WHEN THE SCALE DOESN’T CHANGE…
For many individuals, the scales provide them with a lone solitary number. They benchmark their entire progress on this single metric, which means that momentum, adherence and further progress all hinges on it.
What Influences Weight Change?
One of the most effective ways to reduce the fear or apprehension toward weight change is to highlight the factors, outside of actual fat loss/gain that can influence it.
Water Retention
This is definitely one of the main culprits. Often, individuals will weigh themselves on Monday morning after a busy and indulgent weekend, only to find that they have added 2-3kg’s. However, if you did not adequately hydrate, consumed a little more sodium than usual, these can both lead to the retention of water. This will increase weight, but it is not permanent weight.
Muscle
If you are following a nutrition plan, you have no doubt ramped up your weight training at the same time right? Well, muscle is more dense than fat tissue and whilst it is more difficult to gain than fat, the change or lack thereof in weight could be due to an increase in lean mass. Think about it! You may have even lost fat, but gained muscle, but the scales are giving you a very distorted image of your progress!
Food & Water
Are you consistently weighing yourself in the mornings, fully nude, after emptying your bladder and *cough? Maybe you didn't do so last week?
Use other progress markers!
How crazy is it that in the past, individuals would base their self-esteem, potential for future progress, adherence to the current program, and motivation all on one single number?! Let's look at some additional progress markers!
How are you feeling?
Energy and fatigue reduction are a common sign that your nutrition is improving. How do you feel in the morning getting out of bed? Do you have energy throughout the day? How do you feel at work?
How are your fitness levels?
Cardiorespiratory fitness is a very common indicator of an effective nutrition regimen. Is that five-kilometer run getting easier? Are you squeezing out a couple more repetitions with the same weight you struggled with last month? Do you feel more recovered after a day of working out?
How do your clothes fit?
If you do feel that you've lost weight, but the scales aren't reflecting this, this might be due to the reasons mentioned above. If you have gained muscle, you'll notice it in the mirror. But, if you've had a difficult week and your weight has increased, skip the mirror test, relax and get back on track tomorrow!