LYING TO THE BATHROOM SCALE

[KickChick]

All this talk here (especially around this holiday time of year) about trying to lose weight has triggered a question. How many of you (on a regular basis) weigh yourselves with the use of a scale.

 

I try never to weigh myself (except when I have to hop on that awful metal bar sliding type at the doctor's office every year!).

 

Just a reminder to those of you who do make it a point to gauge your weight loss or gains by using a scale....

 

A cubic inch of muscle weighs more than a cubic inch of fat. Therefore as you lose inches you may not lose weight if you are building muscle at the same time. In fact it is possible to lose inches and still be gaining weight! This is why fitness and success is not solely measured on the bathroom scale! I measure it by how well my favorite pair of jeans feel .

 

... and now for some personal tips that I used to use (when I had a scale!)

 

1. Weigh yourself with clothes on, after dinner... as well as in the morning, without clothes, before breakfast, because it's nice to see how much weight you've lost overnight.

 

2. Never weigh yourself with wet hair.

 

3. When weighing, remove everything, including glasses. In this case, blurred vision is an asset. Don't forget the earrings, these things can weigh at least a pound.

 

4. Use cheap scales only, never the medical kind, because they are always five pounds off...to your advantage.

 

5. Always go to the bathroom first.

 

6. Stand with arms raised, making pressure on the scale lighter.

 

7. Don't eat or drink in the morning until AFTER you've weighed in, completely naked, of course.

 

8. Weigh yourself after a haircut, this is good for at least half a pound of hair (hopefully).

 

9. Exhale with all your might BEFORE stepping onto the scale (air has to weigh something, right?).

 

10. Start out with just one foot on the scale, then holding onto the towel rack in front of you, slowly edge your other foot on and slowly let off of the rack. Admittedly, this takes time, but it's worth it. You will weigh at least two pounds less than if you'd stepped on normally

[Kenpo123]

I hardly ever weigh myself anymore. For most people a scale is merely a mood indicator. When the number goes up they feel bad, when the numbers go down they feel good and is not really a fair indication of their weight/health. As people workout and gain more muscle they look at the scale and see that either haven't lost weight or have actually gained weight and become very discouraged by looking at the numbers alone, but, in reality they may have gone from 25% bodyfat down to 20% body fat and that is definately good progress. I go by my belt loops, body fat content , my energy and how I feel in general. I went from a waist of 36 1/2" down to a 32 1/2" with 10.6% body fat and I feel great, through a lifestyle of Martial Arts, Strength Training and paying more attention to what foods I eat. In general I tell people to throw the scale away and focus on getting fit and eating the right things.