Dec 21, 2010 Vi Brown
Measuring Weight Loss - Vi Brown
When on a weight loss program, one of the means of measuring progress is, of course, by utilizing a scale. A weigh-in is done at the beginning of the program and at varying intervals throughout the process until the desired weight is reached.
At a gym or with a weight loss group, the scale that is generally utilized is quite precise and can accurately measure weight loss in increments of less than a pound. However, when weight loss is measured at home, a bathroom scale is usually the only option.
The Bathroom Scale
Bathroom scales have come a long way but there are still many scales in use that have only one function. Stand on it and it will indicate what you weigh. If you dismount and just move the scale a little and then get back on it, you generally weigh something different. Now, if you have been restricting your food intake for a couple of days, you certainly want to see what kind of impact that has had on your weight. So you stand on the scale and examine which number or increment of a pound that little line rests upon. Sometimes you have to bend down a bit to see if you can get a more precise reading. If you don't like what you see, you get off and move the scale and try again.
My Scale Experience
I wanted to get healthier so I placed myself on a home program of healthier eating and daily walks. I weighed myself at the start on a bathroom scale that I have had a number of years. I was about two weeks into my program and was getting somewhat frustrated with this scale. My weight varied depending on where I placed it and how I stood on it. Maybe I lost a pound or maybe I didn't. By this point, I was getting tired of playing this game every time I weighed myself.
I was serious about getting healthier so I decided to invest in a new bathroom scale and get accurate readings.
Shopping for a New Bathroom Scale
As I shopped around for a scale, I was amazed at all the options available. One scale kept records of the last 5 weigh-ins! I really didn't need to or even want to go back that far in my weight history, so I passed on that feature. Then I found a scale that measured fat! How can a scale measure fat? Apparently, there are strips on the scale that, in some fashion, indicate the fat level. I didn't understand it and didn't need my feet to tell me about 'fat' -- thank you very much! There were other scales which could track the weight of several people. I just needed a scale that accurately tracked mine.
Then I found one with a large digital display. That was good. No more bending over to verify. It could also display how much I lost (that was good) or gained (not so good) over the last weigh-in. It was black which fit nicely with my bathroom décor. It had a 5-year warranty. A good feature since staying healthy will be a lifetime endeavour. Best of all it was on sale.
I bought the scale, brought it home, unpacked it, read the instructions, put in the lithium battery and stepped on it.
New Scale and New Weight
I was completely shocked! I weighed 7 more pounds than on the old scale. When I started on the weight loss program, I actually weighed 7 more pounds than I had thought. The goal to lose 15 pounds was now a goal of 22 pounds. The really sad part was that after 2 weeks, I was where I thought I had been 2 weeks ago.
It was important to continue on the journey to better health. I continued towards my new goal. I placed my old scale in another bathroom so that when I needed to momentarily delude myself, I could go and stand on it!
Do not Switch Scales Mid Stream
When on weight loss program, always use the same scale. Try not to weigh yourself more than once a week or even less if you can manage it. Be consistent in your healthy eating and walking. Increase the pace and distance of your walk regularly.
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