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DRThe scale: a nemesis for some, an invaluable tool for others. Most research has shown that weighing yourself helps with weight loss, though the studies are filled with confounding bias. Maybe people who weigh themselves are just more dedicated. That being said, when looking at people who have lost weight and kept it off long term, the majority weigh themselves regularly. After all, hard to know how you are doing without measuring. I tend to find measuring weight and waist circumference (and labs, and steps taken, etc) as a great way to assess how someone is doing with their lifestyle habits. You have to be fairly regimented. Weigh at same time and not everyday. Expect some fluctuation and have patience to look for long term patterns. Don’t over react to one reading and DON’T overreact in general. If weight goes up slightly ask yourself if there are explanations. Did you maybe gain muscle. Is it that time of the month and you are retaining water. Are your clothes looser or waist smaller indicating that the scale weight isn’t taking account of body composition changes. And if you feel you may be trending to higher weight, are there small changes you can make that might help. Don’t swerve the car drastically, small change subtle changes win the race. Maybe skip the snack, or lower the portion of a meal. Etc. Use the scale as a guidepost but not as the end all be all of existence. And if you have OCD and/or eating disorder know that you can easily be successful without stepping on the scale.
@drgarthdavis
