How Often Should You Weigh Yourself?

January 5, 2022

Imagine this: You decide it’s time to make a concerted effort to lose weight. You start exercising regularly and embark on a healthy eating plan. The time comes to check in on your progress, so you step on the scale for the moment of truth.

You haven’t lost any weight.

What do you do? Continue with the exercise and healthy eating plan? Throw in the towel, and go back to what you were doing before? Start restricting your eating even more as an effort to make weight loss happen faster?

These are all completely normal and reasonable reactions to a lack of success on the scale. Weight loss, maintenance or gain can be tricky to navigate. Put more plainly: The scale can be tricky to navigate.

Weight fluctuations are common because your weight is determined by a variety of factors. These include but are not limited to how hydrated you are, what you recently ate, your bathroom habits, the climate and your exercise routine. A few pounds of weight fluctuation here or there are usually not a result of fat gain but a result of your body doing exactly what it needs to do to regulate its physiological functions. So, how often should you weigh yourself? Whether your goal is maintenance, loss or gain, let’s talk about the scale.

The very first question you need to ask yourself is: “Will weighing myself (daily, weekly, periodically, etc.) help me or harm me?” Since there’s no magic answer for how often to weigh yourself, figuring out what is helpful and motivating for you as an individual is how you decide.

DAILY WEIGH-INS

Many people find weighing in daily provides a sense of accountability and is helpful for having a good idea of where they are with their progress. For many, it helps to keep progress on track. If you’re able to look at the overall trend and not stress about the fluctuations, then by all means, weigh yourself daily.

Does a 0.4-pound weight gain sour your mood? Or, are you absolutely elated to see that you’re down 1 pound? If the daily weigh-ins powerfully affect your mood and behavior, then you might want to reconsider how often you weigh yourself. The number on the scale should not have the power to dictate your mood, the events of the day or your overall quality of life — it’s just a number.

WEEKLY WEIGH-INS

Weighing weekly can have its advantages — it allows you to track progress while still having six whole days to not focus on your weight.

For best results, pick a consistent day each week, and weigh yourself in the morning. Look for trends, but don’t get caught up in the minutiae. Recognize that it will take a few weeks to get a picture of where the trend is heading. This can be a good tool to help you feel accountable without making you ride the daily emotional roller coaster that is (or can be) the scale.

OCCASIONAL WEIGH-INS

Some people opt for the occasional weight check-in. People may do this at home or rely on the scale at the gym or doctor’s office to get an idea of where they are. People who opt for the occasional weigh-in often have alternative ways of identifying weight shifts, like the way their clothes fit or how strong they feel while exercising.

NEVER WEIGHING

There are many people out there who smash their scale and never look back. Some people find it helpful to focus on how they feel in their clothes, the balance of their meals and snacks and how they perform with their exercise rather than focusing on the number. This can be a valid way to approach health — there’s much more to health than a number on the scale!

If you are weighing yourself multiple times per day, stop! With rare exceptions, you should not weigh yourself more than once per day. Obsessing over a number on the scale can turn into a very problematic pattern that can disturb the peace and happiness in your life. If you decide to weigh yourself, the scale should be a tool that helps you, not harms you.

Overall, ask yourself about what is most helpful for you. For some, daily weigh-ins are the best route. For others, weighing less often is better for overall health. Each of us has different ways of experiencing things and inviting motivation and positivity into our lives. Find what works for you and stick to it!

Originally published January 2018

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156 responses to “How Often Should You Weigh Yourself?”

Domina Trix says:

April 22, 2016 at 1:31 pm

What works for one may not work for another… Find what works for you and stick with it. Great article. Gratitude for sharing!

Reply
- KARLO says:
  
  April 23, 2016 at 12:11 am
  
  Yas,every person is different!!!!
  
  Reply
- Nancy B. says:
  
  May 10, 2016 at 12:22 pm
  
  Came here to say the same thing!
  
  Reply
- GrimesGator says:
  
  May 11, 2016 at 5:23 pm
  
  Exactly Daisy–that’s what ive done after losing 174 lbs over a 5 1/2 year period without Surgery or useless drugs—ive kept it off for 2 years now, I know my little tricks and moves and I realize that I MUST stay focused on it for the rest of my life—for ME weighing every day gives me the edge on my enemy
  , maintaining a weight is much more tricky and complicated than losing it
  
  Reply
  - MB says:
    
    January 23, 2017 at 1:51 pm
    
    You keep on weighing yourself everyday! Whatever works for you. I’ve lost 95 lbs over the last 2 years and am working hard at keeping it off. I weighed myself just about everyday for that time. Now I am trying to weigh myself only once a week. It’s good to know where you’re at and to stay on top of your goals.
    
    Reply
    - wabbitsan says:
      
      February 8, 2017 at 10:28 am
      
      I lost 45 pounds in 9 months, a few years back. When my dog died, I couldn’t bring myself to go to the walking and hiking trails we’d taken our dog on for years, and I regained 30 pounds in a couple of years. I’ve finally restarted exercising again, and the regained weight is coming off. Healthier diet, daily exercise, and I keep track of what I eat using an app to help me track calories, fiber, carbs, exercise, etc. It’s all helping. It was hard getting restarted, but after a couple of weeks, I now look forward to the exercise routine.
      
      Reply
  - wabbitsan says:
    
    February 8, 2017 at 10:24 am
    
    So you have made life changes, instead of focusing on the limiting terms of “diets”. That’s a very good attitude.
    
    Reply
  - Kay Gilliland says:
    
    April 30, 2018 at 9:06 am
    
    you are so correct about maintaining. I’m trying to maintain a 52 pd weight loss and its really hard. I have 20 more pds I’d like to lose and it is stickingon like glue.I wish success to all. My Fitness Pal is the only thing that has worked for me and Ive tried them all!!!
    
    Reply
- wabbitsan says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 10:23 am
  
  To me, what you said was much more positive and informative than the article itself. Thank you.
  
  Reply
Sflow says:

April 22, 2016 at 8:25 pm

I weigh in every single day and log it. I take an average at the end of the week and see how it’s trending over the past few weeks. This gives me a pretty good picture on my progress, whether I’m trying to cut or trying to bulk up, and helps me adjust my daily caloric goals. I take my weight readings in the mornings as soon as I get out of bed.

On the other hand, my girlfriend doesn’t seem to be able to stomach the daily fluctuations, so she chooses to go the “occasional” route with her weigh ins.

So in the end, as the article states, whatever works for you.

Reply
- livendive says:
  
  August 8, 2017 at 8:52 am
  
  Same here. I use MFP for my daily weigh-ins, and keep a separate spreadsheet that tracks weekly minimums, maximums, and averages. I don’t let the jaggedness of MFP’s chart get me too high or too low, and find the process kinda fun.
  
  https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1d8a249ae75c9a6500373c3a64896e32907386599dfe58503167e1d9550b96ea.png
  
  Reply
Bruce Garner says:

April 23, 2016 at 2:38 pm

I weight myself daily in the morning before breakfast. I’m not worried about a few days with a slight increase – I learnt quickly that it happens from time to time for a number of reasons. Weekly didn’t work for me – I found for the first couple of days after I weighed myself I’d have a few naughty items because “I’d catch it up later in the week” by being extra good – never happened. With a daily weigh it stops that for me. Great article and I agree – whatever method works for you!

Reply
- wabbitsan says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 10:34 am
  
  I don’t weigh myself after eating Chinese; the extra sodium causes water weight gain for a day or two. It always burns itself off.
  
  Reply
Rasheed says:

April 23, 2016 at 6:30 pm

Also don’t forget about sodium intake. I weigh myself once a week and make sure the day before I weigh myself I keep a sodium intake of less than 2300mg. I noticed if I weigh myself a day after having a high sodium intake my weight goes up by 2-5 pounds due to the water retention.

