When I’m on a diet, I weigh in every morning. Heck, I’m motivated and I like to see the progress I’m making. But once I’m off that diet, the scale is not my friend. Oh, I think about the scale and step around it in the mornings but weighing in or not is largely based on emotions or how I “feel.”
Most often, if I feel I have been eating well… I weigh in. If I don’t, then I wait. My decision to weigh myself is never based on facts. It’s based on denial. This isn’t good. Denial = weight gain. Simple. The End.
But it’s not the end. After reading a new 2014 study by Brian Wasnick, PhD published in PLOS ONE, I am changing my tune. This study showed that the more frequently dieters weighed themselves the more weight they lost, and if the participant went more than one week without using the scale, they gained weight.
It was that simple.
The reason isn’t hard to figure out. Think about it. The more we weigh ourselves the more we think about the consequences (being fat) and then “hopefully” we problem- solve what to do about it. I know I do. When I am up 1-2 pounds I try and eat less that day–cut portions and drink less. Nip it the “butt” so to speak. 🙂
However, I had a very rude awakening before the holidays because I had packed away my scale before we moved here 6 months prior. And guess what? I hadn’t unpacked it. So feeling a little more plump than usual, I found it and climbed on board. Yikes! In the 6 months I had not weighed myself, I gained 8 pounds. Big sigh. It was time to do something.
So I started cutting back on calories, portions and weighed in every single day. I kept food records and I drank water before meals. (Did you read my post on that?) I lost 10 pounds before Christmas. It was a Christmas miracle! I was motivated by a looming beach vacation and bikini in my suitcase.
What should you do? (besides booking a beach vacation)
Weigh yourself once a week if you don’t want to gain weight and weigh yourself every day if you want to stay on track. Wednesday is a good weigh in day because most people weigh the least on that day. It’s not right off the weekend I guess. I would agree.
But being in denial and saying, I just judge my weight by how my clothes fit is silly. Do you have any stretch jeans? ….I rest my case.
Heidi
Yep, research proves the scale is your friend! Here is more if you want to read up. Study: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0113164
Oh my gosh… this post could not have been more perfect for me to read — I have been in such denial. No hiding from it tomorrow with the start of WW. 🙂
Being “present” and making adjustments in our eating routine day to day is the key to successful weight maintenance. Weighing in will help you get there. Good luck Kathleen!