Let us ask you something. Do you weigh yourself daily or multiple times in a week and freak out if the number you see on the scale increase by a mere half kilo?
Is your mood easily affected by that number on the scale and ruin your day or even your whole week?
Have you already implemented a fitness and diet regimen to prevent weight gain from happening but the scale still stresses you out?
If you answered yes to these questions, then a scale can only turn into an unhealthy obsession that focuses too much on a number and disregards other key health factors.
Can the scale lie?
The short answer is Yes!
The scale doesn’t just reveal fat loss. You can step on a scale and see a weight loss of several kilos, but that weight loss may not even be from fat; it could be from water loss.
In addition, your weight can fluctuate a lot, even in a single day, and that fluctuation can depend on so many factors such as what and when you eat, drink, exercise and even sleep.
Important Note: Muscle is more dense than Fat
That’s why, if you have been training hard and losing body fat, you might see no change in the number on the scale or even see an increase, because you have been gaining lean muscle mass. Well done!
Start chasing your “healthy” weight, not your “ideal” weight
Many people constantly chase an “ideal weight”, a number on the scale whether it’s your perfect BMI or your college weight.
You can achieve better body transforming results and be much happier during the process if you stay off the scale and start chasing your “healthy” weight.
Weight should never be the only determining factor of how ‘healthy’ someone is. When on the quest to be healthier, focusing on sustainable, eating habits and an appropriate training regimen which keep us energized and help us maintain our appearance with ease without stressing out, are much more useful long term measures than the number on the scale.
Here’s your new “scale”
How do we know when we reach our “healthy” weight?
As mentioned, this is not a number on the scale but rather a set of indicators which will tell you if you are on the right path to become the healthier version of yourself.
So how will you track your progress? Here are some indicators you can use as your new “scale”:
- How you feel.
Do you feel strong and healthy? Do you feel better than ever? Do you have more energy? Are you performing well in the gym, or other activities? Do you find daily tasks easier? - Improved self-confidence and body image.
This is much more than how you look in the mirror. Regular exercise makes you feel stronger and more capable on the outside as well as on the inside thanks to its instant mood-enhancing effect. - How your clothes fit.
With fat loss and muscle gain you will notice a difference in how your clothes fit on you. As muscles are more dense than fat, you might have to go for a smaller size after all. - Better mood and less stress.
Eating a balanced diet, exercising consistently, and getting lots of sleep are some of the greatest ways to alleviate stress and anxiety. For example, working out releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins which are responsible for that high you feel post-workout. - Less cravings.
As a result of better eating habits and more willpower, you will notice your body will start craving less and less junk food and more nourishing nutrients. - Better check ups.
What’s going on inside you is as much important as what’s going on on the exterior. If you commit to become a healthier version of yourself, you will be less at risk of a number of health issues from diabetes to high blood pressure to high cholesterol, which are associated with a poor lifestyle. - Use a smart scale.
You can still track your body weight from time to time without obsessing too much. In that case, we recommend using a smart scale, which can track other measures of health besides weight, such as your body composition.
Why we don’t have a scale at Andfit
Some time ago we have been asked why we don’t have a scale at the gym.
This is what we believe: our healthy weight is more than a number on the scale and we can reach it by following a long-term healthy lifestyle which encompasses good nutrition, exercise and mindset training.
Come in for a free consultation to find out how we can help you achieve your healthy weight!