Reply
- wabbitsan says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 10:37 am
  
  Agreed, which is why I don’t weight myself for a couple of days after eating Chinese food.
  
  Reply
Charlotte says:

April 24, 2016 at 6:23 pm

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Charlotte
a few seconds ago
Weighing daily can be negative for people with a history of eating disorders or obsessive tendencies. Normal fluctuations can really mess with your head and you may turn to extreme behaviors to counteract it. I know for me, weighing daily gave me a lot more anxiety. I pick Wednesday mornings (“Weigh-in Wednesday”) because it is equidistant from the weekends when I am more likely to indulge (I typically don’t go have a crazy meal on Tuesday nights know what I mean?). I find this gives me a truer reading of how I’m doing weight-wise and lessens my anxiety. As the article says, hydration and bowel movements will also effect this.

Reply
- disqus_IhAuU5izE9 says:
  
  May 9, 2016 at 2:29 pm
  
  Good points.
  
  Reply
- Laura says:
  
  May 11, 2016 at 5:45 am
  
  I agree with Charlotte. I get so down weighing in daily when the number goes up or stays the same. Like recently I got so frustrated my fitness pal sent message ” you haven’t checked weight in 20days” lol I’m going to use weigh in Wednesday’s…love that!
  
  Reply
  - GrimesGator says:
    
    May 11, 2016 at 5:25 pm
    
    as the lady above said—whatever works for you—find it and focus on it
    
    Reply
- wabbitsan says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 10:31 am
  
  I keep track of my diet, and when I know I am going to indulge, or the day after I indulge, I exercise longer to burn those extra calories before or just after the indulging. I don’t believe in completely denying myself the treats I love to eat, but I do make adjustments in how much or when I indulge, and compensate with extra exercise.
  
  Reply
Leslie says:

April 25, 2016 at 3:37 pm

I weigh every day but only log a lower weight after it has stayed down for several days. Otherwise i get too disappointed with the track.

Reply
NC says:

April 26, 2016 at 10:57 am

I weigh myself everyday, log my weight every week and check my trends at the end of the month. Daily keeps me in check some, weekly is the more realistic view and monthly shows me my progress and gives me direction for the future.

Reply
- Disqusted33 says:
  
  August 28, 2017 at 10:28 pm
  
  At first, I was weighing daily and then would only mark it down on days I had reached a lower weight than before. But that’s kind of cheating, isn’t it. After a couple months, I’ve stagnated a bit but I also started working out regularly so I’d like to think I’m gaining muscle too. Now I weigh myself every morning to make sure I’m on the right track but then only mark it down once a week, every Sunday morning.
  
  Reply
Publius says:

April 26, 2016 at 2:57 pm

I weigh in everyday. I track a 10 day average. I like knowing that I go up and down a pound or two within a couple of days. It keeps me careful. I am maintaining and as long as I am under 120 lbs, I am happy.

Reply
Kmace123 says:

April 27, 2016 at 6:03 am

I have been on this weightloss journey- for real- for 23 days straight. I log everything I eat without fail. I try to exercise everyday. FOR a straight 23 days I have stepped on the scale once a week- 206.8- no more no less- I have cut to sugar free coffee creamer; only water to drink and I know I am eating less than I was before because I am more conscious of it. I had a metabolic weight scan and it told me: I have the metabolic age of a 54 yr old woman – I am 39- and I have ZERO metabolism. I asked how do I jumpstart that? I was told always eat breakfast- I DO!!! I was told exercise more- I do at least 30 minutes a day. I was told drink more water- I do!!! I was told eat every two hours- I DO! Nothing. I even went to a different scale – the nurse at school- she said this scale is “totally accurate”……….guess what? 23 days in and 206.8………what gives?

Reply
- cheerfulmind says:
  
  May 2, 2016 at 4:14 pm
  
  So I thought my main problem was my metabolism but it was tested as normal (I didn’t get an age like you did!). Even at 54 though a calorie deficit is effective.
  
  I got a FitBit and use a MyFitnessPal for calorie & nutrient logging. What I learned was, yes, I burn calories exercising but the rest of my day is very sedentary. Fitbit estimated I burned just 1,600 calories on some days (while my 63 year old, never-stop-moving mom, burns 3,000 calories and that before exercising). That information helped me be a little more active but since my desk job is what it is, I realized the reason I have to eat so much less than other people is
  
  Reply
  - Dpoholsky says:
    
    May 11, 2016 at 8:05 am
    
    Good write and totally true same for me, Cheerfulmind I use fitBit and My Fitness Pal also, down 12 in 30 days but what I realized (Kmace) thinking I was eating right was I was eating too much hidden sugar. My fitness pal tells you how much protein/ carbs and sugar (plus other things) and you will learn what not to eat or what you need to limit. Good luck and I enjoyed reading the posts!!
    
    Reply
- April R says:
  
  May 3, 2016 at 12:48 pm
  
  Don’t get discouraged. Be patient. You did not become 206.8 in 23 days, you will not lose weight in 23 days. Keep your diet consistent and exercise an hour a day. Life happens, and an hour a day sounds crazy-but as soon as you make it a part of your lifestyle you will see results. I alternate my exercise, weights one day and cardio the next. Weights are important for women as it can prevent osteoporosis. Changing your creamer to sugar free is not going to do much as there are additives in sugar free products that make you more addicted to sweets. December 17, 2013 I was 154 pounds @ 5’5. I am a mother of 4 boys, work full time, and go to school at the age of 36(now). 154 is my heaviest, I have a small frame. I knew I could not just be athletic/fit over night-so I worked on my nutrition and took my vitamins, and supplements. I did the squat challenge with a friend and lasted 17 days. With all that going on, I was scared of the scale-but I felt my stomach get tighter and my thighs getting stronger. I finally got rid of my fear and weighed in on day 25..I lost 5 pounds! I checked my measurements-I lost half an inch around my waist. That pushed me further-sticking with my nutrition and getting on the treadmill at a 3.0 pace and a 8 incline for a mile and a half every other day-I lost 2 pounds the next month. It was discouraging seeing only two pounds lost, but the constant compliments of people asking if I was losing weight kept me inspired. Fast forward to now, I weigh 137.8. I am not at my ideal weight of 125 yet and thinking of the time that passed (almost 3 years) is discouraging. But if you look at it as time being passed anyway and it’s a loss not a gain-it’s a win. You are winning now for not gaining! Chin up..you can do it!!!
  
  Reply
- ya_think_so says:
  
  May 4, 2016 at 6:00 pm
  
  Kmace
  Not sure what system you are using for weightloss but I have had weight problems all my life and about 10 years ago started following the updated South Beach Diet. It has a trendy sounding name but it was developed by a heart surgeon. It includes simple exercise techniques for enhancing your metabolism. And it definitely works if you stick with it. Once you start eating with this system it is a lifechanging event and will also prevent diabetes as you age.
  As for weighing, my system is to weigh myself at home, naked, always under the exact same time and conditions. For example, first thing in the morning after the first trip to the bathroom and before consuming any food or drink.
  This will take out a lot of the variables that can cause fluctuations.
  Another point is that if you drink alcohol this will have a big negative on your weight loss. The only time I gain weight now is when I drink…..To lose that weight I have to lay off the alcohol for a while.
  Good Luck
  
  Reply
  - disqus_IhAuU5izE9 says:
    
    May 9, 2016 at 2:22 pm
    
    I check my weight exactly as you do- it works and lets me know not only my weight but how certain meals and different workouts consistently affect me the next day.
    Add to this post to watch the carbs; I replace spaghetti and rice with zucchini or cauliflower. However I do occasionally have the real stuff bc I know it won’t hurt me every now and then and honestly life’s too short to never have pasta or rice 🙂
    
    Reply
  - No Ones Business But Your Own says:
    
    May 10, 2016 at 6:54 am
    
    I used to have the same problem and I am 38 years old. Have you tried beach body insanity? It’s hard and it took doing the whole program about 2 times. After that the body weight melts off. It’s definitely worth a shot.
    
