Weighing In at this corner....

I present you with the WiFi Scale! TA DA!!!!!

I can see you looking for the X, but please don’t run yet- I promise it is like ripping off a band aid, it will only hurt for a second.  In order to know where you are going, you have to know where you begin.  Think of it this way, the number you see is your beginning, and you will never have to see it again, so smile, it is all downhill from here... lbs/kg that is!

According to a recent study in the Journal of Women’s Health (JOWH), one-third of young women didn’t recognize when they gained anywhere from 4.5-8.8 pounds, which could ultimately raise their risk for heart disease and obesity. So, how do you track your weight? 

According to the following poll from JOWH, almost half (49%) weigh themselves everyday,  17% once a week, 20 % base weight gain/loss on how their clothes fit, 8 % base weight gain/loss on the way they look naked, and 5 % don’t track their weight. 

I fit into the once a day majority, but I do not recommend that for most people as it may be over kill and provide unnecessary highs or lows, especially those starting out. Throughout the day as you eat, drink, breathe, sweat, and use the restroom your weight varies. In fact, from one day to the next your weight can vary by as much as 13 1/2 pounds according to some medical studies.

That is why most people recommend that you don't weigh yourself every day. It is emotionally draining to look at the scale one day and see that you've lost 3 pounds, only to look at it the next day to see that you've gained 5 pounds. Most people, can't take that kind of emotional abuse. To really understand how you are doing on a diet you need to filter out that noise.

 I highly recommend weighing yourself at minimum once a week, at approximately the same time every time (for consistency).  It helps keep you accountable, track progress, and reflect on what you did the week before which hindered, or more importantly helped your goal.  What is the best time to weigh myself? Since we never eat the same thing, at the same time of day; and we never do exactly the same activities at the same time every day (If you do- yikes!  Please stay tuned for my blog on how spontaneity is the spice of life- shake it up a bit!;o). It is clear our weight varies during the day in unpredictable ways. This is why I recommend that you weigh yourself every morning after using the restroom, but before eating or drinking anything. In my experience, this is the one time of day that all of the factors that affect your weight are most consistent.

Unless you are in that 49 %, I know you are thinking- “I already have a scale…somewhere, covered by dust bunnies or in a closet…somewhere?  Won’t that do?”  Yes, technically any scale will do, however not any scale will give you a great break down, or provide a graph to look at the bigger picture.  Sure, 100 lbs of bricks weighs the same as 100 lbs of feathers, a basic scale will tell you that, but a WiFI Enabled scale will not only tell you your weight but it will also give you a more detailed breakdown of what that number actually means, and provide you a graph of the bigger picture of your progress and success! 

I recommend Withings WiFi Scale ($159 first of it’s kind and available today) or FitBit Aria WiFi Smart Scale ($129.95 available April 2012).   { As an early adopter and technology and fitness nerd I love me some gadgets, I do not claim to represent these products in any way, except through my experience and opinion; nor do I have any stock in the companies ;)}.  Back to the aforementioned scales, both track your weight, % of body fat, % of muscle and your Body Mass Index (BMI).

These numbers provides critical pieces of information to show you your true results and provide you clarity on what you need to focus on to improve.  Your weight alone will not give you your total health picture.  BMI (a combination of your height, weight, are used by both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as a way to define your body weight as compared to what is healthy.

 Knowing your BMI is important because your weight alone doesn't tell the whole story. If your BMI is too high, you may be at an increased risk for many chronic health problems. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, and osteoarthritis. It may also raise your risk for endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.   I know it is a hefty price for a scale, but you are investing in YOU, transforming your mind, body, and soul, and YOU are worth it!

 One final note, I would also recommend a basic Tape Measure, and taking all of your measurements before you begin your journey.  You may not lose pounds, but you may lose inches.  A realistic goal is to lose 1-2 lbs a week, but any weight loss even small can improve your health (which is the true goal- to be fit and healthy); and don’t be discouraged by the number but focus on getting leaner, toner, more muscular, or fitting into those “skinny jeans”. Whatever your goals, visualize it, define it, make it timely, and focus on achieving your dreams, one hop, skip, or jump at a time.  Stay tuned for more lessons and cool gadgets to help you embark on the new and improved Fit and Fab you!