This week, we’ve talked about the many benefits of keeping a healthy, stable weight as you get older.
But achieving that feat is easier said than done.
(And, to be clear, I’m not talking about drastic weight fluctuations here. I’m a firm believer in small, gradual reductions in weight as needed.)
So, today, let’s look at how adopting one simple, five-second habit can help with this goal. Then, a little later, I’ll give you a word of warning, too…
Simple, daily habit helps you shed pounds
In a recent study published in Circulation, more than 1,000 adults, with an average age of 47 years, received a WiFi- or Bluetooth-enabled scale that transmitted data back to the researchers.
But participants did not receive any guidance—or incentives—for how often they should weigh themselves throughout the year.
Well, it turns out, people who weighed themselves nearly daily (six to seven times a week) experienced an average weight loss of about 2 pounds (lbs) after just one year.
(And, as I reported yesterday, that kind of modest weight loss can SLASH your risk of developing precancerous colon polyps. Even if it takes you a DECADE to achieve it!)
On the other hand, people who weighed themselves weekly or not at all experienced no weight loss over the course of a year.
In another, similar study, people who weighed themselves daily tended to cut down on snacking, reduced dessert portion size, and exercised more.
Paula Doebrich, a registered dietician and nutritionist, said in an interview with the Washington Post that weighing yourself daily can serve as a motivating factor. She said, “For some people, it helps to hold themselves accountable and see their progress.”
And that’s great news…for some people. (Here’s where my word of caution comes into play…)
Daily weighing can cause harm
I should also note that regular weighing, for some people, can cause great harm and even lead to hard-to-treat eating disorders.
Specifically, it can cause some people to become so fixated on their weight that they react with unhealthy behaviors—such as cutting back drastically on daily calories, purging, or taking laxatives.
Furthermore, some fail to understand that the scale doesn’t provide a complete or accurate picture of overall health.
For example, one person can weigh 200 lbs and have perfectly good health. Whereas another person could weigh the same amount and struggle with Type II diabetes.
Plus, your weight can vary throughout the week…or even throughout the day. Things like bowel movements, what you eat or drink, or even menstrual cycles (in women) can influence it.
In the end, it all comes down to knowing your body and figuring out what works best for YOU. Some find it helpful—and motivating—to weigh themselves daily. For others, it may do the opposite.
So, if you find don’t want to weigh yourself daily, try monitoring how your clothes fit over time.
Start with a garment—like a dress, pants, or shirt—that fits comfortably. It can serve as a starting point. Then, if you’re looking to lose just a few pounds, try on garments that are one size smaller. Continue to try on the smaller size occasionally until it feels comfortable.
Or—if you’re looking to MAINTAIN an already healthy weight, choose a favorite garment and try it on occasionally. If you notice it fits differently, one way or another, you can assume your weight is shifting.
Like using a scale, these fitting guides will give you some immediate feedback on your progress.
For more ways to stay healthy well into your 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond—check out the simple, natural strategies outlined in my protocol, The Insider’s Ultimate Guide to Outsmarting “Old Age.” If you’d like to learn more about this online learning tool or enroll today, simply click here now.