    Reply
- disqus_IhAuU5izE9 says:
  
  May 9, 2016 at 2:28 pm
  
  Watch starchy carbs like pasta and rice and bread, too. Eat more vegs and protein, keep drinking that water and give it time. Don’t give up, you and your health are worth it!
  
  Also, make sure you don’t have a thyroid problem. I discovered I have hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid. Among other things, it slows down my metabolism. The meds I now take have made a drastic difference to my energy level and ability to lose weight and maintain that loss.
  
  Reply
- SKB says:
  
  May 11, 2016 at 10:35 am
  
  A scale that measures weight to the tenth like that should show some amount of variation. Have you had the scale itself checked, or tried weighing on a different scale for a week or so?
  
  Reply
  - GrimesGator says:
    
    May 11, 2016 at 5:31 pm
    
    GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY___STAY WITH IT—-CLAIM YOUR LIFE—FIGHT FOR IT—THROW DOWN
    
    Reply
Dyno08 says:

April 29, 2016 at 7:51 am

Kmace123 you probably already know weight loss is more or less a mathematical equation. Simply put, your calorie intake right now and for the last 23 days has been equally matched to your calorie output, hence your weight remains the same. To lose weight subtract 500 calories off your daily intake and you should start losing 1 pound per week. For a woman your age, size, and metabolic rate, 1500 calories per day would be a great goal and should get you losing. Are you already using a tracking ap like myfitnesspal, or livestrong? If not this can be a great help in giving you recommendations and recording. Also, one last thing, make sure you are getting enough protein. Aim for at least 20 grams of protein at every meal.

Reply
- Michelle says:
  
  May 10, 2016 at 5:48 pm
  
  Look into the works of Dr. Jason Fung. His book, *The obesity code* will be a real eye opener for your calories in, calories out theory.
  
  As someone with pcos and insulin resistance the in/out theory does nothing for 1 in 8 women
  
  Reply
cheerfulmind says:

May 2, 2016 at 4:07 pm

LOL! I switched from daily to occasional weigh-ins…I gained 15 lbs without realizing it. It’s cool. It can be rectified. But some of us have to be obsessive on the scale because cues like clothes fitting don’t register well–I honestly thought it was just freshly laundered tightness, a little monthly bloating (TMI?) or that I’d been having muffin top and just didn’t realize it before! What an idiot am I?

I’ve done this years ago but never again will I go more than a week without checking in to make sure I’m not creeping up.

Reply
GrimesGator says:

May 3, 2016 at 11:44 am

I weigh every single day—have for over 5 years, I believe in knowing where I am and what I’m doing–when I’m winning the battle and when I’m losing it—6 years ago I weighed 402 lbs–today 228

Reply
- Fresh1413 says:
  
  May 10, 2016 at 11:16 am
  
  Congrats. Happy to hear that keep up the great work
  
  Reply
- Carolyn Brack-Jackson says:
  
  May 10, 2016 at 7:16 pm
  
  Congratulations, Grimesgator, so proud of you!I weigh myself daily, it helps me keep everything in line, When I stop my weight goes somewhat haywire, helps keep me accountable to my self!
  
  Reply
  - Teegee says:
    
    January 25, 2017 at 10:04 am
    
    That is amazing I weigh myself every day too and I have lost 24 pounds in 2 months with changing my diet and exercise twice a day how you choose to weigh yourself is totally up to the individual.
    
    Reply
    - Carolyn Brack-Jackson says:
      
      January 25, 2017 at 10:30 am
      
      Not so amazing, Teegee, you have to do what works for you! This tool holds me accountable, keeps me in the real!
      
      Reply
      - kristen.prather@mail.ru says:
        
        February 6, 2017 at 1:21 am
        
        I profited $104k in 2016 by doing an online job and I did that by working part time for several h every day. I was following a business opportunity I was introduced by this company i found online and I am thrilled that i earned so much money on the side. It’s really beginner friendly and I’m just so blessed that i discovered this. Here’s what I did… STATICTAB.COM/5rq2qty
      - Eden Jumper Swanson says:
        
        August 29, 2017 at 7:29 am
        
        I used to do that when I was younger (in high school). It actually contributed to me having a small eating disorder because I would become obsessed. I would barely eat for days/weeks then if I did cave and eat a meal I would gain a lot at once due to my body attempting to store it. Now at 28 years old I believe I have grown past that kind of behaviors but I do want to be careful just in case. I tend to weigh myself every week or two depending on my level of activity. If i eat completely healthy and work out hard almost every day I will weigh myself after that week but if I have an “off” week and cheat a little I will usually wait for a week or so to give myself a chance to burn that off 🙂
      - DaveA says:
        
        January 17, 2019 at 8:47 pm
        
        I’m 71 years old, and weigh EVERY day, and some nights before going to bed. I do it so as I awake in the morning, I can see what transpired while sleeping. I can loose between 3 to 4 pounds sleeping. I also use it to gauge what, and how much I eat. If I’m up two pounds, I will eat salads, or high protein foods. A good trick is to have a good breakfast of eggs, sausage/bacon, with breakfast potatoes and toast. This will keep me from being hungry, and my diner will be mostly a salad made of two different lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, beacon, an a good salad dressing. That tight going to bed, Some nights I will have a ceasar salad. I’ll be 1 to 2 pounds less then the night before. The same reflection will translate the next morning as well. I went from 297, to 270. Now my goal is 250, then once I reach that goal, I will re-adjust that to probably 225. I’ve been taught the best is to set goals that are easily attained, then make another one.
- Gutag says:
  
  January 19, 2017 at 9:23 am
  
  This seems obessive and idolistic to do this daily
  
  Reply
  - Ceci Yager says:
    
    January 23, 2017 at 1:27 pm
    
    And you seem negative and annoying. Obviously, this strategy works for her since she’s lost almost 200 pounds! What works for her might not be your preference but your comment was entirely unnecessary.
    
    Reply
    - Margaret Murray says:
      
      December 28, 2017 at 8:40 am
      
      I found it positive and inspiring and very relevant to the topic. Good work.
      
      Reply
  - wabbitsan says:
    
    February 8, 2017 at 10:21 am
    
    Unnecessarily rude comment.
    
    Reply
- LilMizMargi says:
  
  January 24, 2017 at 1:51 pm
  
  Congratulations!!!!! Great job!!!!!
  
  Reply
- wabbitsan says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 10:20 am
  
  Kudos! I’ll do a long distance victory dance for you on your hard work and success! Good for you!
  
  Reply
- No Days Off says:
  
  January 3, 2018 at 8:25 am
  
  That’s amazing!!
  
  Reply
- Christine Enes says:
  
  January 29, 2018 at 1:41 pm
  
  congrats keep it up! what do you enjoy doing for exercise?
  
  Reply
- Rob Bear says:
  
  May 29, 2018 at 12:35 pm
  
  I only weigh myself once a week. Works well, espeially if I have a slip-up one day. I consistently lose one to two pounds a week. But I’ve still got a long way to go.
  
  Reply
disqus_22TjBs3dWs says:

May 5, 2016 at 1:47 pm

I have the best of both worlds. I step on the scales every day but I don’t put my glasses on so I can’t see the numbers! The value is recorded automatically via wireless to an online account and I look at the numbers once a week or less.

