You’ve noticed that every time you step on the scale, you’re getting a slightly different number. What’s going on, and why can’t your scale make up its mind?
Hydration. You’ve heard of “water weight”, and it’s true in several ways. If you’ve been working out hard, you have probably lost quite a bit of fluid through sweat. On the other hand, when you’re well hydrated that might affect the number on your scale.
If your diet is high in sodium, you might be more prone to holding onto water weight.
Hormonal fluctuations can also cause your body to retain water (at certain times of the month, for women) and the bloat can make a difference.
Stress. Yes, stress can even affect your weight! And we’re not just talking about stress eating. Stress can influence your hormones, which then impact processes like water retention, digestion, and metabolism.
The day of the week. Research has shown that we tend to start off the week feeling motivated and determined, but our will power can wane toward the end of the week. For this reason, many people experience frustrating weight-ins from Saturday through Tuesday, and then things level off again toward mid-week.
Your actual food and drink. Your food and drink have weight, too. So if you’ve just eaten a big meal, or even had a few large glasses of water, that weight will be reflected on the scale. Keep in mind that mass of your food and calorie content aren’t necessarily related. For example, water contains no calories but definitely carries some weight! This is why it’s best to weigh yourself first thing in the morning, after using the bathroom and before eating or drinking anything.
For all of these reasons, and more, we recommend that you set a regular routine for weigh-ins, and stick to it. If you’re constantly weighing yourself throughout the day, you will only get inconsistent measurements and feel frustrated or discouraged.
For more information on weight loss, call us to schedule an appointment. We can help you establish an eating plan and other healthy habits that will help you achieve your goals.
