a new tool: the zero scale.

by Janetha on January 11, 2012

in product review

first things first: it’s my best friend’s birthday today! chances we are out celebrating right NOW. happy birthday, kristen, i love you so damn much!!!

ok.

you guys know i don’t weigh myself. in fact, i don’t think i weighed myself in all of 2011 (except for when i had to get anesthesia, which makes sense so they could give me the right dosage, but even then i didn’t look.) i just really think the scale is a big joke. i don’t care how much i weigh. yes, i care about being in shape and i care about fitting into my clothes and i care about not being overweight.

none of that has to do with the number on the scale, telling me a specific number, telling me how much i weigh.

in my late teens and early twenties, i was obsessed with the number 117. i thought i HAD to weigh 117 pounds to be happy. what the crap, janetha? why 117? eventually that number crept up to 124.. and then before i knew it i was 137 pounds—20 pounds over my beloved weight of 117.

i definitely did something about all that. i started body for life and the number on the scale started dropping.. and dropping.. and dropping.  i eventually ended up at 114—wow! lower than my ideal weight of 117!  after that, i developed an unhealthy addiction with weighing myself. i stepped on the scale morning and night. i always wondered how much i gained after eating five meals and drinking a gallon of water every day. my weight usually fluctuated about five pounds from morning to night.

i was stepping on the scale WAY too often. as i began gaining weight (and letting my healthy habits slide) i started getting pissed off every time i weighed myself. i gave up the scale—cold turkey. i hopped back into fitness, eating clean all of the time, and being diligent with my healthy habits. i know i lost weight, because my clothes started to fit again. i felt great! i didn’t care about how much i weighed! and i wasn’t just saying i didn’t care like i had in the past. this time, i really didn’t care.

then, i went to the doctor. i stepped on the scale for the first time in a long time.. and i weighed 127. what? 127? but i feel so great! my clothes fit! i was in such good shape! why was i 127 pounds? why was i 10 pounds heavier than my old “ideal” weight?

oh, wait, who cares? 127 pounds or 117 pounds—it didn’t matter.

i was fit, healthy, and happy. my clothes fit. i liked my reflection in the mirror. the number on that scale did not matter a single bit.  full disclosure: i still hated the way it made me feel. knowing that number was 127 and not 117 messed with me! it was all in my head. i really just didn’t like it a single bit. so i haven’t weighed myself in over a year.. actually, it’s almost been two years now that i think about it. life without knowing my weight is pretty great, i must admit.

HOWEVER.. yes, there is always a however!.. i think that the scale can be a useful tool.  not if you take the “i need to weigh myself day in and day out, morning and night” approach.. but if you use your weight as a gauge.  a few examples:

  • if you are overweight and are trying to lose a large amount of weight (read: NOT the last 10 pounds) then using a scale is a great way to check in each week to see your progress. i said each week.. not each day. weight fluctuates so much that daily weigh ins are enough to make you batty.
  • if you are underweight.. using the same type of guidelines as i just stated in the overweight bulletpoint and use the scale weekly to check in.
  • if you are in maintenance mode and you weigh yourself once a month or even once every few months to check in with yourself.
  • if you are not actively trying to build muscle. the scale is not going to do you any favors.

again, those bullet points are my opinions.. that’s when i think the scale is a valuable tool. but that’s just me. i know tons and tons of people who use the scale daily and it’s a great tool for them to stay fit. they have a healthy relationship with weighing themselves and can do it without the number messing with their head.

i am not like that. even if i were to use the scale while maintaining my current figure, i wouldn’t want to know the total number. it’s a mental thing. i feel great with my body right now. i know i look good. shit, i have been working hard! but i still don’t want to know how much i weigh. like i said before, it messes with me! and i honestly do NOT want to know my weight. i have gone nearly 2 years not caring what that total number is, and i don’t want to care ever again. the only way i do care is when i see it. i am in damn good shape right now, and if i stepped on the scale and saw something like 130, i would be crushed. my self esteem would go out the window. it would. i am just being honest. and i know some of you can relate.

while i don’t want to see that total number, i think it sure would be nice to be able to check in with myself once a month to make sure i haven’t gained ten pounds.. or fifteen pounds.. i mean, i eat a lot of cookies. it could happen.

enter: the zero scale.