Reply
Rich Cook says:

May 9, 2016 at 6:01 am

For me, daily weigh-ins reminds me to pay attention to my diet. I know exactly how much fluctuation is normal and I can see that there is a delay between “weight gain” and actual fat gain, as once per week I measure what I’m truly interested in, which is body fat. i do that with calipers.

Reply
Michael Barch says:

May 9, 2016 at 2:29 pm

depends. usually i can tell if im holding water or not in the mornings. So ill weigh myself in the morning and postworkout before I eat my postworkout meal in the evenings – lots of the times i weigh less in the evening after a long hard workout funny enough.

Reply
- GrimesGator says:
  
  May 11, 2016 at 5:30 pm
  
  same here—a fluid pill sometimes removes as much as 3 or 4 lbs before noon
  
  Reply
Bitemore Gfotwo says:

May 9, 2016 at 2:52 pm

I weigh every day, ever since I had heart surgery in June of 2010. At the time, I weighed 237 pounds, and the congestive heart failure was a wake-up call. While some of the weight was retained fluids, that accounted for only about 10 to 15 pounds. Diuretics and surgery fixed most of that. The rest was up to me. Now I’ll fast-forward to this morning. I weighed 130.6 on one scale, and 131.0 on the other scale. TWO scales, you ask? Yep: two scales. I accept the lower of the two readings (psychologically, it feels better), but on some days they read exactly the same. I weigh myself wearing only my undies… thus, variations are due only to all of those you mentioned in your article. I do take a diuretic twice a day, and in 2012 I began eating ONLY organic foods. In 2011 I got a Fitbit Ultra, which I use to this day, and I log everything I do and everything I eat. I’m trying to maintain my weight at 130, but 129 is okay, as is the occasional 131… but, mostly it seems to be stable at 130. For what it’s worth, organic foods are more filling and are more nutrient-dense than the masses of processed chemicals found in most supermarkets, making calorie-counting MUCH easier, and at between 1300 and 1400 calories a day, I never feel hungry. Oh, yes… I also use my treadmill, 1 hour almost every day. Exercise is crucial! Anyway, I do believe in weighing every day, at the same time of day, wearing the same clothing (or lack thereof) every day.

Reply
- GrimesGator says:
  
  May 11, 2016 at 5:28 pm
  
  scales often jump around 2-3lbs, I usually weigh 3 or 4 times and jot down the average on my calender I keep on the fridge—EVERY DAY
  
  Reply
  - wabbitsan says:
    
    February 8, 2017 at 10:36 am
    
    Keep that battery in your scale replaced, too, if it uses a battery.
    
    Reply
t decas says:

May 9, 2016 at 4:38 pm

When I first started making a concerted effort to lose weight, I weighed myself once every three weeks. Once I reached my goal weight, I changed to every two weeks. I found this works best for me and my obsessiveness.

Reply
Bror Erickson says:

May 9, 2016 at 4:42 pm

I find the more often I weigh myself the easier it is for me to stay focused. I gain easily when I’m on vacation and not weighing in daily.

Reply
- GrimesGator says:
  
  May 11, 2016 at 5:26 pm
  
  yes
  
  Reply
Karin Elizabeth Packard says:

May 9, 2016 at 6:05 pm

After losing 152 lbs. I want to maintain that loss. I am careful what I eat, concentrating on protein and veggies. But I know its easy to slide back and I have a weight that should I hit that I know I have to cut down or rev up the exercise. Maintenance is not easy and I have been successful for over 2 years, almost 3. I weigh myself each morning. Weekly weigh ins would scare me. I would rather know if I have reached that highest number I allow myself (which fortunately I haven’t come within 3 pounds of it) right away and rectify the situation quickly. So daily it is for me! My office mate is the same size as I am and doesn’t own a scale so different people, different ways.

Reply
- GrimesGator says:
  
  May 11, 2016 at 5:24 pm
  
  yes Mam—protein is your friend
  
  Reply
Rachel Naomi says:

May 11, 2016 at 10:38 am

I use to fluctuate like crazy and I recently found out I have gluten sensitivity so for many years my weight lost stalled just because of the gluten. So I’ve lost weight since becoming gluten free. I lose 1 to 2 pounds every week. I spontaneously check the scale. My weekly weigh in is on Friday, but sometimes I fluctuate or bloat do to gluten. So I check during the week occasionally as well. I’ve lost 16 pounds in the last 2 months compared to the last 2 years of no weight loss what so ever until I went gluten free. I consistently did workouts like zumba and things similar to insanity and always dieting for several months straight. Without any weight loss because some healthy things I ate had gluten in it. Who knew? But now I also use a measurement chart and tape while I weigh myself since the scale can fluctuate just to make sure I’m on track because of the symptoms of bloating that can come with accidental consumption of gluten. I also go buy my progress pictures I take with the myfitnesspal progress on the app

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Beveybs says:

May 11, 2016 at 11:42 am

I’ve been weighing myself at the gym once a week for 4 weeks now. I was/am determined to get healthier, and that is my main goal, but I know that the scales going down is a result of good habits. Over the last 4 weeks I’ve lost 10 lbs. Not a lot, but I feel better overall. I keep a food diary that shows how many carbs, calories, protein and such I’m consuming. When my husband’s trainer suggested we use an app after looking at the hand written diary, she told me I wasn’t eating enough. I’ve made the changes she suggested and feel better, feel more like working out, and have a better attitude. That was also 4 weeks ago. My first goal was the 10 lbs as far as the weight goal. It’s all to get my blood pressure down and hopefully help with my asthma. I used to do a lot of running and hope to enter my first 5K next year.

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angelbelle63086 says:

May 12, 2016 at 6:10 am

The scale can be a great tool in the beginning of your journey, but it should not have the final say. Your weight will fluctuate like the article says, but you should get to know what causes that in you. If you are serious about changing your life, keep a record of EVERYTHING. Taking pictures, keeping a journal, taking measurements, and weighing yourself regularly will help you learn more about what your body needs. Once you are comfortable in your routine, ease back to weekly or even monthly. Let the results be a pleasant surprise. The most important thing to remember is that you should be making sustainable choices in your diet and exercise routine. It’s your only body, figure out what’s best for it.

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vcize says:

May 15, 2016 at 8:36 pm

So according to the article, how often you should weight yourself is….however often you want to. Enlightening.

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La Bandita says:

August 15, 2016 at 7:16 am

Daily weigh ins for me. Because of it I realized vacation weight gain can be about 5pds – sometimes I lose 2pds from all the activities. Holiday weight gain 5pds, going out after work 2.5 pds, period 2.5 to 5pds. I am not trying to loose weight as I am thin, but I haven’t gained a pound in 15yrs.

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The Kaiminator says:

November 3, 2016 at 1:19 pm

For a measurement like weight that fluctuates all the time, it’s important to get a lot more measurements in order to filter out outliers and see the trend. I will always recommend weighing every day.

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John Howbowtit says:

December 26, 2016 at 3:23 pm

is there a app to forcast what your weight should be with your meal activity chart

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- Mary says:
  
  January 18, 2017 at 2:43 pm
  
  John, I found that if I log ALL of the food I eat on MFP there is a button on the bottom of the daily diary that allows you to complete your daily log and this shows you what your forecast would be if you behaved the same as that day (diet & exercise) in 5 weeks.
  
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  - John Howbowtit says:
    
    January 19, 2017 at 9:43 am
    
    i mean a forcast of your weight for the calories you ate for whatever how many days according to your average weight projection, most people eat different each day!
    
    Reply
Runner dude says:

January 18, 2017 at 11:06 am

Weighing every day is the way for me. I throw the data into a spreadsheet and track the weekly rolling average. This takes out the spikes and shows the trend. The hard part is waiting to declare victory on a goal until the rolling average catches up with the trend.

