Myths and truths about the scales – so you don’t fool yourself with the pointers anymore! – GOOD SHAPE

It’s hard to believe that a bunch of counterweights and rods can cause so many mixed feelings. But it’s true, sometimes we go months without having the courage to go near the scale. After all, it is she who translates into numbers that innocent coxinha at snack time or the ice cream cup full of holiday toppings. Face it: the result that appears on the display is the mirror of your actions. Therefore, how about starting to see this equipment as a big sister that gives good advice and makes important alerts?

former partner
The scale is one of the most ancestral measuring instruments of torture, oops! The first one appeared in Egypt, more than 7000 years ago, to measure ingredients for potions and ointments. But, certainly, the vain Egyptians already took advantage of the invention at that time. Who manufactured the first piece in Brazil was the Italian immigrant Vicente Filizola, in 1886.

Mission Impossible
The purpose of this machine is to measure the weight of bodies and, preferably, to make its owner happy. On the mechanical scale, you step right into the center of the platform and it moves. At the other end, a set of weights is adjusted on a scale of numbers. The result appears when the balance arm is balanced. If the equipment is electronic, just below the platform a load cell is placed that calculates the equivalence of the displacement generated by the weighted body in kilos.

(6 diet questions that weigh in the balance)

For all tastes
There are two types of scales: mechanics (the one used in doctors’ offices) and electronics. The first depends on manual adjustments and is quite accurate as long as it is used correctly. The electronics are compact and require no practice. Just go up and see how much the display marks. On the other hand, it is sensitive and easily deregulated, because of knocks, for example. In general, scales manufactured for people measure every 100 grams and that is more than enough.

by appointment
Always weigh yourself at the same time, under the same conditions, with the same clothes – or without them. “Our body undergoes weight changes during the day: a full bladder or bowel can mean up to 400 grams more each”, exemplifies nutritionist Marcia Daskal. If you don’t have a fixed daily routine, it’s better to step on the scale in the morning, on an empty stomach. There’s no error there. Furthermore, “even if you are doing aerobic work with the aim of burning fat, the changes do not appear overnight”, explains Alexandre Freitas, technical director of the Bio Ritmo academy. “Therefore, control the neurosis and weigh yourself at least seven to ten days apart”, advises the specialist.

(Do your picture diary during the diet)

Rumors and Truths:

1. Gym scales are out of balance
It is possible. But, not because it is used by a large number of people, but because of small oversights. “Any knock or fall can damage its internal circuit”, explains Cassio Coelho, Filizola’s national sales manager. Want to do a test to see if everything is ok? Place a 4 kg weight on the platform and see how much the display shows.

2. Bodybuilding makes the scale pointer go up
And truth. “This happens because muscles are three times denser than fat”, explains Alexandre Freitas. However, those extra kilos are muscle (the lean mass) and not fat. “Right after training, it is possible to gain up to 1 kilo, because the muscle tissue swells due to the effort”, says the specialist.

3. Sauna loses weight
Sweating profusely for 1 hour in the sauna or pedaling madly in a spinning class does change your weight — by up to 2 kilos! But all you’ve lost, in both cases, is water. “Just drink a few glasses to regain hydration and get back to weight”, guarantees Alexandre.

4. Clothes justify discounts
It’s true: shoes can weigh up to 1.5 kilos (sandals are worth 0.5 kilos, high boots 1.5 kilos), winter clothes such as woolen sweaters and pants weigh an average of 1 kilo. To get an absolutely accurate measurement, there’s nothing better than always weighing yourself in the same clothes — or none at all.