A Fitness Trainer Says Do This 7 Days a Week to Lose Weight
The idea of stepping on the scale is a little controversial. Some experts, including Harley Pasternak, will tell you not to have a scale and not to weigh yourself. Psychotherapist Dr. Kathryn Smerling agrees, pointing out that fixating on the numbers on the scale can turn into an unhealthy obsession and make you forget about the importance of focusing on "feeling good in body and spirit."
"If you have gained a pound, then very often that will lead to emotional depression," Dr. Smerling said. "If you have lost a pound, it can lead to elation and a feeling that you can reward yourself. Being on the scale tends to have a yo-yo effect on our emotions and our weight."
But if weight loss is your goal, the numbers on the scale can be a valuable piece of information and way to monitor progress. If you've recently made a change to your diet or your activity level, weighing yourself can be a good indication of whether what you're doing is working.
Suggested: 40 Tips For Women Who Want to Lose Weight After 40 (Eat This, Not That!)
If you choose to use the scale as a tool, NASM- and NSCA-certified personal trainer and nutrition coach Chad Hargrove isn't a fan of once-a-week weigh-ins but rather weekly averages. "You should get on the scale more, not less," he said. If you weigh yourself every morning, you can calculate the seven-day average to more accurately illustrate true progress over time.
What's great about weighing yourself daily is that it gives you more of the big picture. As shown in the graphic, if you only weighed yourself on Fridays, you wouldn't see that you are in fact losing weight faster than you thought.
Related: 12 Ways To Burn Calories When You Don't Have Time For The Gym (Eat This, Not That!)
Still not convinced? A small study run by Cornell University found that men and women who weighed themselves daily and tracked the results not only lost weight, but after two years, the average weight regained was close to zero pounds.
Be mindful that you will see fluctuations every day. It's totally normal based on whether or not you've had a bowel movement, how much you ate or drank the day before, how much you exercised, whether or not you're retaining water, etc. Knowing you're taking the average of those seven days can put your mind at ease about those daily fluctuations.
On a personal note, I've been using this method for a few months, and it's been so helpful in monitoring my progress. Of course, we're not saying that weighing yourself daily (or at all!) is absolutely necessary to reach your goal. But if you see progress, it can inspire you to keep going. Do what works for you!
Watch: This Diet Was Ranked Number 1 for Fast Weight Loss—and You May Not Have Heard of It (Coking Light)

-
How to Eat Clean in 6 Simple StepsHow to Eat Clean in 6 Simple Steps
Cooking Light
-
Paleo Dinners: 26 Easy Recipes for WeeknightsPaleo Dinners: 26 Easy Recipes for Weeknights
Cooking Light
-
This diet was ranked No. 1 for fast weight loss—and you may not have heard of itThis Diet Was Ranked Number 1 for Fast Weight Loss—and You May Not Have Heard of It
Cooking Light
-
How to Eat Clean in 6 Simple Steps
-
Paleo Dinners: 26 Easy Recipes for Weeknights
-
This diet was ranked No. 1 for fast weight loss—and you may not have heard of it
-
Talenti Releases Better-For-You Gelato Just in Time for Valentine's Day
-
This Pantry Staple Could Do Wonders for Your Microbiome, Study Says
-
Taste Test - Trader Joe's Valentine's Day Chocolates
-
5 Healthy Trader Joe’s Valentine’s Day Treats We Think Your Special Someone Will Love
-
Target Is Making Big Changes to Its Loyalty Program—Here's What You Need to Know
-
We Can’t Stop Listening to Ina Garten’s Valentine’s Day Playlist
-
5 Sale Items Every Costco Member Should Buy in February
-
10 Vegetarian Lunches You’ll Never Get Tired of Eating
-
France Is Overhauling Their Nutrition Guidelines in a Really Surprising Way
-
How to Make Cauliflower Biscuits (2018)
-
Is even one drink a day too much?
-
Meghan Markle Just Gave Us the Sweetest Lunch Packing Inspiration Ever
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the author's own and MSN does not endorse them in any way. Neither can MSN independently verify any claims made in the article. You should consult your physician before starting any weight loss or health management programme to determine if it is right for your needs.