Cheat days & Best time of day to weigh yourself?

honeypie03 · February 2011

Hi All,

I have a couple of questions... the first one is 'what is the most reliable time of day to weigh yourself?' I have been weighing myself first thing in the morning, within 30minutes of getting up... this seems to give accurate result regarding weight loss e.g. weighed myself on Sunday morning and weighed 13stone 3pounds, weighed myself on Tuesday and weighed 12stone 13 pounds, and then again this morning and weighed 12stone 12.4pounds. Seems accurate enough.... but then I weighed myself this afternoon (I know I shouldn't weigh myself so much, but I get a buzz from seeing the pounds come off) and it showed that had put on 3 pounds? I know your weight fluctuates throughout the day, but I just wanted to know what everyone else does?

Second question is regarding cheat days.... I don't mean having a binge on food or anything like that. I am talking about one day per month or so, going to a girlfriends, having a take away (maybe pizza or chinese) and some cocktails. Now I know there are ways to make healthier choices regarding food e.g. low fat chicken kebab and gin and tonic. But seriously, is it really so bad to have one night off per month when you don't count the calories. Obviously I will make the healthy choices during the day, but is a night off once in a while okay?

hpsnickers1 · February 2011

Yes. First thing in the morning, after you pee. And there is nothing wrong with a cheat day. It keeps you from feeling deprived. Just remember that with most "cheat" foods comes lots of sodium. There will most likely be a scale increase that next morning. But once you're back on track - and drinking plenty of water - the number will go back down.

Vtrembacki · February 2011

Don't worry, I weigh myself in the morning too, and that is the best time, but if I do weigh myself later in the day, I will put on as much as 5 lbs sometimes. So just try and be consistent and don't get discouraged if you do weigh yourself during the day.

jaitken_22 · February 2011

I usually weigh myself on a Monday morning and use that as my official weigh in. I have cheated and looked a few times this week and saw I put on half a pound and then this morning I weighed myself and I was 1 1/2 pounds lighter! I don't know how though as I have not been able to exercise alot this week. I think it does make a difference to weigh yourself first thing in the morning, go pee first, and wear as little clothes as possible, or wear the same thing each time you weigh yourself.

As for the cheat days, I think it's ok to do that. You should still allow yourself to have the naughty foods you enjoy but in moderation. I'm getting pizza from Dominos tonight, though might go for a veggie thin crust option rather than a Texas BBQ double decadence!! I also agree with hpsnickers1 I drink 4-6 glasses of water a day, and I think that will rinse you out.

shirtswiththumbholes · February 2011

I think cheat days are very healthy - I agree with the other posters. I think it's most important to do that so that you don't feel deprived and binge. I just started a more strict diet so I give myself cheat days once a week or so but I will decrease them later on.

honeypie03 · February 2011

Thanks guys, I feel encouraged that I'm on the right track now. I have a birthday night out on the 19th in Edinburgh and that will be my 'cheat' night. I have nearly lost 5 pounds this week (first week as a member)... so I'm staying motivated and my new mantra is 'EVERYTHING IN MODERATION'... Good luck to everyone! x

Victorious_One · February 2011

Consistency with the weigh in time of day and what you're wearing is most important. If you weigh yourself at different times, you'll get different readings, and that makes it hard to keep track of real progress. It's probably easiest to do it in the morning, naked, with an empty bladder.

Weight Watchers used to have a diet program that gave you two days per week off to not count calories. It wasn't for going hog-wild, but like you say, just a break from the counting of calories and the strict plan. It sounded like a good idea, but I was always too afraid to try it! :-) It might be worth a shot if you're looking for some flexibility and a break.

jaybaileys · February 2011

Don't weigh yourself everyday. I'd say once a week, and I would do it first thing in the morning. Cheat days are fine in moderation. The program I am currently doing stresses eating every 2-3 hours which for me means 6 meals (3 of these are shakes). Thats a bunch of meals per week. So if you eat 90% clean, which is what this program recommend,s that means you can have a few per week. As long as you don't down an entire pizza and drink the bar dry I think you'd be fine every week or 2 having your cheat night.

MandaLee8908 · February 2011

I weigh myself in the morning. Usually I go to the bathroom within an hour of getting up, so I wait until after that (your bladder and colon can hold a lot of unnecessary weight). And I wait to eat breakfast until after I've weighed myself.

As for cheat days, they aren't really cheating if you've worked them into your plan. For instance, if I know I'm going out to eat over the weekend, I work extra hard during the week to exercise, eat right, and stay in my calorie range. If you keep your "cheat" days to a minimum they don't catch up with you as much. Another remedy is to not deprive yourself. I love chocolate, but it's not so healthy calorie wise. An average candy bar is 270-300 calories (I have whole meals that are under that!), so I find healthier alternatives like the Fiber One Oats and Chocolate bars...about half the calories of a normal candy bar, still get my chocolate, and it had 9 grams of fiber! I don't miss candy so much now :happy:

honeypie03 · February 2011

I'm actually on the slim fast 3-2-1 plan and have been since Monday. I have a shake for breakfast, 3 snacks a day 150 cals each, a shake for lunch and then a big healthy meal in the evening e.g. chicken, rice and veg. For me it's been great as I don't need to think about what to have for breakfast or lunch... I get to eat regularly throughout the day to keep my metabolism up and have already lost 5 pounds. It may not be for everyone, but I have tried scottish slimmers, which is very similar to the weight watchers one and it was to 'relaxed' for me and I didn't loose anything.

loriefolk · February 2011

There's really no point in weighing in everyday but some people like to anyway. Our weight fluctuates from day to day because of different factors.

I weigh myself first thing in the morning, after peeing! My doctor says that's the best time. They even take a 1lb off when they weigh me at the office if it's midday

kittytrix · February 2011

I weigh in the morning, naked! (Bad visual, I know) And on those days when I do cheat I try to make sure we are doing something active like going for a hike or sledding or playing frisbee. I feel less guilty about it that way.

Cheat days & Best time of day to weigh yourself?

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