Losing weight without actual weight in ( massive anxiety trigger) - Anyone done this?

[purplepandas]

I realize this sounds strange but I desperately need to lose weight but I cannot get on the scales. The thought of it makes me so anxious and I realize how silly this sounds. I absolutely cannot know how bad it is and this is stopping me acting to a really lose weight. All tied up with major self loathing and being so close to not coping with stuff at home I cannot change ( send parenting related). I am v v on the edge ATM.

Has anyone done this? I could have someone see myweight but I just could not know what it is. I feel stupid writing this but I cannot get past it.

Could you try thinking in terms of improving your body composition, rather than losing weight? In other words, building some muscle? Doing so will increase your metabolic rate and you will end up looking leaner, but you won't necessarily weigh less, at least for a while, so weighing yourself would be a pointless exercise anyway. Aim for a strong body, not a thin one. You can measure progress by keeping a record of the exercise you do, how much you do and how much easier you (gradually) find it. There's so much free content on YouTube it's hard to know where to begin, but something like this might be a good place to start, and you can always mute it and play your own music if you prefer.

It's fine. Make the lifestyle changes that you're waiting to make, and don't bother with the scales.

Tracking weight closely can be counterproductive anyway, as people get discouraged when it fluctuates.

Yes I have this time last year I was a size 14/16 I'm now a size 8. I don't know how much I weighed (and still don't). I used my jeans size to notice changes. I think in one sense it was good because I never got disheartened by weeks where I may not have lost weight (because I didn't know) however I had to trust in the process until I could noticeably see a difference. I did a combination of intermittent fasting and calorie counting.

Absolutely! Get rid of the scales. You could take progress pictures (I actually haven’t even looked at mine yet as I can’t face it, but I will when I start feeling better). I’ve also done this - Buy a nice pair of jeans or a top a couple of sizes smaller and use this as your goal - not a number on a scale.

I’m trying to do this at the moment. The scales given me a genuine feeling of panic and despair which is counterproductive to actually losing weight and doing exercise.

I’m trying to frame things in terms of getting stronger and fitter rather than in terms of shedding a particular number of pounds.

Thanks all. @Ossoduro2 , the sense of panic and despair is how I feel too and it is not motivating. I used to be okay with it when younger but I was also not as heavy as I am now. I am pretty fragile anyway right now due to home stuff so cannot just 'tough' it out even if I feel I should. I absolutely know no one has suggested I should, I just feel I should! Good luck @Ossoduro2 !

@Butternutsquashcarrotonion , you have done fantastically. I am a 16 but getting to the top end of that, long gone are my 12 and 14 days. It's getting worse. I will never be a size 8 but you have given me hope that a 12 (or at least a 14 is possible). I am now the wrong end of my 40s and it is way harder than it used to me. Would you mind if I messaged you re what you did specifically? I feel silly but I am super overwhelmed by everything atm and a bit rabbit in the head lights.

Me! I have lost 2 dress sizes since Christmas but don't ever weigh myself. I'm on wegovy. It's so much better for me going on clothes rather than scales. The scales used to set me back if I hadn't lost any/enough. I don't think they're very accurate either.

I put my scales in the recycling bin btw. Haven't missed those fuckers.

Good luck OP

Well done @witte ! I had wondered about wegovy. Do you mind me asking if you pay for it yourself and how you go about getting it? I have googled but not sure how you get a prescription.

Amazing loss and glad you don't miss the scales. I keep looking at noom but weighing daily is just not something I can do. I cannot even weigh once!

Hi purplepandas, great advice from others. If you still want to track your weight, perhaps get scales that are connected to an app, then weigh yourself without looking at the scale or your results on the app. Keep doing whatever you're doing for wight loss then check in with your weight after 1 month. That way you may be disappointed at what you DID weigh but will hopefully see that you're losing weight and be encouraged to continue. I feel that knowing my starting weight can prevent me from "starting" to diet / exercise, or if I don't lose a lot in the first couple of weeks after great effort I feel really bad.

This works for me. :-)