After committing to a workout routine for days or weeks, it’s natural to feel eager to check your weight to see if your hard work has paid off.
However, weighing yourself at the wrong time can lead to disappointment rather than motivation. So, always keep the following basic tips in mind to keep unrealistic expectations at bay.
Here are five times when it’s best to avoid the scale:
After eating or drinking
Avoid weighing yourself right after eating or drinking, as the scale may reflect the weight of the food or liquid you’ve consumed, leading to inaccurate results.
After a workout
While it may be tempting to hop on the scale after a sweaty 45-minute workout, doing so can be misleading. Intense exercise causes muscle tears, and fluids rush to repair them, which can temporarily increase your weight.
After a vacation
Vacations are meant for relaxation, often involving indulgent foods and less physical activity. Weighing yourself immediately after a trip may not give an accurate reflection of your overall progress.
After eating salty food
Weighing yourself after consuming salty foods can give an inaccurate reading, as salt causes your body to retain water, leading to temporary water weight gain.
During your menstrual cycle
Women tend to gain weight during menstruation due to water retention, which does not represent actual fat gain. It’s best to avoid the scale during this time for a more accurate reflection of your progress later.
Conclusion:
It is normal and ok to love our own body. Only sitting at one certain number doesn’t define that you’re healthy. One could be healthy at 85 kg or 45 kg it all depends on one’s Body Mass Index (BMI), hence, eat well and continue exercising.
