Weighing Yourself Too Often
Posted on: December 13th, 2015
The seemingly harmless bathroom scale, if used too frequently, can lead to psychological issues and eating disorders. Young women are especially at risk, according to a recent study in the journal Nutrition Education and Behaviour.
Researchers at the University Of Minnesota studied 1,900 young adults for 10 years and found that low self-esteem and poor body image was common in young women who weighed themselves regularly and 80% of them were engaging in “extremely dangerous weight-control behaviors”.
These findings are particularly disturbing because they contradict conventional wisdom. For decades experts have been telling us to “watch our weight” to ensure optimal health, but for some this can backfire and become detrimental.
The heart of the problem is that many are unrealistic and hyper-sensitive to the number they see on the scale and this triggers negative emotions that lead to unhealthy behaviors. When the scale fails to meet one’s expectation, anger, self-doubt, or judgment sets in. Then comes the behavioral reaction such as giving up on healthy goals and succumbing to emotional eating. As this pattern repeats some will develop eating disorders where the scale continues to be a trigger but the behaviors become more extreme, for example: bingeing and purging, severely limiting calories, and over-exercising.
There are effective ways to remedy the situation and it begins with limiting the power of the scale. Consider weighing yourself just a few times a year or not weighing yourself at all. This may sound irresponsible on some level, but it’s not. Instead make an effort to focus attention on the body’s cues, which are great indictors of well-being, including:
- Eating portions that don’t leave you hungry or too full
- Feeling energized after meals and snacks (a byproduct of eating a core diet of healthy foods)
- Regular bowel movements
- Healthy looking skin, nails and hair
- Feeling refreshed after sleep
- Mental clarity and the ability to focus on tasks
- Low levels of stress and anxiety
It’s important to note that the self-monitoring above is not for everyone. Those with eating disorders are often overwhelmed by the day-to-day challenges they face and require the help of a professional to get relief. Contact Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy at info@maureenkritzerlange.com, or (973) 313-1691.
One Comment
Leave a Reply