Weighing yourself seems simple, but small mistakes can lead to misleading results. If you’re frustrated by fluctuating numbers on the scale, you might be making these common errors.

First, timing matters—your weight fluctuates throughout the day due to food, water, and movement. The best time to weigh yourself is in the morning, after using the bathroom and before eating. Using different scales can also cause variations, so stick to one reliable scale on a hard surface.

Weighing yourself after eating or drinking will show a temporary spike in weight, as will wearing heavy clothing. Water retention from salty meals, hormonal changes, or intense workouts can also make the scale lie. Weighing yourself too often leads to stress over minor fluctuations, while relying only on the scale ignores muscle gain and body composition changes.

Instead of obsessing over daily numbers, track trends over time and consider other indicators like how your clothes fit. Fix these mistakes, and you’ll finally get an accurate picture of your weight journey!