is your scale lying to you?

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found this on yahoo

Is Your Scale Lying to You?
By Sheer Balance

Ever step on the scale and have a hard time believing its accuracy? Now, I’m not talking about delusion or denial, but more about the fact that you honestly can’t pinpoint why the scale is reading a three pound increase in your weight. It happens—it happens to all of us, and it can be very confusing, let alone frustrating.

Believe it or not, there are reasons that the scale may be telling a “white lie” to you … not intentionally of course, but many things factor into your weight, besides your caloric intake. Here is a look at a few magical, or for that matter, deceptive reasons that the number on your scale can be misleading:

1. Salt Overload and Water Retention
Eating salty foods causes your body to 1) crave liquids and 2) retain water. This water retention can add up to numerous pounds over the course of a couple of days.

2. You Haven’t Pooped
In all seriousness, if you are constipated or haven’t pooped in a day or more, the weight adds up. Although this may vary by person, you should aim to go at least one time a day, although it is ideal to go once per meal (three times a day). Eat lots of fiber to keep things moving.

3. PMS/Menstrual Cycle
For all of those women out there, PMS can cause your body to retain sodium and water (Kathy Egan, R.D.). To avoid this, eat potassium-rich vegetables and fruit(E.g., asparagus, bananas, strawberries and melon). Potassium can help balance sodium levels in your bloodstream and allows your system to flush out excess fluid, reducing bloat.

4. Delayed Reaction
Weight gain is not attributed to the weight of your food, it is attributed to the calories you consume. So, if a couple of days ago you had a bit extra, you might see a slight delay on the scale. The calories have to be digested and absorbed to actually gain the weight. Depending on the type of food you ate, it could take more or less time to finally show up on the scale.

5. Different Time of Day
If you normally weigh yourself in the morning and then randomly you weigh yourself at night, you’ll probably see a different weight on the scale. This is often attributed to the liquids and food you consumed throughout the course of the day that hasn’t been expelled by the digestive tract (urine and/or bowel movement).

6. Unbalanced Scale
Every once in awhile, a scale can become “unbalanced.” Make sure it is on a level surface and registers zero prior to weighing yourself.


Originally published on SheerBalance

Replies

  • quinnybear
    quinnybear Posts: 243
    Options
    found this on yahoo

    Is Your Scale Lying to You?
    By Sheer Balance

    Ever step on the scale and have a hard time believing its accuracy? Now, I’m not talking about delusion or denial, but more about the fact that you honestly can’t pinpoint why the scale is reading a three pound increase in your weight. It happens—it happens to all of us, and it can be very confusing, let alone frustrating.

    Believe it or not, there are reasons that the scale may be telling a “white lie” to you … not intentionally of course, but many things factor into your weight, besides your caloric intake. Here is a look at a few magical, or for that matter, deceptive reasons that the number on your scale can be misleading:

    1. Salt Overload and Water Retention
    Eating salty foods causes your body to 1) crave liquids and 2) retain water. This water retention can add up to numerous pounds over the course of a couple of days.

    2. You Haven’t Pooped
    In all seriousness, if you are constipated or haven’t pooped in a day or more, the weight adds up. Although this may vary by person, you should aim to go at least one time a day, although it is ideal to go once per meal (three times a day). Eat lots of fiber to keep things moving.

    3. PMS/Menstrual Cycle
    For all of those women out there, PMS can cause your body to retain sodium and water (Kathy Egan, R.D.). To avoid this, eat potassium-rich vegetables and fruit(E.g., asparagus, bananas, strawberries and melon). Potassium can help balance sodium levels in your bloodstream and allows your system to flush out excess fluid, reducing bloat.

    4. Delayed Reaction
    Weight gain is not attributed to the weight of your food, it is attributed to the calories you consume. So, if a couple of days ago you had a bit extra, you might see a slight delay on the scale. The calories have to be digested and absorbed to actually gain the weight. Depending on the type of food you ate, it could take more or less time to finally show up on the scale.

    5. Different Time of Day
    If you normally weigh yourself in the morning and then randomly you weigh yourself at night, you’ll probably see a different weight on the scale. This is often attributed to the liquids and food you consumed throughout the course of the day that hasn’t been expelled by the digestive tract (urine and/or bowel movement).

    6. Unbalanced Scale
    Every once in awhile, a scale can become “unbalanced.” Make sure it is on a level surface and registers zero prior to weighing yourself.


    Originally published on SheerBalance
  • blum0133
    blum0133 Posts: 88
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    This is great info! Thank you so much for posting this!
  • PrincessDesiray
    PrincessDesiray Posts: 104 Member
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    3 times going a day.....I eat about 20 grams of fiber and that never happens for me.....I know I would wiegh less if it did but this is just not going to happen unless someone can please give me some fiber pointers. thanks
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
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    I must have PMS. :tongue:
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
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    I must have PMS. :tongue:

    Apparently I've had PMS for a few months. :wink:
  • ktthegr8
    ktthegr8 Posts: 479
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    3 times going a day.....I eat about 20 grams of fiber and that never happens for me.....I know I would wiegh less if it did but this is just not going to happen unless someone can please give me some fiber pointers. thanks
    Where are you getting your fiber? I eat a LOT of raw veggies, I personally think that is the best source of fiber.
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    Options
    I must have PMS. :tongue:

    Apparently I've had PMS for a few months. :wink:

    At least you have the right bits for it! :tongue:

    OK, it's friday, I've worked a 70 hour week , I'm going home!:ohwell:
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    Options
    I must have PMS. :tongue:

    Apparently I've had PMS for a few months. :wink:

    At least you have the right bits for it! :tongue:

    OK, it's friday, I've worked a 70 hour week , I'm going home!:ohwell:

    70 hours?
    Wuss! That's left you with 98 hours this week not utilized!!
  • SHBoss1673
    SHBoss1673 Posts: 7,161 Member
    Options
    I must have PMS. :tongue:

    Apparently I've had PMS for a few months. :wink:

    At least you have the right bits for it! :tongue:

    OK, it's friday, I've worked a 70 hour week , I'm going home!:ohwell:

    70 hours?
    Wuss! That's left you with 98 hours this week not utilized!!
    ugh, no thanks.