Why You Need to Consider the Numbers on the Scale when Getting Healthy ...

So often we ignore the scale because we get frustrated with the daily fluctuations. This is why we look at the way our clothes fit and the way we feel as the gage of whether we are losing weight. And in the process countless people have changed their view to dread the once relied upon scale. But as a certified trainer and nutritionist I know the scale is important for numerous reasons. It is most certainly a good gage to compare to, rely on and even show progress as long as you do not become obsessed with the scale. There are other factors to look at in terms of results but that does not mean the scale should be shunned. Let me share with you just why it is so important:

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1. Shows Progress

swimwear, supermodel, fashion model, lingerie, model, If you are eating healthier, getting up earlier to exercise and sticking to a fitness program, you probably want to see that it is working. You notice a slight change in the way your clothing fit because they feel looser but what about the number on the scale? Well you won’t know unless you step on a scale in the beginning and after a few weeks of healthier behavior!

2. Ensures Healthy Range

shoulder, leg, thigh, muscle, vacation, For body mass index alone, it is good to know if your weight is in a healthy range. Body mass relies upon weight and height so many experts say not to look at this because it fails to take in account your muscle mass. And although I do agree partially with this, it is also important to know if the number is too high or low because in that case you would be in an unhealthy range. So weighing in is reliable for this reason alone.

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3. Keeps You Accountable

thigh, shoulder, joint, physical fitness, leg, That number you feel like you cannot hide from will keep you accountable to your goals. If you have been eating poorly all week, the scale will show the rise and will keep you honest. And this is when I just love the scale in a bad and good way. It gets me on track but I also want to kick it when I see the increase! ;-) And this reminder may be what you need to ignite your motivation to lose!

4. Something to Compare to

undergarment, clothing, lingerie, active undergarment, brassiere, If you do not know where you started, you will not know exactly how far you have to go or how far you've come. The starting number on the scale can guide and inspire you to jumpstart your weight loss. Then as you see progress on the scale and in the way your clothes fit, you will be inspired to keep going!

5. Helps You Focus on a Goal

footwear, beauty, human hair color, leg, human leg, Write your starting number down and create a plan to get to your weight loss goal. Make your goal small and achievable in a week by week basis. And as you meet this goal you can triumph because you are seeing super results. Hard work always pays off!

6. Can Explain a Lot

hair, human hair color, beauty, girl, lady, If you are a runner and your race times seem to be slowing down, the number on the scale can reveal a lot. Weight gain will slow you down and can keep you from performing your best. This also goes with health results and not feeling like a champ. Maybe the number on the scale is causing you to feel like a slug. So get to action and move it!

7. Can Help You Get Back on Track

sky, arm, girl, vacation, muscle, That often dreaded number can help you get back on track after a vacation of poor eating, late nights of noshing and skimping on your workouts. The number can rope you back in and help you to wake and launch into action.

So jumpstart your weight loss and get on track by investing in a good scale and also measure yourself. Once a week, gage your results so you can achieve your goals and get in epic shape!

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

This is an amazing read I have thyroid cancer and a knee surgeries and it has it does take a tolls

Sincerely KAH

Not healthy to focus on the number of the scale. Causes eating disorders.

I have been gaining weight because I have got more muscles, I'm 13, but I am much heavier than my friends, I am not fat and look good, but I am heavy

Thank you!

@Elly Rose first of all it is true, it just isn't universally true, just because it doesn't reflect your experience it doesn't mean it's not valid. Secondly, you don't NEED it. If you want to use it as a tool cool, but you can get by without it.

36 years and have lost 12lbs, I still have 1 size to get back in all my clothes it does effects in every day but I will achieve my goals, when you were 0-2 115 for 35 years old and it is VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GET TO WHERE I FELL IT HAS BEEN HARD BUT

If girls obsess over the number it will lead to eating disorders or not being healthy. With height and muscle some numbers on the scale are not reasonable

Muscle weighs more than fat, the number on the scale is never more important than being healthy

For the comment about scales causing eating disorders. That's not true. I'm not saying that people should only focus on the scale, but it's an important tool to see progress. I've had an eating disorder and believe this to be true.

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