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Kylee says:

January 18, 2017 at 3:43 pm

I’m obsessed with weigh ins. I weight 3 times a day, with logging my morning weight daily. Having lost the weight I wanted to loose, being new to maintenance, my primary concern is loosing muscle tone and gaining fat again so with the weight still going down means I might need to eat more and more resistance training before the end of the day otherwise I would be alot lighter.

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Jenn Young says:

January 18, 2017 at 9:34 pm

I started eating properly and exercising 3 weeks ago. My plan is to not weigh myself until the 6 month mark.

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cathyf says:

January 19, 2017 at 2:13 pm

When you have “noisy” data, the only way to tease out the signal from the noise is to have lots of data. I weigh myself every day, and so I know what range I’m supposed to be in, and can take action accordingly if I’m not. After 2 years, 125lbs, stable for the last 8 months, I can tell what’s the real underlying weight underneath whatever the number is.

A REAL weight gain or loss of 5 lbs is 17,500 calories, and I sure would want to know what was going on before I was that deep in the hole!

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liz says:

January 22, 2017 at 4:14 pm

I have had a weight problem my entire life. Was at weight watchers in high school. I was so depressed each week at weigh in when my weight had not budged or gone up a half or pound. Others were loosing and getting a standing ovation. At week 3 and keep in mind at age 15, 3 weeks is a LONG TIME I weighed in and had lost over 10 pounds. I was walking around school and someone said, you have a huge smile on your face today, whats up ? I told them I finally had shed a few lbs.

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Fred says:

January 23, 2017 at 9:50 am

I am overweight and weigh every morning. I also have high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes and, I check them, too, every morning. Strange to me that my weighing daily is an issue. I’ve never had anyone tell me that I shouldn’t check my blood pressure or blood sugar every day.

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- Carolyn Brack-Jackson says:
  
  February 6, 2017 at 6:32 am
  
  Fred, you get it, it’s precisely the same thing!
  
  Reply
Patrick Cox says:

January 23, 2017 at 12:09 pm

I weigh every day and it’s good and bad. I don’t get how I am 152 on Monday and 155 on Tuesday and then back to 151 on Wednesday. One year ago I was around 218lbs. I am down to 152-155.

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Steven Gullion says:

January 23, 2017 at 12:17 pm

You should weight every day, regardless of your personal psychological makeup, and here’s why:

One of the most fundamental principles of human or animal psychology is the principle of random reinforcement. The classic experiment goes like this: Rat A is put in a cage with a red button. Every time he pushes the button, he gets a food pellet. Rat B is put in an identical cage, but when he pushes the red button, nothing ever happens. Rat C is also put in a cage with a red button, but when Rat C pushes the button, sometimes he gets a pellet and sometimes he doesn’t. The reward is random.

Which rat pushes the button the most insistently? Rat C. Rat A learns that the food will always be there and he loses interest except when hungry. Rat B obviously has no incentive to push the button. But Rat C will push the button almost constantly. The uncertainty boosts the psychic reward the rat feels when it “wins”; it produces the same rush that a gambler feels after a winning roll of the dice, and that rush is more important than the pellet.

Similarly, weighing every day produces results that, although technically not random, can feel random. One day you fast and gain weight; another day you indulge and lose weight. If you lose steadily every day, the process becomes boring, but the pseudo-randomness of daily weigh-ins will motivate you to stay on a program for the thrill you feel on the days when you do lose a couple of pounds.

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Prof_Turby says:

January 24, 2017 at 2:18 am

I weigh every day. I am compulsive about it. I have fought weight my whole life. Years of diets, years of gaining and losing. I am compulsive. At my highest about 5 years ago or so I topped the scales at 398.6. Lost down to around 320 and kept it there for about 4 years. Needing a hip and knee replacement and at 56 years of age I had to change. I’m down to 255 and will have surgery in February. I need to lose more. I will. I have no choice.

I don’t disparage folks that weigh once a week but for someone like me that has fought weight his entire life it is a daily thing. Hopefully I can eventually get down to my goal weight and reduce the weigh ins to twice a week or so. But until then it’s a daily deal.

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- Carolyn Brack-Jackson says:
  
  February 6, 2017 at 6:30 am
  
  My struggle has been lifelong also, so weighing daily is a tool that keeps me on the up and up! I don’t think daily weigh ins crazy or obsessive merely a tool to help manage my weight. Used to weigh 294 now weigh 236 and continue on a downward trend.
  
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Talya Solomon says:

January 24, 2017 at 5:17 am

I weigh myeself first thing each morning . For every pound under my target I give myeself an extra hundred calories and take away a hundred for every pound over . I agree that its not a perfect measure of progress but it is very effective for me . It motivates me to move more so I can hopefully eat more and keeps me on track !

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Deborah Flint says:

January 24, 2017 at 5:27 am

hello is it best to weigh yourself with all clothes off or on? and whats the best scale to weigh on? i have an arm and digital one, arm says i lost n digital one is always 5-6 pounds more.

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- Pat68 says:
  
  February 7, 2017 at 10:24 am
  
  I weigh with no or very little clothes on (like just underwear or pajama top). I think clothes only add about about a pound.
  
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- wabbitsan says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 10:39 am
  
  Like pat68 says, very little or no clothes, and NEVER wear your shoes when you weigh yourself, even at the doctor’s office.
  
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  - Pat68 says:
    
    February 8, 2017 at 10:49 am
    
    Yep. Just had a health check here at work today and took my shoes off. Fully clothed, I was 2 pounds heavier than when I weighed a week ago.
    
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    - wabbitsan says:
      
      February 8, 2017 at 11:31 am
      
      It may be temporary. Regarding your scales, do you know if they are properly calibrated? Some need to be calibrated, others not.
      
      Reply
      - Pat68 says:
        
        February 8, 2017 at 11:42 am
        
        Not sure; I’d have to check. They’re digital. But I have placed the scale in different areas of different rooms where I knew the floor was level and each time the weight is the same. I’m not really concerned about a two pound difference. I figure at least a half to one pound of that was due to my clothes.
Bucko says:

January 24, 2017 at 6:02 am

This Blog poses the question, and then fails to answer it. Which should you do? Daily, weekly, occsionally or never? The answer, all can be effective. That does not address the question. If I asked, do they all work? This blog would then apply. So frustrating.

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Philip Holman says:

January 24, 2017 at 9:37 am

Almost everyday. My “problem” is in maintaining my racing weight @ 160 lb. A lifestyle of correcting the daily balance of food in versus calories burned is more successful that corrections over longer cycles, weeks, months, years or even decades.

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Peter Denny says:

January 24, 2017 at 11:49 am

i am not a fan of daily weigh-ins. However if you do those you should record it every day and then divide by seven to get the average. Personally the occasional is fine for me but Ive never been overweight either so I really dont care that much what it is. It changes a few pounds either way on a regular basis based on when etc.

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Pat68 says:

February 7, 2017 at 10:20 am

I weight myself about once a month because psychologically, I don’t want to deal with discouragement if there is an upward fluctuation. I generally wait for when it feels like I’ve maybe lost some weight (looseness of clothes or body changes) to weigh myself. If in a month’s time there’s an upward fluctuation, I can deal with that better than doing it daily. So far, I’m down 22 pounds since September.

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wabbitsan says:

February 8, 2017 at 10:20 am

This wasn’t really a helpful article.

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Lisa Hamilton says:

February 21, 2017 at 6:02 am

I weigh myself Mondays and Fridays. It seems to work you me.

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Ruth says:

February 21, 2017 at 9:25 am

Weigh myself every week on a friday. I have lost 37 lbs since mid-July, 2016 – it seems to be working for me.

