Are You Obsessed with the Weighing Scale?

Tap to Read ➤ Sheetal Mandora Aug 31, 2020

Weight loss is an ongoing process and if you are determined it will eventually help you reach your goal. This does not mean you should weigh yourself everyday to know what the numbers on the scale say. The constant need to know about your weight is not healthy and can lead to something like 'scale obsession'. Which is why, it is important to understand what these obsessive signs are and how we can overcome it...

To achieve our ideal weight loss goals, each of us adopt different methods like, juice diets, detox diets, minimum or no intake of carbs, keep a diet diary, regular exercises and many more. It is true that in order to see the big change in ourselves, we need to make certain lifestyle changes as well.

This means, choosing an ideal weight loss plan, which includes exercise and diet and checking your progress till you reach your desired goal. However, many times what happens is that we begin to get obsessed with the number projected on the scale.

This may lead to many emotional and psychological problems such as anxiety, stress, eating disorder, depression, and/or low self-esteem.

Is the Scale an Obsession or a Requirement?

When trying to lose weight, a lot of people use the weighing scale as an indicator to monitor their progress. The scale is definitely not the enemy here, but what matters is how we use it. It is important that you know how much you weigh, and that's what the scale provides, but you should not be obsessed with it.

Obsession with the scale can cause worrisome thoughts, which is unhealthy. It is not necessary that anyone who checks his/her weight on the scale is obsessed with it, but it can turn into an addiction; and that is harmful. Focus on staying fit and healthy rather than constantly worrying about weighing in.

Go for regular exercises, eat well-balanced meals, and get adequate rest. Losing weight should be a health requirement, not an obsession. Here, we have discussed the most obvious obsessive signs, along with some points on how an individual can overcome it.

Stepping on the scale throughout the day to know your weight can set you up for failure. If you don't see what you like, you will end up discouraging yourself. Checking Weight Every So Often

If your weight is all you can think of during the day, while at work, school, or doing chores in and around the house, it's time for a radical change. Getting Distracted All the Time

Irritability & Mood Swings After you weigh yourself and the number isn't satisfactory, according to you, it haunts you all day. Also, you will find that your mood for the day is affected by what the scale is showing you.

Confused About What Clothes to Wear

Thinking that you won't look good in anything you wear because the scale said so; it's common to be confused about what clothes to wear when the scale isn't showing you the desired number.

Avoiding the Truth

An obsession with the scale can also mean that you're avoiding to know the truth altogether. Keeping the scale away so that it won't make you feel bad is not the right move. Knowledge is the key here.

Eating Less or Skipping Meals Not eating balanced meals or skipping meals altogether is something many of us do. We believe that this will affect the numbers projected on the scale.

Digital and Analog Scales

Owning both digital and analog weighing scales to know the accurate weight at all times.

Increased Hours of Exercise Thinking that extended hours of exercise will be beneficial. Too much of anything can't always be good.

Stop Fueling Your Obsession

In order to reduce your dependency on the scale, you can adopt a few techniques over the next few weeks. These may help you overcome your need to check the scale every time you want to know your weight. Instead of checking your weight every day, or more than once a day, do so once or twice a week. You can mark the dates on the calendar to keep track.

Throughout a single day, our weight can fluctuate due to various reasons like, excess salt intake, overindulging in certain foods, or even constipation, which is perfectly normal. So do not get upset with the number on the scale. The ideal thing to do is to check your weight at regular intervals.

Put the scale away from you if the number on it freaks you out and upsets your mood. This way, you won't be tempted to check your weight every so often and therefore cut down the habit.

Before beginning an exercise regime, it is necessary to take the measurement of your different body parts and write it in a diary. Every 15 days or so, use a measuring tape to take new measures of the same parts. This way, you'll know whether you're losing inches from all over your body or not.

Do not weigh yourself right after a workout. You will have lost a lot of water weight and hence, there will be fluctuations in your weight. It's better to weigh yourself on an empty stomach the next morning.

Our muscles weigh more than fat. So if you are engaging in regular exercises or physical activities and are eating right, then perhaps you'll lose fat and gain muscles. So there's no need to be alarmed.

Visit a nutritionist and get a personalized food chart made. This way, you will know what you're supposed to eat each day, and won't end up eating the wrong foods.

Skipping meals or reducing the portions that can't provide you the energy needed during the day is not advisable. Also, new diet regimes don't necessarily help you in the long run. Instead, stick to regular exercising and keep yourself active during the day.

Last, but certainly not the least, replace your fixation to lose weight with a different kind of obsession. Try your hand at various physical activities like playing tennis or badminton, riding a bicycle or rollerblade, walking around the block, dancing, etc.; all these activities will eventually help you burn calories.

The weighing scale is definitely not the enemy. How we incorporate its role in our lives is what makes the difference. The important thing to know is how much or should we let it interfere and control our lives. For many of us, losing weight is a very sensitive subject and discussing it with others may not be an option.

Hence, it is necessary to know if you or someone you know is taking things too far when it comes to weight loss. Rather than taking extreme measures to lose the pounds, it is better to seek the help of a medical professional.

Disclaimer - This story is for informative purposes only. Always consult a physician or medical professional before starting any physical fitness program or diet regime in order to reduce any health-related risks.