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i saw this scale on monica’s blog awhile back and was ridiculously intrigued. i emailed the company and asked if they would send me one to try out. they said yes. well, first they said no. and then i think maybe they looked at my blog and decided to say yes. i was happy.

i received my scale quickly and it was very easy to set up. the batteries were included and it even came with a pedometer. i don’t walk very much.. but if i did, boy that sure would be handy. read: i need to walk more. my desk job is killing me slowly. i digress.

the zero scale functions just like a regular digital scale, but it has a secret: your weight. it doesn’t tell you how much you weigh. ever. unless, of course, you want to know.. then it will tell you. the zero scale is your new best friend! it will tell you when you gain or lose weight, but it won’t shout your total number from the rooftops, making you hang your head in shame.  because really, let’s be honest, hearing a number that is not necessarily what we think is “ideal” is something that can really get us down on ourselves– FOR NO LEGITIMATE REASON.

the zero scale has enough room for four users.

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PERFECT! why is that perfect, you ask? well we have four people (okay, two people, two dogs) in our household. everyone gets to use the scale!

marshjanetha

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okay. maybe not penny. she wouldn’t get on the scale. she’s scared of it.

i wasn’t going to tell you this, but penny is watching her weight. she’s packed on the pounds and has been forced to cut back on the cookies lately. she doesn’t want to know that she weighs a whole 32 pounds.. she’d rather just know that she’s losing. hearing a number anything over 30 pounds makes her very self conscious.

so does the fact that her head is too small for her body.. but that’s a story for another day.

the first time you hop on the scale, you select your user number (i am number one! woo!) and wait for three dashes to appear. once they have, you stand on the scale and it will secretly store your weight in the depths of the digitalness that is the zero scale. it’s that easy!

the next time you step on the scale, it will tell you four things:

  • how many days since your last weigh in
  • how much you have lost/gained since you last weigh in
  • how many days since your first weigh in
  • how much you have lost/gained since you first weigh in

the scale functions in both pounds or kilograms so you can use the measurement that you prefer. the reading (gain or loss) is a number and it clearly says “gain” or “loss” on the digital reading.

i first hopped on the zero scale at the beginning of phase three of the livefit training program i am doing. this was on monday, december 5th.. so a little over a month ago.  the first week of phase three went well. i rocked it. i was very diligent with my eating. i hopped on the zero scale a week later and the scale said i had lost 1.3 pounds. yep, i was happy about it. that is what i was aiming for, because i have to strut around in a bikini at the end of january in front of all my bosses and co-workers. so yes, a loss is what i was (and am) after.  sure, my total weight is still nowhere near that pesky number 117, but it didn’t matter. what did matter is that my hard work had paid off and it was working. baby steps, folks.

after seeing the reading on the scale a week later, the only thing i could say to myself was “go me!” instead of “yeah, i lost 1.3 pounds, but crap.. i still weigh way more than i want to!” the zero scale eliminated the ability to feel bad about a total number.. which i shouldn’t even feel bad about in the first place. because i am fit.

fast forward.

thanks to dedicated december, i stuck with my workouts throughout the month. however, there were several occasions where i HAD to eat treats. you know.. like christmas. and new years. and when i broke my nose which required me to eat frozen custard by the pint because of self pity. i haven’t been on that scale since a week after the initial weigh in. until today.

