The Battle Of The Scale: Understanding Weight Variance

In an ideal world, our weight would never fluctuate. If you are 140 pounds, the ideal world scale would always read as such. But unfortunately, we live in world where we have this equation for determining our real life lbs: Scale Weight = True Weight + Weight Variance.

 

True Weight is what we really weigh. Some tips for getting your True Weight is to weigh yourself once a week, not once a day! Daily weigh-ins are a bad idea, because they allow your brain to become over-analytical about the numbers on the scale.

In addition, weigh yourself at the same time on the same day each week. Lots of fitness pros choose Tuesday morning when they get up, because the weekend cheats have worked themselves out of your system by then, and you haven’t yet had any breakfast.

Weight Variance includes a combination of several factors, including:

Carbs – This factor is dependant on your current consumption of carbohydrates. If you aren’t eating very many starchy foods like bread and pasta (which is good!), you experience a low variance in your weight. If you are eating too many carbs, your weight will fluctuate radically (learn how to eat the RIGHT amount of carbs with the BodyRock Meal Plan).

Stress – When we’re stressed, our body tends to drive blood cells away from our organs and into our muscles and our heart…it’s the fight or flight response kicking in. You’re body doesn’t know you’re studying or working, and you need that blood in your brain and organs so you can concentrate? As a result, we can become constipated, bloated, have stomachaches…all kinds of physical symptoms can be related to stress.

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Water Retention – Eating too much salt or salty foods can have your body retaining water, making you weigh more on the scale. Cutting sodium can release all of that stored water.

Cycle Bloat –  For ladies, your monthly cycle can cause unpredictable fluctuations. For guys: you might be influenced by your lady’s junk food cravings! ;) Remember it’s uterus, not uter-you.

Dehydration – It’s weird, but not drinking enough water can lead to bloating as well. Your body goes into panic mode when you’re low on water, and will retain fluids to compensate. Carbonated drinks can exacerbate this process…so if you feel bloaty, reach for water or tea, not Perrier.

The best way to use the scale number is to include it as part of your overall data. Don’t have the scale determine your official weight. Measure your waist to an accurate picture of how much fat you’re losing, and trying on your favorite pair of jeans is another good way to chart your progress. Knowing when you’re body is bloated is another key component to getting a more accurate reading.

What are your thoughts? How do you measure your weight progress?

Source: Greatist

 

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