When dieting, many people wonder when the best time to weigh yourself is. Some even think that the time of day when you do it influences your body's metabolism and causes it to speed up or slow down. But does this have any truth to it? How can you tell when you're on the right track or off?
According to the most widely accepted method of measuring body composition, a person's body mass index, or BMI, is the most accurate way of determining whether or not you need to lose weight and how much you should lose each week to reach your ideal weight for height and age. But for many people, especially those who are trying to diet to lose weight quickly, this isn't enough to make a difference in their health or the health of their waistline. Instead, they want to know when they're doing the most for weight loss, or if they're losing too much weight.
Ideally, the answer to the question "When dieting should you weigh yourself?" should be weekly, since rapid weight loss can put both your health and your waistline at risk. In fact, the longer you go without making serious changes in your lifestyle, such as eating fewer calories, the more likely you are to binge later on and regain all of the weight you just lost. If you're already struggling with slow metabolism or other health concerns, then weighing yourself every other day is probably not the best option for fast and sustainable weight loss.
When dieting, the only surefire way to see effective results is by tracking everything you consume. Tracking your food intake allows you to see where you're putting your calories, which lets you determine what your ideal caloric intake needs to be in order to lose weight effectively. But how do you know how much to weigh yourself at? How do you know when you're on track and what you need more of? Here are some guidelines that should help you answer the question, "When dieting should you weigh yourself?"
The first step to losing weight is to set a goal. Whether that's a weight loss goal (such as losing a pound a week) or an overall goal like losing 100 pounds over a period of time, it's essential to keep that goal in mind. It can be easy to get sidetracked and lose sight of a larger goal, so always remember to stay focused. If you don't have a specific goal, stick to the goal that's closest to your heart. That way, you'll stay motivated and remember to keep up with your diet.
When dieting, the most important question to ask is this: how many calories do you plan to burn during the day? It's important to weigh yourself regularly, but don't just do it once per day. Find a place where you can do it multiple times a day. This will help you keep track of how much weight you've lost and keep you motivated.
Once you have your daily calorie count, set goals for how long you want to see those numbers change. For example, if you want to see your weight drop a specific amount by a specific date, write it down. If you're trying to lose a lot of weight, you may want to target a certain number of pounds per week, so set a goal that's big enough for you to achieve but not too big to be overwhelming.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when dieting is skipping meals. This is counterproductive and can actually make weight loss harder. Instead, focus on eating healthy foods and small portions often throughout the day. This will help you stay on track and keep your motivation up.