not going to lie, i was nervous to see what the scale said when hopping on this morning. even though i wasn’t going to see my total weight, i still was hoping to see a loss, since i have actively been trying to drop fat. trying really, really hard to drop fat. yes, i am also trying to gain muscle, so i kept in mind the fact that my weight might be the same or even may have gone up due to all the lifting.  in the back of my mind i knew it didn’t matter either way.  none of my jeans fit anymore (in the sense that they are now too big) and i just feel better about my body.. so i really was convinced that whatever the scale said would be ok. but there was still that weird, nervous feeling i get whenever i am face to face with a scale.

i hopped on and the scale told me four things:

  • 29 days since my last weigh in
  • 1.7 pounds lost since my last weigh in
  • 37 days since my first weigh in
  • 3 pounds lost since my first weigh in

of course i was happy about this. from december 5th to january 11th i lost three pounds, ate a whole bunch of crap over the holidays, was laid up briefly due to a car accident, and still managed to stay in shape.

i KNOW that had i hopped on the scale to see a total number and that total number was in the upper 120s or lower 130s, i would have been bummed. but not now. i am stoked on myself. go me. no shame.

i am going to be working hard at my fitness for three more weeks, then it’s off to mexico. when i get back, i want to maintain my figure. when i had great success with body for life, i did a horrible job of maintaining. i was basically like “WOOHOO! I’M SKINNY AND FIT!” then went back to eating whatever and quickly gained weight again.

stupid.

this time around, i am going to STAY in shape. i am in better shape now than i have ever been in my life—even after body for life—and i don’t want this hard work to go down the drain. i am going to use the zero scale once a month to check in with myself and make sure things don’t get too out of whack. i also plan to get my body fat percentage checked as soon as i can make it up to the university, because i truly believe the healthiest way to gauge your weight is by body fat PERCENTAGE, not total weight. since i have put on a fair amount of muscle these past four months, i think knowing what my body fat percentage is would be a valuable bit of info.

if anyone is interested in the zero scale, you can purchase it on their website. the scale is $60 and includes a pedometer. here’s my disclosure and thoughts: i wish i could say they are offering some super sweet discount to meals & moves readers or giving one away, but the truth is i wanted this product. i went to them. at first they said no when i asked them to send me one for review, and then i got an email a few days later saying they’d send one. i spend a lot of time and effort on my blog, so i am glad i was able to use it to get a free scale. and no, i wasn’t paid for this post. i do think that $60 is a fair price for this product. i would have definitely paid for one now that i know how awesome it really is.

so, that’s that. it’s a cool product and a great option for those who do want to use weight as a tool to check in with their overall health goals without going too overboard with worrying about numbers.

the end.

Q~

what do you think about the zero scale & the concept behind it?

xo. janetha g.

Julie January 11, 2012 at 4:53 pm

Sooo glad you posted this!! I’m currently having this same little battle in my head. I hate that when I don’t see what I want on the scale I go into self beat up mode. I keep trying to get into my head that muscle ways more than fat, but that stupid number is always the one that gets in my head. I’ve also started taking measurements, which is nice because when I don’t see a big weight lose like I wanted, the measurements/the way my clothes fit tells a different story. Good inspiration and reminder to focus in being healthy over the number in the scale!

Lee January 11, 2012 at 4:56 pm

I would really, really like one of these. I’ve told Jason about it (a different brand, but same concept) and he thinks it’s silly but I don’t. I weighed myself today for the first time in a month. I weighed less than I did last time, but still much more than I wanted to and instead of being happy that I weighed less, I was upset at the number.

Eden January 11, 2012 at 5:06 pm

Oh dear. This would be awful, just AWFUL for me. Even with all the snazzy features, this would get me WAY too concerned about stuff I shouldn’t really be concerned about. I even get nervous when they weigh my yogurt at those fro yo places!

But how precious are penny and randy on those scales!

Love you :)

momma b. January 11, 2012 at 5:11 pm

Go you! I am so happy that you are in such great shape – you do work hard and I admire your determination! Maybe Randy dog needs to share some of his Full Bar stash with miss Penelope :)

I think this scale is a winner – I agree the total number can bum you out big time. It’s a bit like the sizing for clothes – I’m finally comfortable with just trying on a ton of different sizes and buying the one that fits and feels the best whether it’s a 2 or 6 or 9 doesn’t really matter.

