How often should you weigh yourself? This is what experts advise…

This is a piece of information that will come in handy if you're wondering how often you should weigh yourself. Is it once a day? Weekly? Or just every few months? Weight management doctors offered some good insight into how often you should weigh yourself in an article published on Reader'sDigest.

Weighing in is a real nightmare for many. Especially in a doctor's clinic, where the nurse recites your numbers out loud. However, these are not as important as we imagine in our heads. More and more experts agree that it is time for most healthy people to consider body weight as just one of many measurements that provide insight into an individual's state of health. Our weight is thus just a number that does not (necessarily) affect our overall health.

So how often you should weigh yourself is a decision we make based on our personal health goals, lifestyle and perspective on weight and well-being.

Angela Fals, MD, a bariatrician and pediatrician in Winter Park, told Reader's Digest that while weighing yourself daily seems to be the most effective way to lose weight, it all depends on the individual. In her opinion, weekly weighing is more effective, which gives us an accurate reflection of our progress and reduces weight anxiety. Maxine Smith, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, agrees, and suggests choosing a specific weigh-in day each week.

Experts agree that consistency, not frequency, is key. A 2017 study found that the best weight loss results came from consistent weight measurement, a balanced diet, and at least one hour of high-intensity activity per week.

What is the best time to weigh in?

For effective monitoring of body weight, Dr. Fals recommends weighing in the morning after using the toilet and before breakfast. Always use the same scale to ensure reliability.

The doctor also advises against weighing children, as too much focus on the scales can lead to an unhealthy obsession with weight.