To Weigh or Not to Weigh...

So, how often do you weigh yourself? That is the question!

There tends to be 2 schools of thought...
- Weigh every day:
Benefit:  Allows quicker recognition of smaller weight gains and, therefore, quicker action.
Disadvantage:  Encounter small but normal weight fluctuations (which could drive you crazy).

- Weigh once a week (or even less often):
Benefit:  Will likely average out your weight (may even out the "good" and "bad" days).
Disadvantage:  May take you longer to discover a weight change (which could mean a larger gain and more time and/or work to reduce it).

Research seems to indicate that those in the study who weighed themselves more frequently tended to lose more weight AND were more successful in keeping it off longer-term. However, you'll need to choose what works for you.

Tips (regardless of frequency chosen):
- Be as consistent as possible (e.g., weigh the same time of day).
- Try to wear a similar amount of clothing (or lack thereof).
- Use the same scale.
- Watch out for salt. It makes you retain water (which can weigh you down).
- Consider writing your weight down to help track patterns or your progress.

For more info, check out http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55489.