Happy b-day to your bestie – I love Kristen too!!

xoxo

Carbzilla January 11, 2012 at 5:17 pm

Interesting. Not sure how I would feel.

My biggest problem is if I’m down, then I start to slack off. If I’m up I’m stricter. I really need to turn that around (because you can imagine the down days are few and far between with that mentality).

Tara @ Sweat like a Pig January 11, 2012 at 5:17 pm

That scale is awesome!!! I’ve always had terrible experiences with the scale as well. Growing up, we never kept a scale in the house. When I was 15 I was at a friend’s house and weighed myself for the first time in about 2-3 years, when I had weighed about 40 kg. When the number said 52kg I FREAKED out. I burst into tears in front of my friend (who weighed much more than me, I should add) and I then went on a manic restrictive diet. I was 15 and growing, for heaven’s sake!!

I didn’t grow much more in height (I’m 5’9″) but now I weigh around 66kg. Once I had a healthier relationship with my body, I tried to never weigh myself more than once a month. When I did my first muscle-building gaining cycle last year, I got up to 73kg! That was hard. 70kg was always the weight I was terrified of reaching, but I seemed to be okay with it because I was gaining weight on purpose. When I leaned out, I lost most of the weight, but I still try to use other things such as measurements or clothes as progress guides. I hate seeing the number, so I would love to get a zero scale!

Dusty @ Running to Healthy January 11, 2012 at 5:26 pm

Love the idea of this scale. I want one.

Heather @ Better With Veggies January 11, 2012 at 5:30 pm

I love this concept – I don’t weigh myself often either and it’s never enough to know if my weight is at a high point or low point for that particular day – but even then the numbers bug me. I have a number in my head and I agree it can mess with you, regardless of how you look & feel. This sounds like a great way to track progress, but not obsess about numbers, for those type A people (like me) who should know better. :)

Errign January 11, 2012 at 5:31 pm

I have so much hatred for the scale, but I think the zerp scale sounds awesome because you can still check on progress! thanks for sharing & for your super informative post on the livefit trainer – I started on Monday :)

Also, maybe I am just tired, but is your last bullet point supposed to say if you’re not trying to build muscle the scale won’t do you any favors, or if you are trying to build muscle?

Marlow January 11, 2012 at 5:33 pm

What a great product!!! Actually at the gym today I watched a girl step on to the scale after taking off her shoes and jacket (which seemed reasonable). However, then she commenced to taking off her rings, watch, necklace, and earrings!!!! It was so sad!

Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries January 11, 2012 at 5:44 pm

how awesome is this! i love what you have to say about that stupid number on the scale too… it is such a mental thing! it only should really matter how we feel, not the number that shows up when we step on the scale. thanks for sharing this!

Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs January 11, 2012 at 5:46 pm

OMG I love this!! I want one!

I am in a healthy living group at the hospital where I work, I think this would be awesome for that instead of having to send in your weight every week.

PS I think the link in the second to last paragraph might be broken.

Betty January 11, 2012 at 5:52 pm

I hate that I’m weight obsessed.. My body will hold hold hold weight and then drop a large Amount.. That whole time
I’m holding it, I’m depressed .. I want to eat whatever because what I’m doing isnt working. I Don’t want to like scales at all. I hate that we hve one in our bathroom at work.. So sometimes I weigh myself 3 times a day.. Idk if I would try this or not.. I’m not necessarily obsessed with the number.. Im not set on a goal weight.. I just want to see how much I can lose until I feel good in my own skin..

laura January 11, 2012 at 6:11 pm

Great post. I have exactly the same mindset about my weight/the scale — I stopped weighing myself about a year ago because I realized it just leads to anxiety/restricting for me. I don’t look at the scale at the doctor’s office either! :) Love your attitude on fitness.

kathleen @ the daily crumb January 11, 2012 at 6:15 pm

i LOVE this. in the past (and still currently on occasion) i get wayyy to wrapped up in the number, regardless of how i look, feel, or how my clothes fit. i like the scale for accountability purposes, but i would love to just have a better idea of where i am without a number staring me back in the face. thanks for the review!

Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning January 11, 2012 at 6:33 pm

I’m very intrigued.
I’ve been fighting to lose anywhere between 10-20 lbs. for almost 3 years. I have tried everything, including signing up for Weight Watchers 2 months ago. When I went to my first weigh-in, I was shocked. I was only 3 lbs. less than what I weighed 6 years ago, which was the last time that I had done the program. But- I am 2 pants sizes smaller today than I was then. So, obviously- a pound is not a pound. What I mean by that is that the scale does not measure muscle or body fat, and I’d much rather weigh a certain “high” number and have a good amount of muscle and tone than weigh less and have more bodyfat. This is also why I think that measuring BMI is completely useless.
I could see this scale being helpful for someone like me- but I could also see it being possibly as damaging as a normal scale.
That being said, I still think it’s a pretty cool idea. :)

Kim @ Imperfectly Perfect January 11, 2012 at 6:37 pm

Wow, what a great idea! It’s amazing how one pesky little number can totally make or break your day. I admit, I’m a daily weigher, but I’m much better than my college days when I’d weigh myself multiple times per day. Some floormates actually hid my scale on me for a week. I almost went insane!

Keep up your great work, Janetha! I hope you fully enjoy Mexico. I went for the first time last spring. Wish I was there now!

emily (a nutritionist eats) January 11, 2012 at 6:37 pm

I love the idea of it, I actually don’t own a scale currently (tossed in the move) but I was just thinking the other day I’d kind of like one again. I do like to check in every few months or so. Great concept.

Lauren January 11, 2012 at 6:46 pm

I love the concept of the Zero scale but I can also see danger in some becoming obsessed with this as well. I kind of wish there was no scales in the world. I know that there has to be but more times than not, I fear they just cause so much harm. Honestly, I think the scale is becoming more of a weapon than a tool.

Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga January 11, 2012 at 6:47 pm

I had never heard of this but it’s a cool concept for those who stress out by the actual number. Up or down is cool, but not knowing the number…can’t believe it’s taken this long for someone to create this gadget!

Lindsay @ Lindsay's List January 11, 2012 at 6:47 pm

I want that scale!!
AND that new Chobani badge! Lindsay’s List needs one!!

Kailey (SnackFace) January 11, 2012 at 7:06 pm

As long as something is tracking gains and losses, I think I’d still have a tendency to become obsessed. I weigh myself MAYBE once a month…if I remember. And it’s taken years to obtain that kind of relationship with the scale. I never feel shame in the number anymore, and that matters to me more than anything. (117 was my “number” years ago, too…and I’m 5’10”, so that’s frightening to me now.)

Even though the zero scale isn’t for me (I use the gym scale and that’s it), I think $60 is an awesome price for it.

TeriLyn [a foodie stays fit] January 11, 2012 at 7:07 pm

This is such an interesting concept. I go back and forth with scale issues and not. Right now I’m at an OK place with it but when I was in a bad place with the scale and still needed to lose some weight, this would have been perfect!

chelsey @ clean eating chelsey January 11, 2012 at 7:18 pm

That’s pretty much an awesome concept! I hate numbers as well and haven’t weighed myself in a really long time and I like it that way! My pants still fit, so I’m good.

Laura January 11, 2012 at 7:37 pm

I think it is a great idea. It is amazing how emotional we can get about the number on the scale. I weighed myself 2 weeks in a row when I started crossfit because I’m tracking my progress for my blog. I’ve missed the past 2 weeks. The other night, I was running (first run in 3 weeks, and only 2 days after giving blood – so I was not in ideal shape) and in my little mean mind I remarked that I felt like a moose trying to do ballet. Then I wondered what I weigh now. Then I got PANICKY. On the side of the road I had to stop running because I was scared of what the scale would tell me if it was there. STUPID STUPID STUPID.

