Do you think weighing yourself lowers self esteem?

[Clearoff]

I read something today that says it does.

I weigh myself daily and have terrible self esteem. Coincidence? Or do I weigh myself because I have low self esteem rather than the other way around.

Thoughts? Thinking of throwing out the scales to see if things improve.

Are you outside a healthy weight though? If not, then yes, stop the daily weighing.

I ignored the scales for 18 months, then realised I'd slowly gained 20 pounds in that time. I really wish I hadn't now tbh as I wouldn't have so far to undo.

@whirlyswirly my weight is very low. Probably because I keep such tight control over it.

I think it depends why you’re weighing yourself.

If you’re doing it as part of a weight loss programme recommended by a doctor or dietician it’s one thing.

I think a culture of obsessively monitoring weight is not healthy and unless your weight is a medical problem probably not achieving much. And, from what you say, doing it daily doesn’t sound very healthy.

Why are you weighing yourself daily?

I weigh myself very frequently. When I go through a period of not weighing myself, I gain weight. I prefer to be confronted with the cold hard truth and make my decisions based on that. I do it as part of my daily routine to build up a picture over the week. I'm not obsessed with my weight, in fact I would say that I have extremely healthy self esteem. I think knowing what i weigh helps me control my weight but I know that I am much more that just a number on a scale. It's just how I've done things for 20 years and it's part of my daily routine and it keeps me on track.

@Thepeopleversuswork i think ultimately my self esteem is based on what I weigh. Few pounds heavier - bad day, lighter - good day

I have never weighed myself - don't own any scales. I know if it goes up or down a bit because of my clothes, but it isn't important. So the question is "Why do you weigh yourself, & especially so often?". If you can answer that question, that might be a good starting point.

I threw my scales out. I'm a tall woman, and well built. My weight would scare people. I end up comparing my weight with other people and it means nothing. I know people who are much lighter but carrying more weight. I swim 4km a week and eat well and am not overweight, but I am heavy. Or unhealthy fascination with weight is quite depressing.

I weigh myself around every 2 weeks, but my weight is stable - too high, but stable.

I’d probably advise weighing weekly on a Monday morning, as every day is too much and will get you absolutely paranoid which is not a good thing.

Having your mood each day dictated by your weigh-in is really unhealthy.

Sounds like you have an eating disorder

Yeah that doesn’t sound healthy at all tbh.

Have you had issues with weight for a long time? Do you associate being thin with being happy?

I never weigh myself. Haven’t done for about 15 years. My weight fluctuates and it I am gaining too much I will tackle it but a few pounds here or there don’t have any impact on me,

I would try to get counselling for this. It’s not helping you feel good about yourself (and it won’t help you lose weight healthily).