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REASONS THE SCALE LIES
Reasons why the scale reads higher than what we really “own”:
Your body is just holding extra water. It has nothing to do with fat.
- A very high carbohydrate diet that is too low in protein. A balance between carbs and protein will not cause water retention. For every one gram of carbohydrate stored, 3 grams of water is stored with it. The storage occurs in the stomach and intestines, which makes your belly stick out. Some also hold water in their legs.
- Too much sodium from Chinese or Thai food, restaurant soups and fast food.
- PMS and ovulation
- Sore muscles or weighing in immediately after weight training. Your muscles are holding water and lactic acid.
- Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Aleve
- Prescription anti-inflammatory medications
- Antibiotics
- Too many sugar-free products containing sorbitol, which is found in sugar-free ice cream, frozen yogurt, candy, gum and mints. Too much sorbitol causes major bloating and other GI distresses.
Add a few of these factors together and the scale can “lie” as much as 5 pounds. I have seen 20+ pound fluid shifts in one week.
The following are reasons the scale reads lower than what we actually “own”:
- A very high protein diet that is too low in carbohydrate. High protein diets are an extreme diuretic, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances, kidney problems, and excessive calcium loss from bone. These fad diets are temporary and dangerous.
- Recent fever of illness
- Weighing immediately after aerobic exercise. I cup of sweat (water) weighs ˝ pound.
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