Mary Legare Whaley January 11, 2012 at 7:43 pm

First of all, Penny is hilarious. I love how she just snubbed the scale completely. I think I saw the Zero Scale on the Dr. Oz show. I like the concept. I too don’t stick to a number. I don’t own a scale. I weigh myself on my Wii Fit every few weeks to make sure nothing crazy is happening, but I am very in tune with my body. If I see a change, I fix it. But rarely do I have dramatic weight fluctuations. I actually lost some weight over the holidays too. It was odd…but I think when I enjoyed too much pumpkin pound cake and other incredible indulgences, I made sure to stay active. I can’t complain! Good for you for staying on track during the holidays, I agree that there is NO reason to deprive yourself. As long as we get back on track, there’s nothing to worry about. =)

Sarah January 11, 2012 at 7:46 pm

Oh, thank goodness for this. As someone who has an endocrine disorder and is trying to lose the weight that it made her gain this is a godsend. Basically, was anorexic, then got a tumor on my pituitary gland which translated into an almost 60lbs weight gain! The anorexic mind set never leaves so upon hearing my weight (180, ugh!) I didn’t eat for a couple of weeks. This type of scale will definitely make it easier, because as you said, we (maybe mostly women?) have a tendency to still feel bad about losing that 1 lb because it isn’t 60 lbs. It’s odd how are self worth is tied into our weight. Anyway! Thanks to this post I now know of a scale that can help me keep on track!

Clare @ Fitting It All In January 11, 2012 at 7:52 pm

I love this scale and I love this post! I would DEFINITELY do well with this scale since I have a history with weight obsession too!

Krystina (Organically Me) January 11, 2012 at 7:59 pm

Oh man, that’s cool as hell. But I don’t have the moo to fork over for that. :(

J @ ... semplicemente j ... January 11, 2012 at 8:03 pm

Interesting concept … I hate to admit it but I still weigh myself everyday … I try not to … but up to now … I am not so successful … today I had my yearly physical and I was a pound over what I was last year … so I am happy … just for the record the extra pound was due to my outfit :)

meggi January 11, 2012 at 8:04 pm

Oh I love this scale and might just get one! I have never EVER owned a scale and usually only know my weight from the gym or the doctor’s office. I, too, have this magical number in my head that I have never let myself go over (that I know of)… but the idea of constantly weighing stresses me out which is why I don’t do it other than the occasional check-in every few months. I judge on clothes and how they fit. I also judge on how I feel. Great post :)

Sarah January 11, 2012 at 8:18 pm

I just ordered this. Thank you for the awesome review!! I am hoping this helps with “my number ” obsession. Mine is 122. I know how to get there I just don’t know if the constant attention to diet is something I want to do anymore.

And honestly, there are days I get up and look in the mirror and say to myself, “you are definitely 122 lbs or even less today!”. Then I step on the scale and see the number 124 or 126 and I get so pissed. Numbers are such a mind fuck.

Sarah January 11, 2012 at 8:19 pm

I just want to say, i finished reading this post and i bought the scale. This is literally a DREAM for me. I too have a weighing myself obsessed PAST. I have not stepped on a scale in probably 2 years either. I know the number would kill me even though I am fairly comfortable in my body. I am currently trying to lose a few for my wedding in June but not weighing myself is making is a little hard! I was contemplating weighting myself last week but i just couldn’t because I KNOW It would take over my mood and my life! I am so excited for the zero scale to come and be able to track my progress without a number SCREAMING AT ME! THANKS :)

stephanie January 11, 2012 at 8:41 pm

funny that youre obsessed with 117 because im obsessed with 118. i stopped weighing myself too for a long time and now i know i weigh between 120 and 124. i hop on my roommates scale ever month or so just to see, and every time i am good with the number and just want to check but 118 always pop up in the back of my mind. im pretty sure that number is in my head because if i weighed that much i would be at the very top of underweight…underweight but not too unhealthy. 120 have me at the lower end of healthy weight which im good with. i tell myself that if i that number went up id be good becase its still a healthy weight but umm…idk. id better stick with not weighing myself and running for the love of it

