Use the tools below to copy the article in plain text form, or you can copy it as HTML, ready to copy and paste directly into a web page.
HTML Scales of Justice Scales of Justice Author: Leeann SimonsThere was a time when I used to weigh myself 2, maybe 3 times/day. For some strange reason, I believed I could gain or lose a lot of weight at different times, during the SAME day. Then I cut back to once/day. Finally, I stopped weighing myself, except on certain occasions, of which I can't think of any right now. I do remember, thought, that when I weighed myself in the mornings-whatever the number, I still overate. If I gained weight, I'd be sad and I'd eat. If I lost weight, I'd be happy and, yes, I'd eat. It wasn't exactly a win/win (or lose/lose) situation.What happens, I'm afraid, with folks who weigh themselves too often is that they become confused with the difference between WEIGHT gain and FAT gain; or most often the opposite: weight loss and fat loss. Let's say I weigh 143 pounds, which occasionally is the truth. If I sit down and drink 16 ounces of iced tea, and then get back on the scale, my weight would be 144 pounds. Now you and I both know I did NOT just put on a pound of FAT. I put on a pound of weight, and as long as my kidneys are healthy, that water weight will be gone within the next day or two.Unfortunately, people get on the scale and look at the differences in weight, and then pass judgment on themselves. And what's even more unfortunate, most of the time the judgment is an unfavorable one. Let's say someone goes out for a lovely evening of dinner at a new restaurant and tries new foods. Then, for whatever reason, they get up the next morning and decide to weigh themselves. Of course they are going to see a WEIGHT gain-their body hasn't had enough time to breakdown the food, and it still working it's way through their digestive system.Believe it or not, it takes a long time to gain/lose a pound of fat. When I'm working with clients who have lost, say, 5 pounds in one week, I get concerned. I must explain to them that part of the weight loss is water weight, and the loss won't continue at such a quick rate. What I need them to understand is that the behaviors that led to such a large weight loss probably isn't something they can maintain for a long time (skipping meals, eating excruciatingly small portions). When I see someone losing ½-3/4 of a pound/week, or every two weeks, then I know they are making slow, realistic changes they can live with. This type of loss, which is most likely a fat loss, will stay off. You have to work on small changes in behavior you can live with for a long time. You MUST be honest with yourself. You must be realistic about the changes you are able to make in order to lose weight.Don't buy into diets that promise quick weight loss. Try to understand that while the scale shows a loss, it is mostly water loss. You don't make changes that lead to your overeating in the first place-and so the weight will return. You won't be losing fat, which is what you want.Don't be fooled by numbers on a scale. Don't let yourself be fooled by the salespeople making impossible promises. The fact that diet promoters can convince you buy into their schemes, is-well, a crime.------If you would like more information on becoming At Peace With Food�, as well as access to interesting articles and links to nutritional resource websites, visit=> http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_233785_23.html Occupation: Registered Dietician, Author Leeann Simons has over 20 years of experience in the field of nutrition. She received her Master's Degree in Nutrition Science at Penn State University. She has worked as an outpatient dietitian for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, as well as a private consultant to various organizations including fitness groups and hospice care. She teaches nutrition, human biology, and immunology at a college level. Leeann lives with her husband and two sons in Newton, MA. http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com Text Scales of Justice Author: Leeann Simons There was a time when I used to weigh myself 2, maybe 3 times/day. For some strange reason, I believed I could gain or lose a lot of weight at different times, during the SAME day. Then I cut back to once/day. Finally, I stopped weighing myself, except on certain occasions, of which I can't think of any right now. I do remember, thought, that when I weighed myself in the mornings-whatever the number, I still overate. If I gained weight, I'd be sad and I'd eat. If I lost weight, I'd be happy and, yes, I'd eat. It wasn't exactly a win/win (or lose/lose) situation. What happens, I'm afraid, with folks who weigh themselves too often is that they become confused with the difference between WEIGHT gain and FAT gain; or most often the opposite: weight loss and fat loss. Let's say I weigh 143 pounds, which occasionally is the truth. If I sit down and drink 16 ounces of iced tea, and then get back on the scale, my weight would be 144 pounds. Now you and I both know I did NOT just put on a pound of FAT. I put on a pound of weight, and as long as my kidneys are healthy, that water weight will be gone within the next day or two. Unfortunately, people get on the scale and look at the differences in weight, and then pass judgment on themselves. And what's even more unfortunate, most of the time the judgment is an unfavorable one. Let's say someone goes out for a lovely evening of dinner at a new restaurant and tries new foods. Then, for whatever reason, they get up the next morning and decide to weigh themselves. Of course they are going to see a WEIGHT gain-their body hasn't had enough time to breakdown the food, and it still working it's way through their digestive system. Believe it or not, it takes a long time to gain/lose a pound of fat. When I'm working with clients who have lost, say, 5 pounds in one week, I get concerned. I must explain to them that part