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The Ten Most Recent Comments By OppositeGeorge

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I've tried the once-a-week thing but am far too impatient to maintain my sanity in between weighings. What works for me is a daily morning weighing right after rising. Like randomeater, my numbers go into a spreadsheet from which a trend is monitored. Since your weight can vary so much from day to day, monitoring the trend really is key.

Without getting too deep technically, a good way to track the trend is to use what the propellerheads call an "exponentially-smoothed weighted average." Really, all you have to do is add 90% of the previous day's moving average to 10% of the latest weight to get today's trend value. Even if your weight goes up and down from day to day, as long as your daily weight readings stay below the moving average, your diet is working.

John Walker goes into far deeper detail on his Hacker's Diet web page. Despite the name, THD isn't really a diet but a good explanation of the basics behind losing weight and it's worth taking a look at. Good Luck!

OppositeGeorge at 8:27PM on 07/04/08

Responses to Comments by OppositeGeorge

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I weigh myself once a week, so that I don't get too obsessed with the numbers. First thing in the morning, after going to the bathroom, no clothes. I also take my measurements every couple of weeks, because even when I'm not losing pounds it helps to know if I'm getting any smaller.

I also just got back from a week-long vacation that involved drinking every day and eating most meals out. The scale was not happy. It is time for a detox - no drinking or eating out for a couple weeks at least.

Charise at 2:08PM on 07/07/08

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I'm in the "weigh myself every day" camp. I see the scale move upwards and I can adjust quickly instead of waiting a whole week and seeing it's gone to sh*t and I haven't been able to stop it. It's also kind of like, I shame myself into "OMG, how did I gain 3 lbs. in one damn day???" It is misleading sometimes because though I try to weigh myself at the same time every day, that is just not always possible and ... sorry if this is gross... but if you haven't 'eliminated' yet, you may weigh more, and for those of us on a high protein diet... well. Yeah.

feistyfoodie at 11:18AM on 07/07/08

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I recently hit a milestone weight loss of 25 lbs. I have convinced myself that the first 10 was from increasing my water intake to at least 2 litres per day. I weigh myself daily so that, like you, I can monitor my progress, but my official registry of my weight [in a simple word document I created myself] is on Monday mornings. I find that the official weigh-in day is important to my success. I also know that weight loss can vary widely from day to day, but that a weekly weigh-in gives you enough of a look at how you're doing overall. I hope my experiences help, and congratulations and keep up the good work!

tomsaaristo at 12:41PM on 07/05/08

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

I once had to weigh-in at the doctor's office, and the nurse didn't even let me take off my shoes. I'm surprised she let me put down my purse. You can only imagine the trauma of THAT number...

I agree with random, I go for the shower clothes at home. I may start a twice-a-week weighing, for right now it's generally Friday mornings.

traceyB at 12:02PM on 07/05/08

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

Honey, from someone who knows..the weight shows up a week later not two days after the big meal....if u begin weighing every day trying to get 1 no lower then if after reviewing the restaurant if you are 1 up - starve until that no goes down...heck it might not make u a great reviewer since u will be so hungry everything will taste good, but it will certainly make u a lot of new friends in the bus.

blondee47 at 10:26AM on 07/05/08

From Serious Eats

Ed Levine's Serious Diet, Week 24: How Often Should I Weigh Myself?

Last June we were on the Cape and enjoyed the most luscious fried clams, thanks for the reminder. About weighing in, I suggest you do what works for you. No need to get too technical.

elaine nan at 9:15PM on 07/04/08