Five Reasons Why You Should Toss Out Your Scale

Many times watching the scale can become aggravating, especially when that number isn’t going down as fast as you think it should.  While it is good to get a beginning weight and to weigh yourself occasionally to see where you stand, it’s not healthy for you to constantly obsess over the number on the scale.  Losing weight to obtain a healthier body and lifestyle should be your motivation, not a number on a scale.  Here are five reasons why you should toss out your scale. 

1. Scales make us obsess over a number – Do you step on your scale every morning only to become upset over the number you see?  It becomes even more agitating if you are dieting and the number doesn’t go down.  Losing weight takes time and obsessing daily about your weight won’t make losing any easier.  Forget the scale and continue with your weight-loss program without it.  The way you feel and the way your clothes fit will tell you if you are losing weight and that will feel less stressful than worrying about a number.

2. Lean muscle looks better than flab even though it weighs the same – If you’ve added exercise to your weight-loss plan then you are already on your way to a leaner, fitter body.  Even if the scale says you weigh the same your body is slowly transforming the flabby fat into lean muscle.  The leaner you are the better you will look no matter what the scale says you weigh.  For example: A 5’7” woman who weighs 155 pounds of lean muscle will look slimmer than the same woman with 155 pounds of fatty flab.  Having a healthier body is much better than watching a scale for a smaller number.

3. Your weight loss motivation shouldn’t be tied to a number on a scale – Eating healthy and exercising to lose weight is a noble pursuit but if you make your only goal a number on a scale you will end up disappointed when you don’t reach it.  Many people give up on eating healthy when the scale stops going down and feel they are dieting for nothing.  Your goal should be a healthier, stronger body, not a number.  Forget the scale and stay with your weight-loss program with your goal being a lifestyle change, not a goal for a smaller number.

4. Your weight can fluctuate daily – Your body weight can fluctuate daily depending upon what type of foods you eat, your health conditions and medications you may be taking.  For women it is normal to gain up to 5 pounds during their menstrual cycle.  With these fluctuations you can’t depend upon a scale to motivate you to continue your weight-loss program.  Even healthy foods, such as carrots, apples and lettuce can cause you to feel bloated and retain water during the day.  While these ups and downs can be frustrating, remember they are only temporary and will change each day.  Forget what the scale says and remind yourself that your new healthier eating and exercise habits will lead you to the goal of a healthier life.

5. Scales cause stress – When there is a scale in the house it is hard to ignore it, especially if you are trying to lose weight.  You step on it daily, sometimes several times a day and begin to become obsessed with it.  This obsessing can cause you to become so stressed that you sabotage your weight loss.  When your body becomes stressed it goes into starvation mode and holds onto the very fat you are trying to lose.  Forget the scale and stop stressing yourself out about what you weigh.  Changing your eating and exercise habits is a more productive use of your energy.

If you feel you absolutely need to weigh yourself then try doing it only once a week.  Many weight-loss programs recommend this once-a-week weigh in so you can see where you stand without obsessing over every pound.  Your main focus should be on your new healthier habits and lifestyle changes that will help you live a longer, happier life. 

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