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Kristian Comeaux says:

February 28, 2017 at 3:30 pm

I am 6 weeks into doing the Jenny Craig program, and even though I weigh in once a week at the JC center, I also weigh myself once a day every morning.; for me I think it gives me the confidence to continue with my weight loss journey.

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MsRarity says:

March 1, 2017 at 9:37 am

What works for me is 2+x/day, morning and night, I have been doing this since I for the last 20 years. I like to verify that I’m properly hydrated by more than just my trips to the restroom.

I get told I’m crazy, but my weight loss has been steady and proves that what I’m doing works for me. I have gone from a size 28 to a 13, and so far lost ~60 lbs in the last 5 months. According to my doctor, I’m doing everything perfect, including my “overly obsessive” daily weighing.

Please don’t assume you know what works for absolutely everyone when you write an article.

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Alphadiv says:

March 17, 2017 at 11:35 am

I always say….The most dangerous and ominous machine in the Gym is Weighing Scale.
Weighed myself a week ago and I was so dejected that I just ate a lot under depression.. ..i had not lost even half a pound in a week plus time
But I am still following this all in a hope when it says “You would weigh 81 KG in 5 weeks if you continue this routine”
That’s a hope

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- Pat68 says:
  
  March 19, 2017 at 4:50 pm
  
  Well, don’t forget, there’s a few factors that come into play, particularly if you’re following a routine. You could be retaining water, maybe gaining muscle which weighs more, hormonal changes, etc. Keep up your routine and you should see results. If not, you may have to vary things up. That’s what got me to join a gym. I’d lost 23 pounds on my own, but then hit a plateau and knew I needed something else to rev up my weight loss.
  
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Terrantino says:

April 14, 2017 at 9:23 pm

GrimeGator,you are an inspiration to anyone that wants/needs to lose weight,fantastic,well done.

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Alexandria Ellison says:

August 11, 2017 at 8:15 am

Too many issues with stressing over my weight when I check monthly as it is. I went weekly for a bit, but I think I’m going to stay monthly for now. If I have consistent weight gain that’s fat and not muscle then I’ll re-address it.

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Neva Hdbabe Smith says:

August 28, 2017 at 8:13 am

I weight myself ALMOST everyday for sure at least 3 times a week. To keep myself on Track if I gain a few pounds then I cut my food intake &/or step up my Exercises. I wanna keep my weight under 140 lbs, makes me feel better & HAPPIER!

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Margaret Owens Floeter says:

August 28, 2017 at 8:44 am

I weigh every day. Like the article says, it gives me a sense of accountability to myself and keeps me on track. Two years ago, I weighed 385 and now, thanks to a ketogenic diet, I weigh 156, so it’s very important to me that I remain steadfastly accountable. I’ve learned to not let minor fluctuations frustrate me. Instead, it’s taught me to pay attention to other things like how my clothes are fitting and actual measurements. By paying attention to those things, I can see that I actually am still losing even when the scale doesn’t show it.

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- davedave12 says:
  
  August 28, 2017 at 9:17 am
  
  I am glad this fad worked for you. Fads are important because almost without exception they require discipline and they recommend portion control, nutritious food, and exercise. Of course, discipline, portion control, nutritious food, and exercise are the nuts and bolts of weight loss and control. If a fad gets you there, more power to you. Just don’t forget that some fads are stupid and dangerous. There is a woman stupid and reckless enough to go on the internet and recommend 50 bananas a day —imagine.
  
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  - Margaret Owens Floeter says:
    
    August 28, 2017 at 9:53 am
    
    The keto diet has been around since the 1920s. I was put on it by my certified nutritionist. It is NOT a fad. Please educate yourself before passing misinformation. Google it and learn something.
    
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    - davedave12 says:
      
      August 28, 2017 at 3:36 pm
      
      an old fad professionals have to put you on something to justify their fees
      
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      - Margaret Owens Floeter says:
        
        August 29, 2017 at 8:19 am
        
        LOL The 230 lbs and perfect bloodwork, lack of diabetes and heart disease justifies her fees. Go ahead and keep arguing against my success and the success of millions who follow this extremely healthy way of eating. You’re not convincing anyone with your BS comments.
      - davedave12 says:
        
        August 29, 2017 at 9:53 am
        
        Why are you so defensive. I am not arguing against your success. I am happy for you. ANYTHING plus good diet and exercise will work.
    - John in Brisbane says:
      
      January 22, 2019 at 3:35 pm
      
      Indeed. I’ve seen a few fads go through and Keto is talked about by some people in those silly terms. And right now, somewhere, someone is hurting themselves by over-using it. But it’s no fad. I am on another stretch of 800 cal keto, thanks to Michael Moseley, and it’s going very well. I’ve lost 33kg so far. No one talks about it, but Keto is like taking a holiday from a lifetime of eating. That has been a powerful reason to stop and think.
      
      I wouldn’t try to get 80% of my cals from fat etc in the long run, but I reckon everyone should experience ketosis and quite possibly do it annually. I will, as part of a new, permanent lifestyle of eating, hitting the reset button for reals.
      
      Reply
davedave12 says:

August 28, 2017 at 9:13 am

every time I pee

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davedave12 says:

August 28, 2017 at 9:25 am

During an exercise program you might gain muscle weight as well as losing fat. Remember professional millionaire athletes who work out for a living are very impressive if they can gain 20 pounds of muscle in a four month off season. An average person starting a weight loss and exercise program might gain one pound of muscle in a month—– For seasoned lifters and athletes who’ve trained strength significantly as a part of their training plan, muscle gain expectations diminish and tend to correlate with time spent training. Men training appropriately for muscle gain can expect to put on about 1 pound per month, while those with 3 years of dedicated training will likely only be able to add about half a pound per month. After 3 years, gains can potentially plateau. You may be able to push through plateaus and make more muscle gains by changing your training plan and diet.

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Carol Yothers says:

August 28, 2017 at 9:26 am

I get weighed when I visit my doctor, so I don’t weigh myself at home, but I’m going to start. I’ve been trying my best to do the intermittent fasting / keto routine and I’ve lost a stone and a pound or two (about 15-16 lbs) since about two months ago. I like the idea of weighing myself once a week. I’m glad to see the expert who wrote this article agrees with me, that it’s up to the individual.

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davedave12 says:

August 28, 2017 at 9:26 am

muscle gain is insignificant – if the needle did not move, you slipped on your plan —-For seasoned lifters and athletes who’ve trained strength significantly as a part of their training plan, muscle gain expectations diminish and tend to correlate with time spent training. Men training appropriately for muscle gain can expect to put on about 1 pound per month, while those with 3 years of dedicated training will likely only be able to add about half a pound per month. After 3 years, gains can potentially plateau. You may be able to push through plateaus and make more muscle gains by changing your training plan and diet.

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Marsha Parnell McDaniel says:

August 28, 2017 at 10:46 am

I weigh myself every morning at in the evening before dinner. I have been doing this for almost 7 years. This helps me keep on track. Six years ago I weighed 230 and was s size 20, today I weight 170 and I am a size 10-12 and I work out 4 times a week for an hour. I have gained muscle tone and reshaped my body.

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John S says:

August 28, 2017 at 11:26 am

I weigh every day. I use another brand of scale that uploads my weight to another brand of fitness app and it automatically creates graphs and trends. Though I weigh every day I actually use the provided weekly weight average to help me understand my progress, as the daily number will fluctuate by 2-3 pounds throughout the week. Great use of technology.

