Bathroom scales suck.

NSVs are better.

June 12, 2025

Welcome to ☀️ Beyond The Shot!

Today’s topics:

  • Why bathroom scales suck

  • Why NSVs don’t suck

*For educational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider before making changes to diet and exercise.
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Imagine a monkey that weighs 150 lb and wants to lose weight.

The monkey decides to start making changes to its lifestyle.

It takes a GLP-1, eats less than usual, gets enough protein, and exercises regularly.

After a year of hard work, the monkey decides to check its weight again.

The scale still says 150 lb.

The monkey is sad.

While it did all the right things, it made one big mistake.

The monkey focused on the scale number.

Don’t be like this monkey.

People who lose weight often end up making the same mistake as the monkey.

They focus on the scale number instead of the positive things like a healthy lifestyle change or changes in their appearance.

And you know what? It’s extremely common.

MAIN TOPIC
Bathroom scales suck

Let me tell you why:

  • Weight is always fluctuating from water retention, hormones, or even food sitting in your stomach so the scale number can be all over the place

  • Scales can’t tell if you’re losing fat, gaining muscle, or dropping water weight

  • It can lead to scale anxiety or a number obsession (can happen with counting calories too)

    • A few of my past clients and I have dealt with it. It took me almost 6 months to get over it completely.

Now let me tell you about Non-Scale Victories.

Non-Scale Victories (NSVs)

What the heck are Non-Scale Victories?

NSVs focuses on important things that the scale can miss like:

  • you eat healthier

  • how your body feels

  • how you feel in your body

  • clothes fitting better or looser

  • have more energy or feel stronger

  • health improvements like less medications

  • and so much more

If you’ve been on GLP-1s for a while you might’ve noticed (or not noticed yet) some of these good things happening that aren’t scale related.

Those are Non-Scale Victories.

Should you still use bathroom scales?

Yes, of course but only if you want to. Just because they suck doesn’t mean they aren’t useful.

Scales are a good tool because:

  • They give you a number you can track and measure.

  • They’re really easy to use. You just step on it.

  • Can be good for goal-setting (can also use NSVs).

    • For example, if you want to hit a realistic goal weight you can see if you’re on track.

The bottom line is that the more tools you have, the better.

Most people think the only way to track progress is through the scale number and this can lead to some issues.

If you were like these people before, I hope you aren’t now.

How to use the scale properly

  1. When you wake up

    • This is because you haven’t eaten or drank anything that can sit in your stomach and affect the scale number.

  2. After you use the bathroom

    • So the food sitting in your stomach from the night before doesn’t affect the scale number.

  3. With minimal clothes on

    • Your clothes weigh something, which again, affects the scale number. Winters can be rough.

  4. Before you eat or drink anything. Small sips of water is okay

    • Read the bullet point under #1

We do all this so the scale number can be as consistent as possible when we weigh ourselves.

How to track your progress using the scale

  1. Try to weigh yourself about 2-3 times a week minimum, if you can do more then go for it.

  2. Write the scale numbers somewhere.

  3. At the end of the week, add all the scale numbers then get the average.
    That’s your weekly average weight.

  4. Compare weekly average weights to see your progress.

  5. Download an app to do all this cause it’s too much work.

Here are a few apps that help track weight:

Why do we get the average weekly weight?

Because weight fluctuates daily.

One day you can be 5 lb over your usual weight because you ate extra salty foods the night before which caused you to gain water weight.

And the next day you can be back to your usual weight because the water weight dropped.

Getting your weekly average helps smooth out the day-to-day fluctuations.

GO BEYOND THE SHOT
What are your NSVs?


Think about something you struggled with.

Maybe it was being out of breath after going up the stairs.

Clothes not fitting like they used to.

Eating food that wasn’t the healthiest.

Have you noticed a difference today?

Really think about it, it can be anything.

If something has changed for the better, that’s your Non-Scale Victory.

Keep it up.

I show people how to get better results while on weight-loss meds for free.
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DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. I provide general fitness and nutrition guidance, but this does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your exercise or diet, especially while taking medications. Individual needs vary greatly based on health conditions, medications, and personal factors. Results are not guaranteed. By using this information, you acknowledge you do so at your own risk. This content is general guidance only, not personalized counseling. I am not liable for any injuries, health issues, or outcomes that may result. If you experience adverse effects, stop and consult your healthcare provider immediately.
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