A good scale is essential for successful dieting, but how do you know when you’ve got it right? Here are my eight tips on buying a good scale, and getting the most out of it!
As painful as it may be, you need to have an accurate reading of your weight at the start of the diet to be able to log achievements throughout it. Old scales that use a spring mechanism should be avoided, as these will wear out. Instead, choose a scale that is easily set to zero.
Buy something that is weighed, such as a bag of sugar, and weigh it on your scales. Allow for a very small amount of extra. If the scales report an inaccuracy, or if they do not return to zero when you pick the item up, take them back.
Some scales will only go up to 300 pounds, some will go to 500, and some will do between 300 and 800. Check that your scales have the right range to weigh you now, and as you lose weight.
Most scales will require you to stand up straight on them, and will report your weight while you are stood on them. Make sure that the display on yours will be good enough for you to be able to see and make out the numbers without crouching. If you can’t, find some with a better display.
Some scales can give you a percentage of body fat, which will be very helpful, as when you start to exercise you will form muscle which weighs more than fat. Having this ability will show you that you are losing fat, even if your weight doesn’t represent that.
Make sure you put your scale somewhere suitable, such as in the bathroom. It’s amazing how many people I know have theirs in their kitchen, which makes them link the kitchen with bad weigh ins.
Make sure you weigh yourself at the same time every day. I weigh a lot less in the morning, so I tend to weigh myself before I go to bed, but it’s up to you when you choose. Just make sure that you only weigh yourself at your chosen time, and don’t compare this data to data you get from weigh ins at different times. Bloating and water retention can easily change your weight dramatically over the course of the day.
Wear the same thing to weigh yourself. Jeans tend to be very heavy, and will add to your weight, although if you are always wearing the same pair this won’t matter. I use my pyjamas, as these are light cotton, and I weigh myself while I’m getting ready for bed.
So now you know which scales to avoid, what to look out for and how to weigh yourself successfully, remember that your weight doesn’t mean anything if you are happy and healthy. It’s easy to get obsessed, so make sure that it doesn’t happen to you. Have you got some favourite scales, or a tip for weighing yourself? Please tell me about it!
Photo Credit: srtherapies.com