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Losing weight is already a daunting task in itself, but dealing with the fluctuations on the scale can be even more stressful…and in some cases: discouraging. When you weigh yourself, the scale doesn’t know the difference between water weight, body fat or muscle mass…heck, the scale doesn’t know if you’re even human!

If you’ve been doing all of the right things but the scale is not showing you any love, here are 3 reasons why you should stop weighing yourself:

  1. Muscle is more dense than fat. If you’ve been weight training, it is quite possible that you are swapping out body fat for lean muscle…but the scale won’t tell you this. Instead, take measurements and pictures so you can REALLY see the changes in your body composition.
  2. The way you FEEL and LOOK is more important than the number on the scale. Let’s be real, you could wake up, look in the mirror and feel extra lean, but if you stepped on the scale and the number was higher than you thought, your whole mood would change. Don’t be a slave to the numbers. Instead, celebrate your wins in the gym, fitting clothes that used to be too tight, and ALL the compliments people are giving you about your new appearance.
  3. Tracking weight can be a distraction. Although a decrease in body weight is often a good sign you’re moving in the right direction, it can be a distraction. Becoming addicted to seeing that number decrease might cause you to pursue unhealthy methods to lose weight. Instead, focus on staying active and eating healthy, nutrient dense foods.