Q. I weigh myself everyday, but my husband thinks I’m being extreme.

A.  In my counseling practice I find that frequent weighing, more often than not, is problematic, especially if you measure “success” or “failure” by the numbers on the scale.  The problem with the scale is that we tend to give it a lot of power which in turn effects how we eat regardless of our body’s need for food.  A clever study from the University of Toronto reinforces this dilemma. 

Researchers told chronic dieters that they were five pounds heavier than their actual weight.  As a result, dieters reported having lower self-worth and increasingly negative mood.  Then when they given a “taste test” they ate significantly more food than other people in the study.
 Other problems with frequent weigh-ins include:

If the number on the scale doesn't match your efforts for the week, it tends to discount your progress  (such as consistent exercising, or eating only when hungry). Or if  the number lower than you expect, it can still effect eating—such as celebratory eating.  For example,  “I get to reward myself and eat more” or “I feel like I’m finally entitled to eat ” .

Weight can suddenly jump up or down just from fluid shifts in the body.  (Two cups of water weighs one pound, but does not reflect body fat).

 Bottomline: The act of stepping on the scale does little for the weight loss process (otherwise our weight-obsessed country would be nation of lean people. Yet, Americans are heavier than ever).   It also disconnects you from your internal cues, and makes it difficult to become an Intuitive Eater.  Consider letting go of the scale, or at least weighing less often such as once a month. 

Copyright ©2008-2010 by Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD  Published at http://www.EvelynTribole.com

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