If Weight Loss Feels Impossible, This is Why (The Scale is Rigged)
In the enlightening video “If Weight Loss Feels Impossible, This is Why (The Scale is Rigged),” Dr. Eric Berg, a seasoned nutrition expert with over 30 years of experience, uncovers why obsessing over the scale may hinder your weight loss journey. He outlines 11 reasons to abandon daily weigh-ins, emphasizing that fluctuations in weight—often caused by factors like water retention, hormonal changes, and even muscle gain—can lead to unnecessary stress and frustration, ultimately amplifying cortisol levels that sabotage progress.
Dr. Berg explains how factors like poor sleep, medication side effects, and unhealthy eating habits, including high sugar and carbohydrate intake, can obstruct your weight loss efforts. Instead of fixating on the scale, he encourages viewers to measure their health through more reliable metrics such as waist-to-height ratios and insulin levels.
Ultimately, the video promotes a paradigm shift: focus on health first, and weight loss will naturally follow. By ditching the scale and prioritizing overall well-being, you can achieve lasting results and true wellness. Tune in to gain invaluable insights into a healthier approach to weight management.
Watch the video by Dr. Eric Berg DC
Author Video Description
Don’t let scale obsession prevent you from getting healthy and losing weight. Non-scale victories often occur before fat loss. Stop weighing yourself constantly and avoid other common weight-loss mistakes that could be hindering your success. Find out why you might want to ditch the scale in this video!
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0:00 Introduction: 11 reasons to stop weighing yourself
1:07 Why you shouldn’t weigh yourself
2:58 Hormones and weight loss
8:12 Sleep and weight loss
11:22 Healthy weight-loss tips
16:36 The best weight-loss advice
Scale obsession is not helpful for weight loss. The rise in cortisol from scale anxiety alone is enough to stifle your progress!
Here are 11 reasons why you shouldn’t weigh yourself:
1. Water weight
Some people can lose up to 11 pounds of water weight in just 2 days! Initial water weight loss can cause unrealistic expectations. Most people only lose 1 to 2 pounds per week.
2. Salt
Salty foods can cause you to retain fluid, especially if you’re consuming them with sugar.
3. Hormones
A woman’s menstrual cycle can often cause weight-loss fluctuations of around 3 to 7 pounds. A rise in cortisol can also prevent weight loss.
4. Location of fat
The worst type of fat is visceral fat, which accumulates around the organs. If you don’t see weight loss right away, you could be losing some of the more dangerous types of fat first.
5. Muscle loss or gain
Losing muscle isn’t healthy! Your weight may be decreasing, but it could also be accompanied by serious side effects. Similarly, muscle weighs more than fat, so you won’t see weight loss if you’re building muscle.
6. Myxedema
This type of fat is often found in people with hypothyroidism and is difficult to eliminate with diet and exercise alone.
7. Poor sleep
One week of poor sleep can increase insulin resistance! Poor sleep leads to snacking, increased visceral fat, lower testosterone levels, and higher cortisol and stress levels.
8. Ozempic
People lose weight with Ozempic, but typically regain it when they discontinue use. Around 20% to 40% of this weight loss is attributed to muscle loss.
9. Microdamage from exercise
Overtraining breaks down your muscles. Edema and swelling can cause your weight to increase after exercise.
10. Medication
Medications such as calcium channel blockers can cause weight gain.
11. Constipation
Fiber intake and constipation can affect the number on the scale.
Stop weighing yourself and focus on these healthy weight-loss tips instead:
1. Waist-to-height ratio
2. Fasting insulin
3. Appetite decreases
4. Tiny amounts of carbs can block fat burning
5. Fix insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is the root cause of many chronic diseases. Fixing it is the key to getting healthy and losing weight.
Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 60, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals and author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.
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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients, so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose, and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Thanks for watching! I hope this explains why you should ditch the scale and focus on getting healthy first. I’ll see you in the next video.
Video “If Weight Loss Feels Impossible, This is Why (The Scale is Rigged)” was uploaded on 12/13/2025 to Youtube Channel Dr. Eric Berg DC