check out this article by weightloss success coach Wendy Hearn!
Weight Loss: Stop Weighing Yourself by Wendy Hearn
How do you measure your weight loss? I guess in the same way the majority of people do, by stepping on your scales and weighing yourself. This seems to be the accepted way of judging how well you're doing in your journey to lose weight.
Through my work with many people who wanted to lose weight, I've found that using scales actually causes more problems than it solves. How do you feel when you step on the scales and you've lost some weight? Great, I would guess. Now, what happens when you step on the scales and find you've gained weight? I would guess it either confirms that you haven't taken enough steps to lose weight or in the case of the majority of people, you end up feeling as if you've failed.
After that feeling of failure, we often find it difficult to continue. I've noticed that at this point, many people say they need even more motivation. I'm not convinced that this is so. What they need is not to be discouraged at every turn.The long term, permanent route to losing weight is to reduce your body fat and increase your muscle. When incorporated into your life, these changes are not likely to reveal a loss each time you weigh yourself. They'll show up over time, but not there and then. The scales don't immediately reflect the steps you take to lose weight. So I suggest that weighing yourself regularly doesn't accurately measure how well you're doing.When they stand on the scales, most people find it very difficult to deal with if they've gained weight. This is understandable as we're all human beings with feelings. When the scales show you've gained weight, your confidence and self-esteem takes a knock. This is not a healthy position to be in and makes persevering with your weight loss program even harder.
It seems to me that it's often a way to punish ourselves and yet when we're more loving and gentle towards ourselves, that's when we're most likely to lose weight. I've known many people, (I've even done it myself), who move the scales around to different places on the floor to try and get a different or a better reading. They'll move the scales to an upstairs room if they show a lower weight. They may step on the scales several times in a day, or even weigh themselves before having a drink, so they'll appear lighter.
We've been put under so much pressure by society to be a certain weight, that we go to almost any lengths to achieve this. However, all you're doing is deceiving yourself and giving yourself a hard time. A lot of your energy is consumed by this and I suggest if you employ that energy to really work at an action which supports your weight loss, you'll enjoy far greater success. It's a roller coaster ride, but when it's evened out, it encourages healthy, permanent weight loss.What is a healthy way of measuring your weight loss? I would suggest the most healthy way of measuring your success is with a tape measure. The tape measure doesn't lie. Okay, you can pull it a little tighter if you want! Generally, the tape measure accurately reflects the steps you've taken to lose weight. Another way is to notice how your clothes feel. Once they start to get a little looser, you'll know you're achieving your goal. By the same token, if they get a little tighter, you'll know it's time to make some more changes.
I also encourage you to record how you feel. When you're taking exercise regularly and eating healthily, you're likely to feel more energetic and relaxed. I also believe you'll feel healthier. It's surprising how, after a few days of unhealthy eating, you'll notice that you feel more sluggish. We really do know in ourselves when we've lost or gained weight and I encourage you to trust yourself and know what's right for you.
You don't need scales to tell you how you've done and to potentially undermine your confidence, particularly when you've made a real effort with your weight loss program.I suggest you consider getting rid of your scales and instead put in place a new, healthy way of measuring your success. If you find it difficult to throw away your scales, I suggest you box them up and put them away for a while, but agree with yourself that after a set time you'll throw them away.
If you still can't bring yourself to do this, I suggest you make up your mind to cut down on the number of times you weigh yourself each day. Then when you feel ready, take the next step by getting rid of the scales. Ask yourself, what do you feel ready to do to start the process of not weighing yourself.
The answer will be different for each of you. Do what feelsright for you.
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