How often should I weigh??

When I've dieted in the past, I always get obsessed with weight, sometimes weighing 2 or 3 times a day, and I know that can't be healthy. How often should I weigh? Once a week? Twice a week?

I tend to obsessively weigh myself too, I just keep on doing it anyway. I try and stop the little fluctuations from bothering me, I just say it's the time of day or time of month or my belt is heavy or whatever.

If I weigh myself five times a day I note the lowest one and record it when there is a loss, as long as I am seeing a downward trend then I am happy.

That works for me, but I have heard also that weighing weekly works too.

Commonly it is recommended you weigh in at least once per week. It isn't the daily fluctuations that can tell you how successful you are, but an overall downward trend. If you do weigh yourself daily, compare your weight to that of a week ago for a more meaningful comparison or "rate of loss".

For more accurate formal measuring, it is generally recommended that your weekly weigh-in be at the same time of day. I weigh-in first thing in the morning, before I get dressed, after I have "eliminated" and before I eat or drink anything. That keeps the variables down.

Weight changes throughout the day fluctuate because of food and water intake and elimination. They may be interesting to you but they don't really mean anything in the big scheme of things. That isn't fat that you are gaining or losing throughout the day, just food and water matter. Feel free to get on the scale as often as you like, but recognize the significance of that measurement.

I have a habit of scale hopping too! But I only officially record my weight once a week and weigh first thing in the morning. It's then nice to see that downward trend (hopefully!!).... rather than daily fluctuations, which I find a bit off putting, if I recorded them officially every day.

I'd say whatever helps keep you motivated though. But remember that you need to burn off 3500 calories to lose 1 pound. So depending on how much you've got to lose, you might not see them dropping off for a few days. The scales normally tease me until towards the end of a week! I find that helps keep me motivated though... which I guess is why I do the scale hopping.

Good luck to you though!

I think Sararay said it all perfectly. Prevention magazine did an article about how often to weigh. It said that how often you weigh depends on how you respond to it. If you become "obsessed" with your weight each day it could lead to eating disorders. If you panic when the scale goes up a couple pounds (could be water retention or other things) that are "temporay" then weighing in every day is NOT for you. However, some people respond better weighing in every day because it helps them stay on track. They make better choices and do better when they keep track daily. So its really depends on you and how you feel about it.