23rd Aug 2021
How to Use a Bathroom Scale
How to Use a Bathroom Scale
Are you ready to step on the scales?⠀
For anyone who is trying to maintain a healthy weight, lose fat, or gain muscle, a bathroom scale makes tracking your progress simple.
But, weighing yourself can be tricky, and most people don't give stepping on the scales a lot of thought. You step on, look down, and step off.
However, many factors can cause the number you see to fluctuate, so don't get too deflated if you have seen the number unexpectedly go up or down. If you want to love rather than loath your scales, we’ve got a few tips to help you get consistent readings.⠀
START WITH THE BASICS. PLACE IT ON A FLAT AND LEVELLED SURFACE
First thing’s first, start right by ensuring you place your bathroom scale on a hard and flat surface. Unless your Salter scale is equipped with ‘carpet feet’, placing it on a stable surface like a tile floor will ensure accurate readings.
CREATE A SCHEDULE TO WEIGH YOURSELF
Small things like the time of the day when you weigh yourself and what you wear can influence your readings. Keep things consistent by sticking to the same day, time and even the clothes you are wearing.
Whether it's weekly or bi-weekly, recording your readings under similar conditions will ensure the best results. Weighing yourself daily is unnecessary and can leave you feeling disappointed for no reason at all. ⠀
MEASURE YOURSELF AT THE SAME TIME OF DAY
The amount of food in your stomach, urine in your bladder and your level of hydration will vary throughout the day and affect body weight and composition.
Picking a time of the day and week (preferably every morning, after emptying your bladder and before having breakfast) will not only ensure you’re consistent in your readings but also minimise any fluctuations these variables have on your body.
WEAR THE SAME AMOUNT OF CLOTHING EACH TIME
Stepping on a scale wearing heavy clothing like a pair of jeans or a jumper will add more weight and will add to your body weight. While weighing yourself, it’s advised to wear as light clothing as possible and keep it as similar as possible.
SET YOURSELF A GOAL
Track your progress over a month while recording your weight measurements daily. Setting yourself a goal, recording and analysing your weight-loss journey with the help of a doctor will improve your chances of success.
If you are using a body analyser scale for a 360-degree health monitoring; measurements such as body fat and muscle mass should be recorded and tracked similarly.
Remember, weighing yourself is a personal choice, so only do it if it's right for you.⠀