Monday, May 21, 2012

Why the Scale is Not Always the Best Measure

Weighing on the scale only serves to keep you focused on your weight: it doesn’t help with the process of learning how to eat for health and lifetime weight management.


The scale measures the weight of the total body.

·         Muscle

·         Bone

·         Organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.)

·         Blood

·         Water and other fluids

·         Waste materials

·         Essential Fat

·         Non-essential Fat
 

Total Body Weight is subject to fluctuate due to:

·         Fluid Losses – Sweating or illness

·         Bladder Fullness

·         Water retention - Due to excess sodium in foods or medications.

·         Frequency of Bowel Movements.

·         Stomach Content.      

·         Blood Volume.

·         Exercise Routine – Water retained to help muscles recover from workout.

Other Reasons for Fluctuations



·         Time of Day

·         Clothing and shoes

·         Scale location

What the Scale Does NOT Measure


q   Nutritional:

o   Improvement in Nutrient Profile.

§  Increased intake of antioxidants.

§  Increased intake of phytochemicals.

§  Increased intake of vitamins and minerals.

·         Vitamins B, C, A, D, E & K, Calcium, Potassium, etc.

§  Lower intake of saturated fat.

§  Lower intake of transfatty acids and hydrogenated products.

§  Decreased intake of sodium.

q   Medical:

o   Improvement in Health Profile.

§  Reduction in Blood Pressure.

§  Lower Cholesterol Levels – primary drop in LDL.

§  Reduction in Homocystein Levels.

§  Better Blood Sugar Control for Diabetics.

§  Reduced Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke.

§  Reduced Risk for Cancers.

§  Reduced Risk for Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.

§  Reduction in joint and muscle pain.

q   Physical:

o   Decrease in measurements leading to smaller clothing sizes.

o   Decrease in waist/hip ratio resulting in lower health risks.

o   Increase in energy and stamina.

o   Ease in movement and the inability to walk, climb stairs, and move around.

o   Loss of non-essential body fat and increase in muscle.
 
q   Psychological:

o   Improved self-image and self-esteem.

o   Pride in accomplishments.

o   Improved attitude.

o   Increase in motivation.
 
q   Financial:

o   Reduction in health care costs.

o   Reduction in prescription costs.

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