop you dead in your tracks! The scales and sticks are just another tool, like your clothing and your tape measure or mirror, to show you your progress. At the same time, there is NO REASON to weigh more than once a day. There is something deeper going on with that much weighing that is the opposite of what you're feeling.

Hope you get to the bottom of it! Hope this helps! :)

[LilithD]

I think you have a healthy approach, Bunzaga. I've never even owned a scale, probably because I don't want to become a scale-addict. One thing I can tell you is that on the eating disorder sites I sometimes visit, some of the women are crazily scale-addicted, denying themselves even fluids and healthy foods because they don't want to see the weight of the food on the scale. They also starve themselves of protein, letting their muscles waste away.

Bugger scales! Maybe you are as heavy or heavier than recently: if you are firmer and smaller and look better, that is a great result: more muscle, less fat.

I think the whole diet industry is so wrong in focusing on BMIs and scales. Healthy bone and muscle weighs more than fat. People who lift weights are often heavier than the 'fat-skinny' self starvers. Perhaps the way we show our stats on this site could give us more options, too, e.g. waist measurements or something.

I am checking progress by measuring myself, how clothes fit, and how I look. And by how I feel.