The Shocking Truth About Your Scale (hard to believe)
June 8th, 2011 | posted by Kimberly
“I’m exercising like all the time and the scale isn’t budging.”
If I had a dollar every time a client said this to me, I’d be retired by now!
Scale weight can be a useful number to know but, even better, is knowing if you are losing body fat. Knowing your body fat is a more important piece of the puzzle. The goal is to lose fat–not weight and that’s why the scale can’t tell the whole story.
I’ve uncovered some other shocking truths about the scale you should know…
Truth #1 The scale can make sane folks go nuts! Jumping on the scale and seeing a gain or no change can cause a temporary split from reality. When people feel defeated it can make them ditch all their hard work and healthy habits. The key is not to let the number on the scale ruin the overall success of your program.
Truth #2 Scales are influenced by daily factors. How much water you drink, food you ate, or how much muscle you have all play into the number on the scale. If you have a good amount of muscle (which is more dense than fat), the scale will record this as excess weight. You need a good amount of muscle to help you burn fat more efficiently.
Truth #3 Every scales is not the same. Jumping on the scale at the doctor’s office vs. weighing at home could be a difference of up to 5lbs! The doctor’s scale is usually calibrated more often to give accurate readings.
There are better methods to monitor body composition. You can use the simple tape method to record waist, hips, chest, biceps, and inner thigh measurements. I suggest keeping track the same time each month. Ladies, avoid taking measurements during your cycle. Bloating and weight gain are synonymous during this time and also kick your “sad” hormones into high gear. No thanks, right?
I use the tape and an electrical impedance device (body fat analyzer) to measure my clients body composition. Some fitness clubs use calipers but I find the body fat analyzer is quick, less intrusive and relatively accurate.
A healthy body fat range is 25 – 31% for women and 18 – 25% for men.
>>>Click Here For A Body Fat Analyzer<<<
Now this doesn’t mean throw the scale out the window yo! The scale is a wonderful tool when combined with your measurements and body fat percentage. Knowing all these numbers will tell you whether you’re losing the right kind of weight...fat!
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