FitSugar

Step Off the Scale! There Are Better Ways to Gauge Your Weight

Leta Shy — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:49:47 PST

Using the scale has its place, especially if you are carefully tracking your weight-loss progress. But spending too much time focusing on a number can discourage you when you think you've dropped weight after a rigorous diet and exercise plan only to find that you haven't lost as much as you thought you have (which can happen for several reasons, usually because you are gaining muscle instead). If you dread stepping on the scale, here are three ways to gauge your weight instead.

Your clothes: One of the best ways to figure out if your diet and exercise plan is working? Nix the scale for your favorite pair of jeans. The fit of your favorite clothes can be more accurate than knowing how many pounds you are.

Your energy level: Chances are, if you're eating healthy, drinking water, and exercising, you'll be feeling the effects - you'll have more energy, sleep better, and be less lethargic overall. Feeling healthy is the first step in looking your best, so don't discount the inside-out effects of your new lifestyle, even if weight loss is your main goal.

Your body fat percentage: Your body's muscle-fat ratio can make the scale tip up even when you are feeling svelte. So be sure to keep your fat percentage in mind when it's time to step on the scale. That means investing in a model that includes an accurate fat percentage measurement so you can track your progress accurately. Or get your body fat percentage measured professionally with one of these tests. And don't always rely on your body mass index (BMI) to gauge whether or not you're in a healthy weight range; it's not always the most accurate measurement. Read more about the difference between BMI and body fat percentage here.

How do you measure your weight-loss progress when you're not on the scale?

Words That Move You: Weighing Your Options

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:30:00 PDT

Mamas may sugarcoat the truth, and our friends may have a way of skirting the obvious, but scales . . . they don't lie. And even though I'm much more about feeling good and being fit than I am about meeting a weighty number, I do find that knowing my weight sometimes helps me stay on track - especially during the holidays!

I've got a printout of this pic on my fridge so the next time I want to reach for a chocolate pudding, I'll consider grabbing a yogurt instead. What keeps you on track?

Need more motivation? Check out all of my words that move you.

Do You Only Measure Your Health in Terms of Weight?

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:47:02 PDT

In college I lived with someone who kept a scale in our bathroom, and also her bedroom. She weighed herself at least twice a day, logging it into a notebook each time. She became so focused on her weight that the slightest increase - meaning one to two pounds - would cause worry. She never took into account that she was gaining muscle mass, or perhaps was particularly bloated that day. She was a natural-born athlete, ate a healthy vegetarian diet, and worked out regularly. Yet she interpreted the number on the scale as the only true reflection of her health.

When I'm at the gym, I often weigh myself and take mental note of the number. And if there is a marked difference in either direction, I don't immediately jump to any conclusions. That's because I also measure my health in terms of strength, endurance, and a few other factors. How about you . . .

How Often Do You Weigh Yourself?

FitSugar — Tue, 04 May 2010 03:47:13 PDT

Over the Winter, my hubby was spending a lot of time on the ski trails, but he was also doing a lot of après ski lodge time, and guzzling down beers and bar food with his buddies. Now that the bulky ski pants and jacket have been shed for Spring weather, he's realized it's time to lose some weight. I'm so proud of him for trading burgers for salads, and beer for water, and he even goes running with me. To keep track of his progress, he likes to weigh himself every day - even twice a day sometimes. I love hearing his excitement (he literally screams out the number)!

For some people, regular weigh-ins keep up the motivation to stay on the healthy path, but some people think hopping on a scale is torturous. What about you?

Speak Up: Kelly Osbourne Doesn't Weigh-In, Do You?

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:19 PST

Kelly Osbourne's bod is on its way to "sick" status, thanks to her stint on DWTS. She's noticeably shed pounds from her middle, giving her an ultra-trim waistline that she's proud to show off. In fact, costume measurements for the show reveal that she's lost two inches from her waist.

Still, while she's focused and committed to getting in shape, she's not about to become a slave to the scale, noting that, "[if] I start weighing myself, I will start being like, 'Maybe I shouldn't eat so I could lose some more . . . I would get obsessed with that fact that I was losing it and I would keep at it."

Rather than fixate on pounds lost, Kelly's all about how dancing has helped her firm up, adding that, "I suddenly have muscles in my stomach that I never had before. It's all hard and it never was like that." Kelly's positive attitude and realistic weight loss goal is definitely something to be admired - clearly, she's found what works for her. But tell me, does weighing-in help you track weight loss, or like, Kelly, is it better to chart your progress without relying on the scale?

Positive Reinforcement Scale: Love It or Leave It?

TresSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:00:00 PDT

I know positive reinforcement is important when you're trying to lose weight or maintain the weight you have, but if you buy a scale and keep it in your bathroom (especially a pink plushie scale), wouldn't you want the numbers?

After your third plate of super-sized nachos, is it really going to help you to step on a scale and see "lovely," "sexy," and "perfect"? If you're going to forego numbers, you might do it by getting my new invention, the Mom Scale. Get on it and instead of numbers, it will say, "Are you really going out in that?" or "I told you not to have that second piece of pie."

So what about this $55 dollar positive reinforcement plushie scale?

Casa Quickie: Play With Scale

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:30:27 PDT

While Nick Olsen suggests using large furnishings even if you have a small space, at some point, big becomes prohibitive. Instead, I say play with scale.
Here, on a wall that is essentially just decorative, a small end table and side chair were used, while oversize vases and artwork make a statement. The table is only a stashing ground for odds, ends, and accent pieces, and the chair isn't meant for lounging, so their sizes are functionally irrelevant. Imagine the near-ceiling-height art pieces shrunk down to 11 by 14; that wouldn't make much of an impact, right? So, before you shop, consider what the function of each area of your home is. If you're only furnishing to fill space, maybe that's a place to be bold and play with scale.

Photo by Angus Fergusson

Do You Own a Scale?

FitSugar — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:00:00 PDT

If you're trying to maintain your current weight or lose a few pounds, weighing yourself periodically is a great tactic to keep an eye on your progress. Some people weigh themselves every few weeks or so at the gym or their doctor's office, but if you like to weigh yourself more often, owning your own scale is the most convenient option. So I'm wondering . . .

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How Often Do You Weigh Yourself?

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:00:00 PST

I am not a big fan of weighing myself daily, but I also do not hate scales. I think of my scale as a tool - a means of checking in with myself, my eating habits, and my workout routine. Some people stand on a scale every day; it's part of their routine. Others just plain hate them and never weigh themselves. I am wondering about you . . .

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Light Girl Toilet Seat Scale: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:00:00 PST

There are plenty of products marketed toward women, and until now toilets have been on pretty gender-neutral ground. Artist Haikun Deng is aiming to carve a niche toilet market with his Light Girl toilet design. The toilet seat doubles as a scale that weighs you before and after you've done your business.

Deng thinks women will be drawn to his creation because they tend to be concerned about weight and said, "As people tend to be lighter after using the toilet, it probably gives the most welcomed results to girls." There's truth in his comment that people weigh slightly less after toilet-time, but I'm not sure that women will embrace the product like he's hoping they will. What do you think of the Light Girl - cool or not cool?

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