Things you need to know before weighing yourself

If you are going on a diet or exercise to lose weight, one of the things you’d like to do maybe weigh yourself. Though your overall health is hard to determine, your scale is still a great tool to help track your weight and meet your goal.

Your weight fluctuates during a day

Some people are obsessed with weighing themselves, thinking that they’ll have better control over their weight. The fact is, however, your weight fluctuates in a day. For example, if you’ve just had a big meal and then stand on the scale, you’ll weigh more than usual. If you take in too much salty food lately, the number will be inaccurate as salt affects the amount of fluid in your body. In addition, exercise, alcohol, hormonal changes, digestion, and medication can also affect your weight.

Weigh yourself weekly or daily

The most recommended weighing frequency is once a week, on a regular basis, of course. With the help of a weight loss app, you can see more clearly how your weight changes over a long period of time and make sure things are moving in the right direction. If you’re more eager to lose weight, you can also weigh yourself daily. In this way, you are able to adjust your diet and eating habits in time after you notice weight gain for over 3 days.

Weigh yourself in the morning

Despite the fact that your weight fluctuates during the day, you can weigh yourself in the morning, right after you’re out of the bathroom, and before breakfast. At that time, the number is the most accurate as your stomach is completely empty after a full night’s digestion.

The key is to be consistent

In order to get an accurate scale number, you should also be consistent with all the factors. For example, if you weigh yourself naked yesterday, you can’t wear clothes on the scale the next day or else your body weight will be different. Stick to the exact time you weigh, and don’t change the scale because data may vary on different scales. Make sure your scale sits on a hard, even surface. Rug or carpet is not accepted. Stand on the scale with your body weight evenly distributed on it.