December 17, 2018

The Truth About How Regularly You Should Weigh Yourself

Dr Rahma Targett
December 17, 2018
ACM blog photo 03

Many people struggle with their weight, and this is an issue that is becoming more and more common for all age groups. The common misconception is that the only issue revolves around weighing too much, but the simple truth is that not weighing enough is also a major health concern. It is for this reason that people choose to monitor their weight through regularly stepping onto the bathroom scales. For some people, this is a cathartic experience, and a weekly, daily or monthly ritual, but for others, stepping on the scales is something they would like to avoid at all costs. The real question is; is it actually beneficial to weigh yourself on a regular basis? And if it is, how often should you do it? Keep reading to find out.

The Benefits of Self Weighing

A number of health and fitness experts will tell you that weighing yourself regularly is nothing but a good thing, and will, in fact, help you to reach your goal weight. But to what extent is this true? What are the real benefits of regular weighing? There are two main reasons why regular weighing can help you reach your goals; accountability and motivation. Before you can even begin to improve your health, you need to first understand where you are currently, and this means knowing how much you weigh. In doing this, you are holding yourself accountable and taking back control over your own body. By setting up a routine, you will be able to track your progress and see the impact not keeping active or eating poorly has on your health. Furthermore, regular weighing allows you to see the positive results of your lifestyle change, and in turn motivates you to keep making healthier choices.

The Issues with Self Weighing

Although there are benefits to regular weighing, there are also issues surrounding it. Studies have indicated that this trend is far more harmful than helpful for adolescents and teens, especially for girls. Instead of helping with motivation and accountability, self-weighing often damages self-esteem and confidence, which leads to an increase in depression in this age group. It is also important to note that research has indicated no increased weight loss results in teens that self-weighed, and those that did not. The main thing to understand when it comes to regular weighing is that it is based on the individual; some may find it to be motivating, whereas others may find it harmful.

How Often is Recommended?

Self-weighing is a popular topic of discussion within the health industry, and as a result of this, there have been multiple studies about how often you should weigh yourself. Research has shown that there was little difference in positive results between individuals who weighed themselves daily and weekly. However, regardless of the weight loss programme, one component that is always seen alongside positive results is regular weighing. Therefore, many health and fitness professionals suggest that weekly weighing is optimal, any more regularly is pointless, and any less regularly will reduce the positive results of the weight loss scheme.

There is a clear correlation between weekly self-weighing and increased weight loss, however, this tactic is not for everyone. Whilst self-weighing may be the key to keeping weight off and reaching goals for some individuals, it may be harmful to the mental health of others. In saying this, if self-weighing is something you wish to embark on, it is recommended that you set aside a day and time each week to weigh yourself and make this a positive habit.

For more information or to make an appointment to see Dr R Targett please click here or Phone 0403 690 031

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