Let me tell you how I weigh myself. It works for me.

I have a balance beam scale and get on the scale every day, but I
never move the indicator higher (that is to the right). So, when I get
on the scale there is the chance I can move the indicator to the left
(lower) but never to a higher position. This helps preserve the
motivating aspects of getting on the scale and seeing that i have lost
another pound, while not allowing "demotivating" weights to bum me
out. For instance, if I eat a lot of roughage, drink a lot of water,
etc., then I don't have to worry about the scale disheartening me. I
know that if I keep on with what I'm doing, the indicator will HAVE to
go lower.

With the usual weighing practice, too much negative information can
intrude and it would be disheartening. Kind of like people with sleep
problems looking at the clock in the middle of the night -- DON'T
LOOK!  That kind of information can make it difficult to return to
sleep! (Gee -- I only have three more hours to fall asleep, etc.)

Other kinds of bad information might be this: this kind of cake tastes
great! (If so, I don't want any near me.) Person X lost a whole lot of
weight following the umbrella diet (or whatever), allowing him/her to
eat only while holding an umbrella overhead. etc. etc.

My balance beam scale technique is also another reason to have a
slightly more restricted caloric approach - that is, so I can see the
scale weights changing regularly (although towards the end, it might
not change for a week or even more). Much of the early portion of a
diet is getting oneself in gear, getting organized, getting the
exercise routine in place, etc., etc. stopping the home delivery from
Subway (I don't have home delivery, but....)...

Anyway, thanks for your input! I sure rememeber some of those old
names myself and I wonder where they are and hope they're doing fine!

Yours,

Caleb