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kenhowes says:

August 28, 2017 at 2:00 pm

Weighing myself morning and evening is part of the routine I’ve established. It helps keep me mindful of the diet and exercise program I’m doing–with which I have lost 30 pounds since May 25 (266 then, 236 now). If I started to let the weighing go, I’d probably start letting other things go, and be back to what my weight was in no time.

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ron bates says:

August 29, 2017 at 3:16 am

did a thirty six hour fast of liquid and a lax for a medical procedure and the metabolism kicked in. Tightening up the body and beginning a long ago weight loss memory. Of course tough cycling up grade over a week created (17KM) x 2 benefits.

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Dan Cashman says:

August 29, 2017 at 3:23 am

I weigh myself 3 times a day. I keep track of everything I put in my mouth. I am down 70 pounds in 27 months, following extensive shoulder surgery. I am not obsessing, I don’t want to loose weight too fast. I’ve maintained a 5 pound span for a year. All is GREAT…

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Timmy D says:

August 29, 2017 at 11:24 am

Weighing myself has become a standard staple in my every day life. I don’t go a single day without doing it. I started a couch to 5K (3.1miles) program in Feb 2016 when I topped the scales at a VERY unhealthy 261lbs. I was really feeling gravity, ya know? I ALWAYS weigh myself before going for a run. Now I can run at LEAST 15 miles a week and it’s steady the entire time. I got myself down to 200.4 lbs at one point and fluctuate to 207 depending on the week and what I ate (or didn’t eat). I’ve hit the plateau everyone is talking about and I KNOW why. With how heavy I was…the feeling of being full meant I was no longer hungry. I need to train myself to avoid that feeling even if I *am* eating the healthy stuff (too much of a good thing is real). Good luck to everyone in their struggle and I hope you find out what works for you.

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David Burnham says:

August 29, 2017 at 2:27 pm

I weigh myself multiple times per day when I am trying to lose weight. Sure the weight fluctuates throughout the day but its fairly predictable, not random.

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Will Saunders says:

August 31, 2017 at 4:53 am

Good article. When to weigh is really a personal decision and people should do what works for them. However, here’s my 2 cents on what has benefitted me; when to weigh depends largely on where you are in the journey. In the beginning, weighing too often can be discouraging. I think weekly weigh-ins work best. You can see where you are and as you’re making progress, that in itself is encouraging. When I weigh daily, I see the scale all over the map. One day I lose a pound. The next day I’ve gained a pound. The next day after
that I have lost 2 pounds. I may have gained 2 the day after that. So, seeing the ups and downs is not a good motivator. So, that’s why I think weekly weigh-ins in the beginning is the best. Once you reach your goal weight, weighing yourself every couple of weeks is the target. That will help you maintain where you are. Lastly, I also think you should weigh yourself the same time every day. The body goes through changes during the day. If you weigh yourself at 8am, you might see a different number on the scale than you might
see at noon, which could be different than the number you see at 8 pm even though your actual weight might still be the same. Many factors can impact what number you see. So, to get the best number for making a good comparison, I think it’s best to weight yourself at the same time every day. Good luck to everybody.

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- Timmy D says:
  
  August 31, 2017 at 5:55 am
  
  I agree that the time you weigh yourself plays a large factor.
  
  Reply
anwe says:

January 3, 2018 at 2:02 am

I agree with the overall feel of the article, but disagree slightly on the last point about weighing multiple times a day.

I can see how for some this may indicate unhealthy behaviour, but personally I’m not worried for myself. I weigh myself once in the morning, and once before I go to bed. For me this actually helps me understand how my body (and the scale) works. I have no trouble looking past weight as a measure of my success in becoming healthier. What I’m actually after is to see how my actions affect my body composition. For instance, your body consumes water during the night, and this is one way to get a measure of that. I can also track my hydration levels fairly well, since my scale measures that as well. I can quckly pick up on trends, and think back on why I’ve gained or lost weight, and also if the change was a result of changing my habits or just a temporary change because I did something out of the ordinary.

This is probably not for everyone, but if you have a curious/scientific mindset, and don’t put too much value into that weight number, you may find it pretty interesting. At this point I’m more interested in changing my ratio of muscle/fat than absolute weight gain/loss. Low weight really isn’t the overall goal, better health and fitness is, at least for me.

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No Days Off says:

January 3, 2018 at 8:24 am

Ideally, I’d like to weigh myself once a month, like right at the beginning to see where I need to be and see how far the previous month took me. But I tend to get a little obsessive….so depending on how much I can control myself, either multiple times a week, or once a week.

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Nutrition You Can Use says:

January 3, 2018 at 12:19 pm

I love how you’re covered this topic. It’s easy to say that there’s one best answer for how often you should weigh yourself but that’s really not true. People respond different to changes in weight and that can impact what works best.

I know many people who would always recommend daily weigh ins, yet I know better for myself. I find that there is too much emotional impact associated with the number on the scale.

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Katherine Little says:

January 5, 2018 at 10:56 am

For me, I don’t believe in weighing myself everyday because the scale can definitely fluctuate, especially if you didn’t have a great day and it can depend on water weight as well. I am on a very strict low calorie weight loss program called, HMR. I go to a clinic and I get weighed in every Thursday evening at the same exact time. So, what I do that works for me is that every Monday I weigh myself at home on my own scale just to have an idea where I am at since its the half way point until my week is over and it gives me a clear idea what to work on to improve on my weight loss until my official weigh in on Thursday. For me, this plan works great!!!!! 🙂

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Tucson Tom says:

January 8, 2018 at 7:18 am

Same time same scale. Weekly if needing to lose weight because of daily ups and downs so not discouraged. Daily if in maintenance mode for accountability and awareness of food for the day. I weekly record weight, cumulative gain or loss from goal weight, blood sugar and BP. Each to their own but this works for me. Thanks for the article and comments.

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robinbishop34 says:

January 8, 2018 at 7:19 am

The proper, and most accurate way of weighing yourself is not addressed in the article.

Simply weigh yourself every morning after the same routine, while naked, for a week. Take an average of those numbers and that is your weight. Repeat once a month.

There are so many factors that cause daily fluctuations that gauging progress by daily weighing is frustrating, and inaccurate way to monitor fat loss.

If you are in an honest calorie deficit, you WILL lose every single day until you’ve lost enough that a new calorie limit needs to be set. The variations you will definitely see by daily weighing are meaningless, and unnecessarily discouraging.

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JimtownSteve says:

January 8, 2018 at 7:45 am

A benefit for daily weigh-ins is that it has allowed me to understand my bodies behavior with weight loss including some times relatively large day-to-day changes. Knowing that these occur makes them less alarming to me. This has also been particularly important for me with plateaus. Having experienced several I can now predict about how long one will last and not get discouraged. I can even predict when another may occur so I don’t get “thrown” by it.

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Finley Lyons says:

January 8, 2018 at 7:49 am

everyday in the a.m.

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Ted_Fontenot says:

January 8, 2018 at 8:07 am

I recommend weighing first thing in the morning upon awakening, after whizzing. I did go through a period where I weighed more often through the day, mostly to educate myself about how drinking, eating, and body elimination can play a part in weight fluctuations.

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Shannon says:

January 8, 2018 at 8:08 am

Not everyone getting on a scale is looking to lose weight. For those going through body composition changes, pregnancy, or just curious the labeling of the weight tracker as “Progress” on the app is not ideal. I as many others do, weigh myself daily. Usually in the mornings and sometimes evenings to compare how my diet or routine effected the scale. Calling it “Check-in” on the website is encouraging a focus on weight loss and suggesting negativity if there is no “progress” in that category.

Rather could the tracking page be labeled just that, “Weight Tracker” or another more inclusive term that does not focus solely on weight loss? How much a woman weighs fluctuates from day to day with hormones, water weight, activity level, and tons of other factors. It’s nice to be aware of these factors and the amazing things our bodies go through. Besides, weight is only one factor among many to measure health.

