Why the Scale Isn't the Best Weight Loss Measure
By Genevieve Cunningham
If you've been working to lose weight, you probably can't wait to step on a scale. Everyone likes to see their progress. They like to know that their hard work and dieting is paying off. It can be so satisfying to see that number going down. But as it turns out, the scale may not be the best indicator of your success. If you want to measure your weight loss progress in a meaningful way, take a look at why you should skip the scale and find another way instead.
Weight Fluctuates
Your weight changes all day long. First thing in the morning, you may weigh quite light. You haven't consumed anything, and your body is fairly empty. By nighttime, you may have picked up five or more pounds of just food and water. This also changes drastically from day to day or week to week. If you're too obsessive about the scale, you may feel like you're not making progress when it's really only that you're weighing at the wrong time of day.
Waste is Heavy
It's probably not a pleasant thought, but your body can actually hold up to 14 pounds of waste. That's incredible! And if your body is holding onto waste, it may also make you feel like a weight loss failure. But it doesn't hold onto waste forever ... you just have to be patient. Instead of the stress, you can just skip the scale and know that your weight will definitely fluctuate as it cleans itself out on a regular basis.
Muscle is Deceiving
When people first start working out, they often begin to build muscle. But the fat takes a while to sculpt away. So what happens? You might actually weigh more, and that can be so incredibly frustrating. If you skip the scale, you can wait for the results without the added stress of an increasing scale.
It's OK to use the scale, but don't let it be your only source of measuring progress. It doesn't tell the whole story. It doesn't show your workouts, your willpower, or your dedication. And it certainly isn't the be-all and end-all of lasting results. Find many other ways to track your progress so that you can see real results and stay motivated to keep moving toward the healthiest weight and life yet.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.