How Often Should You Weigh Yourself?

[The Big PINK One♥]

If I asked my clients this question, I would likely get a wide range of answers, from daily weigh-ins to just about never. Research has shown that daily weighing is associated with a lower body weight, is helpful for those trying to loose weight, and is not linked to depression in women.

Does this mean the answer is to weigh yourself every day? Maybe not.

While there is positive research behind stepping onto the scale every day, I see the answer to this question as more of an individual thing. First, there are some medical conditions for which people may need to track their weight daily. For example, people with congestive heart failure may be asked to record their weight each day so they can immediately detect any fluid increases.

But unless a health care professional has told you to monitor your weight daily, you don't need to. The reason for this is that your weight can change every hour. Your weight may change because you drank and retained more fluids, you just ate a big meal, you are constipated, or, for women, you are premenstrual.

The scale doesn't tell you if your weight change is from water, fat, or muscle. So think of the scale as a tool to track weight changes over time, and don't be obsessed about any daily changes.

Bottom line: It is important to check your weight. One to two times per week may give you a better picture of weight changes than does stepping onto the scale every day or, at the other extreme, only every other month.

[charlotte isabelle]

I voted 2-4 times a week. It's not that i'm like obsessed or something, because I don't weight myself 4 times a week, more 4 times in 2 weeks, but I'm just interested to know if I gain weight or not.

[kimmykins83]

I weigh myself between 2 and 6 times a year, that's when I can actually be bothered to

[angie5]

I haven't weighed my self in a long time but last time I checked I seemed to like my weight

[kimmykins83]

I'm never usually bothered about my weight, as I know I'm neither too fat or too thin, I'm just right

[misstrendy]

I voted between 2 and 6 times a year, I never really bother.. but I've just started to pay attention to see if I gain any weight.. lol. I'm at 106 right now.. I think I gained a pound over the last year...lol

[angie5]

kimmykins83 said:

I'm never usually bothered about my weight, as I know I'm neither too fat or too thin, I'm just right

I know thats how I feel about my wieght

[kimmykins83]

Only when I feel that I really am putting on weight would I choose to weigh myself more

[jaye510]

The only time I get weighed is when I'm at the doctors office. I never really paid too much attention to my weight.

[kimmykins83]

I can't remember the last time I got weighed whilst on a routine visit to the docs