When to throw out the scale

[transparent]

Hi guys, this is really bothering me so I decided to write about it.

I know about water weight, and that your weight fluctuates, especially for women dependent upon what time of month it is..

But don't you (I mean male and female) just get angry at the scale when one day you weigh X amount of pounds and the next you are X+5, I'm like WTH? this usually has me looking at the calendar and shaking my head in frustration when its not that.

For example, I weighed myself this morning, 266.8, okay, great, then just a while ago 270??? hunh?? you have got to be kidding me, and this is after I exercised. Goodness knows its moments like this I want to throw out the scale.

ps. I usually don't weigh myself twice in a day, but I was about to put up my weight for April challenge I usually just weigh myself and immediately put up my registered weight, this is for consistency and correctness.

 

[CUTigers]

Oh I totally know that feeling, it's so frustrating!

Did you drink a lot of water during your workout? I gain weight after I work out because I've consumed a lot of water and I typically haven't moved it through my system when I weigh myself. I've always heard to weigh yourself first thing in the morning, after you've used the bathroom, naked, & before consuming anything so that you can be slightly more consistent.

 

[Ando3242]

It can be very frustrating. But, like mentioned before the best time to weight is first thing when you wake up, with the same amount of or no clothes on, after you have went to the bathroom. That will keep things consistent. But, even then the weight can fluctuate day by day.

It is better to look at the long term patterns rather than the day to day weight fluctuations. Of course even when you do know this it can be a real downer to think how good you did yesterday with diet and exercise to see that you actually gained weight.

Another downer for me that really shouldn't be is when I happen to weigh on a different scale. For example on my home scale I'm consistently 238ish, but a few days ago when I went to the doctor I was 251! But, that was after eating, fully clothed, with shoes on. Even then though I think my home scale is likely presenting less than I actually weigh.

 

[ijustwannabefit]

I agree! I ended up throwing out my scale and now I only weigh myself at the gym on their meat scale. I try to only weigh myself on the 15th of the month so that I don't drive myself crazy. I also have been taking my measurements as I find that to be more motivating for me.

 

[Jeanette401]

One thing to note - the fact that it was just after you exercised probably means something!

When you exercise, your body retains more water to replace the fuel and muscle that were spent while exercising. I don't really understand why this is, but I just know that if I do a workout, chances are the next day I will be up a few pounds just from water.

So if you see a weight gain right after you exercise, instead of throwing out the scale, just pat yourself on the back for giving yourself enough of a workout that your body had to snag some extra water to deal with it. (I know, easier said that done. Why the hell can't your body ditch water to make you feel extra good about the lower # on the scale instead! Stupid physiology... But I hope this at least may explain it a little)