Going
to Personal Training School had all sorts of fun surprises (like the fact that you aren’t actually warmed up until you break a sweat,
Or Learning that getting professionally fitted for your running shoes can literally save your body from years of damage).
But by far, one of the most helpful things I learned was that I was weighing myself wrong.
By now I’m sure I have you wondering how could you mess up weighing yourself, Lisa? I stand on a scale, it reads a number.
Yes……..But.
When are you weighing yourself?
This is what makes the difference.
Try weighing yourself the next three days at the following times:
- Immediately upon waking
- 10am, and 8pm.
It’s likely your numbers will fluctuate at least a couple of pounds (and if you are my husband, it has been known to move around as many as 5 lbs).
And, if you compare your 10AM numbers to the rest of the week’s 10AM numbers, or your 8PM numbers to the rest of your 8PM numbers, you’ll probably find they differ quite a bit too.
That is because there is only one truly accurate time of day to weigh yourself, and that is immediately when you wake up.
Do exactly as I tell you (in this order):
- Wake up
- Pee
- Get naked
- Weigh yourself
If you’re doing it any other way, you are not getting accurate results.
Puzzling as this formula might seem, it is due to the fact that throughout the day we:
- Take on foods, fluids, salt
- Consume inflammatory foods like sugar and alcohol, etc,
The consumption of these items can literally WEIGH US DOWN! Despite their *actual* weight, things like salt and alcohol can cause us to retain water while our bodies process them. Liquids, for example, are necessary for the digestion of food, and are allocated to be absorbed by the food in your body for elimination (you know, poo!).
All of this excitement during the day gets sorted out at night.
Therefore, the recovery time for all the hustle and bustle you put your body through during the day, will occur over night.
It also would be rather negligent to discuss the matter of weighing yourself properly without discussing the scale, itself. It is, after all, half of the equation!
Take good care of your scale.
- Read the care instructions for it,and follow them!
- Keep it flat as often as possible (even when moving it around the bathroom)
- Store it flat, and use it only on a HARD, FLAT SURFACE
- Always check battery health.
Troubleshooting:
- If you’ve recently moved, or your scale has taken a jibbly-janky ride in a car, etc, it’s possible your readings may not be correct.
- If you think yours may have an error, cross check it with another one you know is in good shape.
Also, keep in mind, ALL scales have an error. If you weigh yourself at home, and then two mornings later weigh yourself at your boyfriend’s house, don’t be alarmed if there is a couple pound difference.
If you regularly use more than one scale in your life, get to know them. I weigh two pounds less at my parent’s house for example, so knowing this helps me convert when I go to visit
Lastly, keep in mind that your period plays no-joke games with your weight. Do not underestimate this! Some studies, such as Tim Ferriss’ book The 4 Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Super Human, (a copy of which, can be found here), suggest the scale may lie as early as 10 days before the start of your period!
The good news is, the day you finish your period, you are good to go. Climb back on, and enjoy that new, post period number.
For more information on how your period affects your body each month, try reading my post YOUR PERIOD IS SABOTAGING YOU: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WILL MAKE YOU CRINGE
Cheers to Good Health!!
XoXo ~Lisa
*Health advice disclaimer: While I am a prior certified NSCA personal trainer, the thoughts, opinions, and advice I supply on this site are merely my personal opinions, and do not necessarily reflect the professional advice of Doctors, Nutritionists, or other certified Health Providers as they may pertain to you and your health needs. Please consult a Doctor or Certified Medical Professional before taking any action in your health or lifestyle changes. Your health may depend on it!!! For more information, you can visit our legal section here.*
