Diet Tips Truth or Myth: The Scale
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In the February 2011 issue of Family Circle magazine, there was an article about the “old rules” of dieting and the new, revised plans. Some I agreed with, others not so much. I thought I’d cover a few of them here over the next few weeks and see what you think.
The first one focused on the scale. The old rule was: stay off the scale. The thought behind the rule was that your body weight fluctuates through the week and even throughout the day (I’m typically two pounds heavier if I weigh at night, rather than in the morning) and weighing too frequently might cause you to become discouraged.
The new rule is to weigh daily – first thing every morning. That way, you can catch a downward spiral before it become a big gain.
I’m kind of in the middle on this one. I don’t think it’s beneficial to weigh every morning because your weight does fluctuate. However, I like to have a mid-week check-in to monitor my weight and make sure I’m on track. If I’m seeing a gain by mid-week, I know that I need to make some adjustments – either watch my calorie intake more closely or increase my activity.
I definitely agree with the idea of weighing at the same time (and the same day) each week. I weigh on Monday mornings. And, I always wear the same clothes (my favorite workout outfit) and shoes each time I weigh. That may mean that the number the scale shows is a bit more than my actual body weight, but it ensures that my weight loss (or gain) amount is accurate from week to week.
What do you think? Stay off the scale or weigh regularly?
Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.
I weigh twice a week. Once every Monday and then probably about Thursday or Friday, just to see how I am doing and if I need to make any adjustments. Your body does fluctuate every day and you will get discouraged if you don't see a loss. I look forward to seeing what else you have to share from this article!
I don't agree with daily weigh ins. If you have a bad day, the weigh in tomorrow won't necessarily reflect your gain – unless you dive bomb the Chinese buffet (speaking from experience here…That stuff puts 3 lbs of water on me instantly. I slosh when I leave there…ugh)
I like a weekly weigh in, myself. That way, I stay on track for the month..and I can see a weeks worth of effort on the scale. You have to give your body a chance to catch up to your deficits. JMO.
I was weighing daily – or close to it – but became very discouraged by all the different numbers. I'm now only weighing twice a week on Weds. and Sats. I weigh first thing in the morning sans clothing before a shower. It works for me. 😉 I also do weigh in on Friday at my weight loss class but I consider my "home weight" my "real" weight.
I totally weigh myself everyday. I agree with the new rules! I can see if I am on track or if I need to watch myself and/or work out more.
But…I only keep track on Monday.
I weigh in daily, after breakfast but before I really get started for the day. The fluctuations in the numbers don't really bother me because it helps me notice how the little things do make a difference. However, when I calculate weight loss/gain, I use my Sunday numbers only.
I was weighing every day because that is pushed so much on the WiiFit, I mean, no weigh in/Body test no stamp. Yet when I fluctuated I was so discouraged I decided I had to try something different. So last week I only weighed one time on the Wednesday when I write my weekly weigh in post. I was thrilled to have lost. This week I am going to weigh twice, for two reasons, the one you stated, to make sure I am on track. And two, I am linking up to a weekly linky focused on the Wiifit and that is the day of her post.