Track weekly weight to observe natural fluctuation and reduce the power of daily weighing.
Weigh yourself once per week at the same time under the same conditions. Plot the trend over time. This replaces daily or multiple-daily weighing and helps you see that weight naturally fluctuates without meaning you've "gained weight."
Use throughout CBT-E for underweight clients or those who need to establish a healthy relationship with weight monitoring. Weekly weighing in session replaces chaotic patterns of frequent checking or complete avoidance.
Explain that weekly collaborative weighing replaces problematic weighing patterns. Frame it as gathering data together — the therapist and client look at the number as information, not as a judgment. Discuss in advance how to interpret normal weight fluctuations.
For clients with severe weight phobia, build up gradually — start by discussing what the number means before actually weighing. For those who weigh themselves multiple times daily, agree to remove home scales as part of this intervention.
Do not use if the client is not yet engaged in treatment or if weighing triggers dangerous compensatory behaviours that cannot be managed. Ensure medical monitoring is in place for underweight clients.
Plot weight on a graph to show trends rather than focusing on individual data points. Educate about normal weight fluctuations (1-2kg) due to hydration, digestion, and hormonal cycles. The therapeutic goal is developing a 'so what' response to the number rather than an emotional reaction.
Suitable for clients working with eating disorder, weight monitoring, cbt-e, weekly weighing. This tool can be used as a standalone worksheet or as part of a structured homework plan.
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