Your Scale May be Wrecking Your Weight Loss Efforts

*Photo by Asif Akbar.
One of the most dreaded aspects of dieting is getting on the scale to check your progress. Dieters may weigh in daily, weekly or less often. However, weighing yourself to see how good or bad you have done may be wrecking your weight loss efforts.

If you weigh in daily, you will find that your weight fluctuates. While it is completely natural for our weight to fluctuate, seeing the scale heading in the wrong direction can be upsetting. For an emotional eater, the weigh in can turn into a danger zone. If you give in to emotional eating, the next time you get on the scale, the higher number may be a result of the previous day's excesses. This can quickly turn into a vicious cycle.

A scale only shows process in terms of pounds lost. It is possible to lose fat, but not see a difference in the scale. This can be upsetting for dieters that rely on the scale to determine their progress. If you are building muscle in your efforts to lose weight, the muscle may be replacing fat. Instead of relying solely on the number the scale gives you, look at other factors. Use a measuring tape to check for loss in inches. Check to see if your pants feel looser. Take a good look in the mirror; you will probably find you look slimmer than before.

Weight charts have drawbacks. Most weight charts do not account for differences in body frame size. If your goal is for the number on the scale to match what the weight chart says you should weigh, you may find yourself looking sickly. For instance, in my case, one weight chart said I should weigh between 108 and 132. However, I have a large frame and I would look like I had an eating disorder if I went down to 108. I suspect even 132 would be pushing it.