There was a time when I used to weigh myself 2, maybe 3
times/day. For some strange reason, I believed I could gain
or lose a lot of weight at different times, during the SAME
day. Then I cut back to once/day. Finally, I stopped
weighing myself, except on certain occasions, of which I
can't think of any right now. But I certainly remember
when I got on the scales and weighed myself once/day- if I
had gained weight, I would be depressed, and I decided to
eat. If I had lost weight, I would be happy, and I also
decided to eat. So it wasn't exactly a win/win (or
lose/lose, as the case may be) situation.
What happens, I'm afraid, with folks who weigh themselves
too often is that they become confused with the difference
between WEIGHT gain and FAT gain; or, conversely, weight
loss and fat loss. Let's say I weigh 143 pounds, which
occasionally is the truth. If I sit down and drink 16
ounces of iced tea, and then get back on the scale, my
weight would be 144 pounds. Now you and I both know I did
NOT just put on a pound of FAT. I put on a pound of
weight, and as long as my kidneys are healthy, that water
weight will be gone within the next day or two.
Unfortunately, people get on the scale and look at the
differences in weight, and then pass judgment on
themselves. Most of the time, the judgment is an
unfavorable one. Let's say someone goes out for a lovely
evening of dinner at a new restaurant and tries new foods.
Then, for whatever reason, they get up the next morning and
decide to weigh themselves. Of course they are going to
see a WEIGHT gain-their body hasn't had enough time to
breakdown the food, and it still working it's way through
their digestive system.
Believe it or not, it takes a long time to gain/lose a
pound of fat. When I'm working with clients who have lost,
say, 5 pounds in one week, I get concerned. I must explain
to them that part of the weight loss is water weight, and
the loss won't continue at such a quick rate. What I need
them to understand is that the behaviors that led to such a
large weight loss probably isn't something they can
maintain for a long time (skipping meals, eating
excruciatingly small portions). When I see someone losing
½-3/4 of a pound/week, or every two weeks, then I know
they are making slow, realistic changes they can live with.
This type of loss, which is most likely a fat loss, will
stay off. You need to make small changes you can live with
for the long term. Above all else, you must be honest and
realistic with yourself about the changes you are willing
to make in order to lose weight, fat.
Don't buy into diets that promise quick weight loss. Please
understand that while you may indeed lose weight, that
weight is mostly water. You won't be making any changes
that lead to your overeating, and the weight will come
back. You won't be losing fat, which is what you want.
Don't be fooled by numbers on a scale. And don't be fooled
by the people that make you unrealistic promises. The fact
that diet promoters can convince you buy into their
schemes, is-well, a crime.
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