?Follow This Pre-Scale Routine To Make Sure Your Weigh-Ins Are Accurate

Anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight and tracked their progress knows that, sometimes, despite your best efforts, the number doesn’t budge. Super-frustrating.

That said, some factors that are within your control can tip the scale in one direction or the other. And since weight fluctuates naturally, having a pre-scale routine helps ensure you get the most accurate, consistent readings possible. “First thing in morning and after dinner are not comparable,” says Lauren Harris-Pincus, R.D., author of The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club. “If you’re trying to track progress, your weighing circumstances need to be the same.”

Many nutritionists recommend weighing yourself once a week to avoid obsessing over day-to-day fluctuations caused by water weight, hormones, and other factors that are out of your control. But Harris-Pincus says that the right frequency is very personal, and if data is helpful to you, you can weigh yourself up to once per day, max. “If you’re not already engaging in healthy behaviors, like exercise, mindful eating, and portion control, the scale is an indicator of what’s going on. If you gained five pounds after a trip, you’ll make healthier choices with more urgency,” she says.