Everyone wants to know their weight and how it fluctuates. However, checking your weight correctly and at the right time is very important, yet few people pay attention to it.
There are many reasons you might be curious about your weight, but the most common is the desire to lose a few pounds or to find motivation for exercising. Regardless of your purpose, self-weighing is of little use if your measurement conditions are inconsistent and inaccurate.
Before stepping on the scale, remember that the number is not the “ultimate measure of your health.” If you aspire to lead a healthy life with weight management as your primary goal, this number can be a tool that provides valuable insights into your progress toward your overall health goals.
Self-weighing is of little use if your measurement conditions are inconsistent and inaccurate.
With that in mind, there is a specific time of day when you can expect the most accurate results after stepping on the scale. This is the best time of day for you to weigh yourself, along with some tips to ensure accuracy.
Check Your Weight at This Time
You will get the most accurate results from your scale if you weigh yourself in the morning. Do this after using the restroom and before having breakfast or drinking water.
According to experts, morning is the best time because you have given your body a chance to properly digest everything you ate and drank the day before, leaving your stomach relatively empty.
Other Tips for Accurate Results
In addition to weighing yourself at the ideal time of day, there are several other ways to ensure you consistently get accurate results from your scale, which is especially important when monitoring weight loss or gain.
- Weigh yourself once a week at the same time of day.
- Keep your scale on a flat, stable surface.
- Stand barefoot on the scale, keeping your weight evenly distributed between both feet.
- Wear little or no clothing when weighing yourself. Whatever you choose, keep it consistent each time you weigh for higher accuracy.
When to Stop Weighing Yourself
Like any unhealthy relationship, you may want to stop weighing yourself if you believe it has a negative impact on your life. Don’t hesitate to let go of the scale if you are experiencing:
- Negative thoughts triggered by weighing yourself.
- Unsafe or unhealthy habits triggered by weighing yourself.
- Frequent anxiety or sadness after weighing yourself.
- An eating disorder, whether you are developing it, recovering from it, or have experienced it in the past.
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