4 Reasons to Throw Away Your Scale

Say Goodbye to Stress!

4 min

©JLco - Julia Amaral

By Natascha Klemm
May 13, 2022

Why trust us?

You know that amazing moment when you step off the scales feeling great? You don’t? Me neither. The display on your scales can be a real source of frustration, especially for those of us trying to reach a weight we’re happy with. Either the figure is too high or we notice our weight yo-yoing or plateauing. Yet we go on weighing ourselves again and again, hoping each time that we’ll come away happy. What’s going on here? Why do we let an object that disappoints us far more than it helps us have pride of place in our bathrooms, not to mention take up so much of our headspace? There’s a lot to be said for banishing the scales from your bathroom, or even from your home altogether. We’ve listed the four most important reasons here.

Losing weight the healthy way means having a healthy, active lifestyle rather than obsessing over numbers. Unlike your scales, our Shape Pack Basic gives you complete support*.

#1 Your weight says nothing about your figure

Your scales give you nothing but a number and usually a sinking feeling. And this number doesn’t really tell you much about your figure, as it doesn’t take your body type into account. Your body isn’t just made up of fat, after all, but also muscle, water and bone mass, and of course these all weigh something. It’s the proportion of each that really matters. Muscle mass has a higher volume density than body fat. In other words, if you start strength training as a way of losing weight, which I highly recommend, then you’re likely to see the figures on the scale go up due to your increase in muscle. Beginners may actually be shedding body fat at the same time.

#2 Your scales don’t take account of your lifestyle

Are you suddenly weighing more than yesterday, and feeling despondent about it? Minor fluctuations in weight are completely normal. There are all sorts of factors that can affect your weight, and they’re largely outside your control. The problem is that your scales don’t take these into account. The menstrual cycle is a good example, as studies have proven. During ovulation, for instance, your body may store up more energy in preparation for a potential pregnancy. Just before and during your period, your hormones cause your body to hang on to more water, and you’re more likely to be led astray by cravings at this time of the month. And it’s not just your hormones that can play havoc with your weight; eating especially salty but otherwise healthy food or a period of hot weather can lead to water retention, which can have more of an impact on the scales than you might imagine. But do you really want to let your hormones or a salty meal bring down your mood? You don’t? Then it’s time to do away with your scales.

#3 They can make you doubt yourself and your fitness regime

Your scales tell you absolutely nothing about your current level of fitness. Are you stepping up your training and getting closer to achieving your targets, but your weight isn’t playing ball? Then it’s time to get rid of your scales, as weighing yourself just isn’t working. You should be proud of your sporting prowess, rather than making your sense of achievement dependent on a number.

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#4 Your scales stress you out

If there’s one thing your scales excel at, it’s causing stress. Obsessively checking your weight every day won’t help you achieve a feel-good weight; in fact, it’s standing in your way. When you’re stressed, your body experiences elevated cortisol levels which prevent you from losing body fat. It’s a vicious circle, and another reason to bid farewell to your scales. Read here for an explanation of exactly what triggers the stress hormone cortisol in your body and how you can lower it.

Alternatives to scales

Wondering what you can do to track your progress in a healthier way?

Take photos

Take photos of yourself from the front, side, and behind to track your progress. Don’t do it every day, though, as that will only lead to frustration. Stay on track, but give yourself and your body plenty of time.

Look at your clothing

Your favorite old pair of jeans provide a good benchmark. Be realistic, though: don’t go for a pair you haven’t worn in 10 years. As a general rule, you should aim for your clothes to fit your body, not the other way around.

Use precise measurements

Get readings for your body fat percentage and muscle mass, and use these as a guide. Measuring the circumferences of specific parts of your body can also help. There are other ways of tracking your weight loss, apart from stepping on the scales.

Track your success

Track your successes rather than your weight. Were you able to lift heavier weights during those squats? Can you finally do push-ups correctly, or manage a pull-up? These things all matter a whole lot more than the number on your scales!

More things to know from foodspring:

*Losing weight with Shape Shake 2.0: Replacing two meals a day with one Shape Shake 2.0 each meal contributes to weight loss as part of a low-calorie diet. Replacing one meal will help you maintain your weight. The product fulfills its intended purpose only as part of a low-calorie diet. A low-calorie diet must also include other foods. Make sure you drink enough fluids every day. Maintain a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Sources for this article

We at foodspring use only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.