3 Reasons You Should Not Throw Out the Scale
By Genevieve Cunningham
You’ve probably heard the advice: It’s time to throw out the scale. And chances are good that this little gem had you jumping for joy. No one likes to weigh themselves, so hearing that it’s healthy to skip the scale altogether … what could be better? While this advice is coming from a good place, it’s possible that it’s a little misguided. Take a look at these three reasons why you shouldn’t throw out the scale if you want better health in your life.
Sometimes You Need to Know
It’s nice to think that we would really never need to know or own weight, but this isn’t true. If you feel your pants getting tight, you may want to know whether you’re holding a couple pounds of water weight or you’ve actually gained a few pounds of fat. Without a scale in the house, you won’t have any idea. Keeping a scale may help you catch weight gain at the very beginning stages when it isn’t quite as hard to get back under control.
It Can Be a Motivator
For some people, the scale is a serious motivator. When they step on and see that they’ve gained five pounds, they get off more determined than ever. For others, it’s the opposite. They step on the scale and see that they’ve lost weight, and suddenly all of the hard weight feels worth it. When you need a little motivation, there’s nothing wrong with stepping on the scale to get moving in the right direction all over again.
It’s Effective
Let’s face it: Like it or not, using the scale as a measuring tool often works. Should it be your sole tool in your weight loss quest? No. But it can play a big role if you use it like it was intended. Don’t jump on it 10 times a day, stick to the same time every day, and don’t rely on it to make big changes in your diet or health plan. But when used as a guide, it can certainly help you make real and lasting changes in your waistline and your health.
It might be true that you shouldn’t rely completely on the scale. It can bring obsession and negative side effects if you give the scale too much weight in your life. But with a limited and practical approach, using the scale might help you get motivated and moving toward better health for a lifetime.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wilmington, N.C.