of the weight loss is water weight, and the loss won't continue at such a quick rate. What I need them to understand is that the behaviors that led to such a large weight loss probably isn't something they can maintain for a long time (skipping meals, eating excruciatingly small portions). When I see someone losing ½-3/4 of a pound/week, or every two weeks, then I know they are making slow, realistic changes they can live with. This type of loss, which is most likely a fat loss, will stay off. You have to work on small changes in behavior you can live with for a long time. You MUST be honest with yourself. You must be realistic about the changes you are able to make in order to lose weight. Don't buy into diets that promise quick weight loss. Try to understand that while the scale shows a loss, it is mostly water loss. You don't make changes that lead to your overeating in the first place-and so the weight will return. You won't be losing fat, which is what you want. Don't be fooled by numbers on a scale. Don't let yourself be fooled by the salespeople making impossible promises. The fact that diet promoters can convince you buy into their schemes, is-well, a crime. ------ If you would like more information on becoming At Peace With Food�, as well as access to interesting articles and links to nutritional resource websites, visit=> http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_233785_23.html About the Author: Leeann Simons has over 20 years of experience in the field of nutrition. She received her Master's Degree in Nutrition Science at Penn State University. She has worked as an outpatient dietitian for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, as well as a private consultant to various organizations including fitness groups and hospice care. She teaches nutrition, human biology, and immunology at a college level. Leeann lives with her husband and two sons in Newton, MA. http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com Article Title: Article Keywords: return to article
Text Scales of Justice Author: Leeann Simons There was a time when I used to weigh myself 2, maybe 3 times/day. For some strange reason, I believed I could gain or lose a lot of weight at different times, during the SAME day. Then I cut back to once/day. Finally, I stopped weighing myself, except on certain occasions, of which I can't think of any right now. I do remember, thought, that when I weighed myself in the mornings-whatever the number, I still overate. If I gained weight, I'd be sad and I'd eat. If I lost weight, I'd be happy and, yes, I'd eat. It wasn't exactly a win/win (or lose/lose) situation. What happens, I'm afraid, with folks who weigh themselves too often is that they become confused with the difference between WEIGHT gain and FAT gain; or most often the opposite: weight loss and fat loss. Let's say I weigh 143 pounds, which occasionally is the truth. If I sit down and drink 16 ounces of iced tea, and then get back on the scale, my weight would be 144 pounds. Now you and I both know I did NOT just put on a pound of FAT. I put on a pound of weight, and as long as my kidneys are healthy, that water weight will be gone within the next day or two. Unfortunately, people get on the scale and look at the differences in weight, and then pass judgment on themselves. And what's even more unfortunate, most of the time the judgment is an unfavorable one. Let's say someone goes out for a lovely evening of dinner at a new restaurant and tries new foods. Then, for whatever reason, they get up the next morning and decide to weigh themselves. Of course they are going to see a WEIGHT gain-their body hasn't had enough time to breakdown the food, and it still working it's way through their digestive system. Believe it or not, it takes a long time to gain/lose a pound of fat. When I'm working with clients who have lost, say, 5 pounds in one week, I get concerned. I must explain to them that part of the weight loss is water weight, and the loss won't continue at such a quick rate. What I need them to understand is that the behaviors that led to such a large weight loss probably isn't something they can maintain for a long time (skipping meals, eating excruciatingly small portions). When I see someone losing ½-3/4 of a pound/week, or every two weeks, then I know they are making slow, realistic changes they can live with. This type of loss, which is most likely a fat loss, will stay off. You have to work on small changes in behavior you can live with for a long time. You MUST be honest with yourself. You must be realistic about the changes you are able to make in order to lose weight. Don't buy into diets that promise quick weight loss. Try to understand that while the scale shows a loss, it is mostly water loss. You don't make changes that lead to your overeating in the first place-and so the weight will return. You won't be losing fat, which is what you want. Don't be fooled by numbers on a scale. Don't let yourself be fooled by the salespeople making impossible promises. The fact that diet promoters can convince you buy into their schemes, is-well, a crime. ------ If you would like more information on becoming At Peace With Food�, as well as access to interesting articles and links to nutritional resource websites, visit=> http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com/freetips.html Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_233785_23.html About the Author: Leeann Simons has over 20 years of experience in the field of nutrition. She received her Master's Degree in Nutrition Science at Penn State University. She has worked as an outpatient dietitian for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, as well as a private consultant to various organizations including fitness groups and hospice care. She teaches nutrition, human biology, and immunology at a college level. Leeann lives with her husband and two sons in Newton, MA. http://www.AtPeaceWithFood.com
return to article