How to Weigh Yourself Correctly for More Consistent and Motivating Results
Everyone knows that they have to weigh themselves when dieting. It is less known that weight can fluctuate a lot . There is no motivation killer greater than weight gain when you are successfully losing fat without your knowledge. However, once you learn the right way to weigh yourself, you can really create motivation by generating positive fitness feedback .
It is worth noting that motivation is generally unreliable when dieting. Like the tide, it has its ebb and flow; it comes and goes. Think about your own weight loss efforts. Chances are, at some point you have experienced both extremes of the motivation spectrum – simultaneously experiencing enthusiasm and laughter. Here’s how to use the scale correctly to keep motivation high:
- Choose a day for weighing each week. It doesn’t matter what day of the week, but make sure it’s not the day after your typical calorie spike like it might be on Sunday. I suggest Friday if you are prone to debauchery over the weekend in the form of food and drink. Some research suggests that Wednesday may be the best day to do this, too .
- Weigh yourself first in the morning without clothes and after using the toilet. This removes any differences between the time of day, the clothes you wear, etc. This is where people usually get it wrong. Your weight on the scale can vary greatly .
- Write this number down and repeat next week.
If you were in a calorie deficit , then this amount should be reduced by 1 pounds or more every week. (Or £ 0.50 per week for lighter women.) You will soon find that once you start seeing this number decrease, it will feel like a level rise in a video game . Once that happens, congratulations! You have successfully generated positive weight loss feedback.