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Michael Walsh says:

January 8, 2018 at 8:17 am

I weigh in weekly at the most. I like to track things so when I change my diet or work-out plan I check weight. Also, when I expect a good result I get on the scale. For instance, when my pants are loose all week. Or I trick myself and do a quick 3 day detox then weight myself. Deep down I know it’s a cheat number, but its motivating. Down 170# in 3 years I find weight less important than feeling healthy.

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Marilee Jikey says:

January 8, 2018 at 9:21 am

I weigh once a week at around the same time on Monday morning and record it. I pretty much know if I have gained or lost weight based on how well I have stuck to my plan. Over the past 5 years I have gone from 225 to 165. Sure I would like to be at around 150 but I looked at this as a lifestyle change rather than a weight loss program or diet. I Exercise (I try to walk an hour a day, attain at least 10K steps, or 5 miles), quit drinking alcohol, eat foods that are natural and lower in carbohydrates, and eliminated sugar. For me, I have to keep things simple, being a simple-minded person, lol.

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Barbara Luce says:

January 8, 2018 at 9:30 am

I am very glad to see the main idea on this article is what is right to you!!!!! I count 65 years and have tried each method. There are 2 techniques that work for me. Number 1 is daily weighing, the second is logging my food in a dairy. Thanks for presenting it this way.

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Susan Cargill says:

January 9, 2018 at 1:12 am

Only read one comment about “routine” when you weigh yourself. Like any other habit you want to establish, you need to make it part of your routine. If you step on the scales every morning, night, both, or other it has to be part of your routine, the new habits that you want. Your eating, weighing, exercise, and recording those will only last if you can incorporate it as part of your routine and make it an easy habit. Without doing that you will have to spend more time, energy, and decisions every day and every meal and set yourself up for a long uphill battle. Easier is better!

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Ritika Shinoy says:

January 12, 2018 at 2:29 am

You can change the quantities according to your requirements There are 2 types of weight gain in which either you gain fat or you gain muscles. You should focus on the the weight gain in which you gain muscles and not fat. You shouldn’t be loaded with calories, but you should be loaded with nutrients!

These smoothies will take care about all!

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Roxxi G. says:

January 23, 2018 at 3:00 am

I weigh 5 days a week it helps me maintain and lose weight. If I over eat one day it guides me to cut back or watch what I am eating for the next few days.

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Terri Cross says:

January 25, 2018 at 1:02 am

I do weight myself occasionally, but I know when I have put on weight as my pants feel a little snug and my clothes don’t look so nice on, that’s when I haul the breaks on and cut down and do some additional exercise. Try never to go over 3-4 kilos though – that works for me.

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Christine Enes says:

January 29, 2018 at 1:40 pm

i do feel more on track with my eating and exercise when i weigh in everyday. i find it neccesary especcially in the winter. I tried the once a week thing and didn t like it.

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Harry says:

January 29, 2018 at 4:14 pm

Muscle is heavier than fat so doing exercise builds muscle so initially you will gain then lose, best method is a tape measure to judge results, but also measure at the same time eg I do my weigh in after morning ablutions and only in my underwear every Monday, redo after breakfast and dressed and see big jump.
Invest is a basic Body Fat Caliper, goal is 15% or thereabouts, above 20% and you are over weight 25% is obese, I have a set measure 3 spots, a good indicator.
Losing weight is diet and correct size portion as well as good hydration, think maximum of a glass of water per 3 minutes (best your body can actually hydrate, excess is just passed through, so drinking a litre in the morning does NOT any more than 1 glass (250mil) of water. Exercise, building muscle help the body burn, body builders cut faster (weight) due to clever training as well as a good diet. Core training is very efficient, your legs are your biggest muscle mass, hence running and cycling, rowing are great burners. Sugar free diets are likely the best if balanced.
I find diet, 5-7 meals at a fist or less portion per day, every 2-3 hours, high protein type in afternoon to evening (carbs earlier for obvious reasons) hydrate properly, then exercise properly.
When your hearts hits 120bpm you start burning efficiently, minimum 20 minutes of this whether cardio of weights you WILL get results (you can tell by your heavy breathing) watch the fat melt (not the weight, that will happen). To get to 120bpm normally takes 3 or 4 minutes, I like sprints 30 second normal 30second repeat (I do on the bike personally)

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Jacinta says:

January 29, 2018 at 4:58 pm

I started to weight my self every single day but it didn’t work for me I would be annoyed that nothing changed even thou I worked hard the day before. I found doing a weigh in twice a week works best for me, the weigh in at the middle of the week keeps me on track and helps keep me motivated

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Joan says:

January 29, 2018 at 10:52 pm

I think this was a very helpful blog. Weight loss has a lot to do with psyche and the emotions and the scale can be a powerful demotivator for some people. I was involved with heath clubs and your blog addresses all the different ways in which people can react. Just see comments below. Measuring fat, water, muscle and measuring helps to highlight trends. I believe in a balanced, long term approach. Quick fixes don’t work…its like those get rich quick schemes…they spell trouble.

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Liane Robinson says:

February 4, 2018 at 3:14 am

Used to weigh daily but when building muscle it’s a bit pointless having a weight goal to aim for.

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Daniel Holmes says:

February 5, 2018 at 11:35 pm

I track my weight between 0-3 times a day about 5 times a week.

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Laurence Mitchell says:

August 30, 2018 at 11:20 pm

I weigh myself both morning and evening because it helps me keep my weight in check especially if I deviate from my lifestyle plan. If I visit my Mother she would have made cakes and weighing myself will help me decide what my diet is going to be the following day.

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Anonymous Is A Woman says:

January 17, 2019 at 5:40 am

Obviously different strategies work for different people. When I went to Weight Watchers, we did a weekly weigh in, which was good because we were able to track progress weekly with a goal of losing a pound or two a week. But I’ve found, as I’ve gotten older, that daily weighing in works better, especially since I’ve been having thyroid problems. If I only weigh myself weekly, I really do find unpleasant surprises that are harder to fix. I can easily gain 2 or 3 lbs in a week. With a daily weigh in if I gain a pound or two, I know right away and can adjust accordingly – but I don’t obsess or make myself crazy. I just add a little walking or cut back on calories for a day or two. For me, knowing everyday keeps things sane.

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Martha Swaim says:

January 17, 2019 at 10:07 am

I weigh first thing every morning and have since February 2017. If I did not, I probably would have missed that day last May when I hit a new all-time low. I log my daily weight on a spreadsheet and only record new lows on another tracker. I usually have to loose the same three pounds at least three times before I keep them off and can get down to a new low. I have lost between 83.5 and 85 pounds, so far, and I have another forty to go.

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Skidgrease says:

January 17, 2019 at 10:58 am

Since I had my bypass surgery, I also weigh myself bare-nekked every morning on the advice of my cardiac surgeon who wanted to know of any fluctuations of more than 3 pounds in a day or three.

I was alarmed by the large discrepancies I saw until I noticed that the throw rug on the bathroom floor was touching the digital scale. Once I got moved the rug away, everything was stable. That was reassuring.

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Courtney Brown says:

January 21, 2019 at 11:58 pm

I used to weigh myself multiple times a day, and the amount of time, energy and effort that went into this task would drain me. It was as if I couldn’t carry on with my day if I hadn’t weighed myself within 3 or 4 hours.
I loved this article. Currently set myself a goal to not weigh myself for an entire month! I’m two weeks in and loving the freedom. Obsession is not the way to go in my eyes…

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Floridave says:

January 26, 2019 at 5:30 am

Very good, balanced article. Daily weight in for me but I know that’s not for everyone.

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