12 Reasons You Can’t Trust Your Scale

12 Reasons You Can’t Trust Your Scale –

In the Middle Ages, they had guillotines, stretch racks, whips and chains.  Nowadays, we have a much more effective torture device called the bathroom scale.  ~Stephen Phillips

12 Reasons You Can’t Trust Your Scale

There are many positive physiological changes that can be observed after following a nourishing traditional foods diet which be missed if a person is only focusing on the scale.

1. The scale does not show changes in skin texture and tone that often occur with a diet high in quality fats and protein.
2. You can weigh 2-5 lbs more at the end of the day than the beginning.
3. You weigh more when you have eaten out the day before and had inflammatory foods like gluten and vegetable oils.
4. Inflammation from irritating foods can cause swelling in the gut which can cause 10-15 lbs of water weight gain.
5. You can gain 5-10 lbs in the week before or during your period.
6. You can lose up to a pound with a proper elimination (have you gone #2 lately?).
7. Scales can vary 5-10 lbs depending on the quality. If you are a scale hopper you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
8. Muscle is more compact than fat so you can lose inches (and look leaner) even when you don’t lose pounds on the scale.
9. A body fat test is a much better indicator of health than a scale because it separates lean muscle from fat tissue. Body fat calipers and full body immersion tanks are much more accurate indicators of body fat stores. Wouldn’t you rather be more lean muscle than fat? A body fat test will tell you how much muscle you have but a scale never will.
10. Much of our conditioning about the scale comes from the doctors office where they use Body Mass Index charts based on weight/height which are unreliable because they do not take muscle mass into account.  Another health measure is called the waist to hip ratio is a better indicator of fertility and long term heart health.
11. The scale does not take into account increased leptin and insulin sensitivity which are vital for renewing health and weight loss.
12. Over the counter medications and birth control pills can cause water retention and weight gain.

Throw out your scale because it does not measure what a beautiful and wonderful person you are inside and out!

When starting a healthy paleo/primal, WAPF, or low carb lifestyle program take your measurements with a tape measure so you can get a real gauge of your progress. It is important to take before photos from several angles in a tight fitting outfit such as workout clothes. Also take a close up shot of the skin on your face which can really show positive changes. Get a flexible measuring tape and take note of the following sites: your neck, bicep, nipples, bra closure, belly button, hips, upper thigh, and calf. Take measurements and photos every 4-6 weeks to keep your self motivated. It is also important to find a pair of goal jeans and let that be your measure of success not a hunk of plastic junk.