So I’ve been doing these health/technology posts for the past few months, and I think it’s about time I get to the main reason why. The problem that because of the Pandemic, I was moving around way less and eating like a teenager, which, I discovered, is bad. I needed a solution, and because it’s me, I decided that I would use as much technology as I could to get myself sorted. The one method that I’ve been using to track my progress over the past few months has been using my scale, but not just any scale, my Withings scale. The Withings scale is excellent because not only is it easy to use, but some of the data it gives you is helpful.
1) Daily weigh-ins – One of the interesting things about my life is that I’m a serious routine guy. It took me a while to figure it out, but once I did, I could harness that particular superpower of mine to my advantage. This has translated to how I do this weight loss thing. I’ve weighed myself in daily, and I made it a part of my routine. I figure that with more information, I will be able to have more information and know when I’m going to be up and when I’m going to be down and why. I’m reasonably sure I’m in the minority of people who weigh themselves. I know that many people would prefer to weigh in once a week (if at all), but making it a part of my daily routine is one way that I keep myself on track. I know I’m going to have to weigh in tomorrow, so I’m less likely to try and sneak in a donut or two.
2) Tracking my progress – The daily weigh-ins are great because they allow me to reflect on what I did or ate the day before. When my weight is down (as I’m actively trying to lose weight), I do my best to repeat those things, and when I’m up, I do my best to think about what I did that caused that and not repeat it. It’s an interesting exercise, and I’m always learning things. I had been advised not to weigh in daily because it may be demoralizing, and that can happen, but luckily my Withings scale is there to help me out. I like that it tracks my overall weight, my water percentage, and my BMI. I like that it gives me this kind of data because it means that sometimes my weight going up isn’t a bad thing. As an example, if my weight goes up because I’m both gaining muscle and losing fat, then that’s perfectly fine with me. If I were using
3) Dealing with the mental side – The tricky thing about losing weight is that (at least for me) it’s as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Part of the problem for me is that I like to set goals for myself, and I really like achieving them. When I don’t, I get very distressed. The trick for me is not feeling defeated when I gain or maintain my weight while doing this. This, more than anything else, has been what has been my biggest struggle with my weight loss. Even in the past, I had people who didn’t dissuade me from dieting per-say but wouldn’t be encouraging if I didn’t lose weight, which was not helpful. I am more confidant this time around, and I know that I will succeed.
The weightloss aspect of all of this is, weirdly, the trickiest part of my overall health. I get that for most people, it’s easy, some (like me) it isn’t easy, but this time around, I’m doing what I can to make this as easy as possible. Withings is excellent for this. I know that when I typically do a post that highlights a product, I talk more about that product and its features, but in this case, it’s not the point. The point is that It’s a scale that takes my weight (which it does well), but the trick about this post is how I use it to manage my weight. Using my scale helps keep me on track, but it’s not the only thing. It’s the mental side that is that makes a difference. I want to lose weight, I’m going to lose weight, and the Withings Scale will help me achieve all of my weight goals.
What does your scale do for you?
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I stopped checking my scale daily, I found it a bit of a drag to see up one day and down the next – a rollercoaster of sorts. But like you I’ve started using it as a guide – Once every few days, before breakfast, a quick check-in to see where I’m at and what my priorities will be for the next week.
I’ve found that dieting is mentally hard and I’ve started to complement it with exercise and celebrating the victories with friends – Yesterday I went to Bulk Barn and nearly bought a pound of candy ‘for the road’ as I was facing a long commute home. I put it back before the checkout. Finding the changes in mindset are the victories I like to celebrate more than the mistakes I make because these are the ones that show I’m not just changing my diet, I’m changing my mindset, too!