It’s frustrating when scale readings change during the day or from your office visit to your home weigh in. Most of us know that consuming 500 fewer calories per day for a week results in a one pound weight loss. What you may not know, is there are other factors that make our body weight change hour to hour. Since this is the case, it helps to consider these points so you don’t get disappointed or confused about your efforts.



• Scales differ and a digital scale is usually most accurate. Be certain to Zero out your scale before weighing yourself.
• Place the scale on a hard and even surface, stand with feet slightly apart and evenly distribute your weight.
•  Ideally weigh yourself at the same time of day. I recommend the morning when you haven’t been eating or drinking yet.
• Any illness or disease state can affect appetite (increase or decrease) and cause water retention. Examples would include Coronary artery disease, Diabetes or heart failure.
• Side effects of medications can affect weight: Anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, opiates, Insulin, anti-depressants and anti-epileptic drugs to list a few. Be sure to talk to your doctor about alternatives and best treatment choices for you.
• A quart of water equals two pounds. If you just drank liquid within an hour of a weigh in, it counts.
• Coffee can decrease appetite and burn a few extra calories a day resulting in small weight changes.
• Salt, especially in processed foods and snacks, may cause water retention and weight increases on the scale.
• We all know clothing effects weight, so wear the same articles of clothing or weigh yourself bare at home in the am.
• There is also such a thing as “fecal weight”. Before you move your bowels weight readings will be a little higher. Chronic constipation will definitely affect weight numbers.
• Diarrhea can lead to reduced weight, but this is usually unhealthy since it reflects dehydration. 
• Maybe your weight isn’t changing much but your clothing is loose? You may be gaining muscle weight which is great for maintaining weight loss, making one more firm and shapely and boosting metabolism.
• Not enough sleep? Your hunger hormone, Ghrelin, may be increasing your grazing and extra calories may be consumed causing weight gain.
•  Age: Usually we become less active, loose some muscle, may have dental issues, depression or hormone changes. Any one of these can cause the scale numbers to go up or down.
• Mindset matters! Do not make the number on the scale an obsession, nor a reflection of who you are or what you are capable of achieving.
• See your health care professional when the scale is no longer a tool but rather a device that makes you anxious or upset. That should NEVER be the case. YOU are always so much more than that number.