The Great Weight Dilemma

Weighing yourself, the great conundrum. How many well intentioned dieters have stood in their bathrooms wondering, in thoughts reminiscent of Prince Hamlet, “to weigh or not to weigh, that is the question?” While, your decision is likely not as dramatic as Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, it is still important to your overall fitness goals.

The frequency and time of weigh-ins has been shown to influence the success of your training goals. For example, in their 2014 review paper, Zheng et al found that regular self-weighing was related to increased weight loss. In addition, more frequent weighing did not negatively influence psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety. These results agree with an earlier review by Burke, Wang, and Sevick (2011) which also found that regular self-weighing produced positive weight loss outcomes.

From this, it can be concluded that regular weigh-ins can enhance your fitness goals. However, when it comes to regular weigh-ins, what is the correct protocol? To increase the accuracy of your weigh-ins, registered dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner suggests following the “4 S’s” protocol:

Same time of day
Same day of the week
Same clothing
Same Scale

For many people, the most practical time to meet these conditions is immediately upon waking in the morning. While following a protocol like the above should result in consistent measures, be aware that numerous factors can cause weight fluctuations. These include: salt intake (higher salt intake increases water retention), amount of food eaten the previous day, and most importantly for females, hormonal fluctuations.

The Take Home Message:

Weighing yourself frequently can positively influence your weight loss goals. When weighing yourself, try to follow the 4 S’s protocol for the most accurate results. Don’t worry too much if your weight fluctuates a little from week to week, numerous factors can cause this. Instead, look for a general downward trend. Most importantly though, who had any idea that Thomas knew his Shakespeare!

References:

Burke, L., Wang, J., Sevick, M.A. (2011). Self-monitoring in weight loss: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 111(1), 92-102.

Weighing in on the scales: Find your true weight. (2005). Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/weighing-in-on-scales-find-your-true-weight#1

Zheng, Y.,…, Burke, L. (2014). Self-weighing in weight management: A systematic literature review. Obesity, 23(2), 256-265.

Prepared for the JKC blog by Coach Thomas.

Photo credit: JP Mullowney

Courtney Currie

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

A few years ago, I pinched a nerve in my neck which led me to be stationary as any form of movement would cause extreme pain. During this time, my fiancé (Sean) started at JKC and loved it!! Once I overcame the nerve issue, Sean spent a long time trying to convince me that JKC is exactly what I needed to safely start working out again (I’m slightly stubborn and was super scared of re-pinching the nerve). Long story short, Sean was right… as much as I hate to admit it!

I never had luck at gyms, if it started to hurt I would call it a day. At JKC that is not an option, as Jon & Thomas will push you to finish the workout, whether you want to or not! Working out in a group setting is also a big benefit of working out at JKC, if you’re not feeling motivated you can simply feed off of someone else’s energetic vibes.

Craig McIssac

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

I originally chose JKC to help me rehab following back surgery. JKC was the first gym where a trainer took the time to help me identify my goals and tailor my workouts to achieve them in a safe and doable manner. 🏋🏼 Jon & Thomas are both highly professional and knowledgeable. 👨🏼‍🎓 With their guidance and informative explanations 🗣 they have enabled me to reach my ever evolving goals. At JKC I’m guaranteed fun 😆, interesting 🙃 and diverse workouts, with Jon & Thomas forever supportive and encouraging. 👏🙌👍👊

Craig Whittle

I chose JKC because I row/coach teams in the St. John’s Regatta and was looking to add strength training to our program. My wife is also running friends with Julia, so I got to meet Jon a few times and heard lots of good things. I like JKC over other gyms because of the level coaching I receive and the gym atmosphere. The energy in the gym helps me through the tough workouts.

David Squires

Not having much if any experience with professional gyms I though it would be along the lines of going to a facility and doing your own thing, getting some instructions from time to time, if you asked for it, and for most part working out on your own, in a large impersonalized setting. I was a bit apprehensive as I figured I’d be standing around a lot looking at all this equipment wondering what to do with it, or worst doing something to hurt myself. Well I couldn’t have been more wrong. Both Jon and Thomas are very attentive, professional trainers, who lay-out an exercise program, from start to finish, for you. They demonstrate the exercise they want you to do and then watch you do it to make sure you got it right. Jon and Thomas are very thorough, patience and non-assuming.

Lloyd Hussey

I started at JKC in January of 2014 and I’m 67 years old. When I had my Initial Assessment, I knew – almost immediately – that Jon knew what he was doing and what he was talking about. I was overweight, out of shape, and in serious need of someone, like Jon, who could get me back on a fitness/conditioning routine that suited me, my age, my less than acceptable physical condition, my sometimes intermittent RA, and my need for a structured, consistent and yet flexible training and conditioning program that would work for me.

Fundamentally, if I made a choice at all with respect to JKC – it was to continue to come back each week. I have not been in a lot of gyms. To be honest, they used to intimidate me. What makes JKC different is their approach to each and every one of their clients. Jon and Thomas – and now Craig – tailor each training regime to the particular needs of each client. That ensures that the training regime will suit each client upon the start of training and changes as the client improves. It adjusts for any physical setbacks such as injuries and it adjusts for success. It is just that simple.

It is also the consistent encouragement that comes from Jon, Thomas and Craig. That voice that comes to you while you are in the middle of a particularly difficult set – rear-foot elevated split squats comes to mind immediately – that says “good job” or “keep it up” or “just a couple more reps.” To know, in that moment, that you are not alone and the trainer is paying attention to what you are doing. That is priceless for me.

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