We’ve all done it. We’ve stepped onto a scale, hoping to find some sort of comfort in the number indicated on the dial. The scale, for many, can be seen as a means of determination. Not only with your weight, but with overall self-confidence.
But spoiler alert, the number you see on the scale is NOT a measurement of your worth, your health or anything particularly noteworthy.
Using the scale as a measure of success in your fitness journey can actually hinder your results. This can mostly have an impact on your mental well-being when, in reality, there are other methods of evaluating your accomplishments.
A number of factors influence body weight, and when you are in the process of changing your body through fitness and a healthy diet, your weight will fluctuate.
If you are training effectively, you are more than likely adding muscle. Since muscle is much denser than body fat, your body weight will definitely be skewed. Additionally, your body’s fluid balance, hormones and even your body’s waste all have an impact on the number seen on the scale.
Your body weight can be a poor portrayal of your overall health. If you are practising positive habits in fitness and nutrition, then you will be making a beneficial impact on your body and your health, regardless of what the number on the scale tells you.
So, what are some ways to measure your progress without referring to the number on the scale? There’s a ton of options out there, as long as they make you proud of your accomplishments.
Some methods are more concrete, depending on what you are looking for. For example, things like hitting a personal best when lifting or tracking your commitment to your fitness and nutrition plans are all ways to measure out your success.
Other approaches can be more subjective and focus more on how you feel. Ask yourself, are you seeing any positive changes in your body? Are you feeling more energetic, strong and confident? How do you feel about the changes you’re making and the progress you’re seeing?
These are all excellent alternatives for measuring your progress, rather than focusing on the traditional number on the scale. And this is a great way to ensure that you’re making great advancement toward your fitness goals.
There are too many factors influencing our body weight, many of which are beyond our control. So why let that number that we see influence our mood and mindset when it comes to measuring our success? My advice to all of you, find the things that make you feel great about your health and your body, and work to improve in those areas continuously, so you can have longevity in your engagement to the healthy behaviours that are contributing to your goals! In no time, you’ll find yourself in a much more positive headspace, and you’ll have even more motivation to continue doing those things, to improve your overall health.
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