Ashley January 11, 2012 at 8:51 pm

Such a great post, J!! That scale is a great idea. I’m so glad it will work for you and help you to maintain. I weigh myself to check in, but haven’t got too caught up on the number. I basically just check in to make sure I haven’t gone up more than 3-5lbs, b/c then I know something is off. I usually fluctuate +/- 2-3lbs. I’m kicking myself for not taking photos at the beginning of Jamie’s 12wk program and not measuring myself. Just so I could have some comparison numbers. All I have is the dumb scale, and that doesn’t help too much! I just posted about my weight the other day but definitely mentioned it doesn’t mean much, especially with all of the strength training. I think it went up like 3lbs in the first week, haha. Totally all over the place. :) I did get my body fat measured, but even that can fluctuate and since we don’t belong to a gym now, I don’t think I’ll be able to get it measured at the end of the 12wks. Ohhh well! What really matters + what I’m excited about is that I can see a difference in the mirror. Toning up!!

Melissa January 11, 2012 at 8:55 pm

I am coming from this with a different lens. I am recovering from an eating disorder. I was addicted to my scale (i seriously almost brought it with me one a 1 week vacation to Cuba….in the end i didn’t as i was worried it would break on the way down). When I realized I needed to gain weight, I got rid of the scale. It was a huge step for me and surprisingly freeing. I had allowed a daily number to define my success and worth as a person. Not having that pressure was amazing. My doctor accidently told me my weight on Monday which lead to me crying. I am happy I am healthy, I don’t want to get back to where I was but knowing the specific number saddened me. With the Zero scale, knowing my actual weight or simply knowing that I had gained 2 lbs would still devastate me. I trust that my team won’t make me obese or fat. They want me healthy. They aren’t worried about a specific number either so much as evidence my body is functioning again. Right now my skin looks healthy (no longer grey), my hair isn’t falling out, my kidneys are working fine again, I’m not blacking out on a regular basis, and my heart is beating at an acceptable rate. All of that much more dear to me than a number.

Megan January 11, 2012 at 9:00 pm

I bookmarked this after seeing it on Monica’s blog as well. I also freak out about the number. I have a hard time with the scale because it messes with my mind so badly. Buh! Guess I will have to save up!

cindylu January 11, 2012 at 9:34 pm

I lost a whole lot of weight and didn’t have a scale in the house. I weighed in weekly at WW meetings. It was really useful to know how much I was losing, especially when I put it in percentages of my starting weight.

After I hit goal and was in maintenance mode, I let up on checking the scale. I tried to go by the “how my jeans” fit strategy, but eventually my jeans started fitting too tight. I really don’t like weighing myself weekly, but I know if I’m working on trying to lose weight, I need to do so to know if my efforts are effective. This scale seems like a useful tool for that.

I’ve started taking my measurements so I have other measures of fitness.

Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio January 12, 2012 at 5:03 am

Omg, I laughed o hard when I saw the dog pictures!! So funny!

I’ve been thinking about getting this scale for some time. Maybe post detox…

Amy January 12, 2012 at 5:31 am

Ugh, i hate the scale its evil. I only weigh in every now and then to make sure I’m in a range.
What program did you like better the Body For life or jamie Easons? I want to do one of them but not sure which one.

eef January 12, 2012 at 5:40 am

I think this is a really cool idea! I haven’t weighed myself in ages since our last scale died. I know I was around 130 before (I’m 5’5) and I’m curious to know if I weigh more or less now since I started weight training. I’m okay with weighing more, but I don’t want to know if I weigh something like 140… Yikes. It’s crazy how much a number can throw you off!

