Hello friends!
So losing weight is probably one of the hardest things any one individual will ever try to accomplish. There is a billion dollar industry trying to help people reach this seemingly impossible goal. Millions of people are in this battle with themselves to succeed and finally have the strong, sculpted body of their dreams.
One of the hardest parts of this journey is not seeing results fast enough. We check the scale too often and don’t really see beyond that number. When it doesn’t change in our favor, we become frustrated and lose sight of what we are trying to do.
So getting past that number is so important to seeing the progress you have made so far. There are so many ways to measure weight loss success. The scale simply does not show the whole picture. So I wanted to share with you some different ways to change track your progress on this journey. My hope is that you will look past the scale and really get psyched about how far you’ve come.
1.Get a digital scale.
I know I said I would give alternatives to the scale. However, I wanted to share this option because I use it myself. I do weigh myself regularly but I can understand why it could be seen as unhelpful by others.
Still, I suggest a very specific kind of scale if you do decide to go that route. Get yourself a digital scale. It tells you so much more than just your weight. It gives you a reading of your total body composition.
That means muscle mass, body fat percentage, bone density, water weight, Body Mass Index, and of course you weight. Rather than focus on each individual number, you can see a more complete picture of how your body is reacting to your fitness efforts.
Don’t over analyze the results but see the power you have to change your body. I recommend the Digital Body Fat Weight Scale by GreaterGoods because it’s really inexpensive but accurate and reliable. I’ve had mine for a while and it’s been great to keep track of my numbers as one piece of a bigger picture.
2. Take pictures often.
Yet another very value way to measure is taking full body pictures on a regular basis. We often think we can’t see the changes in the mirror and get discouraged when weight loss isn’t obvious. This tends to make people give up too soon. The mirror is not always kind and it is so easy to lose hope.
Remember, change happens very subtly and over time. You will not see a difference today from last week. However, you can see changes from 3 months ago or even last year. When you step back and see the bigger picture (ha ha), you will find the strength to keep going. We are too hard on ourselves when it comes to the mirror. Photographing ourselves at each stage of the journey is the best way to see actual progress and not get discouraged,
3. Take a video.
I don’t know if this is weird but along with my pictures, I always take a 360 video of myself. I like to see the subtle differences that a picture cannot capture. Seeing yourself in a video makes it very real; you see how your body moves at that higher/lower weight. When you are feeling down on your progress and you need a reminder of where you used to be, a video is a perfect comparison tool. I love being able to watch those home movies and really see how much I’ve changed.
4. Use a measuring tape.
Taking measurements is also a clear cut way to see how your body is changing. Measure each body part and track them over time. These changes will be very obvious. Even if the scale does not change the inches do not lie. Being able to see your body parts change helps you take ownership of the weight loss process. You see a direct correlation between the actions you take and the results when you measure.
5. Get some dream sized clothes.
On this weight loss journey, a lot of us usually see having more shopping options as a great motivator for using weight. Being able to fit into old clothes is also another great one. Whether it’s old or new, having a dream pair of jeans is a great way to gauge your success. You can buy a new pair at every stage of your journey and set new goals for yourself. If you’ve always wanted to wear a bikini, fitting into a dream swim swim is one of the most gratifying things you can experience. As your wardrobe options grow, you will feel more and more empowered to continue succeeding on this journey. It feeling great seeing all your hard work pay off!
While the scale is a useful tool when it comes to tracking weight loss, it is not the only one. I’ve listed 4 other ways you can measure success on your journey. I actually use a combination of all of them. This way I get to see a more complete picture of how I’m doing. By utilizing all these tools, you will feel confident that all your efforts are working and you will be more likely to finally stick with it.
Always remember, You are capable of amazing things and You are worthy of your wildest dreams!
Until next time friends!
XOXO
~~Valerie~~
