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Weigh Yourself At This Ideal Time to Get the Most Accurate Results

Turns out, there's a right and wrong way to weigh yourself. Do this to get the most accurate results.

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McKenzie Dillon Writer
McKenzie, a Certified Sleep Science Coach and proclaimed mattress expert, has been writing sleep content in the wellness space for over four years. After earning her certification from the Spencer Institute and dedicating hundreds of hours to sleep research, she has extensive knowledge on the topic and how to improve your quality of rest. Having more experience with lying on mattresses than most, McKenzie has reviewed over 150 beds and a variety of different sleep products including pillows, mattress toppers and sheets. McKenzie has also been a guest on multiple radio shows including WGN Chicago as a sleep expert and contributed sleep advice to over 50 different websites.
Expertise Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach, Bachelor of English.
McKenzie Dillon
2 min read
Person standing on a scale

The morning is the best time to weigh yourself for the most accurate reading.

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We all have certain expectations when stepping onto the scale, whether we want to lose, gain or maintain our bodyweight. However, your weight won't be the same in the morning as it is at the end of your day. That's because you eat less food during the night and lose water through perspiration and breathing, according to the American Physiological Society. 

It's important to remember, though, that the number presented by your scale isn't an "end-all, be-all" measurement of your health. If you have a healthy relationship with weighing yourself, it can be a tool to give you valuable insights on your progress toward your overall health target.

With that in mind, there are specific times during the day where you're likely to see the most accurate results when you step on the scale. Continue on for the best time of day to weigh yourself, more tips to consider when checking weight and when it might be beneficial to skip the scale. 

In search of more health-related tips? Here are some tips on how to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet and why you should eat more carbs, not fewer. 

Weigh yourself at this time

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You'll get the most accurate reading from your scale if you weigh yourself first thing in the morning after using the restroom and before your breakfast or first chug of water. 

According to experts, the morning is the best time because you've given your body the chance to properly digest everything you ate and drank the previous day, leaving your stomach relatively empty. 

More tips on getting an accurate reading

Besides weighing yourself at an ideal time of day, there are more ways to ensure you regularly get an accurate reading from your scale, which is especially important when tracking your weight loss or gain progress. 

  • Weigh yourself once a week at the same time of day
  • Keep your scale on a solid, flat surface
  • Stand barefoot on your scale, keeping your weight distributed evenly between both feet
  • Wear little to no clothing when you weigh yourself. Whatever you decide, keep it consistent each time you weigh yourself for better accuracy. 

When to break up with your scale

Like any unhealthy relationship, you can walk away from weighing yourself if you think it's having a negative impact on your life. Don't hesitate to ditch your scale if you're experiencing:

  • Negative thoughts triggered by weighing yourself
  • Unsafe or unhealthy habits triggered by weighing yourself
  • Regular anxiety or sadness after weighing yourself
  • An eating disorder, whether you're developing, recovering from or have previously had one

Read more: Your Weight Isn't Everything: 6 Health Metrics That Are More Important

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.