Tuesday 3 April 2012

Perplexed because you are gaining weight but looking leaner? In short....throw out your scale



Recently, I have had clients pull me aside in a state of panic saying, in an exasperated whisper “I am gaining weight!  How is this possible?  I am working out harder and more than ever.  It’s weird because I can’t see it anywhere but on the scale”.  The rest of that conversation looks like this....

I say:  ”Do you look better naked?”
Smoking Hot Client says: “Yes. You wouldn’t believe what my husband [boyfriend/partner] says about my bum!”

I say: “Do your clothes fit looser?”
Smoking Hot Client says: “Most definitely!”

I say: “Now go home and throw your scale out the window!”
Smoking Hot Client says: “But WHY is this happening?” (Still panicked)


Here’s WHY...

I am a firm believer in taking circumference measurements to see how far you have come in your wellness goals.  The weighing scale is not one of the tools I like to use.  You may be thinking....’but I see you weigh clients!!??’  This is only because I have to get the scale weight for the algorithm to calculate out body fat percentage for Biosignature Modulation.  If I didn’t have to use it, I wouldn’t.  

Measuring by weight is one of the most self deprecating things someone (especially women) can do to their fitness morale.  First of all, the amount of anxiety that one feels as one steps foot on the scale is enough to make cortisol levels shoot through the roof and counteract any benefits of increased amounts of exercise.

Secondly, muscle takes up much less space than fat does - a pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat and exercising will often cause you to gain lean muscle while you burn excess fat. End result - you end up smaller but the scale may read higher than it did before you started exercising!

The scale rarely ever gives the positive feedback you expect during your efforts and this false negative could even turn you off exercising or your nutrition regime. Fat lost from your body doesn’t always translate to weight lost on the scales!

What types of measuring are positive and motivating?

Using measuring tape on the upper thigh, hips, waist and from the top of the hip bone to the medial point of the gluteal fold (shows how much your bum has shrunk and lifted!) I find is the best.  You actually see proof that you are getting smaller.  We love to hear that we are shrinking right!?  The weighing scale is deceiving.  If you aren’t working out but eating poorly and your scale weight isn’t moving doesn’t mean you aren’t getting fat.  Haven’t you heard of “skinny fat”??  Well...that could be you if you are using the scale.  Throw it out.

Another way to measure if you are getting leaner would be getting your body fat tested.  You can get this done at the studio!!  Don’t worry....even though we do have to take that scale weight we won’t let you look at the number ;)

I say it again...throw your scale away!