How Often to Weigh Yourself?

I have patients who get on that scale several times a day and others who will weigh themselves once a week. What is the best frequency? Myanswer: depends on the person! Our weight will vary daily not always due to our caloric intake. If you happen to have a salty meal and drink lots of fluids, your weight will go up which has nothing to do with "fat"...it is "water" weight that goes on. Similarly, a number of female patients can relate to the fluid retention states that occur during certain times of their cycles. Their weight may go up 4-5 pounds over a several day interval which has nothing to do with "real" weight gain...it is fluid retention.

I think it is important to keep a clipboard next to your scale and weigh and record that number once a week. Do the measurement at approximately the same time every week. Then, depending on that number, have a plan in mind as to what you will do about it. If you know you have libralized your alcohol and caloric intake that week and the scale shows the damages, revert toa phase 1 diet plan for the upcoming week, then in one week, recheck the scale weight. ALWAYS have a plan in mind when you see the weight. When we get into trouble is when we either do not monitor the weight or we have no plan. Let me give you anexample of the former.

I had a patient who lost 68 pounds in our program in 6 months. He did a great job. He is my medical patient as well and threee months after exiting the weight loss program he came in for a medical appointment. I saw immediately there was significant weight gain and I asked him how much he gained back. He sheepishly said that he had reverted to some old behaviors and gained back about 15. We went to the scale and it was actually 39.4. His mind trciked him into thinking the weight gain was fairly modertae but in fact, reality was that he gained back 2/3 of the weight he worked so hard to lose. I convinced him to monitor the weight and get back into the zone. (see yesterdays blog for a discussion about "the zone".)

Weighing yourself daily may drive you a bit crazy because sometimes you will see fluctuations that will not make sense and you will become frustrated. Hence, my recommendations for once a week.

Okay..Blog contest starts tomorrow...but....shhhhh......for you daily readers that didn't need a contest to read this stuff daily...here is a bonus word...bring this one in with the others in August that begin when the contest formally starts tomorrow. If you bring this one in with those others not only do yo get the stated prize for the August contest, I will throw in a lunch with me and the staff some day that fits your schedule. BONUS WORD: BROADWAY