Parita @ myinnershakti January 12, 2012 at 6:00 am

I think this scale is awesome for people who aren’t necessarily obessed with numbers and just want to use this tool as one way of measuring their progress. I think I would now do well with something like this because I don’t really care about the overall number as much as care about how my body looks and more importantly feels. I want to know if how I’m eating and working out is paying off (or not). With that being said, the old me would not have done well with this scale. I used to be obsessed with numbers and also had a magic number that I always strived for. That me would’ve gone crazy with something like this. I guess it just depends on your personality and what you’re comfortable with. Great post!

Calee January 12, 2012 at 6:19 am

omg i want one.

my magical number was 108. YES 108. And it crept to 105. My healthy weight range is 137-109.

The last time I weighed 108 was when I was depressed and not eating anything (not related to wanting to hit 108, but was about the only “good” thing happening at the time).

Then the magic number became 112.

And then 115.

I don’t want a magic number anymore. I want my clothes to fit. I want to look good in them.

No matter HOW awesome I look and feel, if I step on a scale and it says 119 (120 is the kiss of death), then I am suddenly automatically “super fat”.

I love this concept. I think it would help me keep up the good work without having me freak out about a magic number.

Di January 12, 2012 at 6:44 am

I love love this idea. It’s definitely helpful to be able to choose whether or not you see you weight. I know when I was doing WW online (years ago), there were girls who went to meetings who asked not to know their weight, just whether they lost or gained. This would be PERFECT for them!

I’m starting to work with a trainer at the gym and I know I’m going to gain muscle and burn fat and my clothes will fit better even if my weight doesn’t change. I still need to know what it is, though. I only weigh myself once a week when I’m trying to lose weight, so it isn’t a crazy obsession. When I know I’ve gained weight and I see the number after hopping on the scale for the first time in months, yes, it’s bad for a moment, but I don’t USUALLY dwell on it much. It gives me the kick in the ass I need to get back on track. I guess, in theory, this would too…in fact, seeing GAIN 6lbs instead of a new weight (what happened to me between August and December) might be a little worse for me. ;)

Great review!

Em (Wine and Butter) January 12, 2012 at 7:29 am

Hi Janeetha!

I’ve just discovered your blog and I adore it! :). I also adore the idea of this scale… I know exactly what you mean about moving beyond the obsessional (must weight myself before I breathe every morning) mentality… but still wanting to know ballpark. Besides it IS useful to know when youre working out hard and need validation.

I dont live in the States at the moment but I think, when I come back, I may invest! xox

julie January 12, 2012 at 7:58 am

holy crap I think it’s awesome. Where can I get one?!?!

Seriously though, I’m trying to lose weight but am SO hesitant to get a scale, even though I KNOW it will be beneficial. I was obsessed with the scale for a while, just like you. I would weigh morning, night, after I ate, and when I got up in the middle of the night to pee. If I had one of these I could weigh myself without getting all depressed, and without having to use the gym scale all the time where I can’t weight myself in my ideal way…nekkid.

please tell me you’re doing a give away soon?!?!

julie January 12, 2012 at 8:01 am

doh! I ran through this post so fast to say how much I want one and didn’t read the last paragraph. BOO :( I wish target had them! dang!

LG January 12, 2012 at 8:14 am

This sounds excactly like weighing on a regular scale to me. It would stir up the exact same feelings. To each her own!

LOVE the dogs on/not on the scale!!!

Cat @Breakfast to Bed January 12, 2012 at 8:59 am

I want one.

Marisa @ Loser for Life January 12, 2012 at 9:01 am

Janetha, I have to just say that I love, love, love your attitude about the scale and its meaning to you. I am working very hard to adopt your same views. It’s a battle, especially after sooooooo many years of letting it determine my self worth. But, I know I’ll get there :) xoxoxo

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