Most of us have certain expectations when stepping on a scale. However, it is important to remember that the number displayed by your scale is not an all-encompassing measure of your health. If you have a healthy relationship with weighing, it can be used as a tool to provide valuable insight into your progress toward your overall health goal.
Your weight in the morning will look different than your weight at the end of the night. That’s because you eat less at night and lose water through sweat and breathing, according to the American Physiological Society.
With that in mind, there are certain times of the day when you are likely to see the most accurate results when stepping on the scale. Moving on to find the best time of day to weigh in, other tips to keep in mind when checking weight and when it might be beneficial to skip the scale.
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Best time to weigh yourself
For the most accurate readings from your scale, weigh yourself first thing in the morning after using the toilet, before breakfast, or before your first sip of water.
According to experts, the morning is the best time because you’ve given your body a chance to properly digest everything you ate and drank the previous day, keeping your stomach relatively empty.
More tips to weigh yourself accurately
Aside from weighing yourself at an ideal time of day, there are other ways to ensure you’re getting accurate readings from your scale on a regular basis, which is especially important if you’re tracking your weight loss or making progress.
- Weigh yourself once a week at the same time of day
- Place your scale on a firm, flat surface
- Stand barefoot on your scale and distribute your weight evenly on both feet
- Wear little to no clothing when weighing yourself. Whatever you decide, keep it consistent every time you weigh yourself in for better accuracy.
When to Ditch Your Scale
As with any unhealthy relationship, you can walk away from the weigh-in if you feel it is having a negative impact on your life. Don’t hesitate to get rid of your scale if you experience the following:
- Negative thoughts triggered by weighing
- Unsafe or unhealthy habits triggered by weighing
- Regular anxiety or sadness after weighing
- You develop an eating disorder, are recovering, or have previously had an eating disorder
Read more: Your weight isn’t everything: 6 health metrics that matter more
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a medical condition or health goals.
