When it comes to weight loss we are really interested in losing fat not just weight. The distinction is because your weight is made up of a lot of variables and fat is just one.
The variables below are the reasons why your weight will bounce up and down depending on when you get on the scales:
- Menstruation for females
- Digestion
- Clothing
- Muscle
- Hydration
It is also important to consider that a change in your weight can be the result of your body adapting to physical training – such as an increase in muscle mass or carbohydrate storage, or the result of illness.
Because there are so many variables the scales are an inaccurate measure of fat loss over short periods of time.
In order to minimize the impact of daily fluctuations on your weight record consider doing the following:
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Weigh just once per week
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Use digital scales with 100g increments
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When purchasing scales weigh yourself three times to assess reliability
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Use the same scales in the same place on a hard floor
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Weigh at the same time in the same circumstances:
- Same or similar clothing
- Naked
- After toileting
- The same food or fluid consumption prior to weighing
– Before exercise not after