My favorite accountability buddy that helped me to achieve and maintain my 60lb weight loss is my scale. Most people see a scale or hear that they should weigh themselves daily and they get stressed. If you have nothing to hide, then welcome the scale as a beneficial tool in your weight loss journey. Think of it as a good friend who wants you to succeed.

THE SCALE IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO MEASURE WEIGHT LOSS

While the scale is not the only way to measure weight loss, it is the only way that you can get an actual measurement of your weight. Guessing whether or not you lost weight can cause you to deceive yourself. Furthermore, it can be quite frustrating if you believe you are losing weight, but you are not fitting into smaller sizes based on your guess work. If you are eating healthy and consistently taking the healthy steps, this will be reflected in the number on the scale.

DEVELOP A ROUTINE WITH YOUR BUDDY

Sometimes you may benefit from daily weigh-ins, it takes the guess work out of trying to remember which days you have to weigh yourself. Weighing yourself twice a week may work better for you. Pick the same two days and try to weigh as close as possible to the same time. Still, if that seems too much, go for once a week. I fluctuate. Some weeks I feel better weighing myself daily, especially if there is a lot going on. Other weeks, I am quite okay with once-a-week weigh-ins. Do remember though, your accountability partner/buddy only works when you check in, so be consistent.

4 VARIABLES THAT CAN AFFECT YOUR DAILY WEIGHT

There are many other variables that may affect your weight; thus, it is important to know them and take them into consideration when you process the number on the scale. Here are four common ones:

1. Your fluid status is an important variable for your TOTAL HEALTH. Humans are 55-75% water. This means that the body will attempt to hold on to water if you do not provide it with enough water daily for it to function optimally. A good recommendation, if there are no medical contraindications, is drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water. Example: if you weigh 200lbs, you should drink at least one hundred ounces of water daily.
2. If you are still actively menstruating or peri-menopausal. The shifts in hormones and the bogginess of your uterus both can add weight during your cycle. Keep this in mind when the scale says that you have gained weight and you know that you have been diligent in sticking to the healthier lifestyle habits.
3. Gaining muscle will make you weigh more despite looking leaner. I would not be too disturbed by this as increased muscle mass is a good thing for your overall health. Thus, keep this in mind if you start to notice muscle definition and count it as a positive.
4. Many people are shocked to find out that a lack of sleep leads to weight gain. Until I did the research for myself, I did not appreciate the hormonal/chemical connection between sleep and weight. Lack of sleep gets you on both ends of the spectrum. You find yourself craving more food, and you eat more food because you are tired and think that eating will give you more energy.

AN ACCOUNTABILITY BUDDY IS A GOOD FRIEND

A friend that gently reminds you when you are losing your focus. Your scale is a good friend that is courageous enough to tell you the truth and not lie to you because of fear of hurting your feelings. Best of all, this friend encourages you to keep going by showing you your progress.