To Weigh or Not to Weigh - That Is the Question

The answer : Weigh yourself regularly

I know it is exactly the opposite of what many programs that tell you to do. I understand the reason to focus on only one number on the scale can be harmful to your weight loss program . But my experience indicates the need for patients to develop a healthy relationship with the scale when they reach the goal weight. It is one of the most important self-monitoring tools used by my patients maintain their weight loss, no matter if it is only 15 pounds or 100 pounds they keep off.

The National Weight Control Registry is a group of more than 10,000 people who have maintained a significant weight loss over a period of time. In studying this group, the researchers hope to learn more about what made ​​these managed to keep the weight off when so hard to maintain their weight loss people. Members register lost an average of 66 pounds and kept it off for 5.5 years. 75 % of registered weigh at least weekly and questionnaires revealed that when they weighed less often than usual, they regained weight.

I have not had a single patient comes to see me after regaining weight that says "Yes, I weighed all the doctors day and I saw that I was gaining weight, but decided not to do something. "Instead of patients respond: "I thought I could win so I did not get across." Ignorance is not bliss, and we polished to convince us that "I must have washed and dried this pair of jeans" when you can not button them and just reach for the next size in the closet. So instead of dealing with the scale and recognize and deal with a weight gain of 5 pounds, we live in denial and are forced to take action when nothing in the closet appropriate when we are exhausted and unhappy with weight gain.

I recommend weighing at least once a week . Most of my patients who achieved an ideal weight and BMI after weight loss have a standing appointment with their scale every morning. Regular weighing is an important part of my personal maintenance program after losing 100 pounds. After a stable weight for a few years, I think I'm a little less compatible with my lifestyle of eating clean on the weekend if I weigh every Friday morning and Monday morning. If the number has increased over the weekend, I know I have to be very diligent in my food choices and activity and I watch the daily weight until he returned to my base.

Just a note of caution - do not go nuts with this ! If you are just beginning your journey of weight loss, there is a larger number of monitor and track your success - percent body fat, lean muscle mass, measures such as cholesterol waist and hips , and glucose. These are the numbers that count ! These are the numbers that change your life. If not see your weight loss on the daily scale will deter you from continuing your new lifestyle changes , do not weigh every day. Start once a week or once every two weeks and you can find your comfort level as you lose weight. Weigh the first thing in the morning and once per day. Do not share your food obsession with an obsession with your scale - it is equally unhealthy and just as unlikely to help you in your journey of weight loss.