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WHY THE SCALE DOESN'T MATTER AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
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One of the biggest things I am asked about as a dietitian is about weight loss ie. the numbers on the scale. While my message is always that the relationship that someone has with food and having a positive self and body-image, it doesn’t stop my clients and social media followers from feeling like they aren’t making enough progress.
This is not uncommon - many weight loss surgery patients experience apparent weight stalls or times when the scales don’t appear to move - and this can have a negative impact on their confidence and motivation to continue. Feelings of failure can result in people reverting back to previous negative eating habits, and in some cases, can cause them to give up completely.
If you are doing all the right things, following a pattern of healthy eating, maintaining a positive relationship with both food and yourself, you’re doing the right thing.
Here are some reasons why the scale doesn’t matter after weight loss surgery.
It can ruin your day. When we weigh ourselves and don’t see a change in the numbers on the scale, it can have an extremely negative impact on your mindset for the rest of the day and beyond. I have spoken to clients who were so upset by the numbers that they reverted back to old emotional eating patterns in an effort to comfort themselves. By not looking at the numbers, you can focus on building up your new and positive eating and exercise habits and continue on your weight loss journey, one day at a time!
Your body is changing and adjusting to your new lifestyle. As you are losing body fat, you are gaining muscle, which weighs exactly the same as fat but is leaner. You may not be losing weight according to the scale, but your body will be losing inches. Building muscle also helps to boost your metabolism so you can burn fat even whilst you rest.
Weight does not equate to health. A thinner person is not necessarily healthier than someone who is heavier. Avoid comparing yourself to anyone else - what matters is that you are eating a diet of healthy, nutritious and balanced foods, exercising regularly, drinking enough water and getting enough sleep. You will find that this will have a positive impact on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels too!
Your weight fluctuates each day. Our weight can fluctuate daily for a number of reasons, including if we have eaten or drank lots, different changes in hormones, if you’re constipated, water retention and high level of salt intake. You should absolutely avoid weighing yourself on a daily basis, make sure that you are drinking enough water and lower your salt intake.
Your clothes will start to feel loose even if the scales don’t change. When you lose inches, your clothes will start to fit better and will eventually feel loose - this is the gauge that you should be following when looking at weight loss, not the numbers on the scale.
What you should be doing instead of looking at the scales
- Follow your healthy eating plan.
- Create balance in what you eat, so you don’t over restrict and binge!
- Avoid weighing yourself daily.
- Continue with your exercise regime.
- Pay attention to how well your clothes fit.
- Look at your body - can you see any changes?
- Try using measurements instead of the scales.
- Hide the scales so you do not have easy access and are tempted to weigh!
Are you disappointed with your weight loss? Want to know how I can support you in your weight loss journey, help change your eating habits and relationship with food and avoid looking at the scale? I talk about your relationship with the scales in my
8 Week Program to find out more
Book in for a Discovery Call, or visit me on my social media platforms, my
Facebook Group,
instagram, and my
YouTube channel for helpful information, hints and tips and Q&A opportunities!
