7 Things To Know Before Getting On The Scale

“Weight fluctuates throughout the day. The number on the scale depends on how much water you drank, what you ate, and further down the list, ”notes MD Lisa Valente.

If you are working hard on yourself, and the pounds are gaining, do not give up. Sometimes even the day of the week can affect the measurement accuracy. So in what cases can the balance show an inaccurate figure?

1. You weigh yourself after exercise

Think the scale will show the perfect number right after your workout? Of course, you want to see the result here and now, but weighing after training will only disappoint you.  

If you just started playing sports or returned after a long break, your muscles receive additional stress, due to which a short-term inflammation occurs. Don’t panic, there is nothing to worry about. The only negative consequence is water retention in the body. The opposite situation also happens: after intense training, the scales will show a decrease in numbers due to dehydration.

2. You weigh yourself during your period

During menstruation, there is often a feeling of bloating. Hormonal changes, fluid retention, and changes in eating habits can temporarily increase your weight. Avoid weighing yourself during your period and focus on caring for your body. You don’t need extra stress in such a difficult period!

3. You ate a lot of salty foods

Eating a lot of salty foods at night, or having a preference for salty foods in general, affects your weight. Salty foods cause fluid retention. But don’t blame yourself for a one-off breakdown. Salt causes swelling, so just wait a few days. And if salty food is an integral part of your diet, then you should try to limit yourself. 

4. You drink a lot of water 

One of the top tips while dieting is to drink more. Let’s say you bought a large bottle of water and set yourself the goal of drinking two liters a day. If you haven’t consumed that much fluid before, your body will take time to adapt. Until then, the number on the scales may be larger than the real one. Drinking water can actually help you lose weight if you are replacing soda and other high-sugar drinks in this way. Just let your body adjust to the change.

5. You recently ate a heavy meal

It makes no sense to weigh yourself immediately after a heavy meal. Remember: food is digested for up to eight hours, and until the process is completed, extra pounds will remain in you. In addition, sodium and sugar can cause fluid retention and bloating, so take a day off in these cases. Instead of getting on the scale every hour, drink water and go for a walk.

6. You work your muscles

Regular exercise is a proven way to lose weight, but it doesn’t guarantee that the number on the scale will match your desires. It all depends on the type of training. There are situations in which you are trying to build muscle mass and the weight continues to decrease.

We can get rid of fat and gain muscle mass, but muscle takes up less space than fat. That is why your waist may decrease, and the number on the scale will remain the same (or even increase).

7. You haven’t started the digestive process

Many people know that in the morning the weight is most accurate, so immediately after getting out of bed, they get on the scales. But this is not entirely correct, because you are not starting the digestive process. Drink a glass of water, give your body time to wake up, take a walk, and only then know your weight.